Places of Interest

Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region. At its foot is the densely populated city area, home to almost 30.000 Gibralariansand other nationalities. Thr territory was subsequently ceded to Britain by Spain under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713.It became an important base for the British Royal Navy, which drove the economy and provided employments for a large portion of the local population. Today its economy is based largely on tourism, financial service and shipping More information what to see: http://www.gibnet.com/tourist/general.htm If you are going to Gibraltar, don’t forget your passport.

Distance from La Cornisa 100 km.

Gaucin

Gaucin is a spectacularly beautiful mountain village commanding sweeping views to Gibraltar and the Rif mountains of North Africa. Gaucin has a population of only 2000 and is perched 626 metres above sea level. The castle is open from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 7 pm and occasional concerts are held here. Foot stomping flamenco can also be enjoyed at the convent where concerts are held, while classical recitals take place in the church.

The centre of the village is a tangle of narrow, twisting streets and was once a haven for brandy and tobacco smugglers who travelled through the surrounding hills. Gaucin offers two hotels, one of which has an excellent international style restaurant. There are also six restaurants within the village and about the same number just outside. There are many artists living in the village and art courses are tutored locally. A recording studio has been established by a young Argentinean.

Distance from La Cornisa 90 km.

Casares

Casares is a picture postcard village with a population of just three thousand and the view from the approach is definitely worth a photo. To say that Casares is beautiful is an understatement. Most of the white villages are beautiful but there is something very special about the sight of Casares that causes the visitor to park the car and simply stare or take a photo. There are the sugar cubes again, piled precariously high and just nudging the battlements of an Arab castle.

It is hard to believe that this enchanting, typical village is only nine miles from the hustle and bustle of the coast and somehow succeeded in avoiding the coach tour circuit. Luckily there is the Restaurant La Terraza on hand to prepare you for the walk around Casares’ hilly streets. Park the Car either here or by one of the other bars a little further on and climb down one of the footpaths that lead into the village. Don’t expect rural venta prices.

Distance from La Cornisa 75 km.

Marbella

Well known for being a playground for the rich and famous, Marbella has a cosmopolitan attitude combined with Andalucian traditions and hospitality. Stroll down the pretty back streets and you will find lively bistros, authentic tapas bars and gourmet restaurants.

Nearby you can visit Puerto Banus and its exclusive harbor or dine in the cobbled villages such as Benahavis and Mijas. With plenty of major golf resorts, fashionable boutiques and nightclubs, Marbella is a top destination in Europe.

Distance from La Cornisa 20 km.

Benahavis

Benahavis, a mountain village 7km from the coast, is situated between Marbella, Estepona and Ronda. Renowned for its restaurants – they call it the dining room of the Costa del Sol – it is above all a picturesque place, where one can find  incredible mountain- and sea-views. Located on the Southern face of the Serrania de Ronda mountain range, Benahavis is the most mountainous village on the western Costa del Sol.

Its terrain is traversed by the Rivers Guadalmina, Guadaiza and Guadalmanza. Regions of great natural and historic interest are to be found within its boundaries, such as El Cerro del Duque, Daidin and the Montemayor Castle. About 3800 inhabitants, of which more than half are foreigners.

Distance from La Cornisa 25 km.

Mijas Pueblo

One of the jewels of the Costa del Sol is the beautiful little village of Mijas, which nestles comfortably in the mountainside at 428 meters above sea level; it is a superb choice for either holiday or full time living. Of the 7,500 population, there are so many foreign and English speaking residents. When you wander through the narrow cobbled streets of this Andalucian village, you can understand what has attracted foreigners to settle here over the years.

Many artists and writers have made it their home, enjoying the benefits of an excellent all year round climate, without being part of the busier, more commercial coastal towns just 7 kilometres down the mountain side.Despite its huge popularity with tourists, Mijas Pueblo has somehow managed to retain much of its traditional Andalucian way of life, the locals displaying their unabashed passion for all things festive and an unmistakable relaxed ‘mañana’ outlook on anything that can be put off for another day.

Distance from La Cornisa 25 km.

Nerja

Nerja is on the seashore some 50 kilometres from Málaga on the N340 coastal highway, and marks the eastern tip of Málaga’s Costa del Sol. Once a sleepy fishing village, the town now has a population of over 22,000. Nerja boasts 16 kilometres of beaches with powdery sand and sparkling clear water. All major water sports are available here, including water skiing, scuba diving and sailing. Flanked by a dramatic mountain range, Sierra Almijara, to the east, the town has, fortunately, managed to avoid being blighted by the concrete high-rise scenario which has been the inevitable result of the tourist boom in some of the coastal resorts.

The old quarter of the town is still virtually unchanged with narrow, winding streets, whitewashed houses with wrought iron terraces overflowing with geraniums, on which a canary can sometimes be heard singing… vHowever, the heart of Nerja is its spectacular Balcón de Europa, the “Balcony of Europe”, a magnificent promenade along the edge of a towering cliff, once the site of the great Moorish castle, with sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the small coves and beaches below, against an awesome backdrop of hazy blue mountains.

However, Nerja’s most spectacular attraction is undoubtedly its fascinating caves, located just three kilometres from the centre of town. They include archaeological treasures such as paintings over 20,000 years old and other pre-historic remains. One of the enormous natural caverns has been transformed into a concert hall, where many performances are staged during the summer.

This year Nerja is celebrating the 38th International Cave Festival, with the participation of many top international entertainers. Nerja cuisine includes several specialities including De La Doncella (red mullet) and pescaito frito (fried fish) and ranging from top international cuisine to the ubiquitous sausage, eggs and chips!

Distance from La Cornisa 100 km.

Frigiliana

Voted the ‘prettiest village in Andalucía’ by the Spanish tourism authority, Frigiliana is also important from an historical viewpoint. El Fuerte, the hill that climbs above the village, was the scene of the final bloody defeat of the Moors of La Axarquía in their 1569 rebellion. The hill is topped by scanty remains of a ruined fort from which some of the Moors reputedly threw themselves rather than be killed or captured by the Spanish.

It is said that bones and rusted weapons dating from this encounter still lie among the scrub on El Fuerte. The village is a tangle of narrow cobbled streets lined by whitewashed houses, their wrought-iron balconies filled with planters of brilliant red geraniums. Small plazas provide shady seating while the village bars are popular with visitors who come here to taste the locally produced wine. There are also several excellent shops selling pottery and ceramics, including decorative plates with their distinctive Arab design.

Frigiliana is best explored by foot. There are several buses a day that run from Nerja or, alternatively, leave your car at the car park at the bottom of the hill. Although the village is deservedly on the coach tour circuit, thankfully it hasn’t yet succumbed to the demands of mass tourism with innumerable souvenir shops and overpriced bars.

Distance from La Cornisa 105 km.