Just a short stroll from the villa is the not to be missed Meson Paquita resturant, open all year round on Saturdays and Sundays only. Enjoy the excellent service, top quality local food from the varied menu at very reasonable prices. Leave the car behind and sample one (or two) of the many wines on offer. The village of Algarinejo is only 3 kilometres away and has a good choice of local bars, restaurants, shops and supermarkets. It also has a post office, opticians, iron mongers, chemists and a health care centre with a 24 hour emergency service. A must is a visit to the delightful restaurant Casa Piolas in the centre of the village, boasting it’s own Michelin star chef. It is an unforgettable experience that can last as long as four hours as you sit back and enjoy the delicious twelve courses, all made with the finest local produce. Casa Piolas is perfect for those special occasions or as a holiday treat, but you need to reserve in advance due to it’s popularity.
Iznajar
The beautiful lake and town of Iznajar is 20 km from Casa Margarita. The lake has a beach with everything that you would expect to find on the coast, except for motor sports, so it is incredibly peaceful. You can participate or learn windsurfing, kayaking and sailing at the water sports school, or hire a pedalo and sunbeds with parasols to lay back and relax. The town is full of little gems to explore. Explore the winding roads through white washed houses with streets lined with hundreds of amazing and colourful flowerpots full of an array of brightly coloured flowers.
Sierra Nevada and Granada
The wonderful Sierra Nevada ski resort is 90 minutes from Casa Margarita and has everything that a traditional ski resort offers. You can hire everything you need there and you can also have lessons in skiing and snowboarding, either in a group or individually. The Sierra Nevada is just on the outskirts of the historic City of Granada, which boasts many cultural delights to explore. The most famous being the Alhambra. This is a must see and is only 60 minutes from the Villa. It is important to book your visit to the Alhambra in advance or you could be disappointed. There are also the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba and the Generalife which are all worth a visit. If you are a shopper there is an enormous shopping center with over 240 shops and a large food hall.
Priego de Cordoba
A short twenty minute drive from Villa Casa Margarita, is the beautiful, traditional town of Priego de Cordoba with a variety of shops. There are many cafes, bars and restaurants to enjoy, that provide a wide variety of different foods whether its Tapas you fancy or a Pizza. The ice creams are a must. You can choose from a wide variety of flavours, whether its ice cream you fancy, sorbet or frozen yogurt. Stroll through Barrio de la Villa, the oldest part of town with a maze of very narrow, cobbled lanes which are too narrow for traffic. Enjoy the white washed houses with walls beautifully decorated with plant pots of geraniums and petunias. Take time to relax by the numerous squares and fountains like the sixteenth century Fuente del Rey, which has been declared a National Monument. There is also an Almond Museum run by the Morales family who have been selling almonds since 1910.
Córdoba
The lovely city of Córdoba is 90 minutes from the Villa and is another city that really does deserve a visit. The Mezquita is an incredible building and well worth a visit. It’s history is fascinating, and shows the battle between the Moors and the Christians. You can enjoy a walking tour of the city that takes in all the major points of interest including the Mezquita, the Jewish quarters, The Alcazar and the Doña Lenor Arabic baths, all explained by a local guide in English. The stunning palace city of Medina Azahara just outside Cordoba is also a must see.
Málaga
The coastal city of Málaga is just over an hour from Casa Margarita and again offers many wonderful things to see and do. There is the Picasso museum, the Roman Theatre and The Alcazaba. For the adventurous, just outside of Málaga is the famous suspended walkway along the face of the cliffs of the El Chorro Gorge, the Camino del Rey.
Benalmadena
An easy drive for an enjoyable day trip. This traditional, Andalucian old town sits on the beautiful Mediterranean coast. About an hour and twenty minutes away, you wont be disappointed by the lively Marina with its numerous cocktail bars, cafes, restaurants and shops. Enjoy its beautiful beeches and a dip in the sea. It’s a stones throw from Torremolinos .
Rute
As well as all the major cities that are within easy reach of Casa Margarita, there are endless traditional white washed villages each offering an array of interesting things to see and do. For example, twenty minutes from the Villa is the town of Rute, which has it’s own chocolate museum, cafe and shop. Spend time deciding which chocolates to take back to enjoy with a glass of your favourite tipple.
For those who love nature there is the natural park with it’s many villages to visit. For those who don’t mind driving that bit further, then the beautiful towns of Nerja, Frigiliana and Ronda are about two hours away.