One of the most unspoilt towns on the Costa del Sol coastline of Spain, San Pedro de Alcantara is situated about ten kilometres west of the glitz and glamour of Marbella. A world away from its upmarket neighbour, San Pedro de Alcantara is a quiet and peaceful coastal town with some excellent beaches, it has a population of 26,500 and is surrounded by the rugged hills of the Sierra Blanca, Sierra del Real and the Sierra Bermeja. San Pedro de Alcantara is well known as the location of the final summer fair to be held in Andalucia, an event which features a bull fight held in the ancient Iberian style. The town is ideal for peaceful family style holidays and is perfect for golfers, having numerous fine courses in its environs, among these are the 3 courses of the Guadalmina Golf Resort, the Atalaya Golf and Country Club and the El Paraiso Golf Club. San Pedro de Alcanatara is near to Puerto Banus and can be reached via the N-340 coast road. San Pedro de Alcantara Map.
September 8, 2009
Calpe Costa Blanca
Penon de Ifach Calpe
One of the northern Costa Blanca’s major holiday destinations, Calpe is located north of the massive resort of Benidorm and south of the more laid back resort of Moraira. Calpe boasts one of the Costa Blanca’s best known landmarks in the form of the Penon de Ifach rock formation, now a protected Natural Park. Calpe was formerly just a small fishing village and was originally the site of Iberian settlements, the Romans arrived there during their conquest of the Iberian Peninsular and founded a fish salting factory near the present day beach, remains of which still exist in the form of the Queen’s Baths. The Penon de Ifach was always important for the town as a watchtower and was also the location of the town of Ifach which was later destroyed during the War of the Two Pedros. Calpe itself grew after this and developed as a walled town often attacked by pirates. During the mid-twentieth century a small tourism industry developed and this grew into a major earner for the town by the 1970’s. Attracting those seeking a slightly more laid back atmosphere than its neighbour Benidorm which is one of the world’s major seaside resorts, Calpe is still more developed than many of the areas other towns and has a good range of facilties. Map of Calpe.
Estepona Andalucia
Until the 20th century just a small fishing village in Andalucia, Estepona has now grown into a sizeable resort popular with holidaymakers, especially the Spanish themselves. Attracted by the fine climate, excellent beaches and pretty harbour, tourists arrive in their thousands in July and August, but also throughout the year as the town experiences a unique micro-climate giving Estepona some of the best weather in the region or in fact the whole of Spain. The old town still retains much of its traditional charm and it is a pleasure to stroll through the narrow cobbled streets and shaded squares. For a welcome breeze and a relaxed coffee, head for Estepona harbour where luxury yachts sit beside traditional fishing boats, try one of the harbourside restaurants for fresh fish dishes and local delicacies. For beach lovers there are miles of beaches around the town (some 21 km in all), with water sports on offer and the usual facilities. There is plenty of golf to be had around Estepona with 4 excellent courses to the south-west of the town. Map of Estepona.
September 7, 2009
Gran Alacant Costa Blanca
Located between Alicante and Santa Pola on the Costa Blanca, Spain, the new development and resort of Gran Alacant is ideally situated for holidays and holiday homes. If you are thinking of resettling in the area then Gran Alacant may be just the place for you. Overlooking the azure blue Mediterranean Sea it is located beside the sand dunes of Santa Pola and Los Arenales del Sol and is just 4 km from the airport at Alicante. Great as a base for touring the Costa Blanca, as it located centrally and you can soon be in the mountainous area to the north where you can visit such picturesque places as Guadalest and the Fuentes de Algar waterfall, or head south for the flat plains of the Vega Baja and some interesting towns such as Torrevieja and Orihuela.
Guatiza Lanzarote
A northeastern Canarian community in the Teguise municipality of Lanzarote, Guatiza has a population of around 800 and is well known for its cactus garden and cactus plantations. The cactus garden is located in an old volcanic hollow and was designed by Lanzarote architect César Manrique, it contains over 1,500 species of cactus. The large cactus plantations are grown to attract the cochineal beetle which lives on the prickly pear cactus, and the resulting cochineal has been an important product for the village for many centuries. The old village of Guatiza was sacked several times by the Moors and was moved to a safer location. Guatiza is situated 2 kilometres from the coast about nine kilometres north of Costa Teguise and Tahiche.
Guadalest Costa Blanca
Guadalest Castle
One of the most visited locations on the Costa Blanca, Castell de Guadalest is an amazing place with a long history. Overlooked by its 12th century castle, built by the Moors in an inaccessible location atop a steep mountain, Guadalest is a picture postcard village with a resident population of just a couple of hundred. The upper town and castle can only be reached by entering a 15 metre long tunnel, carved from solid rock, and the streets below and above are lined with tiny souvenir shops selling mementos and local products. From the village square at the top there is a spectacular view of the Embalse de Guadalest reservoir, way below in the valley. The castle of Guadalest gave refuge to the Moors in their struggle for control of the area when besieged by the reconquering Christians, and held out here long after much of Spain had fallen, a picture of the castle can be seen above, showing how inaccessible this place is.