Cities, Towns and Villages
Benahavis
Benahavis was originally a 'white village', only about 8 kilometers from Dominion Beach. Famous for its restaurants, it is also the most mountainous village on the western Costa del Sol. Monuments of interest are Montemayor Castle and a former 16th century palace
Casares
Casares is a picturesque mountain village, about 35 km from Dominion Beach. One of the 'white villages, Casares has a wealth of sites of interest, as well as routes to walk in the hills. The cemetery is definitely worth a visit. The official website is in Spanish only.
Istan
Another white village, Istan is known as "the Spring of the Costa del Sol". Of particular interest, therefore, are the fountains, both old (Fuente y Lavadero El Chorro) and new (Fuente La Esfera), the lake, and the Moorish irrigation channels. Again, the official website is in Spanish only. Istan is about 30 km from Dominion Beach.
Ronda
Ronda is one of the oldest Spanish cities. Its origin, according to archaeological findings in the old city, belongs to the Neolithic age. Ronda's bullring, due to its history and architecture, is recognized as one of the oldest in Spain, and its character and beauty make it one of the most monumental existing bullrings. There is also the nearby Sierra de Las Nieves nature park. Ronda is about 60 km from Dominion Beach.
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is about 60 km from Dominion Beach. The Rock is imposing but small. It measures less than six square kilometres in total and is a British self-governing colony. It is inhabited by around 30,000 people made up of Gibraltarians, British, Moroccans, Indians and Spanish. There is also a colony of the famous apes, the only ones in Europe to run free in a semi-wild state.
The Upper Rock can be reached by car but the road is narrow and winding. It is probably wiser to take one of the Rock tours organised by taxi or coach or to take the cable car. Included in most tours are the Upper Rock Nature Reserve (which gives magnificent views of North Africa and the meeting of the Atlantic and Mediterranean), St Michael's Cave, the Apes Den, the historic Siege Tunnels and Europa Point.
Malaga
About 80 km from Dominion Beach, Malaga is a city rich in history. It is located in the Spanish region of Andalucia and the capital city of the province of Malaga. It was the home of Pablo Picasso, the internationally famous artist who was born here in 1881. There is a Picasso Museum in the city with 12 halls of exhibition galleries. Today there is another famous son of the city: the actor, Antonio Banderas.
The city was founded by the Phoenicians and Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans and Moors have lived there over the years. There is thus a rich and varied historical past, which can be seen in the monuments and historical buildings throughout the city. There is a wonderful 16 century renaissance and baroque style cathedral, a Roman theatre and the Alcazaba Moorish castle and the Gibralfaro fortress.
There is also a very good hop on hop off tourist bus service around the city which leaves regularly from the bus station, with a multilingual commentary through headphones. The complete tour would take about and hour and a half, if you didn't get off at all. It's easy to spot, since it is the only red double decker bus with an open roof. Your ticket is valid for 24 hours, so you can stop off along the way and carry on the tour later. There are 12 stops, starting at the Main Bus Station.
Nerja
Nerja, located about 135 km from Dominion Beach, has the largest natural caves in Europe. There are also historical sites, notably the Balcon de Europa ('Balcony of Europe') and El Salvador church, and some spectacular and largely undeveloped beaches and coves.
Jerez
Justifiably famous for its sherry, Jerez, about 150 km from Dominion Beach, is also the principal cradle of the Andalusian horse. A tour of one of the many bodegas is not to be missed, and the "How the Andalusian Horses Dance" show of the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre is stunning.
Granada
The city of Granada lies at the confluence of the Darro and Genil rivers, at the feet of Sierra Nevada. Underneath the Alhambra which is visited every year by more than two million people, is a city filled with monuments and historical buildings. Nonetheless, Granada is also a young and modern capital, with a large student population. Granada is about 210 km from Dominion Beach.
 |
