Beaches

The Costa del Sol beaches of Fuengirola and Mijas Costa are approx. 20 minutes drive away. 

Windsurfing/kitesurfing

For windy, empty, white beaches without skyscrapers, head to the west of Tarifa which is 2 hours drive.  There is a Club Mistral at the Hurricane Hotel outside Tarifa.

Golf

There are almost 60 golf courses in Andalucía, including more than 30 in the Costa del Sol (or Costa del Golf).  The two closest are Alhaurín Golf & Country Club (2 minutes drive) and Lauro Golf (10 minutes drive.) Other courses are Mijas Golf Club, Mijas Los Lagos, Monte Mayor, La Cala North and South, San Roque, Sotogrande, and Valderrama (host to the 1997 Ryder Cup). 

Tennis

There are many tennis courts around the Costa del Sol, such as the Club de Tenis Málaga and the El Casco Club in Marbella. The nearest courts are at the Alhaurín Golf & Country Club.

Horse-riding
There are two stables very close by.  The first is called 'Ride with Me' and the second is the riding school at the Alhaurín Golf & Country Club (tel: +34 952 595800).  Horses are provided for experienced riders, and lessons can be arranged.   Jerez is the home of the Andalucían School of Equestrian Art and they hold dressage demonstrations every Thursday. 

Hiking & Mountain Biking

There are numerous Natural Parks within reach. The closest is the Mijas Forest behind Casa Ultima.  The Sierra de las Nieves Park is 25 minutes drive.  Two hours drive to the east, brings you to the Sierra Nevada and Las Alpujarras mountain ranges where there is also a ski resort.   For world class climbing, and breathtaking scenery head to El Chorro Other Parks are Montes de Malaga, Parque Natural el Torcal, Grazalema, and Aracena.  There are walking maps and guides at Casa Ultima.

Culture & sightseeing

The historic and beautiful towns of Ronda, Granada, and Antequera are all within 2 hours drive thanks to Andalucía’s excellent new road network. Cordoba, Sevilla and Jerez are also reachable. Málaga has an interesting cathedral, many other churches and museums, including the new Picasso Museum.

Children’s Activities

At Benalmádena  there is a Sea Life Centre,  Tivoli World amusement park (including waterslides), and a Birds of Prey Centre.  There is a crocodile park at Aljaima and a Science Park & Planetarium in Granada.  There is an Aqualand water park at Mijas Costa (a few kms west of Fuengirola).    For horse lovers there is an Andalucían horse demonstration at Club El Ranchito in Torremolinos.

Alhaurín el Grande

The local town has a long history and its name is thought to derive from 'Garden of Allah' (see links below).  There are many bars, restaurants and shops, providing everything you need on holiday.   It is situated at 239 metres above sea level, looking over the Guadalhorce River valley.   Also close by is the picturesque town of Mijas, and the towns of Coin and Alhaurín del Torre. 

Links

www.alhaurin.to

www.andalucia.com/province/malaga/alhaurinelgrande/home.htm

www.alhauringolf.com

www.visitacostadelsol.com/indexeng.htm