December in Coastal Spain with kids
Oct 12th, 2011, 09:38 AM
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December in Coastal Spain with kids
Hi,
We are planning to spend a week in a relatively warmer place in south Spain - either Costa de la Luz area or Costa del sol. We are traveling with a few friends -all of us have kids <5 years of age. We are planning on renting a villa/ house that offers:
1. authentic spanish experience - in a not so busy spanish town but provides access to tapas etc
2. preferably near a beach and hence warmer weather
3. Within driving distance to Seville and Cordova
Any recommendations for such a town that offers the best of everything? Is it possible to accomplish all the above objectives or would we be better off with location more inland (Seville or Cordova area)?
Thank you!
We are planning to spend a week in a relatively warmer place in south Spain - either Costa de la Luz area or Costa del sol. We are traveling with a few friends -all of us have kids <5 years of age. We are planning on renting a villa/ house that offers:
1. authentic spanish experience - in a not so busy spanish town but provides access to tapas etc
2. preferably near a beach and hence warmer weather
3. Within driving distance to Seville and Cordova
Any recommendations for such a town that offers the best of everything? Is it possible to accomplish all the above objectives or would we be better off with location more inland (Seville or Cordova area)?
Thank you!
Oct 12th, 2011, 10:00 AM
#3
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Even southern Spain doesn;t have beach weather. You may get a high in the 50s - certainly too cold to go in the water - and I'm not aware of villas that have heated pools althoughyou could look for one.
Oct 12th, 2011, 11:52 PM
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Nerja on the coast just east of Málaga would be very much what you are looking for. Relatively small (pop. 20 000), has got all the amenities that makes it popular with tourists but has also retained very much of its Andalusian charm.
The climate will be as warm as it gets in continental Europe at this time of year. Average daily highs at 60-65F, and with the sun mostly shining, it gets quite nice. We've even used to take some cold swims in December, although the beaches are far less than crowded.
Live in or around the oldest street in town, seafront Calle Carabeo overlooking some of the nine city beaches among the cliffs. Excellent apartments for rent here. Search rent in Calle Carabeo in Nerja and you would get lots of options. The Tuhillo apartmets are just superb. 3 bedroom, with a terrace and a garden on top of the cliffs overlooking the beach. Some 1000$ pr. week in the high season, much more affordable in December.
Free tapas to choose with every drink in most tapas bars/restaurants in Nerja. High quality in general and some outstanding places (Pulguilla, Marina, Puntilla, El Niño etc). Lots of places with local character and clientel especially in the old town/casco antiguo. High quality Italian, Thai, Franch, Mexican, Indian restaurants and a couple of up-scale gourmet Spanish places.
Within driving distance of both Sevilla, Córdoba, Granada and, not least, fabulous Málaga city itself. Nerja is perfect for kids, some friends bought a house here very much because of this: http://www.nerjatoday.com/nerja/nerja-for-kids/
Calle Carbeo runs along these cliffs: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/...de6a8146_o.jpg
Old town street in Nerja:
http://www.minube.com/fotos/rincon/131879/629455
Great, updated and detailed info about Nerja: http://www.nerjatoday.com/
And perhaps visit the spectacular Nerja caves, one of the most famous sights on Costa del Sol: http://www.cuevadenerja.es/
The climate will be as warm as it gets in continental Europe at this time of year. Average daily highs at 60-65F, and with the sun mostly shining, it gets quite nice. We've even used to take some cold swims in December, although the beaches are far less than crowded.
Live in or around the oldest street in town, seafront Calle Carabeo overlooking some of the nine city beaches among the cliffs. Excellent apartments for rent here. Search rent in Calle Carabeo in Nerja and you would get lots of options. The Tuhillo apartmets are just superb. 3 bedroom, with a terrace and a garden on top of the cliffs overlooking the beach. Some 1000$ pr. week in the high season, much more affordable in December.
Free tapas to choose with every drink in most tapas bars/restaurants in Nerja. High quality in general and some outstanding places (Pulguilla, Marina, Puntilla, El Niño etc). Lots of places with local character and clientel especially in the old town/casco antiguo. High quality Italian, Thai, Franch, Mexican, Indian restaurants and a couple of up-scale gourmet Spanish places.
Within driving distance of both Sevilla, Córdoba, Granada and, not least, fabulous Málaga city itself. Nerja is perfect for kids, some friends bought a house here very much because of this: http://www.nerjatoday.com/nerja/nerja-for-kids/
Calle Carbeo runs along these cliffs: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/...de6a8146_o.jpg
Old town street in Nerja:
http://www.minube.com/fotos/rincon/131879/629455
Great, updated and detailed info about Nerja: http://www.nerjatoday.com/
And perhaps visit the spectacular Nerja caves, one of the most famous sights on Costa del Sol: http://www.cuevadenerja.es/
Oct 13th, 2011, 03:42 AM
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Some examples of excellent apartments/townhouses in the best location in Nerja.
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, roof top terrace, 890USD/week in December:
http://www.inter-sol.com/tuhillo3b.html
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 580USD/week in December:
http://www.inter-sol.com/tuhillo1h.html
Three bedroom house in Calle Carabeo, 620USD/week in December: http://www.nerjaholidayrentals.com/i...2011&Itemid=10
3 bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, tarrace and roof top terrace in Calle Carabeo, 960USD/week in December: http://www.inter-sol.com/carabeo68a.html
(We've stayed here together with our friends, terrific. The next year they bought a house some 100 meters away...)
Some ten other two and three bedroom apartments in Calle Carabeo. In the same building or very close to eachother: http://www.hocosol.com/obmp30/hotelp...p?id=175&ln=en
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, roof top terrace, 890USD/week in December:
http://www.inter-sol.com/tuhillo3b.html
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 580USD/week in December:
http://www.inter-sol.com/tuhillo1h.html
Three bedroom house in Calle Carabeo, 620USD/week in December: http://www.nerjaholidayrentals.com/i...2011&Itemid=10
3 bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, tarrace and roof top terrace in Calle Carabeo, 960USD/week in December: http://www.inter-sol.com/carabeo68a.html
(We've stayed here together with our friends, terrific. The next year they bought a house some 100 meters away...)
Some ten other two and three bedroom apartments in Calle Carabeo. In the same building or very close to eachother: http://www.hocosol.com/obmp30/hotelp...p?id=175&ln=en
Oct 13th, 2011, 06:46 AM
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I'm quite sure you will love Nerja.
These are some of my favourite tapas bars/restaurants in town, all very close to the Calle Carabeo/Tuhillo apartments.
Pulguilla, this is just brilliant. Top fish, seafood and meat tapas grilled on the spot, free to choose with each glass of whatever in the bar area. A dining room and terrace in the back for raciones and full meals, ideal with the kids. http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres.../el-pulguilla/
http://mynerja.com/view/bars/cerveceria-el-pulguilla/
La Marina is as good as you find a traditional seafood freiduría in all of Andalucía. Meat dishes and salads as well. Extremely popular with both tourists and locals alike. Huge terrace and a playground on the plaza in front of the restaurant. Free tapas in the bar area here as well, they often have excellent arroz/paella. http://www.guideofnerja.com/pages/gu.../marina_en.htm
La Puntilla and Los Cuñaos are two great places with a local feel in the Old town: http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres...s/la-puntilla/
http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres...ts/los-cunaos/
Homemade Italian food, great pizzas and pastas at Vitaliano down at Plaza de los Cangrejos by the sea. Run by Italians. I've been here at least twenty times over nine years and never been dissapointed. http://ristorantevitaliano.com/us.html http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalusia.html
Excellent Thai and Lao cuisine at Lan Sang: http://www.lansang.com/
And Ayo's on the Burriana beach is a must when in Nerja. Eat as much as you like of one of the most famous paellas in all of Costa del Sol for some 6€. Have had both excellent paella, roasted meat, steaks, fish and salads here. Lunch only: http://www.ayonerja.com/ayo.en.htm
These are some of my favourite tapas bars/restaurants in town, all very close to the Calle Carabeo/Tuhillo apartments.
Pulguilla, this is just brilliant. Top fish, seafood and meat tapas grilled on the spot, free to choose with each glass of whatever in the bar area. A dining room and terrace in the back for raciones and full meals, ideal with the kids. http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres.../el-pulguilla/
http://mynerja.com/view/bars/cerveceria-el-pulguilla/
La Marina is as good as you find a traditional seafood freiduría in all of Andalucía. Meat dishes and salads as well. Extremely popular with both tourists and locals alike. Huge terrace and a playground on the plaza in front of the restaurant. Free tapas in the bar area here as well, they often have excellent arroz/paella. http://www.guideofnerja.com/pages/gu.../marina_en.htm
La Puntilla and Los Cuñaos are two great places with a local feel in the Old town: http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres...s/la-puntilla/
http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres...ts/los-cunaos/
Homemade Italian food, great pizzas and pastas at Vitaliano down at Plaza de los Cangrejos by the sea. Run by Italians. I've been here at least twenty times over nine years and never been dissapointed. http://ristorantevitaliano.com/us.html http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalusia.html
Excellent Thai and Lao cuisine at Lan Sang: http://www.lansang.com/
And Ayo's on the Burriana beach is a must when in Nerja. Eat as much as you like of one of the most famous paellas in all of Costa del Sol for some 6€. Have had both excellent paella, roasted meat, steaks, fish and salads here. Lunch only: http://www.ayonerja.com/ayo.en.htm
Oct 13th, 2011, 07:36 AM
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Thank you again, Kimhe. You are extremely resourceful!!
Quick question: you mentioned the temperature would be around 60-65 deg F. We have a 9 month old infant - will the temp restrict our movement around?
Quick question: you mentioned the temperature would be around 60-65 deg F. We have a 9 month old infant - will the temp restrict our movement around?
Oct 13th, 2011, 10:06 AM
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In Nerja and on most of the Costa del Sol you can expect to find resorts geared for British and Irish on holiday. Malaga is an exception. If you want an "authentic" Spanish experience you would be better off going to Seville. Granada will be very cold in Dec.
Oct 13th, 2011, 11:11 AM
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If Sevilla is on your mind (and even Córdoba), I would probably lean more towards the Costa de la Luz than the Costa del Sol. You have long, wide beaches where kids can play safely far away from the water.
From a totally subjective point of view, I like the Costa de la Luz better as you don't always have the mountains sitting right in your back and "obstructing" any travels but those along the coast. For others this may just add to the beauty of the scenery, though.
You will find many "White Villages" with little or acceptable influence from mass tourism there, like Vejer de la Frontera.
It's just 15min from the coast, and a 60-90min drive from Sevilla or Cádiz or Jerez.
Granada would be a too far for a day trip, especially with young children on board. As would be Sevilla if you stayed in Nerja.
From a totally subjective point of view, I like the Costa de la Luz better as you don't always have the mountains sitting right in your back and "obstructing" any travels but those along the coast. For others this may just add to the beauty of the scenery, though.
You will find many "White Villages" with little or acceptable influence from mass tourism there, like Vejer de la Frontera.
It's just 15min from the coast, and a 60-90min drive from Sevilla or Cádiz or Jerez.
Granada would be a too far for a day trip, especially with young children on board. As would be Sevilla if you stayed in Nerja.
Oct 13th, 2011, 11:27 AM
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Sintop
This area of Spain has the mildest winter climate of Europe. We stayed here :
http://www.vintagetravel.co.uk/villa...s.cfm?p_id=160
It is quite simply a film set and large enough for multiple families. The property is a short drive to Seville, Jerez and the Costa De La Luz which is far more Andalucian than the Costa Del Sol.
This area of Spain has the mildest winter climate of Europe. We stayed here :
http://www.vintagetravel.co.uk/villa...s.cfm?p_id=160
It is quite simply a film set and large enough for multiple families. The property is a short drive to Seville, Jerez and the Costa De La Luz which is far more Andalucian than the Costa Del Sol.
Oct 13th, 2011, 11:45 AM
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To be honest, I cannot remember the place I stayed near Vejer.
It would probably not suit your requirements as the fincas were quite spacious for 2 people, but they had no larger ones for the number of people in your party.
Unless you plan to travel between Christmas and January 6, you should literally find hundreds of holiday homes on whatever big website you google, and for the lowest price of the year.
When I was down there in either mid December and mid January, it was warm enough to have BBQs (for lunch, not dinner!) and (almost) get a sunburn in the midday hours (70-75F) -- but there is NO guarantee for such nice warm temperatures at that time of year!!
It would probably not suit your requirements as the fincas were quite spacious for 2 people, but they had no larger ones for the number of people in your party.
Unless you plan to travel between Christmas and January 6, you should literally find hundreds of holiday homes on whatever big website you google, and for the lowest price of the year.
When I was down there in either mid December and mid January, it was warm enough to have BBQs (for lunch, not dinner!) and (almost) get a sunburn in the midday hours (70-75F) -- but there is NO guarantee for such nice warm temperatures at that time of year!!
Oct 13th, 2011, 05:29 PM
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Costa de la Luz will be colder at this time of year, and Nerja in December is bliss and loads of local atmosphere. Málaga is 30 mins away, Granada some 90 mins. Córdoba and Sevilla would be some 2 1/2-3 hours driving.
