Local RestaurantsOn The DoorstepMalaga CityBeachesWalkingCyclingFishingBird WatchingRock ClimbingFarm Activities

Things To See and Do

Las Golondrinas is an ideal place with mountainous and tranquil landscape that gives you a chance to enjoy the nature and silence.  From holiday house you can do bicycle training, as a popular training road passes just in front of the house. Plenty of hiking trails to explore the wildlife and species. Road trips to inner Spain through small mountainous country roads with magnificent views. At the foot of the mountain, the small town of Ciudad Jardin provides more restaurants, cafeterias, specialized shops, and of course the botanical gardens of Malaga. Explore this page to find more detailed information about activities.

 

Local Restaurants

The local Ventas:

  • Venta Montevideo – It has barbecues on Friday and Saturday night and a really great atmosphere on the weekends. Paco, the friendly owner, barbecues on Friday and Saturday eventing. Very good value for money and a Menu del Dia. Not open on Thursdays.
  • Venta el Tunel – It is the oldest, the largest and the busiest restaurant in the surrounding area. It is a Malaga landmark known by everyone in the city. Spanish people love to come here with their families for Saturday and Sunday lunch. 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 – Open 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 served in most restaurants between 2pm till 4pm (7 Euros).
  • Las Pitas – If you want a taste of Spain, here is a place to come. It is the second largest restaurant in the area and the most popular. It is also a good place to meet the locals; it has a Menu del Dia.
  • Venta Sanchez – The most popular of the ventas. If you would like something a little different, this Venta has a hunting theme. If you would like to try wild rabbit or wild hog, this is the place for you.
  • Association los Verdiales – If there is a festival in the mountains, this is where it is likely held. Quite a big “todo” with flamenco and the Los Verdiales band. Good Spanish entertainment.

Ventas in Malaga:

  • El Bar Bodega El Pimpi (Or just “Pimpi”) – Drinks and excellent tapas. A labyrinthine bar with patios, several rooms on two floors, a main room walled with wine barrels, and a spectacular collection of antique bullfighting and fiesta posters.
  • LePanto – It is on the lower end of Calle Larios and is a elegant old-fashioned cafe/patisserie, with excellent pastries.
  • Orellana – Calle Moreno Monroy, (just off the top end of Calle Larios). A tiny bar famous for its tapas where you will be given a taste of their unique rice with your drink.
  • Meson Antonio – Calle Fernando Lessep 7, ( a small alley at the top of Calle Nueva) Small, old fashioned Malaga restaurant known for its food and wine.
  • Neo Barroco – Calle Almos 38, (50 metres from Plaza de la Merced.) Serves dinner only and closed on Mondays. A romantic setting where you can enjoy the ambience as well as the food . Closed Mondays.

On The Doorstep

There are many interesting places to visit in the local area, many of which can be reached by foot.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Moorish Tower – Only 15 minutes walk from Las Golondrinas lies an 13th century Moorish stone tower that was used as a beacon to convey signals from the coast. Another fully restored tower can be seen along the MA-3101 towards Casabermeja.
  • El Tunel – One of Malaga’s most popular and family-friendly restaurants lies just a few minutes down a track from the house.
  • 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.

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.
  • Port of Malaga – newly renovated international port, with access to large liner ships, fishing venues, and beaches; also includes Muelle Uno, a modern shopping centre with dozens of shops, restaurants, an art gallery, and museums.
  • The Centre Pompidou Malaga – “In line with the arresting appearance of the Pompidou in Paris the Malaga collection will be housed in the large glass cube, built with a cultural purpose in mind and which is situated at the corner which joins Muelle Uno and Muelle Dos of Malaga’s newly renovated port. The new Malaga Pop-Up museum houses a fine selection of its French mother.”

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 possible 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 Mediterranean 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 make a tour. Kids are welcome to spend their time with the dogs and chickens. Also you get know what is possible to grow in this kind of landscape and how to use them.