Summary: This page describes some of the many different things there are to do in this area , both near the hotel and further away

Whilst many people come to Molino to relax and some leave their hire car in the parking area for the whole of their stay, these tend to be the old faithful who have visited the area before and already know many of its hugely varied delights. The page is divided into the following sections :
Walking Routes
Train Routes
Car Routes
Local Villages
Nearby Towns and Cities
Beaches
Historical Sites
Museums and Galleries
More Adventurous Activities

1. Walking routes:  We have a number of prepared routes to offer you of varying lengths and difficulty. Some are a half hour’s stroll from the hotel gates, others are all-day treks in the high mountains with fantastic experiences for the more intrepid. Some can be accessed without transport, others use the local trains or buses and others need a car or taxi.

 Details of our walks can be provided in advance of your arrival to guests with confirmed hotel reservations.
 See also our “When to visit”  page for the varying delights to be encountered in the countryside.
The hotel can offer you a picnic service if required.

2.Train routes: Why not leave your car behind ? We are very keen to support our local railway line which stops just 300m from the hotel.

 You can get a copy of our  list of suggestions for activities that can be enjoyed by using the train from the simple pleasures of tapas at the next station which is seven minutes away  to a full day’s outing to Granada, Cordoba, Málaga or Gibraltar.
 If you want a more personalized itinerary, just ask. We have access to Renfe’s information system and  can provide you with free details of rail journeys all over Spain.

Our local station, 300m from the hotel.

Car routes: A combination of our own experience and hotel  guests’ feedback has enabled us to assemble knowledge of a wide range of places to visit with your own transport. The road network in this area has improved enormously in recent years and now offers speedy access along some of the quietest roads in Europe to places of great interest and variety

Busy roads.

Local villages: Many of the most attractive of the renowned pueblos blancos of Andalucia are within close range of Molino. Favourites include Montejaque, Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra, Cortes de la Frontera. Each has a very different character and its own appeal. Most specialise in some kind of activity based on the local countryside; our nearest neighbours are famous for curing mountain hams and sausages, others for basket work and weaving, others for their particular architecture or geographical position. You are sure to find a favourite. Some have good restauarants offering perfect stopping off places for refereshment coupled with a little people watching as local people go about their daily routines.

Larger towns: Within less than two hours’ drive, you will discover some of the stars of Andalucia`s heritage.
Fifteen minutes away is Ronda, the centre of the Serrania and its villages. A bustling town with all kinds of activities and a special ambience, you will definitely enjoy a visit although, depending on your interests,  there are some times of day it may be better to avoid. We`ll tell you when. We also know the best places to buy whatever you may be interested in and will be pleased to offer our advice is you so wish.

Granada is well known for the Alhambra Palace and the Generalife - we can help you to book tickets for this.
Cordoba is well worth a visit, not only for the Mezquita but for a number of other places that we can recommend. One of these is not to be missed ... book with us and we´ll tell you what it is !
Many people still do not realise that the city of Málaga is a fascinating place with wonderful seafood bars and the new Picasso museum, in the heart of the old town is really worth a visit.

To the west of us, Sevilla is fascinating; you may even like to stay in a small hotel managed by Francisco Naranjo, a very special person who worked at Molino for many years and offers a special welcome to anyone coming from us.
 In the same direction, Jerez offers a fantastic horse display in a great arena on a weekly basis as well as visits to the sherry bodegas. We know the best ones here, and in Sanlucar if you are a manzanilla aficionado.

Beaches: Despite its package holiday image, the Costa del Sol has some quieter beaches that we can recommend , just over an hour away from Molino. We have a prepared file of information that we will forward to guests with reservations.

However for outstanding seaside pleasure, head to the Costa de la Luz which is a two hour drive away. Literally miles of unspoilt sand await people prepared to make the effort; again we know the best ones and will direct you there for a day trip or help you to plan a two centre holiday by booking  hotels for you similar in style to Molino. Except for August, you will find the beaches relatively, or totally, uncrowded.

 
Historical sites: Within close range of Molino are prehistoric caves and a  hardly-visited Roman amphitheatre offering fantastic views and a chance to practise your best Shakespearean speeches or passages from Lorca on stage.

Museums and Galleries: Ronda offers a number of museums providing  information about the local area. The bull ring has an excellent museum tracing the history of the bullfight in the town. Whilst we respect people’s varying opinions of bullfighting, we would suggest that you need to understand a little of it if you want to become more familiar with Spanish culture. Whatever your opinions of the activity, the building is splendid and is used for many other functions rather than just bullfighting. There is also the “Mueso del Bandalero”, bandits having operated in the Serrania until about 50 years ago. Museo Lara is a local person’s private collection of artefacts from the area.

Further afield, the Museo ded Bellas Artes in Sevilla is well worth seeing and the Picasso Museum in Málaga is, well nearly, obligatory. 

More adventurous activities: We are pleased to recommend a very professional local company, Pangea, who offer a wide range of activities in the local countryside , ranging from relaxing routes in 4x4 vehicles to places of natural beauty to all day demanding caving experiences. They can also arrange kayaking, archery, climbing, abseiling and cycling as well as balloon flights.

Much more detailed information is available in reception when you are at the hotel. Having listened to our guests’ comments, we have learnt that some people like to plan their holiday activities in advance. Details of all of the suggested activities will be made available in advance to people who like to plan ahead.