PLACES TO VISIT FROM SAN FRANCISCO, 71 – IN DISTANCE ORDER(distance and driving times are approximate)

1. Rio Chillar – 2 km, 4 mins

• A peaceful walk close to the apartment.• The Rio Chillar eventually flows into the Mediterranean in Nerja.• The river is in a ravine that gradually narrows as you walk North. • The riverbed is sometimes dry, at other times it is necessary to skirt around

the water or simply paddle through it.

Directions:• Return down the road leading to the

San Francisco car park.• Turn first right about 100m beyond the

junction on the crown of the bend.• After about 150m keep right, the road

begins to rise.• At the top of the road keep on the

metalled road and drive beneath themotorway bridge, the road descendssharply.

• Just beyond the cement works as theroad begins to turn sharply to the lefttake the track off to the right.

• Continue for about 200m just beyondthe disused quarry face.

• Park before the track descends to theriver bed.

2. Playa Burriana, Nerja – 3 km, 4 mins

• Nerja’s main beach.• Lovely views to Sierra de Almijara (mountain range overlooking Nerja).• Safe bathing.• Plenty of places to eat – Merenderos are the beach restaurants, very

reasonable food – paella a speciality, Ayo’s recommended (see folder inapartment).

• It is possible to walk westwards from here to reach other beaches, the townand the Balcon de Europe – this can involve steps and paths and be ascomplicated as you wish!

• Parking can be difficult, you may be asked for a small contribution towardsa good cause in certain parts. If difficult, go to the end of the beach andtry and park on the road that winds back up into the town.

• Easy to walk down, there is a bus service that can take you back to SanJuan – check timetable at bus stops.

Directions:• Return to the

roundabout at thebottom of the hill thatyou turned right at justafter seeing the Supersolsupermarket.

• Go straight over anddescend for about 1 km.

3. Maro - 4km, 5mins

• Small balcon looking eastwards along coast.• Balcon de Maro is a good place for lunch (fried rosado and prawn pil pil –

prawns in sizzling oil and dried chilli recommended, toasted sandwichesalso good).

• In the evening this is a restaurant with a different menu, however the sun willhave gone!

• In view is one of a series of old coastal lookout towers, see book of walks inapartment.

• En route you will pass the impressive sugar refinery brick aqueduct.• Follow small road below balcon to reach small beach, with own car park• Nearby caves are very impressive with reportedly the world’s largest joined

stalactite/mite.

Directions

• Return towards junction 295 of E15.• Follow signs to Maro.• Turn right opposite Hotel Romantica.• Follow one-way road around to balcon.• If parking is tricky near the balcon there is a large carpark immediately

below with steps back up to the balcon.

4. Frigiliana – 7km, 10 mins

• Lovely historic white washed village aboveNerja.

• Narrow streets with some nice tourist shops,– these haven’t spoilt Frigiliana though.

• Places to eat and bars (our favourite isTaverna Sacristan in the square by thechurch – closed Tuesdays).

• The local wine is a muscatel-like, 3 euros fora litre (dearer in the shops closer to theentrance to the village). Serve chilled tobring out honey flavours.

• See guide book for fascinating history.• Guided walks available.

Directions:• Either drive through Nerja or return to the

motorway to get to the roundabout atexit 294.

• Follow signs to Frigiliana.• As you approach the village there are

two routes signposted for Frigiliana, takethe lower route to the left that goesslighty downhill to the historic part.

5. Rio de la Miel – 11 km, 25 mins

• A drive to the highest accessible viewpoint by car on the Sierra de Almijarawith views to the Sierra Nevada, snow clad for several months in the year.

• You can leave your car at the top and take a short walk up to your left (asyou face the Sierra Nevada), this will take you into an almond grove thatwill be in blossom if you are visiting in February.

Directions:• At Maro join the N345 either just before the town or by going through the

small main street, be careful not to get on the motorway.• The N345 will sweep along the coast, it is a fairly twisting, but quite fast road

– to make sure you don’t miss the turning coming up it is best to keep yourspeed down.

• In about 2.5 km at the bottom of a descent be prepared to move into thecentre of the road to turn left – this is at the first marked lane you come to inthe middle of the road with ‘give way’ lines, you will be turning to gobeneath the first high motorway flyover you see on this road.

• The road is suddenly a lotsmaller and quieter, itbecomes fairly narrow,but is in good condition.

• Stay on this road as itwinds upwards (I believethere is one point that youhave turn left as the roadthreatens to descend)

• Eventually, you reach thetop with the view in theabove photo, anunmade road continuesdownwards, you do notneed to go any further.

6. Salobrena - 35 km, 35 mins (less if use E15)

• 13th century Moorish castle with great views and a small museum that isworth a visit (included in inexpensive ticket price).

• Park fairly centrally in town and basically keeping walking up hill throughnarrow streets, the castle is the highest point – a fairly steep 20 min walk.

• Just 200-300m below the museum Taberna Allhaja in Calle Placeta isrecommended for lunch.

Directions:• From Maro either take the the N 340 orE15 to Alumenecar (motorway ends

at this junction) and join N 340 or.• Salobrena will come into view (photo top left), take the exit to the town

centre, park on street close to signs that direct you to the historic centre.

7. Comares – 48 km, 52 min

• A picturesque drive to a quiet hilltop town out of reach of touristcoaches.

• Save this for a clear day as the views are spectacular• A multi-storey cemetery – strangely, a ‘must’ see.• Site of old Moorish castle.• Local bar in main square serves snacks.• The town has two peaks with a short walk around indicated by footsteps

inset into the road surface.• Women of the town will be keen to sell you local produce (the word

travels fast that there are tourists in town) – honey, dried fruit andalmonds can be bought reasonably.

Directions (see map below):

• Take E15 towards Malaga• Take exit 275 to Velez Malaga and take

directions towards the town on theA335; however you will by-pass thetown, which will be on your right.

• Having avoided the town centre you will be following signs to Vinuelaand in about 4km there will be a left turn to Comares and Benamargosa(Colmenar may also be sign-posted) on the MA 145.

• Follow signs to Comares.

If you’re feeling adventurous, there is a really nice drive back to Velez Malagathat takes in views of Lake Vinuela, which is remarkably blue. It goes somethinglike this:

• Retrace your route down the hill out of Comares and turn left (the wayyou came), the road continues to descend with fine views.

• After about 4 or 5 kms there is a T junction, to go back the way youcame turn right, the adventurous route is to go left.

• In about 2 km take the road off to the right that begins to rise fairlysteeply.

• The road twists and turns and there is a section that is not made up, it isvery passable though.

• Stay on this road and turn right at a T junction.• You will enter a small town, maintain your height rather than heading

steeply downwards. • Continue out the the town, you will see the lake on the left, the road

eventually descends towards it.• Join the main road and follow signs to Velez Malaga.

8. Alhama de Granada - 70 km, 75 mins

• An interesting drive to Alhama takes you up onto a fertile high plain.• The town has been built on one side of a large ravine.• A gently crumbling old town with some fine old buildings to visit.• The information centre has information on a suggested route around the

old town.• Just outside the town at a spa hotel it is possible to visit roman baths

modified by the moors, a short visit costs 1 euro – check at the informationcentre for opening times.

• The hot water emerges outside the hotel for those who want a warmpaddle.

• There are some small restaurants in the centre of town for lunch.

Directions (see map below):

• Take the E15 towards Malaga and take exit 295 to Velez Malaga• Follow the A335 avoiding the town centre.• Keep on this road as it snakes upwards to a noticeable U-shaped pass in

the distant mountains.• Once you’ve reached the rather unattractive town at the top keep right

and follow signs to Alhama de Granada.• To reach the spa with the baths return to the main road and turn right, after

about 1 m turn left and follow a lane to the hotel leaving your car outside,at the reception ask to visit the baths.

Other places:Malaga – 60 km, 45 minsAlcazaba / Castle / Picasso museum / Shopping

Granada – 100 km, 90 minsAlhambra / Alcazaba / Palacia Nazaries

Ronda – 175 km, 140 minsOld town built either side of 100m deep ravine / Bullring / Arab baths