Sports/activities & fun things to do in the area

The closest are Miraflores Golf: Just across the road. 18 holes with a good clubhouse and a driving range nearby. La Noria La Cala: This is a nice little 9 hole course with a bit of water. It is directly behind the Market car park and has a café Santana Golf: Just outside La Cala A very popular new course well- liked by good golfers. La Cala Golf : This is on the road into the country from La Cala: It now has three courses. They do deals with a buggy and two green fees often including breakfast or lunch!

This daredevil walkway was completely renovated in 2015 but is still not for the faint-hearted. The walk is 7.7 kms from end to end with about half of it being on the narrow walkway clinging to the rocks! It takes 4-5 hours and bookings are made months in advance. The lakes are well-worth a visit if you aren’t up to the mountain goat walk!

Its a fair way to go but worth it...First thing is to visit the old town of Ronda and see the magnificent views. The Ronda Tourism office run the waterfalls experience. It is about 3 kms round trip and takes about an hour which includes seeing some of the history of the area. Rhonda wine tours are also available

The villa provides all the towels you need so more room for those extra shoes or swimming costume in your suitcase... Its hot enough in the evenings in the summer not to need a jumper and no local restaurants require you to be too smart. Pack light and casual with lots of suncream

Have some small change or notes to pay the fare but its only a few Euro and you can't go wrong, it only has one line and it terminates in Fuengirola. It is well sign posted and is in front of the airport buildings - so a quick walk across the car parks. In Fuengirola walk up to street level and grab a taxi to Dona Lola (c25 Euros) or if you are adventurous, the local bus station is just above the train. You want the coast bus to Marbella which goes every 20-30 minutes. Ask for Calahonda, and the driver will help you with the stop - it's by the Calypso petrol station after Miraflores stop.

It depends what you want to do. Many of us in the community don't go far from the pool, beach and walk to almost all the beach bars/restaurants. You can get a supermarket shop in with a taxi if you need, but its not far to walk. If this is you, just catch the airport train/taxi and don't bother renting a car. If you want to go golfing or adventuring and sightseeing, then a rental is a great investment, and plentiful companies at Malaga airport. You can park off the road in the Villa's secure private parking area, just by the front door.

There are many, and some junk bric-a-brac, but also some good local and seasonal veg. La Cala Market (beside the road on the open car park area) is open Wednesday and Saturdays 9am-2pm. It is a large market with all types of stalls including local fruit and veg Rivera del Sol (across the road and to the right from here)on a Thursday. This is quite small but has fruit and veg Calypso (over the footbridge) Sunday car boot sale Fuengirola.( On the fairground at the far side of the town ) Very large markets on both Tuesdays and Saturdays

This is about 45 minutes away on the A7 going west, just after Cancelada and before Estepona. It has all the usual animals including white Rhino and you travel round in Safari trucks. It makes a really good day out as the animals roam free and it is supposed to feel like a Safari in Africa. Both adults and children love it Part of the Selwo group so good discounts if you buy combined tickets to the Tivoli world + Cablecar

Locally and high season inflatables are set up in the sea off the beaches to our left and at CaboPino port Aqua Mijas- is the waterpark in Fuengirola on the bypass. It has all the usual slides and pools . All ages enjoy it! Its been around a while on a small urban site, but they have upgraded some of the slides recently -Aqualand- Torremolinos; The biggest waterpark on the coast. A full day out - but we advise to go later in your stay once everyone has a good base tan SELWO Marina- Benalmadena : This is not a large waterpark but does put on amazing dolphin and sealion shows

Used to be an ordinary Zoo but is now much more than that and is very well presented. They are linked to Sealife in Benalmadena and they sell joint tickets.

These beautiful sailing boats run hourly between the two places. It is worth doing a one way trip and then walking back along the sea shore passing the Marbella club, Puerto Romana and all the other places on the Golden Mile between Puerto Banus and Marbella. A visit to both places is really essential. The former to see all the beautiful people, cars and of course boats of every shape and size and in Marbella to see the old town and its Orange Square as well , of course, as its posh shops and great sea front.

This is just off the A7 next to the Thai temple with its extravagant golden roof. The park has over 1500 species of butterfly and is well-worth a visit

In the heat of the day this is a wonderful place to visit. A lot of water and wonderful sea-life. Rays that seem to want to jump out and join you plus all the usual Dolphins, sharks etc. They are linked to the Bio-park in Fuengirola and they sell joint tickets.

This is just off the A7 and only about 10 minutes away. It is the largest Theme park in Andalusia and has the longest zip line in Spain at 240 metres. It is for age 6 years and over 1.15m tall up to all ages as long as they are under 130kgs. It is 3 hours of straight adrenaline rush

Follow the signs to Tivoli world from the A7 . The cable car goes up over Tivoli and over the motorway. At the top there are spectacular views over the coast and a lot of wild birds which are bred and protected up there. They put on bird shows at regular intervals. Part of the Selwo group so good discounts if you buy combined tickets and you don’t have to go to them all on one day!

They say this is a ‘cool’ place to hang out! If you are into Cable skiing (fixed line water skiing) or wake-boarding this is the place to be. Youngster get a kick out of learning. Lots of glamourous people round the pools and the lake and plenty of music

The Dona Lola Complex - behind the villa has 2 courts you can rent the key from Dona Lola reception, but while playable, are in need of repair. Fine for the kids! Better for a competitive game is to got to Riviera Sports Club on Riviera del Sol: This club has both tennis and paddle tennis courts with coaching. It also has a Gym and an in- house physio. Good bar and restaurant. It is situated across the main road and is a 20 minute walk or a 2 minute taxi ride.

There are a number of riding stables all around mainly slightly inland from the coast . They offer every type of riding whether you want to ride into the sunset or just have a quiet lesson with an expert. They all provide safety hats, riding gear etc so you don’t need to bring your own kit

We are mentioning a few to get you interested - Jet Ski Marbella or from Cabo Pino - Dive and Snorkel Centre -on side of A7 near Chaparral - Canyoning and Rappelling tours - 4WD, ATV and off-road tours - Ultra -Safaris - Kart 4 fun and adrenaline and extreme tour

There are some equipment companies with sites to hire from along the Boardwalk. Stand Up Paddle Boarding is good for your core strength and kayaks can go out at the same time for a sea adventure.

Alhaurin de la Torre is about 30 mins away. Brand new attraction for 2021, opens 17th May 2021. It has the longest zip wire in Andalucía at 1,350 metres and if you take the' superman ' position it is possible to reach over 100 km/h. You can of course sit or even go in a double. It is open Thursdays-Sundays. Weight limits 40-135 kilos. Best to book

You can book your return covid test at Centro Medico just at the top of the underpass. Walk out of the gates of Dona Lola and 2 minutes walk along the curb beside the crash barrier and you are there. Tel 952 93 11 80. At time of writing in July 2021 it was still an exorbitant 110 Euros, but very efficient. You go in the morning, and your test results are with you by email 11pm that evening. Don't forget to take your passport

... just in case you can't find it: Go out the back of the house and look to the right of the garage. There are stone steps up to the wash area and the washing machine is in the cabinet up there , alongside extensive washing lines where everything dries really quickly