Spain loving Urbs. Where should I stay for a month in winter?

[A380]

It's been a life long ambition to dodge a British winter by spending five weeks in the South of Spain. End of January to Beginning of March. The plan is is rent a place (and there seem to be lots of cheap places) for the month. From my house to Malaga (Picked at random) its 24 hours driving (I want to take my time and spend a day in Biarritz and a couple of days in Madrid) and do five driving days.

So, I once spent five days in Granada. Thats my only experience of the South, it was nice but I'm not sure I want to be there for a month and I'd really like to be in a place by the sea. Snobbishly and with no evidence I don't like the sound of Marbella and Malaga but willing to be proved wrong.

Suggestions please (dessiato isvicthere? ) and all other knowledgeable people.

TIA

 

[spitfire]

It's been a life long ambition to dodge a British winter by spending five weeks in the South of Spain. End of January to Beginning of March. The plan is is rent a place (and there seem to be lots of cheap places) for the month. From my house to Malaga (Picked at random) its 24 hours driving (I want to take my time and spend a day in Biarritz and a couple of days in Madrid) and do five driving days.

So, I once spent five days in Granada. Thats my only experience of the South, it was nice but I'm not sure I want to be there for a month and I'd really like to be in a place by the sea. Snobbishly and with no evidence I don't like the sound of Marbella and Malaga but willing to be proved wrong.

Suggestions please (dessiato isvicthere? ) and all other knowledgeable people.

TIA

Gibraltar. Fosters, fry ups and fighting. It's great.

 

[spitfire]

.... other knowledgeable people.

TIA

Ohhh, I missed this bit.

 

[Aladdin]

Seville

 

[dessiato]

There's a number of thoughts about your plan. The first is why do you want to spend so long driving? I used to do Newhaven to Dieppe then drive down. By the time you've paid for petrol and hotels it's about as much as getting the ferry into Santander/Bilbao. What we did was into Bilboa, stop north of Madrid in a nice hotel the name of which I've forgotten, Mrs Dess will know. Then drive down the next day. Unless it was zn early morning landing then we'd come straight down.

The next thing is, what do you want while you're here? If you want a small town with not a lot of tourists it'll cost less than if you want a more popular place. The coast is more expensive than inland.

I'd avoid Granada and head for the coast. I'd look at Motril which is relatively big, not too far from Málaga and much cheaper than there. If that's not what you want, try Almuñecar. It's a very nice town with everything you'd want. I love La Herradura, and spent a lot of time there. But it's small and it's expensive by comparison to other places along Costa Tropical.

I'd avoid Málaga and Málaga province because you'll pay too much.

If you don't mind going inland a bit then it's a whole different ballgame. There's so many places to choose. I'd look at places such as Antequera or Fuente de Pedra. Both are less than an hour from yet coast, both much cheaper to rent. Of these two I'd choose Fuente. It has the largest colony of flamingos in Europe.

Really it all depends on exactly what you want. But I'd strongly advise against west of Málaga. Places like Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas, and Torremolinos are full of tourists year round. You'll pay too much and get very little Spanish experience. Going to other way you need to avoid Nerja for similar reasons.

If you're not too bothered by the drive you could go to the Cadiz coast. I don't know it especially well but it's beautiful, warm, and cheaper than Costa del Sol.

One thing to be aware of is that short term rental is expensive here. And check exactly what you're paying for.

Is there anywhere you especially are interested in?

 

[dessiato]

Seville

I'd have to disagree. It's good for a visit but not for a five week stay. Getting around except on public transport is a bloody nightmare, parking is awful.

It's my least favourite Spanish town.

Córdoba is very much better.

 

[A380]

There's a number of thoughts about your plan. The first is why do you want to spend so long driving? I used to do Newhaven to Dieppe then drive down. By the time you've paid for petrol and hotels it's about as much as getting the ferry into Santander/Bilbao. What we did was into Bilboa, stop north of Madrid in a nice hotel the name of which I've forgotten, Mrs Dess will know. Then drive down the next day. Unless it was zn early morning landing then we'd come straight down.

The next thing is, what do you want while you're here? If you want a small town with not a lot of tourists it'll cost less than if you want a more popular place. The coast is more expensive than inland.

I'd avoid Granada and head for the coast. I'd look at Motril which is relatively big, not too far from Málaga and much cheaper than there. If that's not what you want, try Almuñecar. It's a very nice town with everything you'd want. I love La Herradura, and spent a lot of time there. But it's small and it's expensive by comparison to other places along Costa Tropical.

I'd avoid Málaga and Málaga province because you'll pay too much.

If you don't mind going inland a bit then it's a whole different ballgame. There's so many places to choose. I'd look at places such as Antequera or Fuente de Pedra. Both are less than an hour from yet coast, both much cheaper to rent. Of these two I'd choose Fuente. It has the largest colony of flamingos in Europe.

Really it all depends on exactly what you want. But I'd strongly advise against west of Málaga. Places like Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas, and Torremolinos are full of tourists year round. You'll pay too much and get very little Spanish experience. Going to other way you need to avoid Nerja for similar reasons.

If you're not too bothered by the drive you could go to the Cadiz coast. I don't know it especially well but it's beautiful, warm, and cheaper than Costa del Sol.

One thing to be aware of is that short term rental is expensive here. And check exactly what you're paying for.

Is there anywhere you especially are interested in?

This is all ace. Will look at these places thanks. Will probably bother you for more information… I fancy a small non tourist town with a restaurant or three.

I’d quite like to do the long ferry crossing, but Ms747 flatly refuses to do the Bay of Biscay in winter.

 

[Aladdin]

I'd have to disagree. It's good for a visit but not for a five week stay. Getting around except on public transport is a bloody nightmare, parking is awful.

It's my least favourite Spanish town.

Córdoba is very much better.

Fair enough.

I thought it might be a good base to travel from.

I liked it a lot.
But yes..Cordoba is great.

 

[dessiato]

This is all ace. Will look at these places thanks. Will probably bother you for more information… I fancy a small non tourist town with a restaurant or three.

I’d quite like to do the long ferry crossing, but Ms747 flatly refuses to do the Bay of Biscay in winter.

Small non tourist town, but inland, about 90 minutes from the coast, interesting history, close to other interesting places, lots of bars, and restaurants, cheap to live in, Ecija. It's probably my favourite town away from the coast. You'll find there's not many Brit there, tourists there tend to be Spanish because of the amazing baroque churches.

Or Arcos de la Frontera. Jerez province, small, quiet, beautiful place, easy access to Jerez, not too far from Sevilla or Cadiz. But inland.

 

[dessiato]

I should say I've lived in Ecija and loved it from the day I arrived, and regret leaving every day.

 

[A380]

Top, I am googling these now, thanks.

 

[Boudicca]

I'd probably vote for Alicante. Decent sized town with shops, restaurants and a nice promenade and marina. And you can get the train down the coast and be an English tourist for the day.

(I've been to Ecija. I lost my car and a complete stranger drove me and dessiato around until we found it. )

 

[dessiato]

I'd probably vote for Alicante. Decent sized town with shops, restaurants and a nice promenade and marina. And you can get the train down the coast and be an English tourist for the day.

(I've been to Ecija. I lost my car and a complete stranger drove me and dessiato around until we found it. )

I'd forgotten that! It was a nice day just drifting around the bars and relaxing. A very Ecija day.

I'd not do Alicante, too far north.

 

[sparkybird]

Spent last autumn/winter moving along the Spanish coast for 3 months, starting in Barcelona and ending in Cádiz. Absolutely loved Cádiz. We spent 2 weeks there, but really want to go back.
Amazing light, clean air, sunny every day (but windy and chilly out of the sun in December). You can walk for miles on the beach. Amazing food!
Due to friends offering us an amazing apartment for free in Torremolinos we spent 2 weeks there in November. Good place for getting around (train to Málaga, blabla car to Granada, bus to Ronda) and again you can walk for miles along the beachfront. It's a big gay destination. Food options a bit limited IMO.
Málaga, loved the city, lots going on, good food but spoiled for me by the massive 4 lane highway which cuts it off from the beach.
Spent the last 2 weeks (Christmas and New year) in Sevilla where Mr Sparkybird got Covid, so didn't get to see much
Good luck with your plans!
ETA we travelled without a car so our choices were governed by ease of public transport so didn't go inland too much. I love being by the sea

 

[dessiato]

Spent last autumn/winter moving along the Spanish coast for 3 months, starting in Barcelona and ending in Cádiz. Absolutely loved Cádiz. We spent 2 weeks there, but really want to go back.
Amazing light, clean air, sunny every day (but windy and chilly out of the sun in December). You can walk for miles on the beach. Amazing food!
Due to friends offering us an amazing apartment for free in Torremolinos we spent 2 weeks there in November. Good place for getting around (train to Málaga, blabla car to Granada, bus to Ronda) and again you can walk for miles along the beachfront. It's a big gay destination. Food options a bit limited IMO.
Málaga, loved the city, lots going on, good food but spoiled for me by the massive 4 lane highway which cuts it off from the beach.
Spent the last 2 weeks (Christmas and New year) in Sevilla where Mr Sparkybird got Covid, so didn't get to see much
Good luck with your plans!
ETA we travelled without a car so our choices were governed by ease of public transport so didn't go inland too much. I love being by the sea

First time on a Segway I found myself hurtling towards that road. I learned, very quickly, how to stop one in a hurry.

I sort of like Torre, it's full of tourists, but sometimes that's nice. Food choices are best away from the main tourist areas where it is, for Spain, very expensive.

Ronda is beautiful but in a sad way. In For Whom the Bell Tolls Hemingway refers to an atrocity where 600(?) people are forced to jump, or are pushed, to their deaths, from the bridge which is a central attraction in the city. This, allegedly, happened during the Civil War. However, there is some dispute about whether it really happened.

I am very much Andaluz at heart. It's why I'm trying to get my citizenship.

eta if you go again, instead of Torre, try Bajondilla which is a similar place but fewer tourists, and slightly less expensive.

 

[han]

I echo sparkybird 's praise of Cádiz. It's a fabulous place. I'm going there in September for the 4th time - love it so much. Jerez is fab too. Both places are not very touristy at all. Cádiz is shaped like a spoon sticking out from the coast and you can walk around the edge of the whole city with the sea on one side. It has beautiful light, is friendly, has a gay scene and lots of fabulous musicians are based there (great if you like flamenco, and I'm talking the raw visceral kind in local bars, not the touristy show kind! ).

Jerez is a large town just a short train ride from Cádiz and very lovely too - a typical Andaluz town where all the buildings are white with narrow streets and lots of squares where people hang out. Great too for music - it's a bit of a cradle of flamenco....

Córdoba is particularly lovely - a stunning river running through it and a very chilled vibe. Not too touristy.

If nature is your bag, Zahara de los Atunes is a lovely, unspoilt little village on the coast not far from Cádiz. A bit hippyish with naturist beaches, great for walking, etc. I had the most amazing tomato salad at a beach shack there once

I'm totally in love with Andalucía too dessiato - from what I gather you're living there, right....? Good luck with getting citizenship.

I lived in Sevilla for a year in the mid 90s and have been going back to Andalucía as often as I can since then. Love it so much.

Good luck A380 . Hope you are able to follow your dream and make the winter escape a reality!

 

[dessiato]

I'm totally in love with Andalucía too dessiato - from what I gather you're living there, right....? Good luck with getting citizenship.

I lived in Andalucía for ten years, then, last year, moved to Galicia. It's incredibly beautiful, but it's not Andalucía.

Unfortunately, due to family issues, I'm moving to Scotland for a couple of years, then it'll be back to Andalucía. Luckily I can do the citizenship exams in Edinburgh, and I do have my residencia permante which will help.

 

[han]

I lived in Andalucía for ten years, then, last year, moved to Galicia. It's incredibly beautiful, but it's not Andalucía.

Unfortunately, due to family issues, I'm moving to Scotland for a couple of years, then it'll be back to Andalucía. Luckily I can do the citizenship exams in Edinburgh, and I do have my residencia permante which will help.

Aww, all the best with that.

La gente in Andalucía is pretty special innit - whereabouts did you live?

 

[dessiato]

Aww, all the best with that.

La gente in Andalucía is pretty special innit - whereabouts did you live?

I lived in Ecija, Sevilla; Jerez and Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz; and Puente Genil, Córdoba. Mainly in Ecija though. Its a wonderful little place. The day I arrived there I fell in love with it. I sat in El Salon, plaza de España to non-locals, and knew I was at home. It took the time it took to drink a cafe solo.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

BB1’s godmother lives in Alcaucin, it’s a lovely village with enough bars and restaurants to stop it being boring, not that far from the coast. We’ve enjoyed our time there.

 

[dessiato]

BB1’s godmother lives in Alcaucin, it’s a lovely village with enough bars and restaurants to stop it being boring, not that far from the coast. We’ve enjoyed our time there.

Small world! We looked at a house to buy there. We didn't, we thought it was too small a village for us, we're very much city people at heart. Nice place though.

 

[sparkybird]

Bumpity Bump
Currently back in Cádiz for 2 months this time. Spanish much improved which is making life easier (although still adjusting to the accent!)
Been here less than a week and it already feels like I've settled in.....
Sunday morning walk along the beach, a bit different to trotting round Streatham Common

 

[danny la rouge]

Ecija

Daydreaming about wintering in Spain (as if), I looked the place up and discovered this:

“They discovered a well-preserved Roman forum, bath house, gymnasium and temple as well as dozens of private homes and hundreds of mosaics and statues, one of them considered to be among the finest found. But now the bulldozers have moved in. The last vestiges of the lost city known as Colonia Augusta Firma Astigi "one of the great cities of the Roman world" have been destroyed to build an underground municipal car park... Much of the site has been hurriedly concreted over: the only minor concession to archeologists and historians is to leave a tiny section on show for tourists. The rest will be space for 299 cars”

Spain destroys lost Roman city for a car park

They discovered a well-preserved Roman forum, bath house, gymnasium and temple as well as dozens of private homes and hundreds of mosaics and statues — one of them considered to be among the finest

www.thetimes.co.uk

The fuck?!

 

[Ground Elder]

Another vote for Cadiz. I've spent a month or two for the last three winters near Chiclana. I'll be heading there again on Boxing day, taking a slow drive from Santandar, via Madrid, Grenada and Malaga. Bolonia is great if you want a Roman town on the beach, which isn't a car park.

 

[sparkybird]

Daydreaming about wintering in Spain (as if), I looked the place up and discovered this:

“They discovered a well-preserved Roman forum, bath house, gymnasium and temple as well as dozens of private homes and hundreds of mosaics and statues, one of them considered to be among the finest found. But now the bulldozers have moved in. The last vestiges of the lost city known as Colonia Augusta Firma Astigi "one of the great cities of the Roman world" have been destroyed to build an underground municipal car park... Much of the site has been hurriedly concreted over: the only minor concession to archeologists and historians is to leave a tiny section on show for tourists. The rest will be space for 299 cars”

Spain destroys lost Roman city for a car park

They discovered a well-preserved Roman forum, bath house, gymnasium and temple as well as dozens of private homes and hundreds of mosaics and statues — one of them considered to be among the finest

www.thetimes.co.uk

The fuck?!

The refurb of a friend's apartment block here was delayed by 2 years due to the contractor finding Roman remains in the basement. Now apparently developers try to make as few changes at base level as possible to avoid this!

 

[lazythursday]

Out of interest what sort of ballpark costs are we talking about, to spend a month - six weeks renting somewhere? Is Spain cheaper for that sort of thing than other southern European countries?

 

[ash]

Small world! We looked at a house to buy there. We didn't, we thought it was too small a village for us, we're very much city people at heart. Nice place though.

It’s been our routine for the last 20 years or so to take whatever children are with us there to get water. I agree it’s lovely but couldn’t live there. We have friends that live about 30 mins from there. Totally remote, no where in walking distance - could never do that !!

 

[sparkybird]

Out of interest what sort of ballpark costs are we talking about, to spend a month - six weeks renting somewhere? Is Spain cheaper for that sort of thing than other southern European countries?

Short term rentals are not as cheap as you think, although it depends where you want to be and the type of place. Landlords require a licence. Unless you know someone, expect to spend. But some other costs are lower than the UK. Wine for example
I've never rented outside of Spain so don't know how it compares

 

[dessiato]

Daydreaming about wintering in Spain (as if), I looked the place up and discovered this:

“They discovered a well-preserved Roman forum, bath house, gymnasium and temple as well as dozens of private homes and hundreds of mosaics and statues, one of them considered to be among the finest found. But now the bulldozers have moved in. The last vestiges of the lost city known as Colonia Augusta Firma Astigi "one of the great cities of the Roman world" have been destroyed to build an underground municipal car park... Much of the site has been hurriedly concreted over: the only minor concession to archeologists and historians is to leave a tiny section on show for tourists. The rest will be space for 299 cars”

Spain destroys lost Roman city for a car park

They discovered a well-preserved Roman forum, bath house, gymnasium and temple as well as dozens of private homes and hundreds of mosaics and statues — one of them considered to be among the finest

www.thetimes.co.uk

The fuck?!

Yes they really did this. It caused a lot of trouble at the time. The damage done was absolutely irreparable. It was always suggested someone got quite a kick back for allowing it.

 

[Riklet]

Cádiz or Málaga.

Or the Canary Islands maybe.

Once I have a new job I'm hoping to spend this winter abroad myself.