Las Golondrinas - Family Holiday Home to rent in Malaga, Costa Del Sol, Spain
Things to See & Do
Las Golondrinas is perfectly situated to offer both the tranquility of a rural mountainous setting and easy access to the rich bustling culture of Malaga City. A large number of varied activities and attractions are available in the area, details of which can be seen by clicking on the links to the left.
For further information, please see an extensive list of related websites on the links page.
Local Restaurants (Ventas)
The local Ventas ( from the tunnel coming up restaurants):
- La Venta del Tunel - It is the oldest, the largest and the busiest restaurant in the surrounding area. It is a Malaga landmark known to everyone in the city. Spanish people love to come here with their families for Saturday and Sunday lunch. Ask for it if you get lost. It has two huge dining rooms with fast service. Lunch begins at 2pm. Known for its rice dishes, similar to paella but a bit more moist and served in a pot. Not open in the evening except in August.
- La Ventilla - Under new management it opens from 11 am until 12 midnight. It is a nice place to eat and meet the locals.Try the Menu del Dia, which is a three course meal for workers served in most restaurants between 2pm till 4pm (7 Euros).
- Las Pitas - If you want a taste of Spain, go there. It is the the second largest restaurant in area and most popular.Also a good place to meet the locals; it has a Menu del Dia.
- Venta Monte Video - It has barbecues on Friday and Saturday night and really great atmosphere at the weekends.Paco, the friendly happy owner, does a mean barbecue on Friday and Saturday eventing. Very good value for money and always crowded with people. Good atmosphere and a Menu del Dia. Not open on Thursdays.
- Venta Sanchez - The most popular of the ventas. If you would like something a little different, you would like it here. This Venta has a hunting theme. If you would like to try wild rabbit or wild hog, this is the place to go.
- Association los Verdiales - If there is a festival in the mountains, this is where it is held. Quite a big "todo" with flamenco, the Los Verdiales band and maybe a horse show. Good Spanish entertainment.
Food on a typical local Spanish menu include:
Aceitunas, (Spanish olives you may be given as free tapas when you order alcoholic drinks)
Berenjenas, (fried aubergine slices, sometimes served with honey)
Morcilla, (English black pudding or blood sausage)
Charizo, (Pork sausage with paprika and spices)
Lomo, (loin of pork usually served cold )
Migas, (fried breadcrumbs)
Jamon serrano, (Fired breadcrumbs Jamon serrano, (Air dried ham, jamon iberico is the deluxe version)
Queso manchego, (the classic Spanish cheese; queso curado if you like it sharp)
Sopa de picadillo, (a thin soup containing small pieces of ham, hard boiled eggs, fried bread and mint)
Arroz, ( rice, the standard weekend lunch item)
Ventas in Malaga (which is only half an hour away)
Malaga has hundreds of good places to eat and drink. The centre of the town is largely closed to traffic. Walk around the backstreets and small “plazas” in the area of Calle Larios and cathedral. Go up Calle Granada from Plaza de la Merced and you will see no end of cafes and restaurants.
- El Bar Bodega El Pimpi (Or just "Pimpi") - Drinks and excellent tapas. A labyrinthine bar with patios, several rooms on two floors, a cavernous main room walled with wine barrels and a spectacular collection of antique bullfight and fiesta posters. Enter from either Calle Grandada - about 150 metres down from Plaza de la Merced - or from opposite the Roman theatre.
- LePanto - It is on lower end of C/Larios and is a elegant old-fashioned cafe/patisserie, with excellent pastries - a Malaga organisation
- Orellana - C/Moreno Monroy, (just off the top end of C/Larios). A tiny bar,. famous for its range of tapas. You will be given a taste of their unique rice with your drink. This informal bar is in the same street just 20 metres from another Malaga institution.
- Meson Antonio - C/Fernando Lessep 7, ( a small alley at the top of C/ Nueva) Lunch of dinner. Simply a very typical, small (about 10 tables), old-fashioned Malaga restaurant which is serious about ist food and wine, but not particularly expensive.
- Neo Barroco - C/Almos 38, (50 metres from Plaza de la Merced.) Dinner. A romantic setting with a relatively advantageous menu. Closed Mondays.
On The Doorstep
There are many interesting places to visit in the local area, many of which can be reached by foot.
- Moorish Tower - just 15 minutes walk from Las Golondrinas lies an 13th century Moorish stone tower that was used as a beacon to convery signals from the coast. Another fully restored tower can be seen along the MA-3101 towards Casabermeja.
- Ermita de Los Verdiales - 10 minutes walk from Las Golondrinas, this tiny 17th century chapel has recently been refurbished by the local community, and hosts great festivities on Palm Sunday and other religious dates throughout the year. The Ermita is visible in the banner photograph of this website - the little building on the far left.
- Historic Botanical Gardens of Malaga 'La Concepcion' is situated just at the bottom of the hill. Originally owned by Marquis Jorge Loring Oyarzabal and Amalia Heredia Livermore, and tended by the prize-winning French gardener Chamousst, this 19th century romantic garden boasts over a thousand species of exotic plants, as well as ancient Roman statues and a magnificent house. Open 9:30am - 8:30pm (5:30 in winter) closed Mondays, 95 2252148.
- El Tunel - one of Malaga's most popular and family-friendly restaurants lies just a few minutes down a track from the house. When you arrive we will show you the short cut.
- Natural Parks - Las Golondrinas is surrounded by three protected National Nature Parks 'Montes De Malaga', 'Torcal de Antequera', and 'Sierra De Las Nieves', and benefits from stunning views of their dramatic landscape and rich plant and animal life.
The following flowers bloom naturally on the hillside behind Las Golondrinas during springtime. Press esc to close the image.
Malaga City
In the city of Malaga you can find many places of historic and cultural interest. Short descriptions of some of the more popular attractions are listed below:
- La Alcazaba - an immense 11th century Moorish military fortress built on the remains of a Roman fortress. It lies on a hilltop above the city and offers excellent views over the sea. Opened 9:30 - 8pm in Summer (7pm in winter), 952 227230.
- The Picasso Museum - near to the site of Picasso's birthplace at the Plaza de la Merced. Visitors may like to take advantage of the free opening every last Sunday of the month. Open 10am - 8pm (9pm fri & sat), 952 127600.
- Malaga Cathedral. Built on the site of the former main mosque, construction began in the 16th century and was completed some 200 years later, with the exclusion of the Southern tower, when the funding was diverted to the Spanish Campaign in the American War of Independence. This has led to its nick name 'La Manquita' which means the one-armed. The Cathedral and associated museum are ope 9 - 7pm (6pm saturdays) museum closed on Sundays and public holidays, 952 220345.
- Malaga Centre for Contemporary Art - the major cultural centre for modern art in Southern Spain, houses a temporary and permanent collection including works by international artists such as Alex Katz and Louise Bourgeois. Open 10am - 2pm, 5pm - 9pm (8pm off-season), 952 120055.
- Museo de Artes Populares - intriguing exhibits relating to traditional life in the area. Open 10am - 1:30pm, 5pm - 8pm (4pm - 7pm winter) (Closed Sat afternoons & Sundays), 952 217137 .
- Roman Amphitheatre - from the 3rd century, situated at the foot of La Alcazaba, 951 041400.
- La Malagueta - the Malaga Bull Ring and associated museum open 10am - 1pm, 5 - 8pm Mon - Fri, 952 221727.
- Kelipe Centro de Arte Flamenco - intimate show of Traditional Flamenco by husband and wife. 9pm - 10pm Thu - Sat, 692 829885.
- La Concepcion - Historic Botanical Gardens of Malaga, situated just at the bottom of the hill, open 9:30am - 8:30pm (5:30 in winter) closed Mondays, 95 2252148.
- Feria de Malaga - Malaga's 9-day festival at the start of August. It begins with a great firework display at midnight on Friday, and the city is filled with music and dancing, fun fairs and nightly concerts.
Around Malaga
There are many other towns and villages nearby well worth exploring. These include...
- Mijas - a typically Andalusian white-washed village located at a mountain side about 450 m above ea level, in the heart of the Costa del Sol. There are some local history museums and many souvenir shops, Mijas also has seven golf courses including La Cala Resort, the biggest golf resort in Spain.
- Ronda - located about 100km Northwest from the city of Malaga in a mountainous region, Ronda is famous for its 3 beautiful bridges that span the breathtaking 100m tall canyon upon which the city perches. (see image to the right.)
- Torremolinos - a poor fishing village before the growth in tourism beginning in the late 1950s, Torremolinos was the first of the Costa del Sol resorts to develop.
- Nerja - hosts one of Spain's major tourist attractions, a series of caverns which stretch for almost 5 km. Concerts are regularly held in one of the chambers which forms a natural amphitheatre.
The Romans built here three settlements, including Detunda, of which now large remains can be seen. The area was later taken over by the Arabs in the early 8th century. Under the Moors, the town was known as Narixa, which means "abundant spring", from which the present name derives. The Balcon de Europa, a mirador or viewpoint which gives stunning views across the sea, is in the centre of the old town.
Nerja has several beaches set in coves beneath cliffs. It is also becoming a significant centre for walkers, thanks to the mountain scenery of the nearby Sierra de Almijara and Sierra Tejeda. The Sierra de Burno overlooks the town. Nerja is also the centre of scuba diving on the Costa del sol, with the Natural Park of Maro - Cerro Gordo nearby. - Marbella - One of the most popular tourist resorts along the Costa Del Sol, Marbella is considered a very upmarket destination, with many famous local residents. It is a major destination for luxury cruise ships and mega yachts which are also often docked in its harbour. The area around Marbella is particularly popular with those who like golf.
- Montes de Malaga - This zone of medium-height mountains constitutes a natural space with a great many torrents of water which have created deep gorges and sheer drops. At the heart of this mountain mass is the Montes de M\E1laga Natural Park. The most characteristic native species are the genet, badger, fox and skunk, together with a considerable number of long-tailed newts. Among the birds of prey are the eagle, sparrowhawk and goshawk.
- Garganta del Chorro - a limestone gorge through which passes the Guadalhorce river. (Pictured to the right.) It was dammed in 1921, forming three reservoirs which are flanked by pine forests. It sits next to the 700m high Desfiladero de los Gaitanes pass, and is famous for the very dangerous path called Caminito del Rey (King's little pathway). The area is renowned as a popular rock climbing area in Europe, but is also very popular for mountain biking, hiking, and camping.
- Estepona - renowned for its beaches, which stretch along some 21 km of coastline, Estapona also has many other interesting facets which make it a popular and contemporary all year round holiday destination including two EC Blue Flag beaches, a modern sports marina with many tapas bars and restaurants and a white-walled town offering shopping and picturesque squares.
- Granada - is placed at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of three rivers, Beiro,
Darro and Genil, at an elevation of 738 metres above sea level yet only one hour from the Mediterranean coast, the Costa Tropical. Nearby is the Sierra Nevada Ski Station, where the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 1996 were held. The Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace, is in Granada. It is one of the most famous items of the Islamic historical legacy that makes Granada a hot spot among cultural and tourist cities in Spain. - Gibraltar - a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. Evidence of Neanderthal habitation in Gibraltar between 128,000 and 24,000 BCE has been discovered at Gorham's Cave, making Gibraltar the last known holdout of the Neanderthals. The semi-wild Barbary Macaques form an integral part of Tourism in Gibraltar.
- Tangier, Morocco - lies on the North African coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Spartel. The history of Tangier is very rich due to the historical presence of many civilizations and cultures starting from the 5th century BC. The city is currently undergoing rapid development and modernization. Projects include new 5-star hotels along the bay, a modern business district called Tangier City Centre, a new airport terminal and a new soccer stadium.
Beaches
Locally accessible beaches include
- Malaga - just 5 minutes walk from the city centre
- San Julian - Beautiful, clean beach only a 40 minute drive from the house.
- Torremolinos - Popular with the tourists since the 70s, this beach is typical of a busy Costa-del-Sol resort.
- Nerja - about 50 km east of Malaga, Nerja has several beaches set in coves beneath cliffs.
- Marbella - including Playa de la Bajadilla, Playa de Fontanilla, and Puerto Banus, a marina built by Jose Banus where Rolls-Royces and Ferraris meet yachts.
- Fuengirola - a major tourist resort, with more than 8 km of beaches, and home to a medieval Moorish fortress
Walking
Andalucia contains 12 Vias Verdes - disused railway tracks that have been converted into walking/cycling routes. They are clearly signposted and dotted with picnic spots and viewpoints and well as information displays giving the history of each route. For details of each, click here.
The GR7 (Gran Recorrido 7) is a 1,250km footpath based on an ancient trade route and forms part of the European Route No. 4 which stretches from Tarifa, across the continent to Greece. It specifically avoids tarmac roads and traffic, and is sign posted by red and white markers. For mor information see the Wikipedia Page and associated links.
Six other suggested walks within the area can be found here.
Cycling
Andalucia is renowned for its excellent cycling conditions, and welcomes numerous professional teams every year for training. The area can offer the following benefits:
- Great climate all year round.
- Extensive established cycle routes
- Low traffic density
- Excellent road surfaces
- Hills of Montes de Malaga and The Sierra Nevada
- Breath-taking scenery.
- Bike shops and suppliers in the area.
Las Golondrinas has hosted, amongst others, the Swedish Olympic cyclist Mats Harring and the 2011 MCK Epic Elite Team.
Fishing
It is posible to take part in salt water and fresh water fishing in Andalucia. The region's nature parks are home to 64 fishing preserves, where trout, pike, carp and black bass can be found. The most popular location for trout fishing is Rio Frio which lies between granada and Malaga, where brown trout of up to 5.2kg have been recorded.
Both the Atlantic and Meditteraean coastlines provide great shore fishing, and you can find many opportunities for open sea fishing along the coastline, particularly for Swordfish July - September. Manilva is particularly popular due to the rich abundance of sea life.
The proprietor and neighbour of Las Golondrinas is able to supply the local licences required for both salt and fresh water fishing.
For more information please see Andalucia fishing information.
Bird Watching
As the name of the house suggests, springtime brings numerous nesting swallows to these mountains which you can see swooping and swirling in the valley. Andalucia is also home to 13 raptor species. You can spot the rare black vulture in the Sierra Morena region, the Spanish Imperial eagle in the Parque Naciónal de Doñana, and in many mountain regions the golden eagle,the Egyptian and griffon vultures, and smaller birds of prey, such as the kestrel, buzzard, various harriers and red kite.
The best time of year to bird watch in Andalucia is the spring, when you can see many wintering species, as well as those arriving for the summer months.
For more information about bird watching in Andalucia, click here.
Rock Climbing
50km north of Malaga lies the world famous climbing site of El Chorro, but there are many more faces to climb around the area to suit all levels. A wealth of information can be found on the Climb Spain website.
Farm Activities
Las Golondrinas neighbours a small family farm, where visitors are invited to try their hand at various farm activities including milking the goats, petting the pigs, and making cheese. There is also a variety of organic produce available to purchase.