Watching the sunset with the Rock in its midst! [I Love Sunsets]
Trade the city (of Malaga) for the beach at beautiful Benalmadena and enjoy the mix of old Andalucian charm and modern hotel resort chic for a couple of days. The Santa Ana Blue Flag beach should be high up on your list of to-dos (ironic, as the best thing to do on the beach is absolutely nothing!). The areas has an abundance of central beaches where you can spend your time relaxing or rent some jet skis and get out on the open water.
After a day on the beach, head to the Avenida de Antonio Machado and get ready to party the night away at the 24 Hour Square. You’ll find two things you need here for a great night: a good atmosphere and cheap drinks. Take your pick from the bars, pubs and clubs and get ready for a late one.
The Benalmadena Pueblo, all cramped cobbled streets and Spanish tavernas, is the oldest and quietest part of the city and the perfect place to walk off a hangover after a big night out. Spend a few hours here soaking up the culture before heading on to your next stop.
After a few days sunning yourself on the beach, get out into the countryside and experience the rugged interior landscape of southern Spain. Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park is home to a vast array of remarkable land formations, from white limestone mountains to deep caves. The two major attractions are the towering Pico Torrecilla, which stands 1,919 m over the park, and the GESM caves, which delve over a thousand metres down into the ground – ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
The area is dotted with charming little towns to stop at for some traditional Andalucian food. Istán and Tolox are of particular note due to their ancient castles and walls and the Moorish influences you’ll find in the food.
Next, leave behind the simple joys of the countryside and head down to glitzy Marbella, where life is anything but simple. The Golden Mile on the seafront is all action, all glamour and all good fun – take your pick of the clubs and prepare for another late night. Of course, there’s also the stunning beaches which, as well as offering picture perfect sands, also provide an excellent array of water sports.
Finally, make your way down to Gibraltar to experience the unique culture of this British territory.
The first thing you’ll want to do here is pay a visit to the famous Barbary Macaques at the Apes’ Den. The animals are the only free-living monkeys in Europe and the chance to get so close to them makes this a truly unique experience. After making friends with the monkeys, head to the Great Siege Tunnels to learn a little history before climbing the Rock to see the stunning views from the top. If you fancy something different, Gibraltar is famed for its incredible diving and snorkelling conditions as the warm sea around it is filled with wildlife and shipwrecks.
Explore the Mediterranean cafe culture of Man Street and Casemates Square in some of the oldest coffee houses in the region before heading off to the marina to sample the seafood that the territory is famed for. In the evening, come back to Casemates Square and watch it transform from a lazy, cafe-lined plaza into a vibrant nightlife mecca – it’s your last night, so make the most of it.
