Places of interest in Casares
The Arab Castle
The Castle affords a fine view of the white silhouettes of the houses perched on the hill and the labyrinthine and narrow lanes with their distinctive Andalusian legacy. Vestiges of the first Phoenician, Iberian and Roman settlers have survived in its surroundings.
The Ethno-Historical Museum
The museum is to be found next to one of the gates of the former fortress and shows the history and way of life of the various people that have populated Casares.
Church of Incarnation
Built in the 16th Century by papal bull of Pope Julio II, it stands over the ruins of an earlier 13th Century Moorish fortress.
Cemetry
The cemetery is located close to the castle, and is unusual because of its circular construction. The local custom of whitewashing the niches is an expression of Casares culture.
The house of Blas Infante
Blas Infante’s birthplace is located at 51 Calle Carrera. Blas Infante, whose visionary ideals brought to Andalucía a spirit of purpose one that continues today. The house is now an open museum where local and regional artists exhibit their works.
The fountain of Carlos III
Located in the village square, the Plaza España, the fountain was built in 1785 during the reign of Carlos III. The fountain has four spouts from each of which pour fresh mountain water.
Roman Baths de la Hedionda
In the 1st century BC, Julius Caesar visited Casares to bathe in the local spring waters which is said cured him of a skin complaint. After this visit he ordered the building of the baths here so that he and others could bathe in more comfort. The water has a high sulphur content, which is more concentrated in the hot summer months. As a sign of his gratitude to Casares, Julius Ceaser allowed the town to mint its own coins and so it was the only town to have its own currency within the region. It is still possible to bathe in the waters today and although busy at weekends, during the week it is quiet and a lovely spot for a relaxing dip. A modern roof has been built onto the original Roman construction, which allows you to enjoy the old with the practicality of the new. There is even an open area in case you are missing your daily sun bathing fix.
Sierra Bermeja
The Sierra Bermeja is a mountain range with an average height of 1,000m (its highest point being 1,450m), covering 1,236ha. It is an area that has undergone major volcanic activity; the rocks are rich in the olivine mineral. Rainwater has oxidized the iron and magnesium present in the rocks and the iron oxide has colored the rock reddish-ginger, a hue that gives the sierra its name.
Once in Casares the views are stunning and if you look out across the Sierra Bermeja you will see its peaks, 'Los reales', which have now been deemed as National park area. These mountains are home to a colony of Griffon Vultures and they can often be seen in full flight. It is also fascinating to watch these majestic birds feeding themselves at the foot of the Sierra Bermeja where a feeding place has been created.
Casares fiestas
Pilgrimage of the patron Saint, The Virgin of el Rosario
Celebrated on the last Saturday of May. The who village participate in the walk, a distance of 11 kilometres, accompanying the effigy of the Virgin from the Church of San Sebastián to the Shrine at the Ermita which lies between the rivers Genal and Guadiaro
August Feria
This main Feria is celebrated in the first week of August, from Thursday to Sunday. Its origins are linked to the town’s resistance against the French, between 1810 and 1813.
Fiesta in honour of nuestra señora de la Virgin del Rosario del campo
Celebrated on the first Saturday of September to celebrate the birth of the Virgen.
Medieval market
Every year in the middle of July, a medieval market takes place in Casares. The streets offer the ideal setting for this kind of event: artisans and craftsmen sell their wares and food specialities.
Places to visit in the area
Gaucin
Gaucin is a typical white village commanding sweeping views to Gibraltar and the Rif Mountains of North Africa. The village is situated against the looming dark backdrop of the Serranía de Ronda where, depending on the time of year, you can enjoy an Impressionist paint palette of colour: brilliant brush strokes of red poppies, yellow mimosa, wild orchids, tempered by the cool green of olive groves and occasional splash of pale pink almond blossom.
The centre of the village is a tangle of narrow, twisting streets and was once a haven for brandy and tobacco smugglers who travelled through the surrounding hills. www.gaucin.com
Manilva
One of the most charming aspects of Manilva is that, despite its prime location on the coast, there is a refreshing lack of anonymous sky-scraper construction. Therefore, although tourists are just starting to discover the village (with good reason), it remains intrinsically Spanish. The majority of residents live in the commercial centre which covers just two square kilometers.
Within the municipality of Manilva there are several communities. The white village of Manilva itself is located a few kilometers inland from the little fishing village on the coast known as San Luis de Sabinillas or just Sabinillas for short. To the west of Sabinillas there is a quiet yachting marina called Puerto Duquesa with its surrounding residential area and golf course. To the west again is another small fishing hamlet called Castillo de la Duquesa after the castle still found here. West along the coast there are various housing developments as far as Punta Chullera. www.manilva.es
Puerto Banus
Puerto Banus is located just west of Marbella. This is the place to be pampered yacht side and ogle those fabulous luxury yachts while sipping a drink at one of the many open air restaurants and bars. The setting is close to ideal, with its impressive mountain backdrop and ocean views. Since its inception some forty years ago, the port has steadily grown and now features a casino, commercial shopping centre, a Corte Ingles department store, marine observatory and a multi cinema with films shown with their original soundtrack. Puerto Banus has a buzzing nightlife, with many bars and discos.
Ronda
Because of the cliffs, Ronda was one of the last Moorish cities to fall during the Reconquest of Spain by the Catholic monarchs. Today, the old central city of Ronda is a prime tourist destination that combines historic and picturesque views with an active shopping experience. You can easily explore its central sights on foot. www.ronda.es
Jerez de la Frontera
Located inland, 20 km from Sanlúcar, Jerez holds worldwide acclaim for its sherry and brandy production. The word Jerez is derived from Arabic and has now become synonymous with the English word ‘sherry’. The city is equally famous for its fine horses as well as Flamenco music and dance.
The town dates back to Moorish times and possesses a charming old town, casco antiguo, with beautiful palm lined squares. The 11th century Moorish fortress, or Alcazaba, has been partially restored. Of special interest is its church, originally built by the Arabs as a mosque. The Sacristy of the Cathedral del Salvador is home to a lovely painting by Zurbarán, The Sleeping Girl. Today the city of Jerez has a remarkably aristocratic air with wide streets, squares and magnificent rows of jacaranda trees during spring. www.jerez.es
Gibraltar
First time visitors will be pleasantly surprised with the diverse range of attractions on offer in Gibraltar. Steeped in a history that has evolved from its strategic location at the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, where Europe meets Africa, visitors are assured of breathtaking scenery, wildlife and architecture. As a VAT free jurisdiction, Gibraltar's popularity with visitors is enhanced by its value added shopping experience in famed Main Street. A wide range of activities from rock touring, to sailing, diving, fishing and bird watching bring visitors back again and again. www.gibraltar.com
Morocco
Ferry To and From Spain
The most popular ferry crossing from Spain to Morocco is from Algeciras (Spain) to Tangier (Morocco). There are plenty of options available and regular ferry or highspeed ferries go almost every hour, year round. Many companies run ferries and some tickets are valid for a number of different companies.
Malaga City
It is easy to understand why Malaga City is dubbed the Capital of the Costa del Sol. Whereas it was once considered to be the poor cousin of Andalusia’s capital city, Sevilla, it now competes successfully for attention. Since the opening of the already well acclaimed Picasso Museum in 2003, cultural tourists have been flocking to this and the now beautifully refurbished birthplace of the great artist.
Malaga centre is not only the perfect place to explore the many historical monuments, atmospheric little streets and squares with delightful café culture, but it is also a wonderful shopping centre.
For more information about Malaga please visit: www.malaga.es
Sevilla
Sevilla lies on the banks of the Guadalquivir and is one of the largest historical centers in Europe, it has the minaret of La Giralda, the cathedral (one of the largest in Christendom), and the Alcázar Palace. Part of its treasure include Casa de Pilatos, Torre del Oro, the Town Hall, Archive of the Indies (where the historical records of the American continent are kept), the Fine Arts Museum (the second largest picture gallery in Spain) , plus convents, parish churches and palaces.
For more information about Sevilla please visit: www.sevilla.es
Granada’s Alhambra Palace
Originally designed as a military area, the Alhambra became the residence of royalty and of the court of Granada in the middle of the thirteenth century, after the establishment of the Nasrid kingdom and the construction of the first palace, by the founder king Mohammed ibn Yusuf ben Nasr, better known as Alhamar.
Throughout the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the fortress became a citadel with high ramparts and defensive towers, which house two main areas: the military area, or Alcazaba, the barracks of the royal guard, and the medina or court city, the location of the famous Nasrid Palaces and the remains of the houses of noblemen and plebeians who lived there. The Charles V Palace (which was built after the city was taken by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492) is also in the medina.
The complex of monuments also has an independent palace opposite the Alhambra, surrounded by orchards and gardens, which was where the Granadine kings relaxed: the Generalife.
For more information on the Alhambra visit: www.alhambra.or
Activities
Golf courses
For the golfer the Marbella area offers a wide range of Golf courses to visit:
For more information about Golf courses in the area please contact us at Just Casares, we can get you the best offers! or visit: www.marbella-golf.com
Selwo National Park - Near Estepona.
An enormous nature park with animals in semi wild conditions, including tigers, bears, camels, elephants
If you don't like zoo's then don't be put off, this is a huge park and has been developed and designed with the animals best interest in mind at all times. Once inside the park you cross a spectacular 107m bridge to the central village where you can take 2 different safari tours. The first tour is a valley tour where you get some lovely views across the coast to Gibraltar and you will encounter Lions, Tigers and Bears amongst others. The second tour is called the Sabana route which is inhabited by species such as gnus, orix, antelopes and rhinos. This is the tour where you will see the elephants. All in all a great family day out. www.selwo.es
Parque Acuatico Mijas
Just a 30-40 minute drive up the coast towards Malaga is the resort of Fuengirola, which is a busy lively resort and home to the Coasts largest Water park. A great fun day out for all the family, with exhilarating kamikaze slides for the bravest and the lazy river for the more relaxed of us. It's a full day with all the things you would expect of such a large park. www.aquamijas.com
Sandy beaches
Miles of unspoilt beaches along this stretch of Costa del Sol, many with blue flag ratings. Scattered along the way and right on the beaches are chiringuitos (beach bars). The bay of Casares has one of the finest sweeps of clean sand on the Coast.
Scuba Diving
Casares coast is the perfect place to try your hand at scuba diving, if you have never tried it there are many diving schools who can arrange to take you on a taster dive, or if you are a little more experienced there are plenty of great trips which can be arranged to show you the sights of the sea in this wonderfully warm and sunny coast. There are even a few wrecks and underwater caves to explore. Highly recommended for those who would like to experience something a little different on holiday.
Markets
| Mondays | Marbella – Malaga | |
| Tuesdays | Nerja – Malaga – Fuengirola | |
| Wednesdays | Estepona – Malaga – Mijas Costa | |
| Thursdays | San Pedro de Alcantara – Torremolinos | |
| Fridays | Casares – Benalmadena Pueblo | |
| Saturdays | Puerto Banus – Mijas Costa |