It’s no secret that the Costa del Sol of Southern Spain is one of the best places to escape to the sun, surf and relaxing Catalonian lifestyle. Unfortunately, every year more and more tourists get the same great idea – and end up drowning the once picturesque coastal towns with an influx of visitors from the UK and U.S.
To avoid feeling overwhelmed by fellow tourists, consider moving away from the more popular destinations to one of the few remaining true Mediterranean gems of the Costa del Sol.
When booking your next trip to Malaga with Monarch, consider Axarquia as an alternative destination. While less known than some of the other villages in the region, Axarquia offers the perfect combination of culture, beaches, shopping, architecture, food and fun – without the hordes of summering visitors. As the most eastern province in Malaga, Axarquia manages to stay out of the way of mainstream tourism, retaining its old-world charm.
So what does Axarquia have to offer? Here are four reasons to visit.
1. Climate
True to its Mediterranean name, Axarquia offers beautiful, mild weather year round. Winters are mild and summers are toasty – fall and spring tend to blur together, without any dramatically cold season. On the coast, the seasons are less dramatic than the more mountainous inland – the coastal air keeps summer nights cool. Instead of snow, winter months may see more rain. Depending on your mood, February or September may be great months to visit, allowing for even more opportunity to avoid the crowds.
2. Beaches
The coast of Axarquia is much less developed than western Costa del Sol. If you look hard enough, it’s still possible to find rocky secluded coves or nearly empty sandy spots away from the crowds. As a fisherman’s region, you’ll also find small fishing towns, and local restaurants serving up fresh, traditionally prepared seafood dishes. Unlike some of the more developed areas, these towns are frequented by locals and stay year round, so you know your experience will be authentic.
3. Scenery
Thanks to the historic Arab influence in this region of Spain, Axarquia is home to dozens of beautiful towns and villages with unique history and gorgeous architecture. Moorish castles and ruins are surrounded by rolling hills and pockets of snow-capped mountains. For a break from the beach, day trips from the seaside are easily navigated to get a taste of the Axarquia countryside.
One of the more popular destinations for scenery is Arenas, a small town with obvious Moorish influence. The ruins of the Bentomiz Castle and fortress are thought to be from the Iberian Era, occupied and modified by the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans, in succession, before being taken over by Christians. The town also features the ruins of the Santa Catalina church.
4. Caves
The stunning Nerja Caves are open year round, offering visitors a chance to explore underground caverns and stalactites. The grand center column in the caves, Sala del Cataclismo, is the world’s largest column, reaching a height of 32 meters. For history buffs, the Palaeolithic wall paintings will also be of interest.
So if you’re contemplating a visit to Southern Spain for some much desired sun, why not explore what lies east of Malaga rather than west to discover one of the last remaining secret gems of the Mediterranean.