Casares in Spain can be an unfamiliar name to many visitors to the Costa del Sol as it is ‘off the beaten track’ and remains one of Andalucia’s best kept secrets.
Many are familiar with places like Marbella, Puerto Banus, Fuengirola etc, but the new wave of tourists and property buyers are looking further afield than the main resorts so that they can experience the ‘real’ Spain.

What is great about Casares is that it is still just 15 minutes from the coast and easily accessible from the major resorts.

One of the villages increasing in popularity is Casares near to the town of Manilva. The village of Casares is a traditional Andalucian white village perched high on a mountain top with winding narrow streets and spectacular views.

Being one of the last Muslim strongholds during the occupation by the Moors the village is swathed in history and brings in day trippers and tourist throughout the year.

In addition it has become a very popular area for property buyers that need to be within easy reach of places like Estepona, Marbella and even Gibraltar but do not want to live in a busy resort.

Casares is actually located inland of Estepona just off of what is now referred to as the new golden mile. All around Casares is some of the most stunning countryside and from the top of the village, the views are virtually unequaled throughout the rest of the Costa del Sol. As you look out across the greenery and hills you can see Gibraltar and beyond that Africa.

Within the village of Casares you have everything you could need. There are many shops, restaurants, cafés and bars, some of which are so well renowned that they bring in residents and tourists from all over the Costa del Sol.

The approach road to Casares takes you to the top of the village. Unless you actually live there most visitors tend to park here and then take one of the cobbled (steep) paths down into the village itself. As you descend you pass the cute white washed houses that line the streets until you reach the main square in the shadow of the village’s church. On the opposite side of the approach road, if you look over the top, you will see the remains of the fort that once protected its Moorish occupiers.

Being in a protected area, around the village of Casares there are many nature walks that you can take to explore the surrounding countryside and look at the local wildlife in their natural habitat.

As you may have gathered, Casares is a favorite of ours and we highly recommend that if you are visiting the Costa del Sol, you take some time out to go and visit Casares. Maybe have a coffee or some lunch in one of the restaurants on the top of the village as many have a terrace area that is literally carved out of the rock and provides the most amazing views.

Getting there is relatively simple. If you are coming from the Marbella direction you take the coast road (N340/A7) and head in the direction of Algeciras. Once you have gone past the Estepona roundabout with the stones on that spell out the word ‘Estepona’, you keep straight and over another roundabout. Keep straight until you see a development on your left which has multi-coloured buildings (purple etc), at this roundabout you want to turn right, sign-posted Casares. Head up the hill for a few kms until you see the village on your left.