Beautiful, Historic and Traditional area of Spain
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The Penthouse is ideally located to either sit back and enjoy the views or go out and explore this fascinating and historic area. Only an hour away is the historic city of Granada and the magical Moorish 800 year old Alhambra Palace. The beautiful Alpujarras Mountains are 40 minutes away and offer many unspoiled Spanish villages in some glorious countryside perfect for rambling or the serious hiker. Towering over the Alpujarras are the mighty Sierra Nevada Mountains with Spain’s highest peaks at over 3,400m. The Sierra Nevada offer a year round sports resort with the best skiing in Spain just over an hour away from the apartment.
The region is packed with history and has been settled by numerous conquerors over the last 3,500 years with the Phoenicians, the Romans and the Moors all leaving there mark. The local towns of Salobrena and Almunecar both have ancient castles, churches and old towns. Twenty minutes drive away you can also visit one of Europe’s best cave systems, the Caves of Nerja and the beautiful white hill town of Frigiliana.
There are over 26 beaches in the area all of which offer their own character. Some are very remote and require a hike down a rocky path, while others like the beaches of La Herradura and Almunecar are right in the town centre and offer all facilities. There are beaches for the family, nature lovers and those looking for lunch. Much of the costal area is a protected Marine Reserve offering many of Spain’s best Mediterranean dive sites with local schools offering the full range of PADI dive courses.
There are a number of golf courses within half an hours drive and within an hour several more both in the area of Malaga and Granada where you can play golf under the snow capped Sierra Nevada Mountains.
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Alhambra Palace Gardens
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Boat day trips can be organised around the coast with a photo stop at a remote beach for snorkelling and refreshments. There are also many tennis courts where visitors can play or improve with a lesson from the local tennis pro. Courts and lessons can be booked in advance and playing partners arranged.
This area or Spain (unlike overbuilt areas further down the coast) is still very traditional and is mainly known as a smart Spanish holiday destination although many of the local shopkeepers and restaurant staff do speak and understand English and other European languages. The siesta is still practiced with most shops opening at 10 and closing around 1:30 in the afternoon. The streets come alive again from 5 o’clock as the evening begins. Enjoy the mix of sights and sounds in the night air as you walk surrounded by Spanish families of all ages out for their traditional evening stroll.
Shopping in the locals towns is a pleasure. Not only will you notice that your money goes a lot further than in the UK but there is such a choice of shops and services to enjoy. Both La Herradura and Almunecar have traditional daily (except Sunday) markets selling a wide variety of fresh fish, vegetables, meats, bread, eggs and flowers. A weekly Friday morning market in Almunecar offers everything from carpets to handbags, to slippers, to spices and cheap CDs. While the more modern supermarkets and speciality food shops offer a full range of Spanish and International products.
Eating out is also a pleasure with a wide range of restaurants and bars to suit all moods and tastes. You will be pleased to note that it is still customary in this part of Spain to provide a free tapas (snack) with an alcoholic drink in the more traditional bars. Enjoy traditional Spanish restaurants or a wide range of international cuisines.
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