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The densely
populated coast of Andalusia, stretching from Almeria to Tarifa, is Europe’s
all-year-round favoured holiday destination, known as the Costa del Sol. It
consists of a string of fine sandy beaches, where the average water
temperature is 64ºF (18ºC), and picturesque towns have abundant tourist
amenities, resorts and high-rise hotels. Attractions include zoos,
bullfights, water parks, casinos and amusement parks, like the renowned
Parque de Attractions Tivoli. The most popular resort town on the Costa del
Sol is Torremolinos, which retains some elements of traditional Spain,
although most main streets are now pedestrianised-thoroughfares filled with
souvenir shops and ice-cream parlours.
The lively city
of Malaga, on the coast about 80 miles (129km) southeast of Seville, is the
gateway to Spain’s popular Costa del Sol holiday resort region. The city was
also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and features several galleries
displaying his work. Most notable is the 16th-century Museum of Fine Arts,
alongside the Cathedral. Picasso’s birthplace in Plaza Merced is open to the
public and showcases his life and works. Like most Andalusian cities Malaga
has Moorish roots, and its illustrious past has left an imprint on the
historic centre, particularly around the fortress of La Alcazaba, dating
from 1065, which is now an archaeological museum. The Moorish castle nearby
is now a state hotel. The city’s famous botanical garden sited on the Calle
Alameda, dates from the days when Malaga was a popular winter resort for the
rich and famous, and is also worth a visit.
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Granada
Granada, a high
altitude city of romance and folklore, boasts one of the most popular
tourist attractions in Spain, the Alhambra palace-fortress. Built by the
Nasrid rulers in the 14th century the Alhambra is the most important and
spectacular piece of Moorish architecture in Spain. The huge complex,
set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains, includes the
summer palace with its fountains and gardens; the Palacios Nazaries with
its intricate ornamentation; and a hilltop fortress. The city also
boasts a Cathedral containing a Royal Chapel in which Isabel and
Ferdinand of Spain lie buried, and a Moorish medina area, known as the
Albaicin, with its labyrinth of narrow streets and whitewashed houses.
North of Granada is Sacromonte hill, famed for its cave dwellings which
were once the home of a large gypsy community.
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Situated 25 miles
(40km) southwest of Malaga, the few miles of coast between Marbella
and Puerto Banus, is Spain's answer to Monte Carlo. Spain's elite, and
Britain's more successful felons, have flashy houses on the surrounding
hills, and swanky yachts in the marina. Marbella is the Costa del Sol's
quality resort - the restaurants and bars are more stylish (and expensive)
and the town has been spared the worst excesses of concrete development that
have blighted neighbours such as Torremolinos. The old town is hidden away
and retains some of its medieval charm and has some good clothes shops and
restaurants. The more exclusive Puerto Banus, six miles (10km) to the west,
is where you will find the casino and the seriously large yachts. Those
visitors who drive just a few miles inland to the villages in the hills
around Ronda will discover a Spain completely untouched by tourism, with
village markets and tapas bars to be explored.
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Ronda
Situated on a towering
plateau in the mountains thirty miles (48km) inland from Marbella stands
Ronda, one of the loveliest and most historic towns in the region. Ronda
is a popular day-trip for holidaymakers on the Costa del Sol wanting to
escape the beach and soak up some culture in one of the many cafés and
restaurants. It is famous for the plunging river gorge that divides the
medieval from the 18th-century parts of the town. Known as El Tajo, the
gorge is spanned by a stone bridge, Puente Nuevo, which once housed a
prison and now acts as a dramatic viewpoint for visitors. There is a
spectacular walkway, El Parador, along the river gorge, which offers
superb views of the surrounding countryside. Ronda is also well known
for its bullring - the oldest and largest in Spain. When there are no
fights, the bullring is open to visitors, and has a fascinating museum.
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Southern Spain’s
answer to Benidorm, Torremolinos is a vast purpose-built resort situated 10
miles (16km) west of Malaga, on the road to Marbella. Torremolinos,
particularly in high season, is noisy and fast-paced 24 hours a day. With
six miles (10km) of wide, sandy beaches, lots of watersports, masses of bars
and restaurants and an exhausting nightlife, the resort attracts tourists of
all ages from all over Europe. The resort also is popular with families and
the inevitable 18 to 30 crowd. |
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