Winding roads in the Grazalema Natural Park.
when it starts a road trip you need moments of being able to lose sight of the horizon as well. Therefore, start the route in one of the largest oak forests in Europe looks like a plan to us.
To the north of Córdoba, in the Sierra de Cardeña y Montoro Natural Park, from Cardeña you head towards Villanueva de Córdoba, to cross the spectacular road of the Montes Comunales, although you can go down the regional road of the park, parallel to the N-420, which is equally beautiful. The first night you can sleep in the top of a tree, at the fabulous Glamping La Dehesa Experiences – the wine tasting in the dehesa is a success.
Junior Suite Pasture, at La Dehesa Experiences.
TOWARDS THE COSTA DEL SOL: LESS COAST AND MORE MOUNTAIN
Stress-free, bathing in the sea awaits us. You will head to Malaga to eat a little fish by the sea and cool off in the Mediterranean. The Balneario de Los Baños del Carmen seems to us the perfect place, also for breakfast –when silence reigns– and for sunset: throughout the month of July organize acoustic concerts whose proceeds will serve to rehabilitate the original garden of El Balneario.
And since the cultural capital of the Costa del Sol deserves at least one night, the whim of sleeping in Palacio Solecio, one of the most romantic accommodations in Malaga, from the 18th century a stone's throw from the Picasso Museum, it's perfect.
It is mandatory to make a stop in Malaga.
We continue along the Costa del Sol road, the N-340, which travels in almost all its sections along the sea. The light of the Mediterranean will always be present until reaching Marbella. But if you already know its historic center and need to continue growing spiritually, head to Ojén along a delicious winding road that climbs towards the mountains and that will introduce you to another world –although you are only ten minutes from the coast–. Do not miss the Mirador del Corzo, at 881 m, nor the breakfast and hospitality of La Posada del Ángel.
One of the patios of the Posada del Ángel.
If you want to continue entering the mountains of Malaga, take a detour to Tolox, a locality of the recently named Sierra de las Nieves National Park, and that is committed to sustainable tourism. The Views from the Hermitage of San Roque they are spectacular.
Or go back to Marbella again to head towards Casares, on whose borders is the exclusive Finca Cortesín, one of the resorts most awarded in Europe to which you can escape to try the cuisine of some of its restaurants.
Swimming pool at Finca Cortesín.
More informal but equally welcoming, El Hogar de Lucía, also in Casares, displays its charms and its romantic atmosphere at nightfall. The views of the town from the rooms or from the patio under the vine are fabulous. Don't miss out on anything in the world the Sarmiento restaurant: fresh Andalusian cuisine, with modern touches and, yes, also, a spectacular terrace where to spend the hours and what am I saying, the months!
From Casares to Ronda through the Genal Valley are about 60 km more unmissable roads, full of viewpoints, like the one that bears the same name of the valley: Genal. Once in Ronda, in addition to strolling through one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, and get to know its famous Tagus, you can stay in one of those boutique farmhouses hidden throughout the mountains. To us, waking up and having breakfast at Cortijo La Organic and have an aperitif in his Greenhouse seems like a dream to us.
Ronda, Malaga
HEADING TO GRAZALEMA, BETWEEN PINSAPARES AND AROMAS OF SERRANÍA
And since we are in these confines, before going back to take a good dip in the sea, continue to Grazalema, in the heart of the Natural Park of the same name and get some of their delicious payoya goat cheese or grazalemeña merino sheep cheese in the cheese factories that you will find on the route, or in the small square of the town, where you will take the opportunity to drink some wines -from the land- and have some tapas.
The spectacular mountain road that connects Grazalema and descend now to Zahara de la Sierra, it is even more scenic than the previous one. From Puerto de las Palomas, at an altitude of 1,200 meters, to Zahara the road runs in a section next to the Zahara-El Gastor reservoir.
Nearby, on the other side of the reservoir, is one of the most desirable accommodations in Andalusia, the eco Finca La Donaira, with its organic farm and delicious corners. Around the reservoir, you will find other vegan farms where you can relax, forget about everything and breath pure air.
The Sierra de Grazalema was the first Biosphere Reserve declared in Spain
Again, heading for the coast, but already in Cádiz, you can stop at the beautiful Castellar de la Frontera, to visit its old Nasrid fortress – which houses a hotel and a terrace with breathtaking views – and continue for another 20 minutes to the coast.
A strategic place to take a dip and eat in a chiringuito chill? In Torreguadiaro, at the Bahia Limón beach bar: good atmosphere, rich and fresh cuisine and, above all, delicious sangria.