Hidden Andalucia
Looking to get off the beaten track in Andalucia? We’ve scratched beneath the surface of this exciting, historic area of Spain, asked local experts and come up with a list of little-known things to…
Beach clubs are how people ‘do’ the beach these days.
Gone are the days when you just rocked up at a strip of sand you liked the look of (which hopefully had some sort of restaurant attached for refreshment), hired a sunbed and a parasol and then gathered the soggy, dirty towels up at the end of the day. No, no, NO. Now it’s full service, extensive wine, champagne and cocktail menus, top-class international food, live entertainment and swimming pools. Oh, thank goodness.
Move over Miami, step aside Ibiza, there’s a new home to hedonistic pool parties and beach clubs: Marbella. And from the deep-down decadent and crazy to more relaxed and elegant affairs, here’s our pick of the very best…
Nikki Beach
The beach club that basically started it all, Nikki Beach is still the venue that sets the standards. The restaurant delivers quality dish after dish across a ‘global favourites’ menu with a few local Spanish flourishes. The sushi is fresh, the seafood platter is one of the best in Marbella (with or without the outrageous theatre that accompanies it to your table or poolside bed) and their key offerings are rotisserie-style chicken, lamb or suckling pig.
Food aside, the partying reputation of this hugely successful chain of beach clubs needs little or no introduction. It’s difficult to convey just how fabulous the parties are. The entertainment is BIG – think Cirque du Soleil and you wouldn’t be far from some of the events. The whole place has an air of extravagance about it. There are ample beds poolside, easy access to the beach, covered dining and a seriously well stocked bar. The tagline is ‘Tell only your best friends’. The secret is well and truly out, but it never disappoints.
Don’t miss their Amazing Sundays, Full Moon Parties, White Parties, and… well, any of their events, actually.
Opening party date: 23rd April 2020.
Closing party date: The closing season Red 80’s party is 4th October 2020.
Address: Playa Hotel Don Carlos, Carretera de Cadiz, Km 192, 29600 Marbella, Malaga; 952 83 62 39; Nikkibeach.com.
Puerto Banus & to the West
Ocean Club Marbella
Ocean Club in Puerto Banus is a dazzling vision of white and light blue. It’s beside the beach but not on it – so if you’re a sand-hater, it’s the one for you – while the decked terrace is adorned with circular beds that mirror the shape of the pool.
The party atmosphere ramps up and up throughout the day into the early hours of the morning. The atmosphere is relaxed during the afternoon until the sun sets when the no-holds-barred pool parties, complete with theatrical performances, begin and the music blasts out over the Med. On the themed nights nothing is too over the top to thrill the crowds who queue to enter – these parties are legendary. On specific nights the pool is transformed into a stage where entertainers (including plenty of famous names) whip the crowd into an outdoor, amphitheatre-like frenzy.
The cocktail list has a great selection of mojitos as well as the usual suspects. As for the lunchtime restaurant, it serves the likes of sushi, pizzas, pasta, salads, kebabs, club sandwiches, burgers and other food for party-goers. The choice of alfresco or indoor eating is a welcome extra for those needing a bit of respite from the midday sun.
Opening party date: Their White & Silver opening party is on 1st May 2020.
Closing party date: Black & Gold closing party is on 26th September 2020.
Address: Avenida Lola Flores, S/N, 29660 Marbella, Malaga; 952 90 81 37; Oceanclub.es.
La Sala by the Sea
La Sala by the Sea certainly scores well on the convenience front: it has its own designated parking and valet service in the centre of Puerto Banus, so you can park up and be out of your car stretched out on a bed, drink in hand, in the blink of an eye.
This relatively small beach club has its own circular-shaped pool (not as large as many others’), a restaurant, treatment rooms and its fair share of party action during the summer. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner with an emphasis on seafood with the odd Asian twist. The drinks menu is average, serving the usual suspects – it’s neither surprising nor disappointing either. If you want to hire a beach bed around the club, towels and fresh fruit come in the hire price. However if you’d like to sunbathe on the beds on the beach they charge extra for the towels.
Opening party date: End of April, early May TBC for 2020.
Address: Av Jose Banus, 29660 Marbella, Malaga; 952 81 38 82; Lasalabythesea.com.
Sisu Boutique Hotel Puerto Banus
OK, OK, we may be being a bit naughty here, as Sisu doesn’t qualify as a beach club for the simple reason that it’s nowhere near the beach. However, it has a pool, a 20-person Jacuzzi and a vibe that’s very much in keeping with it, namely: tan, dip and party.
Besides, it is quite simply the place to party in Puerto Banus. It’s on-trend, it’s open 24 hours a day throughout the summer and its pool parties are mythical. Events vary from Black Diamond to Laurent Perrier, and the music is soulful house with live accompaniment. There are VIP areas, a restaurant, designer seating and beds – all of which makes it one of the best places on the coast to celeb-spot and pose.
Opening party date: they kick the 2020 season off with a soft opening party on 25th April and then their full Urban Opening Party on 1st May.
Closing party dates: around 26th September 2019.
Address: Carretera N-340, Km 173, 29660 Marbella, Malaga; Sisuboutique.com.
Further West – San Pedro to Estepona
Club del Mar
Club del Mar is part of the five-star Villa Padierna Palace Hotel complex. They don’t offer entertainment for the evenings as it’s only open from 11am to 6pm. It’s a wonderfully relaxing place in which to hang out during the day, though, whether you’re stretched out on the beach enjoying the full waiter service or eating high quality food in the light and airy beach house. (Top LVC tip: check out their caviar menu – it’s to-die-for.)
Opening dates: all year round
Address: Av. Bulevar Principe Alfonso de Hohenlohe, 29602 Marbella, Malaga; 952 82 09 00 ext. 22189; Villapadiernapalacehotel.com.
Purobeach Marbella
Puro’s Marbella arm is part of a cabana-styled commercial complex called Laguna Village. Fear not, it’s a perfectly formed group of independent boutiques, eateries and services like valet and water sport rental – all of which makes for a unique plus to a night out by the sea.
Entertainment-wise the famous Puro house music with live DJs is a given, but to shake things up a bit they also put on occasional Flamenco nights.
As is becoming the norm, each hammock hired comes with towels and a welcome tray of fresh fruit and mineral water. Purobeach goes that little bit further, though, and also includes after-sun, cold towels and smoothie shot – just to make your day even more comfortable. Be sure to book in for a massage in their Nomad Lounges by the pool or on the beach. We highly recommend their orange aromatherapy massage – divine!
Opening dates: Puro is open all year round during the day (aside from Mondays and Tuesdays during November until March) and from June to September all night too (check out their site for exact hours).
Address: Carretera Cadiz, Km 159, 29680 Estepona, Malaga; 952 80 00 15; Purobeach.com.
East of Marbella
Opium Beach Club
Over to the east, Opium Beach Club may not be the largest of our selection, but it has its own particular following. The pool is average in size but more than ample for cooling down with a drink and chilling out to the live music. It generally attracts a younger crowd and it’s home to one of the more raucous scenes around. The cocktails don’t blow us away, but it’s a fun vibe with a touch of madness thrown in to keep it fresh.
Address: Carretera Nacional Km 340 – 184; 29603 Marbella; Malaga; 699 009 808; Opiumbeachclub.com.
Orange Beach Club by Hotel Don Carlos
This incredibly stylish Marbella beach club is part of the five-star Don Carlos resort. Open to non-hotel guests, it’s impeccably designed with beautiful furniture and excellent service. The strip of beach in front is very much part of the club and you can expect the same level of service there, along with a choice of sun loungers and fabulous Balinese beds.
After dark there’s live music throughout the summer in the form of female vocalists, jazz bands and swing groups. The entertainment (which usually starts around 8pm) is very much at the refined end of the spectrum. If you fancy a spot of spa pampering – in the form of a high-class treatment or two at the Don Carlos spa – followed by sun-downers at the Orange Beach Club, it’s hard to top.
Opening dates: from Easter to 2nd October
Address: Avenida Zurita s/n, 29604 Marbella, Malaga; 952 76 88 00; Doncarlosresort.expohotels.com.
Beach Club Estrella del Mar
The beach club at Hotel Vincci Estrella del Mar is more of a daytime casual affair than party central – somewhere to lie back on a Bali bed and relax, rather than dance till dawn. Because of the close proximity of the hotel there are great spa facilities, including an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, gym and treatment rooms. The club itself is on the beach, with wonderful lawned areas and a fantastic infinity pool around which they hold live music events and fashion shows.
Opening dates: all year round – it’s a good place to have a leisurely lunch in the winter sun.
Address: A/, km 190.5 Urbanizacion Estrella del Mar, desvio Urbanizacion Golden Beach, 29604 Marbella, Malaga; 951 05 39 90; Beachclubestrelladelmar.com.
La Cabane Beach Club
Part of Hotel Los Monteros, this impeccable Marbella beach club is a pristine wash of blue and white. Clean-lined sunbeds and shades line a very welcoming pool indeed – this is a daytime-only club so there are no crazy parties or dancers, just a relaxed place to lounge by the sea. The welcome package you receive when you hire a lounger includes fruit skewers, towels and personalised waiter service. On weekends the restaurant lays on a seafood buffet which, OK, might sound a bit cheap and nasty, but in actual fact the food is fantastic with the freshest of fresh produce being served up.
Opening times: April, May and October: From Fridays to Sunday, from 11am to 6pm; June, July, August and September: Open daily from 11am to 7pm.
Address: Calle Jabali, 29603 Marbella, Malaga; 952 76 27 20; Monteros.com – Stay just a stone’s throw away at family-friendly Villa Malibu, or the exquisitely high-end Villa Las Artes
And a little further afield…
Finca Cortesin
Yes, we know Finca Cortesin isn’t in Marbella but so classy is its beach club that we just couldn’t leave it out. It’s an elegant and sophisticated affair where you relax immediately upon arrival, want for nothing and feel thoroughly loved throughout your stay and leave feeling utterly serene. The tasteful seating and sunbeds are either clustered around the infinity pool or facing out to sea on this attractive, and less developed stretch of coast. The restaurant serves up casual seafood and rice dishes, but to Finca Cortesin’s five-star standard.
Opening times: It’s open Wednesday till Sunday during April, May, June and September. During July and August it’s open 7 days a week.
Address: Bahia de Casares, Malaga; Fincacortesin.com.
Planning a party-filled summer break on the Costa del Sol with friends? Check out our collection of luxury Marbella villas to rent.
Want to book a bed or get VIP entrance at one of the best Marbella beach clubs? Our concierge will happily arrange it for you.
Lindsay Gregory
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[post_content] => Looking to get off the beaten track in Andalucia? We’ve scratched beneath the surface of this exciting, historic area of Spain, asked local experts and come up with a list of little-known things to see and do for our guide to hidden Andalucia...
Malaga Province
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Visit Malaga Cathedral's Roof
If the bird's eye view of the inside of the cathedral looks spectacular, then to cap it off you emerge outside with 360-degree rooftop views of Malaga.
[email protected]
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RELAX IN A HAMMAM
The top tip of Lindsay Gregory, Director of The Luxury Villa Collection: “Stroll around Malaga historic centre, take a hammam at Aire Ancient Baths and finish with cocktails at a rooftop bar.”
https://malaga.hammamalandalus.com/en/
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Meander in Antequera
A rather lovely town with a Moorish fortress complex and no fewer than 30 churches. Don’t miss having tapas in the impressive Plaza de los Escribanos.
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Visit Three 5000-year-old Dolmens
Just outside Antequera, these are some of the largest and most complete megalithic structures in Europe.
Museosdeandalucia.es
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Wonder at a 9TH Century Church – Bobastro
The ruins of a 9th-century church carved out of rock are the highlights of a larger fortified town complex. Anything 9th century and still standing is incredible in our books.
Granada Province
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Nose Around the Carmens of Granada's Albayzin
A house with a garden in the Albayzin (the oldest part of Granada city) is known as a Carmen. These Carmens look out towards the Alhambra Palace, often have wooden balconies, plant-filled patios, babbling water features and decorative tiles.
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Visit the Abbey of Sacromonte, Granada
This 17th-century abbey and college comes complete with holy caves/ancient catacombs. The view of Granada alone is worth the walk.
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Take a day trip to Alhama de Granada and its Natural Hot Springs
This village has stately houses gripping onto the edge of a gorge, cobbled streets and spa credentials. Our top tip is to escape the summer heat in Granada and visit Alhama – it has a unique microclimate where summer nights cool to a comfortable level.
Cadiz Province
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Find Out the Mysteries of the Island of Sancti Petri, San Fernando, Cadiz
Once part of several fortifications, the castle that sits on this tiny island dates back to the 13th century.
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Experience the Beautiful Light in Vejer de la Frontera
This pristine white village, sitting high on a rocky hilltop, really comes into its own at sunrise and dusk. Aside from the dramatic light, there are lovely boutique shops, great restaurants and, during the summer, look out for their candlelight festival.
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Surf and Sip in El Palmar
While it's got a great beach with some decent Atlantic surf, it’s the laidback-hip bar vibe in El Palmar that makes it stand out from other stretches of southern Spain's coast.
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HIRE A Private Chef
David, chef at De Tako's top tip is, “One of the best ways to experience a country is through its food and an even better way is to enjoy perfectly cooked food is in an incredible setting surrounded by friends". We entirely agree – hire a private chef at your villa for the ultimate in convenience.
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Taste Riotinto Beef
One of our top hidden foodie treats in Andalucia is delicious Retinto beef from Cadiz. Much is spoken about fried fish, olives and olive oil, jamón ibérico and Sherry but this meaty option is also a real gastro-standout.
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Take to the Sea – Dolphin Watch
Hire a boat and hit the sea - you’ll almost inevitably come across a pod of dolphins in the Mediterranean Sea.
Seville Province
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Puerta de Macarena/Walls of Seville
This forgotten about 12th-century arched gateway and wall was the main entrance into Seville, and is certainly off the beaten path.
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Drink at a Bar Dedicated to Easter in Sevilla
You'll never have experienced a bar like Garlochí, a homage to Easter in Spain. All year round there's incense burning and procession music playing – they call it the cathedral of bars. Don’t miss their signature cocktail: Grenadine, whisky and Cava.
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Wild Swimming at Cascadas de Hueznar in Seville Province
There’s a succession of beautiful waterfalls running over some interesting limestone formations in Sierra Norte de Sevilla Nature Park.
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SEE LIVE MUSIC IN THE ALCAZAR PALACE
Fiona Flores Watson, Telegraph Travel Writer and Seville resident recommends: “The summer outdoor concerts held in the Alcazar Palace… a magical setting for live jazz, flamenco or classical music by moonlight.”
Alcazarsevilla.org
Cordoba Province
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Visit Highgarden, the Tyrell’s House in Game of Thrones
The castle of Castillo de Almodovar del Rio was built in 740. You can join theatrical tours, do some medieval combat training or spooky storytelling.
Castillodealmodovar.com
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TRAVEL TO EAT AT TRES CULTURAS
Manni Coe of Toma & Coe's top tip is: “One of the most consistently excellent restaurants I know in Andalucia is located on a little-known street, in the little-known town of Lucena. It's called Tres Culturas and it's also a handy stop off en-route to Cordoba."
Tresculturasrestaurante.com
Jaen Province
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Marvel at the Castle of Iruela, Jaen
In the Sierra de Cazorla natural park this castle was built at the start of the 16th century. A beautiful monument in an even more beautiful part of the world.
Huelva Province
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Reconnect with Nature and See Autumn in Aracena
The colours of autumn over the vast landscape of rural Huelva is the perfect way to disconnect. Local people flock here to experience the change of the season.
Almeria Province
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Genoveses beacH in Cabo de Gata, Almeria
This breath-taking beach near the charming village of San Jose feels like another world.
A bit of a cheat but do a tour…
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See Andalucia through its Bullrings
Our top 5 are: Most unusual is in Segura de la Sierra in Jaen province: this square bullring is the old courtyard of a castle and was built in the 18th century. Ronda bullring is the second oldest and the biggest. Seville bullring is the oldest; Antequera's is famed for appearing in Madonna’s Take a Bow video; Mijas has spectacular views and is simply charming. Archidona usually erects a bullring inside its eight-sided main square during the summer season.
Like this and want to know more about visiting southern Spain? Check out our guide to the five best cities to visit in Andalucia.
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[post_date] => 2020-10-03 15:27:14
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[post_content] => (As of Nov 2020)
Since the global pandemic reached our countries in early 2020 there has been restrictions in one way or another on the way we live our lives. With the sheer amount of press on Covid-19 it’s difficult to see the wood from the trees. So we wanted to reach out to our guests and give you a clear idea of what it’s really like to be in southern Spain in 2020.
As we become used to Covid-19 not going away we’re getting better at carrying on with our lives but with safety measures in place. Obviously, those who are at high risk may adopt a more stringent approach to their activities but for the rest of us we’re getting out and about responsibly. While we at The Luxury Villa Collection welcomed guests during 2020 we realise that clarity on what it's like in southern Spain is needed.
What restrictions are there in southern Spain?
Shops, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, events, museums and art galleries all have capacity limits to ensure social distancing can be adhered to safely. Businesses all have hand sanitizer at the door so customers can clean their hands upon entering and leaving an establishment. As of 25th October there is a curfew between 22.00hrs and 07.00hrs. Further restrictions have been put in place to limit the movement of people outside their municipalities.
Face coverings must be worn at all times if over 6 years old, other than:
- People playing sports do not have to wear a mask whilst engaged in the sporting activity.
- Masks do not need to be worn by customers who are eating, drinking, or smoking.
- In the sea or swimming pool.
- In a designated household sunbathing area on the beach.
Do I have to wear a face covering?
The use of face coverings is mandatory for anyone over the age of 6 years old at all times unless during one of the points stated above. This includes in all forms of indoor and outdoor public spaces even if social distancing can be applied. For countries that haven’t adopted this measure, face coverings seem a huge inconvenience but what they have allowed people to do is enjoy their holiday as normal with face coverings and social distancing being the only restrictions.Are restaurants open?
Yes, restaurants and cafes are open with limitations place upon their capacity to ensure tables are spaced out enough so customers can remove their face coverings while drinking or eating. Serving staff and chefs must wear masks at all times.
Are Beaches open in Andalucia?
Yes. Once on a beach in your own sunbathing area and in the sea you may remove face coverings. The sunbathing areas must be 2 metres apart and social distancing must be adhered to in the sea. Some beaches have allocated sunbathing areas others are flexible but there are personnel checking that people adhere to social distancing rules while enjoying the beach. No distancing is necessary within your family unit. The norms that local governments put in place over summer 2020 worked to great effect and people could enjoy the beaches of the Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz and Costa Tropical.Are tourist sights open?
Yes. Restrictions on numbers being allowed into famous landmarks, tourist attractions and galleries has meant some sights have never been so quiet. Achieving the perfect photo of the Alhambra Palace or Real Alcazar de Sevilla without other sightseers is actually possible.
Does a face covering need to be worn while driving?
When driving alone or with your household no face covering needs to be worn, but if there are passengers or a driver from a different household then everyone must wear a face covering.What’s the general mood in southern Spain?
Summer 2020 saw fewer parties for sure: the dancing all night in a club and watching the sunrise from a buzzing rooftop bar was and is not on the cards at the moment. However, long lunches beside the sea, visiting theme parks, historic sights, galleries and museums, beach days and outdoor activities are all there being enjoyed. It's really business as usual with the some sensible parameters in place. Some of our guests used our villas with entertainment rooms, cinemas, spas and abundance of space to organise private experiences from chefs to talks to spa treatments and live music. Bringing the wonderful Spanish culture into the safety of their private villa.What is State of Alarm and What Does it Mean?
The phrase state of alarm sounds very official and, well, alarming however, it is really just an administration step for the government and helps regional governments put in place restrictions. This phase allows the government (if necessary) to limit the movement of people at specific locations and times, temporary use private industries (such as private hospitals), limit the use of services and ensure the supply of necessary goods and services. In 2020 during Covid19, the state of alarm has meant limiting the movement of people between different provinces and curfews been implemented (from 23.00-06.00hrs). In no circumstances does state of alarm mean visitors aren't permitted to travel back to their home country.Air travel – Is it safe?
So far there has been little evidence of in-flight transmission of coronavirus, but there have been a couple of examples of transmission early on in the pandemic before more stringent controls were in place.
Shaun Fitzgerald, Royal Academy of Engineering visiting professor at the University of Cambridge said, aircraft ventilation systems are unique, the “replacement rate” - the number of times a volume of air equivalent to the volume of the cabin is removed each hour - can be four minutes in a aircraft. Compare this to 20 or 30 minutes in an indoor environment on the ground and it’s very brisk. The air filters themselves on aeroplanes are sophisticated and much more effective than filters found in indoor venues on the ground.
Most airlines say face coverings are mandatory, limit food and drink services and don’t allow queuing for the toilet. The airports themselves are being diligent ensuring social distancing is in place as well as temperature controls in some.
As from October 2020 if traveling from Europe or the UK:
- You must complete a health control form - which includes a HCF - a negative PCR test within 72hrs of your arrival to Spain.
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