We are going to the Costa del sol area of spain for 2 weeks the first part of March. We will be staying a 2 different resorts both close to mARBELLA. We want ideas of day trips. We will have a car. We love the out of the way places especially the local restaurants. Any ideas?

some suggestions here

http://www.endlessvacation.com/desti...Andalusia.aspx

Try these:

Gibraltar
Ronda
Benhavis
White Villages

We returned from Spain & CDS in Oct.

YOur hotel/resort will have alot of info on things to do.
But in CDS I needed to go somewhere to get back to feeling like I was still in Spain..(lol) as you likely know, CDS is fun but does not feel spanish to me.

We Loved Ronda. Touristy but fun & great shopping
Drove there but it IS windy road. After a full day in Ronda we stayed here at this cute place in Gaucin before heading back to CDS. Plan about two hours drive. http://www.lafructuosa.com/index_en.html

In CDS we also saw one of the horse shows which we loved . Your hotel will have many offerings. BUT do NOT opt for the dinner/ flamenco shows option just the horse show.
The dinner with the horse shows are terrible.

We also recommend that you see Malaga since you are so close. It is beautiful and we enjoyed the sights thanks to our pal Josele! Check out the gorgeous cathedral there.
I felt it was easier to enjoy than the big one iin Sevilla for many reasons.

Thanks for your replys. I am taking notes...keep um comin!!

Hi, If possible, Granada is well worth a visit. It may be a bit far but it is really stunning. Closer, I like Mijas very much.

As amsdon does, I would also vote for Málaga! Although this is a fairly big city it's an "out of the way place" for most tourists and full of charm and Andalusian colour.
Casa Aranda, just in the heart of the city, is probably the best café/churros con chocolate place that I've ever found in all of Spain during more than twenty years of intensive travelling in the country.
http://www.casa-aranda.net/

Many good tapas bars in the same area, but I would recommend El Tapeo de Cervantes (C/ Carcér, 8), close to the Teatro Cervantes, some 300 metres further north.
http://www.eltapeodecervantes.com/

For great seafood restaurants, go to Pedregalejo a bit east of the city center (try "El Caleño" in Paseo Maritimo de Pedregalejo, tel. 952299148, book ahead) or go to Torre del Mar some 20 miles east along the coast. This predominantly Spanish vacational seaside resort can rightfully boast a range of top notch and no frills seafood places. Last year I had a terrific meal at La Cueva, close to some of the most emblematic cafés/bars in town: http://www.freidurialacueva.es/

About Málaga ("Authentic charm of an overlooked treasure"): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ci...-treasure.html

Kimhe, those recommendations are classics...
I have been going to Casa Aranda and La Cueva for 50 years. La Cueva then was just the corner, no seats.
Caleño is more recent, about 20 years.

I you want an introduction to flamenco, I recommend you go and see the nearly seventy year old legendary dancer "El Carrete" in Tablao Los Tarantos in Torremolinos.
http://www.andalucia.com/flamenco/dancers/elcarrete.htm
http://www.tablaolostarantos.com/cgenglish.swf

For some of the most impressive limestone mountain landscapes in Europe, go to El Torcal 20 miles north of Málaga. Close by is the town Antequera (pop. 40 000), also known as "the heart of Andalucía".
http://www.andalucia.com/antequera/torcal/home.htm
http://www.andalucia.com/antequera/home.htm

The article "A Tapas Tour of Antequera" takes you on a walk through this fascinating town and should give you some ideas of great places to eat. I've lived in Hotel Castilla and can recommend the adjoining bar/restaurant mentioned in the article.
http://www.andaluciacoastandcountry.com/tapaspain.html

Thanks to all of you. I'm sure we will have wonderful time because of all of your suggestions!!
Betty