Hidden gems and sights of Marbella and the Costa del Sol
Have you had enough of mass tourism? Do you want to see and do something different than others? Here you will find a few hidden gems and attractions in Marbella! Escape the tourists and plan a day trip to one (or all) of these great places on the Costa del Sol.
The hidden gems on the Costa del Sol
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- Ojén, the white village
- Marbella: the old town
- Traditional Spanish cooking in the Montes de Málaga
- Bodega Morosanto in Ronda
1. Ojén, the white village
The beautiful white village (pueblo blanco) Ojén is a hidden gem and a nice place to visit in the mountains, near Marbella. Just a few kilometers from bustling Marbella, you can escape the tourists in this beautiful Andalusian village, where it is wonderfully quiet and pleasant.
From the coast, drive inland into the hills to discover this picturesque village where time has stood still. Wander along the curving roads and cobblestone streets to see the beautiful, always well-maintained, white houses of the village and enjoy a coffee at one of the terraces found in the village. From the main street in the village, you can climb up to the Cuevas de las Columnas y Campanas (Caves of Columns and Bells). Here you will not only get to see the fascinating caves, but also a beautiful view. You have to climb some steep stairs to do so, but the views are definitely worth it. Ojén has a lot of caves that you can walk to from the main road.
2. Marbella: the old town
Another top attraction in Marbella is the old town. Here you will not see many yachts and sports cars. However, in the old town you can experience the real Marbella. Enjoy and relax with a refreshing drink in one of the many bars on Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Tree Square). Stroll through the narrow streets surrounding this beautiful square. Take a walk along the historic buildings that you can still find here. Want to know more about the old town of Marbella? Read our blog Marbella: the old town and its history.
3. Traditional Spanish cooking in the Montes de Málaga
The food lovers among us who would like to spend a day cooking a real traditional Spanish meal have come to the right place in La Rosilla. This is a small village in the mountains of Málaga (Montes de Málaga). The lovely cook Lynsey will share her years of experience with you, both in cooking and in Spanish food. A unique experience in a spectacular setting. After the workshop you will not only be able to cook Spanish, but you will also learn more about the history of the food and the traditions. And all that while enjoying a glass of Sherry!
El Saladillo Beach
There is certainly no shortage of beaches and attractions on the Costa del Sol, but have you ever visited El Saladillo in Estepona? Just a little west of Marbella, this magnificent beach is hidden from the hordes of tourists. However, you will need a car to get there, as public transport is unfortunately not an option. Of course, this does mean that tourists don’t tend to go in large numbers. There are several chiringuitos (beach bars) to be found that prepare delicious fresh paellas. It does get crowded in summer as it is a popular spot with locals, so get there early to secure your spot on this beautiful beach.
4. Bodega Morosanto in Ronda
We also want to mention Bodega Morosanto among our attractions in Marbella. This beautiful wine producing bodega, located in the historic town of Ronda, produces 60,000 bottles of wine per year. It is a treat to visit Bodega Morosanto and get a guided tour with real wine experts. Here you will learn all about the winemaking process and what happens to the wine during each stage of aging. At the end of the tour, of course, there will also be a wine tasting! This is served with accompanying tapas. For wine lovers, this is a must-do experience. And while you’re in the charming town of Ronda, it’s definitely worth spending a day here.
Want to know more about the Costa del Sol? Read on!
- Starlite Music World: Construction of auditorium with capacity of 15,000 people announced in Estepona
- ‘La Térmica’ real estate project in Malaga approved for construction
- Costa del Sol more popular than ever with Americans
- Grand Park Costa del Sol in Mijas: The largest park on the Costa del Sol
- High-speed train launched between Malaga, Alicante and Murcia
