Sierra de las Nieves and Sierra de Grazalema

The Antequera region

Both have been declared Biosphere Reserves, and with good reason. The Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park is home to the largest pinsapo fir forest on the planet! Species such as the mountain goat, the otter or the golden eagle have chosen it as their home, and a whole series of lodgings and villages make the visit more comfortable. On top of that, there is a network of trails that are perfect for hiking. The Sierra de Grazalema, between Cádiz and Málaga, is known for being one of the rainiest places on the Iberian Peninsula. This makes for lush vegetation, which grows between abrupt reliefs and canyons such as the Garganta Verde (Green Gorge), 400 metres deep. You can visit it on foot, on horseback, hang-gliding, paragliding... or canoeing on the Zahara-Gastor reservoir.

A visit to the Torcal de Antequera, a unique natural site, declared a World Heritage Site, is an absolute must. The shapes of its limestone rocks form a city of stone that looks almost like a stage set. Its chasms and caves are a dream for speleology lovers and it has one of the few astronomical observatories in Andalusia. Not far away is the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra Nature Reserve, the largest lagoon in Andalusia and the second most important flamingo colony in Europe. Surrounded by olive and cereal fields covering almost 1,400 hectares!

Gorge of the Gaitanes and Caminito del Rey Path

Knowledge doesn't take up space

Picasso Museum Málaga

Carmen Thyssen Museum

Visiting the capital of the Costa del Sol and not visiting the Picasso Museum in Málaga should be considered a crime. There is a reason why it has become the most visited museum in Andalusia! Following the wish of the artist , who wanted his work to be displayed in his hometown, the MPM was inaugurated in 2003 at the Buenavista Palace, in the heart of Málaga. A staggering 233 works of art await you in a thematic and chronological tour that is perfect for gaining an in-depth knowledge of Picasso's artistic career.

This art gallery opened in 2011 and houses one of the most important collections of Spanish and Andalusian paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. The more than 250 works are part of Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza's personal collection and reflect styles such as landscapes and Costumbrismo, as well as a selection of pieces by Old Masters such as Zurbarán. The 16th-century Palacio de Villalón building was renovated to house it and is in itself a museum, with a central courtyard that resembles a large Cordovan courtyard with arabesque arches.

Centre Pompidou Málaga

Delicious

Amador Restaurant, Málaga

Bardal, Ronda

The exciting dishes created by its talented chef, Amador Fernández, could not be better suited to the location in the Villa Guadalupe hotel. With stunning views of Málaga and the Mediterranean Sea, plus the artwork of Irene van Vlijmen (the chef's mother) decorating the walls, this restaurant has it all. The Repsol Guide recommends the lamb shoulder, the organic artichokes and the foie gras with apple emulsion - we'll have to take them up on that!

With two Michelin stars, chef Benito Gómez's restaurant is a hallmark of Ronda's restaurant scene. His cuisine stands out for not deceiving, for avoiding fanfare and offering a creative cuisine, but always based on the flavours and products of the region, which are presented in the best possible way. As they say, at Bardal you can recognise everything, and the menu makes it clear that the diner is in Ronda, which is also one of the most beautiful places in Andalusia.

Skina, Marbella

Sollo, Fuengirola

With two Michelin stars behind it, Skina is the creation of chef Mario Cachinero and his creative cuisine that draws on traditional Andalusian recipes, all in one of the smallest Michelin restaurants in the world! Nestled in Marbella's old town, Skina couldn't have a better name. Wild Galician fish, premium oils from Jaén, unique meats... the ajoblanco with mackerel and coriander is a must.

Diego Gallegos clearly knows what he's talking about: aquaculture and sustainability. He is one of the new chefs who has recently joined the list of Michelin stars on the Costa del Sol. Known as the Caviar Chef (Andalusian sturgeon is his star product), he chooses freshwater fish for his creations, and around 90% of what he serves is farmed by himself! Sollo is a must if you want to enjoy a surprising experience, like an appetizer at his R&D workshop.

Shall we get moving?

Let's get wet!

A bit of adrenaline

The Mediterranean Sea is the best sporting area you will find. If you enjoy exploring the seabed, the coast of Nerja is renowned for scuba diving and snorkelling. Try Nerja Diving. Or you can also kayak along the impressive cliffs of the Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Park. The waters of Benalmádena, Marbella and Estepona are also good places to find Nemo. For some wave action, try Guadalmar (Málaga), Río Real (Marbella) and Guadalmansa (Estepona).

For the brave, there are plenty of adventure sports. Canyoning is one of those activities where understanding nature is essential (and being willing to get wet)! Try it at the Sima del Diablo, in Júzcar. At Pangea Active Nature they offer everything. And don't miss the Cueva del Gato, a top speleology site with underground galleries and a river that runs underground. At the Hundidero-Gato Complex you can swim across lakes and climb over passages with ropes. A fun way to get in touch with caving. If you are more laid-back, the Conde de Guadalhorce reservoir is the place for you. You can go paddle-surfing, kayaking and canoeing.

Horse riding

A winning 'drive'

Alhaurín Golf Resort, Fuengirola

Casares Golf Club, Casares

Designed by Seve Ballesteros, this 18-hole course in the mountains of Fuengirola, between Málaga and Marbella, forms a beautiful and lush landscape that makes playing golf an unforgettable experience. The views of the Sierra de Mijas mountains and the Mediterranean Sea are a plus and, in addition, each hole is different and you can use all types of clubs. Bonus: around the practice area there is a 9-hole par 3 course.

With 9 holes, Casares Golf Club was created to serve as a garden for one of the most exclusive residential areas on the Costa del Sol. The course runs gently through the valley and is surrounded by vineyards, orange trees and other Mediterranean vegetation. Par 5 is one of the most popular among golfers because of its difficulty. Do you dare to play it? By the way, its restaurant, Brasserie de Arturo, serves Andalusian dishes that are ideal for recharging your batteries.

Cabopino, Marbella

Long life to tradition

Málaga Fair

Holy Week in Málaga

In August, the city of Málaga dresses up for the most fun event of the year: the Málaga Fair. Nine days of flamenco, Andalusian horses, stalls, wine, folklore... The fair commemorates the taking of the city by the Catholic Monarchs in 1487, but today any excuse is a good one to dress up in typical Andalusian costume and have a good time. During the day, the historic centre, decorated with lanterns and flowers, is the perfect setting for parades, orchestras, floats... and, at night, the party moves to the Real del Cortijo de Torres, where there are stalls with music and even rides!

Catholics and non-Catholics alike are moved by the beauty of Málaga's Holy Week. Because it is not only based on religion. It is culture, history, art... and there is a reason why it has been declared a celebration of International Tourist Interest. As in the rest of the country, it is celebrated after the first full moon of the spring equinox. The thrones and images impress everyone, as well as the devotion and sentiment of the people of Málaga.

Flamenco

This is for myself

Make some room

Made by hand

Carob tree cakes, Antequera muffins, fig bread, olives from Álora, sugar cane honey, toasted almonds... in short, we would need a huge pantry to store all the mouth-watering products from Málaga.

Craftwork also has its place in Málaga. For example, through the ceramics of Alfonso Rot, the pottery of Isiwax and the glass of Vidrieras Viarca, which is behind some of the most impressive stained glass windows in the cathedral of Málaga and the church of La Paloma in Madrid.

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