Where is Calahonda?
Calahonda is located 33 kilometres west of Malaga Airport, between Fuengirola and Marbella, on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol.
What kind of place is Calahonda?
Previously just a suburb of the towns of Fuengirola and Marbella, Calahonda is now a town and a community in its own right. It used to be little more than a residential area but has now expanded to become a popular holiday resort. Most of the buildings are low-rise apartments, timeshare facilities and villas which stretch from the coast up into the rolling hills behind. The area offers lots of open green spaces, in keeping with the ideal that it should represent a combination of rural and coastal life. The area has become known as ‘Little Britannia’ due to the high number of British tourists and property owners who visit or reside there.
What is there to do and see in Calahonda?
As a relatively new development, Calahonda has been designed to offer a wide range of facilities, which mainly cater to the local British population. You will find everything from tapas bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes to supermarkets, banks and hairdressers. Because of the very strong British influence, the range of cuisine available is vast and of course includes both Indian and Chinese. If your preference is for traditional Spanish food, you will probably be better advised to take a trip into one of the inland villages.
Twice a week, a local market is held at the Calypso Centre and here you can expect to find a variety of local produce, as well as a range of imported goods.
Calahonda itself has a fine, golden sandy beach with lots of vegetation and pine trees, but a trip in either direction will take you to miles of sun-drenched coastline. In fact, for those who are looking for a relaxing holiday whose main components are sun, sea and sand, this is where Calahonda comes into its own. It offers some of the familiarity of home, but without the British weather!
What is there to do and see in the area generally?
One of the greatest attractions to Calahonda is the plethora of golf courses – there are at least ten within a 10 kilometre radius. La Cala Golf Resort, the Santa Maria Golf and Country Club and Cabopino Golf Marbella are just some of the courses which offer excellent facilities. In addition, there are a number of tennis courts, squash facilities and a fitness centre in Calahonda itself.
The nearby port of Cabopino is reputed to be the most secluded and picturesque port on the whole of the Costa del Sol and here you can relax in one of the popular restaurants before taking a leisurely stroll along the beach.
A short drive to Marbella or Fuengirola will provide excellent opportunities for exploring, not to mention shopping, and the local countryside also offers a number of riding stables from where you can join an organised trek and marvel at the stunning scenery from horseback.