PLACES TO VISIT FROM SAN FRANCISCO, 71 IN DISTANCE ORDER (distance and driving times are approximate) 1. Rio Chillar 2 km, 4 mins A peaceful walk close to the apartment. The Rio Chillar eventually flows into the Mediterranean in Nerja. The river is in a ravine that gradually narrows as you walk North. The riverbed is sometimes dry, at other times it is necessary to skirt around the water or simply paddle through it. Directions: Return down the road leading to the San Francisco car park. Turn first right about 100m beyond the junction on the crown of the bend. After about 150m keep right, the road begins to rise. At the top of the road keep on the metalled road and drive beneath the motorway bridge, the road descends sharply. Just beyond the cement works as the road begins to turn sharply to the left take the track off to the right. Continue for about 200m just beyond the disused quarry face. Park before the track descends to the river bed.
2. Playa Burriana, Nerja 3 km, 4 mins Nerja s main beach. Lovely views to Sierra de Almijara (mountain range overlooking Nerja). Safe bathing. Plenty of places to eat Merenderos are the beach restaurants, very reasonable food paella a speciality, Ayo s recommended (see folder in apartment). It is possible to walk westwards from here to reach other beaches, the town and the Balcon de Europe this can involve steps and paths and be as complicated as you wish! Parking can be difficult, you may be asked for a small contribution towards a good cause in certain parts. If difficult, go to the end of the beach and try and park on the road that winds back up into the town. Easy to walk down, there is a bus service that can take you back to San Juan check timetable at bus stops. Directions: Return to the roundabout at the bottom of the hill that you turned right at just after seeing the Supersol supermarket. Go straight over and descend for about 1 km.
3. Maro - 4km, 5mins Small balcon looking eastwards along coast. Balcon de Maro is a good place for lunch (fried rosado and prawn pil pil prawns in sizzling oil and dried chilli recommended, toasted sandwiches also good). In the evening this is a restaurant with a different menu, however the sun will have gone! In view is one of a series of old coastal lookout towers, see book of walks in apartment. En route you will pass the impressive sugar refinery brick aqueduct. Follow small road below balcon to reach small beach, with own car park Nearby caves are very impressive with reportedly the world s largest joined stalactite/mite. Directions Return towards junction 295 of E15. Follow signs to Maro. Turn right opposite Hotel Romantica. Follow one-way road around to balcon. If parking is tricky near the balcon there is a large carpark immediately below with steps back up to the balcon.
4. Frigiliana 7km, 10 mins Lovely historic white washed village above Nerja. Narrow streets with some nice tourist shops, these haven t spoilt Frigiliana though. Places to eat and bars (our favourite is Taverna Sacristan in the square by the church closed Tuesdays). The local wine is a muscatel-like, 3 euros for a litre (dearer in the shops closer to the entrance to the village). Serve chilled to bring out honey flavours. See guide book for fascinating history. Guided walks available. Directions: Either drive through Nerja or return to the motorway to get to the roundabout at exit 294. Follow signs to Frigiliana. As you approach the village there are two routes signposted for Frigiliana, take the lower route to the left that goes slighty downhill to the historic part.
5. Rio de la Miel 11 km, 25 mins A drive to the highest accessible viewpoint by car on the Sierra de Almijara with views to the Sierra Nevada, snow clad for several months in the year. You can leave your car at the top and take a short walk up to your left (as you face the Sierra Nevada), this will take you into an almond grove that will be in blossom if you are visiting in February. Directions: At Maro join the N345 either just before the town or by going through the small main street, be careful not to get on the motorway. The N345 will sweep along the coast, it is a fairly twisting, but quite fast road to make sure you don t miss the turning coming up it is best to keep your speed down. In about 2.5 km at the bottom of a descent be prepared to move into the centre of the road to turn left this is at the first marked lane you come to in the middle of the road with give way lines, you will be turning to go beneath the first high motorway flyover you see on this road. The road is suddenly a lot smaller and quieter, it becomes fairly narrow, but is in good condition. Stay on this road as it winds upwards (I believe there is one point that you have turn left as the road threatens to descend) Eventually, you reach the top with the view in the above photo, an unmade road continues downwards, you do not need to go any further.
6. Salobrena - 35 km, 35 mins (less if use E15) 13th century Moorish castle with great views and a small museum that is worth a visit (included in inexpensive ticket price). Park fairly centrally in town and basically keeping walking up hill through narrow streets, the castle is the highest point a fairly steep 20 min walk. Just 200-300m below the museum Taberna Allhaja in Calle Placeta is recommended for lunch. Directions: From Maro either take the the N 340 ore15 to Alumenecar (motorway ends at this junction) and join N 340 or. Salobrena will come into view (photo top left), take the exit to the town centre, park on street close to signs that direct you to the historic centre.
7. Comares 48 km, 52 min A picturesque drive to a quiet hilltop town out of reach of tourist coaches. Save this for a clear day as the views are spectacular A multi-storey cemetery strangely, a must see. Site of old Moorish castle. Local bar in main square serves snacks. The town has two peaks with a short walk around indicated by footsteps inset into the road surface. Women of the town will be keen to sell you local produce (the word travels fast that there are tourists in town) honey, dried fruit and almonds can be bought reasonably. Directions (see map below): Take E15 towards Malaga Take exit 275 to Velez Malaga and take directions towards the town on the A335; however you will by-pass the town, which will be on your right. Having avoided the town centre you will be following signs to Vinuela and in about 4km there will be a left turn to Comares and Benamargosa (Colmenar may also be sign-posted) on the MA 145. Follow signs to Comares.
If you re feeling adventurous, there is a really nice drive back to Velez Malaga that takes in views of Lake Vinuela, which is remarkably blue. It goes something like this: Retrace your route down the hill out of Comares and turn left (the way you came), the road continues to descend with fine views. After about 4 or 5 kms there is a T junction, to go back the way you came turn right, the adventurous route is to go left. In about 2 km take the road off to the right that begins to rise fairly steeply. The road twists and turns and there is a section that is not made up, it is very passable though. Stay on this road and turn right at a T junction. You will enter a small town, maintain your height rather than heading steeply downwards. Continue out the the town, you will see the lake on the left, the road eventually descends towards it. Join the main road and follow signs to Velez Malaga.
8. Alhama de Granada - 70 km, 75 mins An interesting drive to Alhama takes you up onto a fertile high plain. The town has been built on one side of a large ravine. A gently crumbling old town with some fine old buildings to visit. The information centre has information on a suggested route around the old town. Just outside the town at a spa hotel it is possible to visit roman baths modified by the moors, a short visit costs 1 euro check at the information centre for opening times. The hot water emerges outside the hotel for those who want a warm paddle. There are some small restaurants in the centre of town for lunch.
Directions (see map below): Take the E15 towards Malaga and take exit 295 to Velez Malaga Follow the A335 avoiding the town centre. Keep on this road as it snakes upwards to a noticeable U-shaped pass in the distant mountains. Once you ve reached the rather unattractive town at the top keep right and follow signs to Alhama de Granada. To reach the spa with the baths return to the main road and turn right, after about 1 m turn left and follow a lane to the hotel leaving your car outside, at the reception ask to visit the baths. Other places: Malaga 60 km, 45 mins Alcazaba / Castle / Picasso museum / Shopping
Granada 100 km, 90 mins Alhambra / Alcazaba / Palacia Nazaries Ronda 175 km, 140 mins Old town built either side of 100m deep ravine / Bullring / Arab baths