Hidden gems on the Costa del Sol

HIDDEN GEMS OF THE COSTA DEL SOL

The Costa del Sol is famed for its golden beaches and bustling towns, but there are several hidden gems that are off the beaten path, which are definitely worth visiting.

From pretty white villages and historical sites to nature parks and natural wonders, this guide takes you through the hidden gems that you should visit on your holiday to the Costa del Sol.

Must-visit hidden gems of the Costa del Sol

Benalmadena Pueblo
Cueva del Tesoro
El Torcal de Antequera
Playa de Maro
Júzcar
Canillas de Aceituno & the El Saltillo Trail

Benalmadena Pueblo

A traditional street in the old village of Benalmadena

If you are staying at one of our Costa del Sol Resorts, the picturesque Benalmadena Pueblo, which is known as The Old Village, is under 30 minutes away from Wyndham Costa del Sol.

Here you can wander Benalmadena’s winding cobbled streets, with its groves, white-washed houses, and traditional Andalusian architecture. A great place to start the day is at the central Plaza de España, where you can browse beautiful local crafts and sample tapas and wine as you go.

Whilst visiting this pretty village, we would recommend visiting Colomares Castle, which was constructed in tribute to Christopher Columbus and the discovery of America. The architecture draws inspiration from a blend of various styles, including Neo-Roman, Neo-Byzantine, Neo-Gothic, and Neo-Mudéjar eras, and is an eye-catching attraction.

Lesley Stewart, the blogger behind the Wander Somewhere site, moved from Scotland to Spain, and she talks about what Benalmadena Pueblo offers: “Among the charming pueblos blancos of Southern Spain, Benalmadena Pueblo is a treasure trove of picture-perfect corners and breathtaking views, with its rich history reflected in its distinctive white-washed houses, pretty church, and cobblestone streets.

“Admittedly, when I visited Andalusia last year, Benalmadena Pueblo wasn’t on my radar.

“However, a day trip from the coastal town left me speechless, and this tiny village remains one of my favourite destinations on our Southern Spain road trip. Lesser visited than its increasingly famous counterparts, Mijas and Frigiliana, it is undoubtedly one of the region’s prettiest places.”

ALSO READ: A ranking of Costa del Sol towns and cities

Cueva del Tesoro

Cueva del Tesoro, also known as the cave of treasure, is just under 20 minutes from Malaga and is the only marine cave that you can visit in the world. In fact, there are only three caves in the world that are like this, with the other two located in Asia and Central America, but these are not accessible.

The cave is filled with legends of hidden treasure and prehistoric art. One such story tells of treasure hidden in one of the cave grottos. The legend says that the emperor Tasufín ibn Alí hid treasure in the cave in the 12th century, but it has never been found, although there was a small oil lamp and gold coins found in the upper areas of the cave.

Thanks to studies and expeditions here, the caves have been discovered to have been home to Palaeolithic and Bronze Age remains, along with some cave paintings. Zoomorphic paintings are believed to date back to the late Upper Palaeolithic, as well as more recent schematic art and various materials from Neolithic burials. At times, it was submerged under the sea.

You can also marvel at eye-catching stalactites and stalagmites during a visit to the caves.

To explore Cueva del Tesoro, you will need to go on a guided tour, which lasts around 30-40 minutes.

ALSO READ: Must-visit historical sites on the Costa del Sol

El Torcal de Antequera

El Torcal de Antequera has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but despite this recognition, the surreal karst landscape can be overlooked by many people.

The bizarre rock formations have been created due to a process that has lasted several hundred million years, making you feel like you are on another planet. There is a network of hiking trails around the park, and they give you some great views over the rocks and the surrounding area.

The area around El Torcal de Antequera has a rich variety of flora and fauna – a wealth of birds live here, and there are more than 600 plant species, which make it an important natural habitat on the Costa del Sol.

Andrew & Emily, the travel writers behind the Along Dusty Roads blog, say it is worth a visit: “In the rural heart of Andalusia, a scenic hour’s drive from the coastal city of Malaga, the UNESCO World Heritage site of El Torcal de Antequera is rightly regarded as one of Europe’s most striking and unusual landscapes.

“It is absolutely worthy of a half-day or more on your holiday.”

Playa de Maro

This small beach near Nerja is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, as it is hidden in the Acantilados del Mar nature reserve.

You can enjoy pristine waters that are perfect for water sports such as snorkelling or scuba diving, and the dramatic cliffs and limestone caves make it an attractive beach to relax on. The beach has been awarded Blue Flag Status, which is a distinction given to beaches that meet high standards of cleanliness, safety, and environmental management.

Not only can you enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving here, but you can also enjoy other outdoor activities such as kayaking and swimming, making it a family-friendly beach to visit.

Despite the beach’s beauty, it is off the beaten path and is therefore ideal for escaping the crowds.

ALSO READ: The best beaches on the Costa del Sol

Júzcar

Street view of the Smurfs Blue Village in Juzcar

Júzcar, also known as The Blue Village, is roughly a two-hour drive inland from Malaga, and has one unique feature: the entire village is painted blue!

Back in the summer of 2011, Sony Pictures approached Júzcar and its residents about painting the buildings and houses blue as a publicity stunt to launch their film version of The Smurfs.

After residents agreed, the mountain village has not looked back, and now you can see that every building, from the Town Hall and the church to private houses, is still painted in that iconic Smurf blue.

Although you might come to see the blue hues, once here, you can enjoy great food and countless walking trails.

Canillas de Aceituno & the El Saltillo Trail

Suspension bridge on the El Saltillo trail near Canillas de Aceituno

If you love hiking but want to avoid the crowds of popular hikes in the Caminito del Rey area, then the El Saltillo trail near Canillas de Aceituno is the perfect choice.

The El Saltillo trail is one of the most stunning hikes in Andalusia as it winds its way through the rocky landscape of the Sierra de Almijara. Along the way, you should keep your eyes peeled for vultures, including black, griffon and Egyptian vultures.

Along the route, you can also enjoy breathtaking views that stretch for miles on a clear day and the star of the show is the suspension bridge that swings over a deep gorge. The bridge is one of the longest of its kind in Spain.

ALSO READ: Ultimate family guide to the Costa del Sol