Off the "Beaten Track"

In recent years there has been a surge in rural tourism, with travellers looking to escape the normal tourist trappings and experience a taste of the “Real Spain”.   Although the Costa del Sol is synonymous with the three S’s of sun, sand and sea – one of the main attractions of this area is the  natural environment of the mountain ranges of the Sierra Blanca and Sierra Alpujata surrounding the hustle and bustle of this coastal area.

POPULAR  SUGGESTIONS

EL LUANAR
One can visit El Luanar, an old refuge belonging to the Marquises of Larios, where the General Charle de Gaulles finished his autobiography in 1870.

 Nature lovers can witness during the day the golden eagle showing it’s magnificent figure in the sky, whilest at night the eagle owl guards it’s territory. Paths are full of varied aromatic and medicinal plants and a wide assortment of scented orchids growing among the trees

OJEN
Due to it’s privileged location, Ojen is an excursion center to the Sierra Blanca and other nearby municipalities, which also offer great natural beauty.  A secondary road, dominated by almond and cherry trees, links this village with others such as Tolox, Guaro and Monda.  Tolox is the starting point of a forest path that goes to Istan across the spectacular meadow of Bornoque.

BARRONOQUE  MOUNTAIN

This is the source of the "Rio Verde" (Green River), the las Canas stream and "La Concha" Mountain which can be seen from the Marbella coast.  This is one of the most beautiful places of this region.

RIO  VERDE
Between both mountain ranges bordering Istan - the Sierra Real and Sierra Blanca - there lies the Rio Verde Valley, a place rich in agriculture and landscapes.  Lots of fruit trees and vegetable farming plots create a picture of intense colours in the distance.  At the headwaters, the cascades make small eddies, in which you can see trout.

FINCA  DE  LA  CONCEPCION

La Concepcion plot is a wonderful private natural plot.  Local artists and artisans have worked in the restoration and have turned these remains into one of the most beautiful houses in the Costa del Sol.  The landscape is full of centenary palms, avocado plantations, custard apples, orange trees and almond trees.