Hotel Casa de las Mercedes
Málaga
Hotel Casa de las Mercedes is an interesting place to stay and to start your Andalucia trip. It is a small hotel consisting of 6 rooms and only exists since 2009. It is situated on the edge of the historic and cultural centre of Málaga, kill two birds with one stone. You will find many bars and restaurants within walking distance. This applies as well to the historic centre of Málaga, a city which is being discovered by more and more people.
The hotel is located in a restored old townhouse and has only 6 rooms. The rooms itself are not very big, it is certainly not a hotel to stay inside for a whole day, so you have to discover this beautiful city during daytime, what should not be a problem. All rooms have also been decorated in period style with warm furniture and plenty of original details. Also the hotel has a fine patio with many blooming flowers, wonderful. At the top is a splendid spacious suite.
The prices are fine, certainly not too expensive, the breakfast is included as well. The breakfast buffet is rather frugal, but in spite of this the price-quality relation is good.
The staff is very friendly and helpful and is there during the day to advise and assist. Parking of the car within walking distance.
For sure a nice place to stay, not only to start your holiday but as well for a weekend trip to Málaga!
Cons:
• Rooms are rather small
• No big breakfast
Pros:
• Hotel carefully kept
• Staff is friendly and helpful
• Location is perfect for city visit, all highlights within walking distance, the hotel itself is situated in quiet street
• Many restaurants and bars at walking distance
Hotel Casa de las Mercedes
surrounding area
Málaga
The bustling port city of Málaga is Andalucía’s biggest city after Seville. It used to be an important trading port, because in the 19th century Málaga wine was exported all over Europe, until Phylloxera, the pest that had already destroyed grapevines all over Europe, reached Málaga and put an end to its wealth.
Málaga old town is the area around the cathedral. The Museo Picasso is also near the cathedral, and exhibits many of the works of this famous artist, who was born in Málaga. Further sights include the Alcazaba, one of the prime Moorish fortresses in Andalucía, and the Castillo de Gibralfaro, a 14th-century Moorish castle, which you can access through its beautiful gardens.
Other museums that can be visited are the Casa Natal de Picasso, the birthplace of the painter; Centro de Arte Contemporaneo, where an overview of 20th-century art is shown; Museo Unicaja de Artes y Costumbres Populares: here life in the area as it was in the past is shown.
Culinary
When in a bodega, also try the dulce (sweet) wines of Málaga, for example in Antigua Casa de Guardia on the Alameda Central, where your consumptions are still written with a piece of chalk on the bar, or Bodegas El Pimpi.
Family
You can explore the city with a horse-drawn carriage.
Torremolinos (20km) has water parks with slides over 100m long (!).
Also in Torremolinos you can visit a crocodile park with more than 300 crocodiles.
Close to Benalmádena (37 km; 45min) you will find the Costa del Sol’s oldest and largest amusement park: Tivoli. It offers 36 rides, beautiful gardens, and fountains.
Sealife, Andalucía's first interactive underwater park, is another option for an interesting day out.
There is also the zoo in Fuengirola (35km), which is a small but beautifully laid-out zoo.
In Antequera (51 km) you can visit a wolf park (parque de lobo).
Close to Estepona (90km) you will find the safari park Selwo Aventura, with about 200 different animal species. Some animals can be seen from a 4x4 safari bus, or you can go on an adventurous walk over the park’s wire bridges (from the higher part of the park down to the bottom).
Golf
The hotel can sort out your green fees and golf lessons at several golf courses in the area. There are over 40 golf courses on the whole Costa del Sol.
Nature
Car trips through the hinterland of the Costa del Sol, along Pueblos Blancos (white villages). Also a visit to the Embalses de Guadalteba-Guadalhorce, the lake area of Andalusia, is well worth it (see below).
Beach
To the east of Málaga, in the direction of Vélez Málaga, lies the quiet family beach of Rincón de la Victoria.
Other good beaches of the Costa del Sol are in the neighbourhood of Marbella, including Babaloo Beach (Puerto Banus) and Victor's Beach (Marbella). But there’s an ample choice of beaches along the whole coast to both the East and West of Málaga.
The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Nerja (53km; 45min):
This town with over 500 years of history has retained its character, with its whitewashed houses, narrow streets and squares. Tourists crowd the Balcón de Europa, a sprawling rock that spectacularly protrudes into the sea and offers a view of the magnificent coastline. This natural balcony is in the centre of Nerja. Various staircases lead down to the beaches and bays.
The nicest beach is Playa Burriana, on the eastern side of Nerja.
Further east you will find the Cuevas de Nerja, a string of caverns of great archaeological importance. Only a few of these colossal caverns are open to the public, and there you will be lead past the world’s thickest stalactite, which even made it into the Guinness Book of Records in 1989.
Antequera / Parque Natural El Torcal(51km; 55min):
Torcal means karst formation. These are limestone mountains of 1000 to 1200 m high, bizarrely sculpted by wind and rain, looking like stacked rocks, pancakes, columns, huge stone mushrooms, plateaus and crevices.
Footpaths start at the visitor centre, and you go on long or short walks.
And you can, of course, head for one of these world famous cities for a day trip:
Granada (135km; 1h40min):
The Alhambra was the part of town where princes, nobility and court staff dwelled, on the hill right in the middle of Granada. The Alhambra is a huge complex, 720m in length and 220m wide. Clever use of space, light, water and decorative features are the Alhambra’s defining features.
On the hill opposite the Alhambra, the Albayzín quarter, is where Granada’s Moorish past is still most tangible. Stroll through its narrow streets, past villas with Moorish decoration and gardens, up to the Mirador de San Nicolás. This is where you will have the best views, of the roofs of Granada, with the Alhambra behind them, which makes for a stunning view, especially at sunset!
Córdoba (160km; 1h55min):
Visit the Mezquita, Córdoba's huge mosque, which has seen various different developments throughout the years to become a fascinating blend of styles and religions. And you can also go for a stroll through the districts of San Lorenzo, Judería and San Basilio, where you will encounter the most beautiful Moorish patios. Other sights include the palace/fortress Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos with magnificent gardens and fountains; various museums, such as the Museo Arqueológico, Museo Taurino, Museo de Bellas Artes; a string of great squares, such as the Plaza de la Corredera, Plaza del Potro.
Seville (210km; 2h30min):
The capital of Andalucía is a compact city with a rich past. Most of its major sights are in or near the city centre on the Guadalquivir river’s left bank. And they also know how to party and have a good time in this city of flamenco and tapas.
As you wander through the old Jewish quarter, the Barrio Santa Cruz, through a maze of white streets and patios, you should not forget to take in the imposing cathedral, the Moorish bell tower, La Giralda, and the royal palace Real Alcázar.
You can unwind in the María Luisa park, where you can spend the hottest part of the day under orange trees and palm trees.
The museum Museo de Bellas Artes, one of Spain’s best museums of art, is a real must. And then there are its magnificent palaces and other sights, such as the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza (bull ring); Casa de Pilatos and the Torre del Oro.