Flights - The nearest airport to this part of Spain is Malaga on the Costa del Sol. There are daily flights with many airlines, e.g. EasyJet, Monarch, etc. There are plenty of car hire companies at Malaga airport as well.

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Eating Out - There is an incredible selection of bars and restaurants on the Costa del Sol - try a lunch of fresh sardines cooked on a BBQ on the beach, washed down with a jug of ice-cold Sangria, or enjoy delicious seafood in one of the many restaurants in Puerto Banus overlooking the harbour with its stunning array of luxury yachts and cruisers. Inland enjoy a variety of typical Andalucian dishes from authentic tapas to rich succulent meats and mouthwatering Spanish Riojas.

Marbella

Overlooked by the dramatic Sierra Blanca, Marbella, with its fabulous beachfront, wide range of shops and restaurants, parks, churches and museums as well as the intriging old part of town, the Casco Antiguo, situated on the Plaza de los Naranjos, has plenty for the visitor to see and do. The central beach which is lined with beach bars along a very attractive boulevard is known as the Playa de Venus. Two quieter alternatives are the Playa de la Fontanilla and the Playa de Casablanca. There are two tourist offices in town, in the Glorieta de la Fontanilla (952 77 14 42) and in the Plaza de los Naranjos (952 82 35 50). Excursion boats go from Marbella's Puerto Deportivo to Puerto Banus.

Puerto Banus and Nueva Andalucia

Situated between Marbella and San Pedro, Puerto Banus is a beautiful place to see and the place for beautiful people to be seen. The harbour which is full of luxury yachts and cruisers is fringed by a staggering choice of restaurants and designer shops. There are cinemas, discos, cocktail lounges and many bars with live music. During the summer months there is a huge open air artesania market in the main square near Cortes Ingles department store. A must for visitors to the area is the open air market every Saturday morning near the old bull ring in Nueva Andalucia, an area which is also full of restaurants and shops. See feature on photo walk from Puerto Banus to Marbella.

San Pedro

The beachfront area of San Pedro is a relatively new development known as the Nueva Alcantara. There is a long, wide tree-lined boulevard which is perfect for a casual stroll. There are numerous bars and restaurants along this promenade, offering delicious fresh fish and lovely views of the palm tree-lined sands. About half a kilometre inland, on the other side of the N340/A7 is the old town of San Pedro de Alcantara. There is still a very Spanish feel about this town, which is notable for its clean streets, quiet parks and squares and attractive bars and restaurants.

Istan

Istan is part of the Sierras de las Nieves Natural Park, which has been declared a Biosphere Researve by Unesco. Characterised by typically Andalucian narrow streets with whitewashed houses and Arabic roof tiling, Istan is a delightful holiday destination rich in natural beauty. There are many well-marked walking routes through the surrounding hills, some running alongside water channels of Roman origin which used to be the main supply of water to the town and surrounding areas. As a result the area is one of the most lush and beautiful in Andalucia. Click here for feature on Istan.