Steve's World Blog » Spain

Benalmadena Costa del Sol

needahand — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:47:19 +0000

One of the finest holiday resorts on the Costa del Sol coastline of southern Spain, Benalmadena has a variety of tourist attractions including the Sealife Aquarium, the Selwo Marina and the famous Tivoli World Amusement Park at Arroyo de la Miel. Benalmadena has a history going back to the Arab occupation of Spain, and the name is thought to be derived from the Arabic “Ben-al-Madina” (“Children of the Mines”), referring to the iron ore mines which used to be important in the area. The coastal area of the town, known as Benalmadena Costa is the home of the marina, a popular area with visitors and the location of a variety of shops, bars and restaurants. The inland section is known as Benalmadena Pueblo, an attractive village with pretty white walled houses. Sit and watch the world go by in the charming Plaza de Espana, or visit the picturesque church of Santo Domingo. Benalmadena and this entire stretch of coast enjoys a wonderful climate (Costa del Sol means “Sun Coast”) and the weather in Benalmadena is perfect for family holidays at any time of year. Benalmadena is located between the popular resorts of Torremolinos and Fuengirola and can be accessed from the railway station at Arroyo de la Miel or by road from Malaga airport. If you are not driving you may need to book a Malaga airport transfer, to get you to your destination in Benalmadena, though if you are booking through a tour operator, this will probably already be laid on for you. Benalmadena Map.

Towns of Alicante Province – Torrevieja and La Mata

needahand — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:15:19 +0000

Located to the south of Alicante on the southern Costa Blanca, surrounded by 2 huge salt lakes, the coastal towns of Torrevieja and La Mata are growing resorts with a huge range of facilities and some fabulous sandy beaches. Torrevieja has had some bad press in recent years but much of it has been an exaggeration and the town has continued to flourish despite this criticism. There has been an enormous amount of development in recent years and Torrevieja has grown from a small fishing village to a huge resort. It has been a popular location along with La Mata and the Orihuela Costa, for the purchasing of second holiday homes and a large number of Brits and other North European nationalities have chosen to buy holiday homes there, a large majority choosing to plump for a Torrevieja apartment as these are at the cheaper end of the market. La Mata is a very Spanish resort and attracts a huge number of Spanish tourists during the summer season. Again many Brits have chosen to buy property here and there is a growing ex-pat community. The beaches at La Mata are amongst the finest in the region.The wonderful weather is one of the main reasons for its popularity and Torrevieja and La Mata enjoy a unique micro-climate with over 300 days of sunshine every year. Torrevieja also has some fine beaches, especially to the south of the town and these can get very packed during the summer season. Golfers head to this area in large numbers, as there are some excellent golf courses within easy driving distance of both Torrevieja and La Mata, the closest are the 3 golf courses of the Orihuela Costa, and also nearby are La Finca and La Marquesa golf courses. Torrevieja has some excellent facilities including the water park Aquopolis, a bowling alley, a fine marina and an excellent new shopping centre. Behind both Torrevieja and La Mata lie the enormous salt lakes which have been important for the economy of both towns over the centuries, they now form part of a protected Natural Park which is important for wildlife.

Begur Costa Brava

needahand — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:48:24 +0000

Begur Costa Brava – One of the prettiest towns on the Costa Brava, the historic Begur is overlooked by its sixteenth century castle which was built to warn of pirate attacks. The narrow cobbled streets of the old town are lined with charming fishermen’s cottages, making this a desirable place to visit.

Within the province of Girona, Begur has a population of 3,986, although this of course rises considerably during the busy summer months when large numbers of visitors arrive, in particular from the city of Barcelona. Tourists are attracted by the ancient charm of the old town and the superb nearby beaches, which are amongst the best in the region, they also visit to enjoy the fine climate experienced during the summer with Begur weather being mostly warm and sunny from May to October, though somewhat cooler during the winter months.

The main form of accommodation in Begur is privately owned holiday villas, which is a fantastic way to spend your holiday in the resort. There are some wonderful detached villas, most with private pools and sea views.

Begur is located on the GI-653 and is situated between the better known resorts of Calella and Estartit. Begur Map.

Check out the latest weather in Begur here: Begur Weather.

You can view some holiday villas in and around Begur here: Costa Brava Rentals.

Overview – Balearic Islands

needahand — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:43:54 +0000

A popular holiday destination in the Mediterranean Sea, the Spanish Balearic Islands have something to offer visitors of all tastes. The four main islands of the group are Mallorca (Majorca), Ibiza, Menorca (Minorca) and Formentera, the largest of the group is Mallorca. People have been living on the Balearic Islands since about 5,000 BC, possibly coming originally from mainland Spain, although the islands history are shrouded in myth and legend, some going back to the times of the ancient Greeks. Modern day visitors come from all over the world to enjoy the club scene of lively Ibiza, the family resorts of Mallorca, the quiet of Menorca and the charm of unspoilt Formentera.

Tenerife Hotels – Bahia Principe Resort

needahand — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:34:10 +0000

Located at the southern end of Playa Paraiso (“Paradise Beach”) the popular Bahia Principe Tenerife Resort stands on a cliff overlooking the bay and enjoying spectacular views over the sea to the island of La Gomera. Situated on Tenerife’s renowned south-west coast close to the huge resort of Playa de las Americas the Principe Tenerife attracts thousands of visitors each year. The resort covers some 8,000 square metres and includes a number of swimming pools, gym, shopping and leisure centre, barbers and beauty salon, restaurants, snack bar, tennis court, squash court, Jacuzzi and much, much more. The Bahia Principe Tenerife has 220 well appointed luxury rooms with private bathroom and balcony. The region experiences a wonderful climate and Playa Paraiso weather is perfect for holidays throughout the year, being especially pleasant during the winter months.

Andalucian Towns – Ayamonte

needahand — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:25:17 +0000

Standing on the Guadiana River on the border between Spain and Portugal, the charming little town of Ayamonte has an attractive fishing harbour and an atmospheric ‘old quarter’. Not as important as it once was, since the building of a new suspension bridge to the north, Ayamonte still attracts plenty of tourists and still has a ferry link with the town of Vila Real de San Antonio, on the other side of the Guadiana River in Portugal’s Algarve region. Ayamonte itself has some interesting attractions including the Iglesia de San Francisco (16^th century) and the Iglesia de San Salvador (15^th century). Those seeking a more traditional beach holiday will head for nearby Isla Canela, with many kilometres of wonderful sandy beaches and an excellent golf course, Golf Isla Canela, visitors can enjoy a fine climate with Ayamonte weather being comparable to the nearby Algarve. Isla Canela is accessed by way of a causeway from Ayamonte as it is actually an island separated from the mainland. Surrounding wetland areas are great for birdwatching and they are now a protected nature reserve. Ayamonte Map.

Antequera Andalucia

needahand — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:39:54 +0000

If you wish to get away from the busy Costa del Sol coastline whilst holidaying in the region you might try heading to one of the inland cities of Andalucia and one which may interest you is Antequera, located about 47 km north of Malaga. Best known for its large Bronze Age dolmens (burial mounds) which date from the third century BC, it also has many historic remains from the Moorish occupation including city walls and an ancient castle. Often called “the heart of Andalucia”, Antequera now has over 40,000 inhabitants and is the largest municipality in the Malaga province, industry includes furniture, olives, wool, grain and of course tourism. Places to visit include the Palace of Najera, the Real Colegiata de Santa Maria la Mayor, the bullring, the Fuente de Piedra salt lagoon, the Torcal nature reserve and “Lover’s Rock”, subject of an interesting legend. The Bronze Age dolmens extend underground for sixty five feet. The weather in Antequera is predominantly dry and sunny, with rainfall among the lowest in the region. Antequera Map.

Arrecife Lanzarote

needahand — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:23:21 +0000

One of the largest cities in the Canary Islands, Arrecife became the capital of Lanzarote in 1852 and today has a population of 127,000, though this can increase considerably during the busy season, as Arrecife is a prime destination for tourists to this popular island. Arrecife is the location of Lanzarote’s International Airport, which I situated about 3 kilometres from the city centre in an area known locally as Guacimeta. Arrecife has a number of interesting places to visit and we shall start with El Charco (often called ‘The Puddle’), a lagoon near the centre of the city, which is a popular place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. Some narrow little streets run from El Charco and from here you can reach the San Gines church sitting in an attractive square, which is also the site of many a fiesta and celebration, nearby is the fish market. Arrecife boasts 2 castles, constructed during the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries to defend the city against attacks by Barbary pirates, the Castillo de San Jose is now an art museum and the older Castillo San Gabriel also houses a small museum. The main shopping area is centred around the Calle Leon y Castillo precinct, located to the north of El Charco. Arrecife’s beach is known as Playa del Reducto and the promenade behind the beach can now be followed all the way to the busy resort of Puerto del Carmen. Arrecife enjoys a wonderful all year round climate, with the most pleasant weather experienced during the UK’s winter months. Arrecife Map.

Andratx Mallorca

needahand — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:11:32 +0000

The charming old Mallorca town of Andratx sits in the shadow of the 3,366 foot Puig de Galatzo mountain at the south-western end of the island, overlooked by medieval watchtowers, built to warn of raids by pirates and renegades in centuries past. The fortress like Santa Maria church is well worth a visit if you are in the town. Completely separate from the old town is the equally old port and harbour area, previously just a tiny fishing village, it has been transformed into a popular and exclusive resort, visited by the rich and famous who moor their luxury yachts in the new marina. Andratx has some famous residents including the likes of Tom Cruise and Claudia Schiffer who both own homes there. Andratx and the whole of Mallorca is blessed with a fantastic climate and Andratx weather is particularly pleasant during the summer months, but also quite agreeable during the winter months. Andratx can be accessed from the MA-1 from Palma de Mallorca, you can see a map here: Andratx Map.

Regions of Spain – Andalucia

needahand — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:03:21 +0000

Andalucia, Spain’s most south-westerly region is also the second largest and the most populous of its 17 autonomous communities. Bordering Portugal in the west, Murcia in the east and Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha in the north, its capital and largest city is Seville, which is also one of its eight provinces, the other seven being Almeria, Granada, Jaen, Cordoba, Cadiz, Malaga and Huelva. Andalucia has around eight hundred kilometres of coastline including the coastal regions known as the Costa de la Luz, the Costa del Sol, the Costa Tropical and the Costa Almeria, throughout these regions are a huge number of wonderful sandy beaches and some of the best known seaside resorts in Spain. A pioneer in Spain’s tourist industry, Andalucia attracts millions of visitors each year, not only to its beach resorts but also to its historic cities, with their awe inspiring attractions. Andalucia is where some of Spain’s best known traditions began, most notably bullfighting and flamenco dancing, it also boasts a history as complex as anywhere in Spain and a population of equal complexity. Andalucia can inspire and amaze, its widely varying landscapes can fool you as to where exactly you are, with the snow capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada just a few kilometres from the sun kissed beaches of its coastline, along with its geography, Andalucia weather can vary considerably from area to area from the cold of the mountains, to the high winds of its Atlantic (Costa de la Luz) coastline, to the warm beaches of the Costa del Sol and Costa Tropical. Andalucia has something for everyone. Andalucia Map.

Costa Blanca Resorts – Altea

needahand — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:03:20 +0000

One of the prettiest towns on the Costa Blanca, Spain, Altea old town is perched on a hilltop, overlooking the sea close to the huge resort of Benidorm. Separated from Benidorm by the Sierra Helada, Altea could hardly be more different, as yet unspoilt by mass tourism and over development, it still retains much of its old Spanish character. Altea has one or two decent hotels, but a better option for a holiday, might be to rent out a holiday villa and enjoy a bit of luxury during your stay. The town boasts a super climate and the weather in Altea is pretty reliable all year round, Altea is just 45 minutes drive from Alicante airport and is easily reached via the N-332 or the AP-7 motorway. Altea Map.

Almunecar – Costa del Sol

needahand — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:48:30 +0000

One of the more interesting towns on the Costa Tropical section of the Costa del Sol coastline of southern Spain, is the ancient town of Almunecar, a settlement since it was founded by the Phoenicians in 800 BC, it was formerly known as “Sexi”, and in Roman times as “Firmium Julium Sexi”, and was a significant port and commercial town, especially known for fish salting and related industries. The Romans thought it important enough to construct five aqueducts in the region, all of which still stand today and four of which are still used to this day. In the mid-twentieth century the writer Laurie Lee wrote about the town in his well read books and soon after it began to develop as a holiday resort and tourist destination. These days it is a busy coastal resort with a decent range of facilities, it enjoys a typical Costa del Sol climate with long, hot summers and mild winters, Almunecar weather is perfect for family holidays from May to October and also ideal for winter breaks when the climate is warmer than northern Europe. During the Arab occupation of Spain, Almunecar was the final town to fall to the Christians before the fall of Granada. Almunecar has a good range of holiday accommodation and some excellent hotels such as the 4 Star Almunecar Playa Hotel, situated right beside the beautiful Playa de San Cristobal, other beaches include the Puerta del Mar, El Tesorillo, Cantarrijan, and Velilla beach. Map of Almunecar.

Mallorca Resorts – Alcudia

needahand — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:20:48 +0000

Worth visiting on a holiday in Mallorca is the northern town of Alcudia and its harbour area Port D’Alcudia. Less touristy than the southern resorts, Alcudia also has a bit of history to go with its 6 miles or so of coast and beaches. An old walled town, Alcudia was for centuries the target of pirate raids and many of its ancient fortifications can still be seen today, the sturdy church of Sant Jaume (Saint James) forms part of these medieval walls. In the busy Port D’Alcudia you will find fishing and pleasure craft along with Naval and commercial vessels, as this is still a working port, it is also where most of the tourist facilities are located including plenty of bars and restaurants where you can eat by day and party by night. Alcudia is a mostly quiet family resort though, and those seeking a hectic sun and fun holiday should head for the southern resorts such as Magaluf. Many do choose to holiday here however, and those that do are rewarded with the fine weather and a more peaceful and laid back holiday away from the hustle and bustle of the major package holiday resorts. Alcudia Map.

Costa del Azahar Resorts – Alcossebre

needahand — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:12:47 +0000

One of the tranquil coastal resorts of the Costa del Azahar, Spain, Alcossebre lies to the south of the Sierra de Irta Natural Park, a protected area of seafront and hinterland in the Comunitat de Valencia. A great place for a peaceful holiday, or for trekking along this beautiful stretch of coast, Alcossebre is a also a good spot for a beach holiday, with plenty of uncrowded, sandy beaches, and relatively safe bathing waters. Alcossebre and its neighbouring Les Fonts have around 5 ‘Blue Flag’ beaches in all, so you should certainly find one to suit. Culture lovers can head for the nearby town of Alcala de Xivert, with its 13^th century Moorish castle, it has a long and interesting history. Sports lovers are also well catered for in Alcossebre, as there are golf facilities nearby, and of course water sports are readily available, hikers and cyclists will be in their element with a wide choice of attractive routes on offer. As for the climate, it is mostly sunny and dry, with well over 300 sunny days each year, Alcossebre weather can generally be expected to be pleasant, whenever you visit. Easily reached from the A-7 motorway, which runs close to the town, Alcossebre is also only 90 kilometres from Valencia airport. Alcossebre Map.

Costa Blanca Resorts – Albir

needahand — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:01:07 +0000

One of the popular coastal resorts in the region of Benidorm on the Costa Blanca, Spain, Albir was in ancient times a small fortified village known as L’Alfas de Polop, the name being taken from the Arabic ‘sown land’. It grew as an agricultural town, productive in olives, almonds and grapes, irrigation methods developed by the Moors made it a productive area, it also had a small mining industry. Refortified after the Christian reconquest, in order to defend it from attacks by Berber pirates, Albir (also known as Alfaz del Pi) continued as an agricultural town right into the 20^th century, when a developing tourist industry changed the complexion of the town. Albir has a number of attractions including its fine beach Albir Playa, which has blue flag status for cleanliness, every July Albir holds a film festival which attracts thousands of visitors to the town. The town has also become a popular area for relocation and many holiday homes have been purchased in the area by non-spanish residents, some settling in the area, of the 17,000 inhabitants some 9,000 are of foreign nationality, the largest percentage being Norwegian. Sheltered by the Sierra Helada the town, beach and promenade enjoy a wonderful climate, perfect for holidays all year round. Albir Map.

Gran Canaria Towns – Arguineguin

needahand — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:53:46 +0000

Known since Guanche times, when it was called “quiet water”, the Gran Canaria town of Arguineguin in the Canary Islands, is a peaceful town on a stretch of otherwise busy coast. A typical fishing village it has a harbour and a fine beach, and is developing as a holiday resort slowly but surely, with a number of hotels and holiday homes. Arguineguin is especially well loved for its seafood restaurants, which serve up high quality fish dishes made from fresh ingredients caught that day, it is also renowned for its Tuesday market the biggest on the island.

Gran Canaria Towns – Aguimes

needahand — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:37:37 +0000

One of the lesser known inland towns of Gran Canaria in the Spanish Canary Islands, Aguimes has a population of twenty two thousand and its skyline is dominated by the huge towers of its magnificent church the Iglesia de San Sebastion, a fine example of Neo-Classical architecture, constructed in the eighteenth century. Easy to reach from the coastal resorts of Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles, Aguimes is also close to Gran Canaria airport.

Aguimes Map.

Review of Aguilas Costa Calida

needahand — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:27:13 +0000

Situated at the southern extreme of the Costa Calida coastline, the town of Aguilas is an attractive little town boasting some twenty eight kilometres of coastline. Laying within the region of Murcia, Aguilas has a long history and was originally settled by Greeks, who sailed along these coasts setting up trading posts. Worth visiting in Aguilas is the 18^th century castle, the 16^th century watch tower, the Dovecote and the Railway Monument, an old train, constructed in Scotland. Aguilas is situated about 103 kilometres from Murcia and has a population of around 32,000. Aguilas Map.

Frigiliana Costa del Sol

needahand — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 07:03:18 +0000

Frigiliana Costa del Sol Andalucia – Just 6 kilometres inland from the resort of Nerja on the Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain, the pretty pueblo blanco (“white village”) of Frigiliana is a pleasant place to visit if you are in the area. Sitting high on a mountain ridge on the lower slopes of the Sierra de Tejeda, Frigiliana enjoys panoramic views of the nearby coastline and also the valley of the River Higueron. It’s attractive white-walled house line quaint narrow, winding, cobbled streets, with the occasional gift or handicraft shop to remind visitors that this is the 21^st century. Historically Frigiliana was the scene of a bloody siege and battle in the sixteenth century when during the rebellion of Alpujarras, Moriscos taking refuge in Frigiliana Castle were defeated and expelled, many throwing themselves from the castle walls rather than be captured by the victorious Christian forces. Frigiliana is located on the MA-5105 north of Nerja.

Andalucia Map.

Travel on the Costa Dorada Spain

needahand — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:43:03 +0000

Less developed and generally less well known than the Costa Brava to the north, the Costa Dorada region of Spain takes in some 216 kilometres of coast and hinterland and boasts some wonderful sandy beaches and popular resorts. The Costa Dorada is not all about the seaside resorts, there are also some interesting inland cities and areas to explore and Costa Dorada travel should take in some of these places as well. Some of the interesting and historic cities include Tarragona, Reus, Falset, Valls and Xerta, there are around 40 cities in all in the region, pick out some of the more interesting for your visit. For instance in Xerta you can see the spectacular Moorish Weir which is over 1,000 years old, in Benifallit you can visit the fascinating caves, Tarragona, a beautiful old Roman city has an ancient city wall and also a Roman aqueduct and amphitheatre, further inland you can visit the picturesque River Ebro Valley or maybe go fishing in the river, it is famous for its huge catfish. Back to the coast and many choose the resort of Salou for their beach style holidays, this is not everyones taste, but it suits thousands each year. What is the best time to visit? Well this depends on what type of holiday you are seeking, in the summer time Costa Dorada weather can be very hot, although on the coast, sea breezes make it altogether more bearable, it is wetter and cooler in the winter months but mostly mild with temperatures ranging from 7-10 degrees Centigrade. If you wish to make the most of your trip and visit some of the fascinating places on offer you will need to check out the best Costa Dorada car hire deals, as having your own transport is essential for getting the best out of your holiday. For a holiday suiting a wide variety of tastes visit the Costa Dorada in Spain sometime soon. Costa Dorada Map.