Camarate Golf sits right in the heart of the most interesting part of Andalusia. Gibraltar, Tarifa and Ronda are about an hour away, and Seville, Granada or Córdoba make easy day trips. Below are our favourite places, with approximate driving times from the apartment.
The most beautiful places
From the apartment terrace · Tarifa approx. 1 h 10 min
A view of Africa
On clear days you can see Morocco’s Rif mountains and Jebel Musa from the terrace. Africa is closest at Tarifa – only 14 km across the Strait of Gibraltar. The best view is from the Mirador del Estrecho on the road to Tarifa.
approx. 1 h 15 min
Ronda
A town on a rock split by the El Tajo gorge, spanned by the famous Puente Nuevo. Stroll the old town and the Cuenca gardens, and see one of Spain’s oldest bullrings. The drive over the Sierra Bermeja is an attraction in itself.
approx. 1 h 30 min
Setenil de las Bodegas – houses in the rock
A white village where houses, bars and shops were built under rock overhangs. The streets Cuevas del Sol and Cuevas de la Sombra look as if the rock is about to swallow the passers-by.
approx. 20 min
Casares
One of Andalusia’s most beautiful white villages, perched on a rock around a 12th-century Moorish castle. From the castle ruins you can see the coast, Gibraltar and Africa. Perfect for sunset and dinner.
approx. 2 h 30 min
Granada and the Alhambra
The Alhambra palace is the jewel of Moorish art – buy tickets well in advance. The finest view of the Alhambra against the snowy Sierra Nevada is from the Mirador de San Nicolás in the Albaicín.
approx. 1 h 45 min
Cádiz
One of Europe’s oldest cities, almost entirely surrounded by the ocean. The golden-domed cathedral on the Atlantic shore, narrow streets, the fish market and La Caleta beach.
Attractions
approx. 1 h 10 min
Málaga
The Alcazaba fortress and Gibralfaro castle overlooking the port, the Picasso Museum, the cathedral and Malagueta beach. A good stop on your arrival or departure day.
approx. 40 min
Gibraltar
The famous Rock, the cable car to the top, St Michael’s Cave and the wild macaques. From the top you can see two continents and two seas. Bring your ID card or passport.
approx. 1 h 10 min
Tarifa
The southernmost point of mainland Europe and the world capital of kitesurfing. A charming old town, long beaches and the ferry to Tangier in Morocco.
approx. 2 h 15 min
Seville
Plaza de España, the cathedral with the Giralda tower, the Alcázar palace and the Santa Cruz quarter. In the evening, catch a flamenco show in Triana.
approx. 3 h
Córdoba
The Mezquita – a former mosque, now a cathedral – with a forest of over 800 columns and red-and-white arches. Next door, the flower-filled patios of the Jewish quarter and the Roman bridge.
approx. 35 min
Marbella and Puerto Banús
An old town with the orange-tree-lined Plaza de los Naranjos, boutiques and a promenade. A few kilometres on, the luxury Puerto Banús marina full of yachts.
approx. 15 min
Estepona
‘The garden of the Costa del Sol’ – an old town of flower-filled streets and huge murals, a long promenade, a harbour with fish restaurants and a Sunday market.
approx. 1 h 45 min
Caminito del Rey
A walkway pinned to the sheer walls of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge, about 100 m above the river. Entry only with a timed ticket – book well ahead on the official website.
approx. 2 h
Nerja Cave
A huge karst cave with one of the largest stalactites in the world. After the visit, take a walk to the Balcón de Europa in Nerja.
Local festivals
Andalusia lives for its festivals. The key dates of the year (exact dates change every year, so check before you travel):
- February – Cádiz Carnival: costumes and satirical choirs in the streets
- March/April – Semana Santa: Easter processions, the finest in Seville and Málaga
- April/May – Seville April Fair: colourful marquees, flamenco dresses, horses and carriages
- May – Córdoba Patio Festival and the romería in Casares
- 23 June – St John’s Night: bonfires and midnight swims on beaches all along the coast
- July – Estepona summer fair
- First weekend of August – Casares fair
- August – Málaga Fair: a week of celebrations in the centre and at the fairground
- September – Ronda’s Feria Goyesca and the Casares patron saint festivities
March/April · Seville, Málaga
Semana Santa
Processions of brotherhoods carrying huge, richly decorated ‘pasos’ are Andalusia’s most moving celebration.
April/May · Seville
April Fair
A week of sevillanas dancing, Jerez wine and carriage rides around the fairground.
May · Córdoba
Patio Festival
Residents open their courtyards, covered in flowering pots, to visitors.
August · Málaga
Málaga Fair
Music, dancing and food stalls in the city centre and at the Cortijo de Torres fairground.
February · Cádiz
Cádiz Carnival
Spain’s most famous carnival – funny costumes and satirical chirigota songs.
23 June · local beaches
St John’s Night
Bonfires, music and the traditional midnight swim in the sea – including on the beach a few minutes from the apartment.
Sports
5–30 min
Golf
A dozen or so golf courses nearby: Estepona Golf (7.3 km), La Duquesa (8.7 km), Doña Julia, Finca Cortesín and the famous Valderrama in Sotogrande.
Tarifa approx. 1 h 10 min
Kitesurfing and windsurfing
The strong Levante and Poniente winds have made Tarifa the world capital of wind sports. Schools and rentals on Los Lances and Valdevaqueros beaches.
Tarifa / Gibraltar
Dolphin and whale watching
The Strait of Gibraltar is one of Europe’s best places to see dolphins, pilot whales and, in summer, orcas and fin whales.
Also nearby: diving and snorkelling, kayaking, jet skis, coastal cycling routes, horse riding and mountain hiking.
Mountains
approx. 45 min
Sierra Bermeja – Los Reales
Red rocks, rare Spanish firs (pinsapo) and a viewpoint at over 1,400 m with views of Gibraltar, Africa and the whole coast.
approx. 1 h
Genal Valley
A green valley of white villages among chestnut forests. In autumn the leaves turn copper – hence the name ‘Copper Forest’.
approx. 1 h 45 min
Sierra de Grazalema
A nature park of limestone peaks, gorges and the white town of Grazalema. Great hiking trails, including the Garganta Verde.
approx. 1 h 50 min
El Torcal de Antequera
A stone city of limestone blocks stacked like piles of pancakes. Easy marked trails and encounters with Iberian ibex.
approx. 1 h 45 min
Gaitanes Gorge
Around the Caminito del Rey you’ll also find the turquoise El Chorro reservoirs – perfect for a picnic or kayaking.
approx. 2 h 45 min
Sierra Nevada
The highest mountains in the Iberian Peninsula. Skiing in winter, trekking in summer – ski in the morning and lie on the beach in the afternoon.
Water
5–10 min on foot
Beaches by the apartment
Playa de la Galera and Piedra de la Paloma (200 m), plus the longer Sabinillas beach (1 km) with chiringuito bars and a promenade.
approx. 15 min
Baños de la Hedionda
Roman sulphur baths in a valley below Casares. Legend has it Julius Caesar was cured here. Bathing in the natural pool is free.
approx. 1 h 30 min
Bolonia beach
A wild beach with a huge dune, crystal-clear water and the ruins of the Roman town of Baelo Claudia right by the sand.
Local curiosities
approx. 1 h 15 min
Júzcar – the blue village
In 2011 the whole village was painted blue for the premiere of an animated film. The residents liked it so much they kept the colour.
approx. 40 min
Gibraltar’s macaques
Europe’s only wild monkeys. Legend says that as long as they stay on the Rock, Gibraltar will remain British. Don’t feed them and keep an eye on your bags!
approx. 50 min
Gaucín and the white villages
Gaucín, Genalguacil (a museum village with sculptures in the streets) and other pueblos blancos – each one different, all with mountain and sea views.
- Blas Infante, the ‘father of Andalusia’ and author of its flag and anthem, was born in Casares. His house is now a museum.
- Along with Cádiz, Casares is the only town that Napoleon’s troops never conquered.
- You can still walk across the runway of Gibraltar airport – when a plane lands, barriers close the crossing.
- Tarifa is so close to Africa that on a clear night you can see the lights of Moroccan towns.
- Nearby Manilva is famous for its moscatel grapes and sweet wine – try it in September during the grape harvest festival.
Travel times are approximate and calculated by car from the apartment. Photos: Wikimedia Commons; authors and licences are given under each photo.