Beautiful towns of Spain a short trip from Marbella.
The historic centre of Marbella offers a taste of an older Spain that is more often found hidden away from the coastal hotspots. Some of the most beautiful parts of the country are to be found not only in the grand cities such as Sevilla, Madrid or Barcelona—impressive though they are—but in the smaller towns and villages tucked away slightly off the beaten track. In honour of these beautiful spots a website has been set up to give them recognition and help travellers choose the best places to visit. It isn’t easy to make it onto the site, which is called los Pueblos mas bonitos de Espana (the most beautiful towns of Spain) despite the fact any town with less than 15,000 inhabitants can apply. Only 20 per cent of applicants have actually been accepted and several of them are in Andalucía, within easy reach of Marbella for a day trip. Ideal day trip from Marbella While people wanting a day out from Marbella often look towards Gibraltar, Ronda and Sevilla, less well known is the area east of Málaga city, known as the Axarquia. Here Málaga and Granada provinces meet amongst the striking mountains that eventually become the Sierra Nevada range. It is a land of dramatic coastlines and mountain villages surrounded by natural splendour, one of which is Frigiliana—officially one of Spain’s prettiest villages. Situated a few kilometres inland from the seaside resort of Nerja, it is just one hour and 15 minutes from Marbella centre and easy to reach via the modern coastal motorway that bypasses Málaga city. It might sound like a cliché, but a trip to Frigiliana really is a journey into the past, with its winding streets, narrow alleys and steep steps making walking the only way to explore its ancient Moorish-Mudéjar heart. It is a delight to visit and possibly taste some of the local sweet wines produced by the vineyards surrounding this mountain village, whose views across the coast to the Mediterranean are nothing short of stunning. Typical Andalusian White Village Another of the most beautiful towns in Spain can be found by heading west into Cadíz province. Vejer de la Frontera is the archetypical Andalusian white village, with its stunning hill top location overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar and position on the banks of the Barbate river lending it a dramatic profile as the traveller approaches. Surrounded by orange groves that perfume the air in springtime, Vejer contains several ancient churches and convents, while the streets follow a medieval layout probably not much changed since Moorish times. This enchanting little town carries the ‘de la Frontera’ addition because it was one of the places marking the border with the Muslim Kingdom of Granada, having been recaptured by Christian forces in 1248. Nearby natural parks offer walking trails, while for the historically minded, the Battle of Trafalgar was fought just off the coastline at the Bay of Trafalgar. About an hour and 45 minutes drive from Marbella, the area offers an ideal day out to see one of the most beautiful of the small towns of Spain. These are just two of the many cultural trips available to people who have a base in Marbella. If you are looking for a home in Marbella please get in touch with us. Altavista Property has a wide selection of villas and apartments for sale in this beautiful resort area, all just a short drive from some of the most beautiful parts of Spain.
