The activities to undertake on a daily basis are rest and relaxation, sun-bathing of the terraces, swimming in the pool, playing ping pong or petanque, or soaking up the natural surroundings. The great variety of birds, especially the majestic circling eagles, make it a bird-watchers paradise.There are also lots of nearby opportunities for walking, hiking, mountain biking, horse-riding or even climbing.
The village of Riogordo just 5km down from the house has plenty of food shopping and there is a street market every wednesday morning. There are many small bars, some of which serve simple food and tapas.
The next village is Colmenar which also has shops and its own festivals. The honey museum is here (Museo de la Miel) as the name of the town literally translates as “beehive” and the honey from all around here is excellent. The beautiful mountain villages of Alfarnate and Alfarnatejo are also worth visiting – especially in June for the celebration of the cherry harvest. Periana has a celebration of its excellent peaches. Also nearby is the reservoir lake of La Vinuela, very beautiful and with the popular Camping Restaurant overlooking the water. Just beyond here is the mountain of La Maroma, which you see from the terrace at Mariolo, and which you can climb via different routes.. Passing through the “Mouth of Zafaraya” (Boca de Zafaraya) you can reach the historic town of Alhama de Granada with its thermal springs and this is also a good back-route to Granada where you will find the faboulous Alhambra and its Generalife Gardens.
If you want more nature then El Torcal just near Antequerra is a natural wonder, with stones balanced like artworks at 2000 metres high. The town of Antequerra itself is nice to visit and it has one of Spain’s oldest bullrings. The very oldest bullring can also be visited at Ronda, a couple of hours further on. Much nearer to Antequerra is also the beautiful El Chorro gorge.
A little further afield are the beaches of Torre Del Mar and further on the more beautiful ones around Nerja, Maro and Cantarrijan. Velez Malaga has a major shopping mall with many of the major chain stores present. Málaga itself offers a more interesting and diverse shopping experience and is also a fabulous city to wander around, with its Cathedral, art museums, castle, beaches and superb bars and restaurants – just 40 minutes drive from the house.