Typically known for the sandy beaches and beautiful weather, the Costa del Sol also has some wonderful city breaks.
Around 1 hour by car from Marbella is Ronda, a picturesque mountain top city. You can also take the train from San Roque, which is a spectacular journey through the mountains.
Ronda is one of the most visited cities in Andalucia and it is not hard to see why. With so much culture, historic sights and restaurants, it is easy to spend the day here. One of our favourite visits was to the hammam, aguas de Ronda. For €25 you can enjoy all the pools, Turkish baths and hot beds, a lovely way to start or end your day in Ronda. Be sure to book in advance. Finally, not to be missed is a wine tour. The area of wine production known as the Serrania de Ronda, forms part of the DO Sierras of Malaga, producing what are popularly known as the ´Ronda Wines´. Most tours will consist of visiting the vineyard, wine making facilities and then tasting the wines, usually sampling some tapas too.
Jerez de la Frontera
Conveniently located 30 minutes from Cadiz, is the historic city, Jerez. It holds worldwide recognition for its sherry and brandy production, along with a Moorish fortress founded in the 11th century which circles the Alcázar de Jerez. If you are new to sherry wines, González Byass is good place to start your journey, they produce arguably the most famous wine of the region, Tío Pepe.
You will also find the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, which is a famed riding school with horse shows and a carriage museum. With so many beautiful plazas , you can enjoy a morning café con leche or afternoon tapas with a caña, watching the world go by.
Granada
Situated 2 hours from Marbella, in the foothills of Sierra Nevada, is the breath taking city Granda. Known for its medieval architecture, cobbled streets and pretty gardens, some would liken it to a fairytale. The Alhambra is the most visited, by around 3 million tourists each year and it is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture. It is also one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world, in addition to containing notable examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture. St Nicholas square is worth wondering to, for spectacular views of the palace and also to enjoy the lively atmosphere , along with some delicious tapas and wine.
Malaga
One of our all time favourite day trips is to go to Malaga. You have a great mix of beach and city, with perhaps some of the most authentic Spanish vibe. For something different to do though, we recommend the Caminito Del Rey. From Marbella going inland, it takes around 1 hour 15 minutes to reach it and you wont be disappointed. 8km of pure adrenaline, it is a mountain walk way, which is over 100 years old and was restored in 2015. In the past, the Caminito Del Rey was widely considered one of the most dangerous hikes in the world. Nowadays, the hike is completely renovated, with sturdy boardwalks and strong guardrails.
Seville
Seville or Sevilla in Spanish, is the capital and largest city of Andalucia. It is one of the most spectacular with iconic landmarks such as the Torre del Oro, the fascinating Real Alcázar Palace, and the Plaza de España where you can hire a boat and row around the water that lines the semi-circle shaped plaza. Even if you were to only see the Real Alcázar Palace, you wouldn’t be disappointed with the beautiful gardens and architecture.
If you happen to be visiting in April, from the 23rd to the 29th the feria will be on. From around midday until the early evening you will see families dressed in flamenco and parades around the fairground in carriages or on horseback. Throughout the evening the bars have a brilliant atmosphere with drinks and food.
