Mijas

One of the finest examples of the "white villages" it is still has much of its charm with its little whitewashed houses perched on the hillside. The village has still managed to retain some of its quaint traditions, one of the most unusual being the donkey-taxis which line the central plaza. Mijas is a typical Andaluz village, perched high above Fuengirola and Mijas Costa with spectacular views of the coast and surrounding heavily wooded mountains. Mijas is a web of narrow cobbled streets complete with terraces overflowing with geraniums, red tile roofs, archways and, of course, the occasional chirruping canary. Like Ronda, the village dates back to distant time and there are two Mudejar churches here to prove it, as well as the sanctuary of the patron saint of Mijas, from the year 850.

There is a thriving arts and crafts movement in Mijas, particularly linen and wicker items and the locally made bread and honey is definitely worth trying. There are many small craft shops selling leather work, pottery and other traditional wares.

Ronda

About an hour inland from the Costa del Sol, the stunning town of Ronda straddles the 100m-deep (328ft) El Tajo gorge, with the old Muslim town (La Ciudad) and the newer town (El Mercadillo) connected by three bridges. One of them, the magnificent Puente Nuevo (New Bridge), is 200 years old. The steep cliffs and views of the stunning Serranía de Ronda make for a striking setting, and the historic town attracts many day-trippers from the coast.

There's a lot to see within Ronda. Visitors can act macho in one of the oldest bullrings in Spain, Plaza de Toros (opened in 1785), and check out red flags and costumes in the Museo Taurino. The Palacio de Mondragón, once home to Fernando and Isabel, has a superb Islamic courtyard with cliff top garden. Those feeling energetic can climb down La Mina, 200 steps cut into the side of the cliff (don't forget - you have to come up again).

Nerja

Once a sleepy fishing village, Nerja has retained its Andalucian character, particularly in the old quarter with its narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses. At the heart of the town is the Balcon de Europa, a palm tree lined promenade built along the edge of a cliff and out to sea with panoramic views of the Mediterranean and Nerja's nine sandy beaches stretching to over 16 kilometres in total.

Flanked and protected by the mighty Sierra Almijara, Nerja has some dramatic mountain scenery too, and is said to have the best Climate in the entire Costa del Sol.

The Caves of Nerja

Nerja's most spectacular attraction has to be its caves. The Cueva De Nerja is regarded as one of the most historic monuments of the world, with archeological remains dating back to the Paleolithic Age (about 20,000 years ago). It is the most magnificent cave system the country has to offer. The caves are divided into different halls, which are joined, by stairs and stone floors. Four halls are now open to the public, and their combined length is almost 800m. One of the enormous natural caverns has been transformed into a concert hall where many performances are staged.