If far-flung destinations are off your bucket list this year because of travel restrictions, why not look closer to home for some fun and relaxation? There are a host of different activities available in Andalucía, just over the border, for whatever type of mini-break you decide upon. Here are a selection of ideas that may just inspire you to pack a suitcase or rucksack!
Glamping
Glamorous camping, or ‘glamping’ has risen in popularity over the last few years especially for travellers who have been choosing to stay closer to home.
A step-up from regular camping, glamping offers all the benefits of being close to nature, boosting your health and wellbeing in the great outdoors, whilst enjoying a few more home comforts and luxuries. Perfect for adults and children alike, there are an array of glamping options available.
How much fun would it be to take the family to a luxury safari tent glamping experience in the province of Cádiz? Alternatively, you could stay in a stylish and eco-friendly Yurt situated near to the beaches of Tarifa or hang out in a tree house four metres above the ground in a peaceful location in Vejer de la Frontera.
Horse Riding
If riding along a beach at sunset is a dream, take a look at the options available for both experienced and novice riders. Join a horseback riding group that will take you on a trek through amazing scenery, along mountain paths, through scented pine forests and olive groves or alongside rivers. From the province of Malaga to the Donana National Park near Seville, there are plenty of equestrian experiences to choose from.
Spa Breaks
Taking time out to take care of our health and wellbeing is high on our list of priorities these days. The good news is that there are a plethora of spa hotels just along the Costa del Sol, from Sotogrande to Estepona and beyond, that can cater for your wellness needs. Rest and relaxation is so important for our mental health, but there is no excuse not to take advantage of the hotel spas on our doorstep where you can relax and unwind and indulge in some soothing treatments that will calm your mind, body and soul.
Golfing
It is no wonder that the Costa del Sol is known as the Costa del Golf and that it has been a destination for discerning golfers for decades, with over 70 golf courses between Torre del Mar, east of Malaga, and Sotogrande. In fact, the Costa del Sol has the highest concentration of golf courses in the whole of Europe ranging from world-class courses such as the Real Club Valderrama and Finca Cortesin to courses with more affordable green fees.
Golf, thought of by some as ‘a good walk spoiled’, is exactly what the doctor would order as it is good for both your physical and mental well-being. With golf tourism having been affected by travel restrictions, there is no better time to get out in the fresh air and enjoy some of the best courses in the world before the golf tourists come back. If you are looking to learn to play the game, there are numerous driving ranges and golf schools where you can have lessons from professional coaches.
Walking
Andalucía is the perfect destination for those of you who enjoy walking and hiking, offering routes of different levels of difficulty. The beautiful city of Granada, surrounded by spectacular landscapes, is the place to visit for any enthusiast of climbing, offering both demanding challenges for experienced climbers and easier routes for family hikes.
If you are looking for that rush of adrenalin, El Caminito del Rey in the province of Malaga located in the gorges of the Guadalhorce River and reopened to the public since 2015, is one of the most famous hiking paths in Spain. This narrow footbridge runs through the gorge for three kilometres, crossing over a suspension bridge known as the ‘Walkway of Death’. If you are afraid of heights or suffer with vertigo, this walk if definitely not for you, or maybe this is a challenge to consider that will conquer your fear of heights.
Closer to Gibraltar is La Concha Mountain, which at 1200 meters above sea level is one of Marbella’s most recognized landmarks taking its name from its distinctive shell like shape. Climb to the peak for spectacular views of the Costa del Sol, Sierra de las Nieves and on a clear day, all the way to Gibraltar and across to North Africa. Depending on your level of fitness, the walk will take about four hours. You can either start your ascent from Marbella itself, from the mountain village of Istán, or from Juanar, situated within the borders of the natural park.
Day Trips
Soak up the culture and tradition of Andalusia by exploring some the famous white villages scattered between the provinces of Cadiz and Malaga. One of the most famous white villages in Cadiz province is Arcos de la Frontera, known as the gateway to the white villages, it is perched on top of a sandstone cliff and has a rich historical heritage. Vejer de la Frontera is a white hilltop town just 10km inland from the Costa de la Luz set around a former Moorish castle with views that reach as far as the Strait of Gibraltar.
Whatever you decide to do, there are plenty of places to ‘break away’ to that are just a short distance away where you can take time out doing something different from normal.
