MALAGA
TRAVEL INFORMATION - COSTA DEL SOL EASTERN
This route begins at the eastern end of the Granada coast, known as
the Costa Tropical. Between that point and the city of Málaga, the
traveller gets to know the varied countryside of an always rugged
coast. On his way he comes across tourist centres and almost deserted
coves, towns and villages with an unmistakable Andalusian and Moorish
profile as well as interesting sights. (Total length: 169Km)
The way along the first stretch of the coast at the foot of the la
Contraviesa Sierra, which reaches into the Province of Granada, runs
parallel to the shore and skirts the beaches and mountain spurs. Therefore
it is sometimes slightly difficult to negotiate. La Rabita is a good
point of departure: an ancient fishing village in the comforting shelter
of a small fortress and surrounded by cultivated land. A little further
on, after leaving behind a stretch of rocky coast, the traveller reaches
La Mamola, another seaside village with a large beach, Castell de
Ferro (21Km. from La Rabita) is another small place at the foot of
a hill: there a watch-tower is a reminder of the threat of piracy,
the same as in many other places along the coast. From that point
onwards the traveller enters the most tourist-orientated sector on
the Granada part of the Costa del Sol.
A 9Km. cliff separates Castell de Ferro from Calahonda, a small bay
bounded by rock formations. Torrenueva (at a distance of 6km) is another
summer resort close to a lovely beach. From there it is 7km to Motril,
a town with a harbour, surrounded by an extensive plain where tropical
crops are grown. A visit of the town should include the 16C Collegiate
Church and the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza, which
dates from the same period and was built on the ruins of the castle,
which, according to tradition, gave shelter to the mother of Boabdil,
the last king of the Granada Nasrids. The beaches of Pariente, El
Puerto and Las Azucenas make up the coastline at Motril and have attracted
a lot of tourism.
Salobreña lies only 7km away on the slopes of a hillock with
an Arab castle at the top. The city has very steep whitewashed streets
and must be included on a visit. The view from the old fortress reaches
from the river valley of the Gudalfeo, covered with cane plantations,
as far as Sierra Nevada. The old part of Salobreña is perfectly
preserved and it is a good example of the Muslim villages in the ancient
Kingdom of Granada. In a westerly direction the road passes through
a rugged countryside of slopes covered with orchards.
The city of Almuñecar (17Km.) also lies in the shelter of a
Muslim castle and it is very interesting, too. Its most outstanding
features are probable the winding streets of the old part, the Phoenician
and Roman remains, especially the eye-catching, well-preserved aqueduct,
and the beaches of San Cristobal, El Altillo, Puerta del Mar, Velilla,
El Tesorillo and others, which are ideal for the practice of water
sports. Not very far away there are La Mona Point, an excellent observation
platform overlooking the Mediterranean, and La Herradura, another
very recommendable beach.
The road finally enters the Province of Málaga. Maro is reached first.
It is an old region of fishermen's dwellings and belongs to the neighbouring
town of Nerja. This stretch of coast consists of coves and small pebble
beaches. Shortly after leaving behind the city, on his right the traveller
comes to a short turn off for the Caves of Nerja, a breathtaking natural
stage of calcareous formations, where concerts are held. The prehistoric
cave paintings from the Palaeolithic period are very interesting.
Nerja (22km from Almuñecar) occupies a really privileged place.
With a huge plain full of orchards in the background, the town seems
to cling to a rocky projection, where an Arab castle used to stand
in other times and which is known today as the Balcon de Europa (Balcony
of Europe). The view from this observation platform includes the neighbouring
beaches with the cluster of houses and their whitewashed façades
in the background. Near the short avenue lined with palm-trees, there
is El Salvador Church, built in the 17C and 18C, which is a good example
of a long series of rural parish churches with an unmistakable Andalusian
air. Las Angustias Hermitage is another good Baroque building.
A 6Km. regional road leads from Nerja to Frigiliana, an intimate,
whitewashed city which preserves a rural atmosphere. The oldest part
has a layout dating from Muslim times, while the parish church - also
17C/18C - preserves a coffered ceiling of Mudejar origin. Its wineries
produce a much sought-after wine.
By now the traveller has reached the area of La Axarguia, one of the
most attractive along the Costa del Sol. Inland it consists of valleys
full of orchards with a scattering of small Moorish villages which
are reached by following winding local roads. Two of these villages
- Archez and Salores - still preserve the minaret turned bell tower
of the former mosque.
Eight km. from Nerja along the coastal road, there is a 4Km. turn
off for Torrox, which is well worth a visit: the city lies on a steep
slope and consists of a lovely sequence of whitewashed houses and
roofs. La Encarnacion church and the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora
de las Nieves preserve their remarkable Mudejar traces. Back on the
coast, the watch-towers and small fortresses scattered along the coast
will remind the traveller of the threat of pirate incursions.
After 8kilometres of beaches there is the run off for Algarrobo. On
the way well-preserved Phoenician burial places can be visited in
the township of Trayamar. Also worthy of a visit are Santa Ana church
at the very top of the village and the Hermitage of San Sebastian
i Algarrobo.
Torre del Mar is an extensive beach skirted by summer resort installations.
From there Velez-Málaga, the capital of La Axarquia and one of the
most interesting places in the province, lies 5km inland. El Arrabal
de San Sebastian with a medieval castle at the top is the oldest part.
The more recent area dating from the 16C and 17C has a long series
of town palaces and aristocratic houses. The most outstanding sights
in this ancient town, which played a decisive role in the conquest
of the Kingdom of Granada, are San Juan church, the Convents of San
Francisco, Santa Clara and San Jose de la Trinidad, the Mudejar Patio
(inner court) of San Marcos Hospital and the palace used as the Town
Hall today, apart from the Church of Santa Maria la Mayor. 28Km. from
Velez a turn off the coastal road leads to the small village of Macharaviaya,
where the funerary monuments of the powerful Galvez family are found
in the crypt of the Baroque church. The beaches of Benajarafe and
El Rincon de la Victoria are traditional summer resorts. There, at
sunset the traveller may enjoy the spectacle of el Copo a variety
of fishing in shallow water. Nearby there are Pedregalejo and El Palo,
the beaches of Málaga, the capital of the province. They are very
crowded in the summer and are skirted by small houses which used to
belong to fishermen in other times.
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