Angelika’s guidebook
The many faces of Alcaidesa
Alcaidesa is located in a wide valley set between forests, mountains and the sea. The area is primarily national park, ideal for walking, cycling, jogging, golfing, sunning, beach walking and swimming. Located in this beautiful countryside are two 18 hole golf courses. The beaches here are long and wide and have been blue flagged for many years by the EU.
There is a small, charming village just to the back of the main beach section with several bars and restaurants set in a plaza, a small grocery shop and, perhaps importantly, an excellent pharmacy presided over by a charming and very competent pharmacist, Marta.
Alcaidesa
AlcaidesaAlcaidesa is located in a wide valley set between forests, mountains and the sea. The area is primarily national park, ideal for walking, cycling, jogging, golfing, sunning, beach walking and swimming. Located in this beautiful countryside are two 18 hole golf courses. The beaches here are long and wide and have been blue flagged for many years by the EU.
There is a small, charming village just to the back of the main beach section with several bars and restaurants set in a plaza, a small grocery shop and, perhaps importantly, an excellent pharmacy presided over by a charming and very competent pharmacist, Marta.
Towns and places to experience on your trip! - from round the corner to across the water!
From San Roque to Cadiz, Tarifa to Tangier ..... this region has it all, from ancient walled towns to snappy, hip tapas bars and bodegas. Take a trip, you will not be disappointed! (More information than offered here can be obtained from your host.)
The pretty town of San Roque is a 5 minute drive from Alcaidesa. It is a typical Andalusian town, ancient and white washed, set on a steep hillside overlooking the plain. A walk to the plaza at the very top of the town is a good workout, and is also the location of a fine tapas bar.
6 residents recomanen
San Roque
The pretty town of San Roque is a 5 minute drive from Alcaidesa. It is a typical Andalusian town, ancient and white washed, set on a steep hillside overlooking the plain. A walk to the plaza at the very top of the town is a good workout, and is also the location of a fine tapas bar.
Sotogrande is less than a 10 minute drive from Alcaidesa. It has a very pretty marina where some lovely bars, restaurants and cute shops are located. The marina is also the location of day sail and diving opportunities.
The more commercial section of Sotogrande has several very well stocked grocery stores.
50 residents recomanen
Sotogrande
Sotogrande is less than a 10 minute drive from Alcaidesa. It has a very pretty marina where some lovely bars, restaurants and cute shops are located. The marina is also the location of day sail and diving opportunities.
The more commercial section of Sotogrande has several very well stocked grocery stores.
Guadiaro, at around 5 mins drive from the condo, is, in many ways, the local small town. There are several good grocery stores in Guadiaro as well as banks and other useful services.
Guadiaro
Guadiaro, at around 5 mins drive from the condo, is, in many ways, the local small town. There are several good grocery stores in Guadiaro as well as banks and other useful services.
Marbella lies an easy 40 min. drive from Alcaidesa. It is a town in which to see and be seen, with a very vibrant beach scene, high end boutique shopping, a wonderful seaside promenade and sizzling nightlife. A town of memorable sights, sounds, shows and sublime decadence, especially during the warmer summer months.
545 residents recomanen
Marbella
Marbella lies an easy 40 min. drive from Alcaidesa. It is a town in which to see and be seen, with a very vibrant beach scene, high end boutique shopping, a wonderful seaside promenade and sizzling nightlife. A town of memorable sights, sounds, shows and sublime decadence, especially during the warmer summer months.
Gibraltar lies a 10 min. drive from Alcaidesa and is a British Overseas Territory. The landscape is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar and it is a place with an alluring fusion of British life from bygone eras and local cultures. Due to the Rock's long military history with Britain it has many places deep underground of striking military significance, places such as St. Michael's Cave. The Mosque at Europa Point points to the multicultural nature of the population, while the viewing platform at the top of the Rock, complete with monkeys with quite distinct personalities, all bear visiting.
Leave some time to dally in a quintessential British pub, and don't forget to bring your pound sterling currency with you!
37 residents recomanen
Gibraltar
Gibraltar lies a 10 min. drive from Alcaidesa and is a British Overseas Territory. The landscape is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar and it is a place with an alluring fusion of British life from bygone eras and local cultures. Due to the Rock's long military history with Britain it has many places deep underground of striking military significance, places such as St. Michael's Cave. The Mosque at Europa Point points to the multicultural nature of the population, while the viewing platform at the top of the Rock, complete with monkeys with quite distinct personalities, all bear visiting.
Leave some time to dally in a quintessential British pub, and don't forget to bring your pound sterling currency with you!
Tarifa lies barely 45mins drive from Alcaidesa. It is a very ancient, walled town, mostly pedestrianised, and lies to the rear of a stunning, Atlantic beach, Los Lancos. Tarifa is where the Med meets the Atlantic, and is just 14 kms across the Straits from Morocco, to which ferries sail daily to the port of Tangier.
Tarifa has a bustling vibe, some unique historical heritage, unusual boutique shopping and a great street coffee bar scene. Several outstanding tapas bars of note too!
414 residents recomanen
Tarifa
Tarifa lies barely 45mins drive from Alcaidesa. It is a very ancient, walled town, mostly pedestrianised, and lies to the rear of a stunning, Atlantic beach, Los Lancos. Tarifa is where the Med meets the Atlantic, and is just 14 kms across the Straits from Morocco, to which ferries sail daily to the port of Tangier.
Tarifa has a bustling vibe, some unique historical heritage, unusual boutique shopping and a great street coffee bar scene. Several outstanding tapas bars of note too!
Jerez lies one hour by car from Alcaidesa and is a very worthwhile day trip destination. Surrounded by vineyards, Jerez is noted as the city of flamenco, sherry and horses. The city is home to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and numerous sherry 'bodegas'. The School runs a very worthwhile show daily, (booking is online), while the 'bodegas' exist all over town, my personal favourite being ' Bodega Tradicion', which not only runs an informative sherry tour and tasting, but is also home to quite a noteworthy art gallery. It is not every day that you can gaze upon tiles hand painted by Picasso when he was 8 years old while sampling a prime local sherry!
137 residents recomanen
Jerez de la Frontera
Jerez lies one hour by car from Alcaidesa and is a very worthwhile day trip destination. Surrounded by vineyards, Jerez is noted as the city of flamenco, sherry and horses. The city is home to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and numerous sherry 'bodegas'. The School runs a very worthwhile show daily, (booking is online), while the 'bodegas' exist all over town, my personal favourite being ' Bodega Tradicion', which not only runs an informative sherry tour and tasting, but is also home to quite a noteworthy art gallery. It is not every day that you can gaze upon tiles hand painted by Picasso when he was 8 years old while sampling a prime local sherry!
Although Tangier is in Morocco, it is a very doable day trip from Alcaidesa. Ferries leave from Tarifa and the crossing takes 40 mins. The connection is seamless and you can find yourself, mid morning, standing in a very distinctly Moroccan square, taking in the sights and sounds of a completely different culture. From the museums of the Kasbah, to exotic shopping in the Medina, to a very Moroccan tagine lunch, this trip can become a memorable day out. Further details to ensure the success of such a trip are available from your host, who has contacts there to ensure you have a successful trip.
87 residents recomanen
Tangier
Although Tangier is in Morocco, it is a very doable day trip from Alcaidesa. Ferries leave from Tarifa and the crossing takes 40 mins. The connection is seamless and you can find yourself, mid morning, standing in a very distinctly Moroccan square, taking in the sights and sounds of a completely different culture. From the museums of the Kasbah, to exotic shopping in the Medina, to a very Moroccan tagine lunch, this trip can become a memorable day out. Further details to ensure the success of such a trip are available from your host, who has contacts there to ensure you have a successful trip.
Ronda, in the the Province of Malaga, is a stunning 1 1/2 hours drive from Alcaidesa, right up into the hills and mountains. It is an ancient city of romantic artists and of fascinating bandits and bullfighters.
If locals are to be believed, it rains upwards in Ronda and birds fly beneath your feet as you lean over the precipitous Tajo gorge right in the centre of town.
There are some memorable traces of Arab civilisation here such as the Baths, the City Gates and the Medina.
When it is time to take a break from touring and sightseeing, there are several tapas bars clustered around the Puente Nuevo bridge which come highly recommended.
1006 residents recomanen
Ronda
Ronda, in the the Province of Malaga, is a stunning 1 1/2 hours drive from Alcaidesa, right up into the hills and mountains. It is an ancient city of romantic artists and of fascinating bandits and bullfighters.
If locals are to be believed, it rains upwards in Ronda and birds fly beneath your feet as you lean over the precipitous Tajo gorge right in the centre of town.
There are some memorable traces of Arab civilisation here such as the Baths, the City Gates and the Medina.
When it is time to take a break from touring and sightseeing, there are several tapas bars clustered around the Puente Nuevo bridge which come highly recommended.
Cadiz lies just over an hour's drive away from Alcaidesa. It is a very ancient city founded by the Phoenicians and is home port to the Spanish Navy.
A stroll through the 'Casco Antico', or old town, with its wide plazas, elegant houses and narrow streets, is a pleasure indeed. When you want to sit and sip, sidewalk cafes abound, inviting guests new to the city to study the form of passers by, always an interesting pastime!
There are several beaches in the city itself, and a luxurious leafy boardwalk along the seafront joins them all.
History buffs might want to note that Christopher Columbus sailed from here on his 2nd and 4th voyage to the New World.
Foodies will be happy in this town; the restaurants and tapas bars are of good repute, with some of the best seafood served anywhere along this coast.
237 residents recomanen
Cádiz
S/N Pl. de SevillaCadiz lies just over an hour's drive away from Alcaidesa. It is a very ancient city founded by the Phoenicians and is home port to the Spanish Navy.
A stroll through the 'Casco Antico', or old town, with its wide plazas, elegant houses and narrow streets, is a pleasure indeed. When you want to sit and sip, sidewalk cafes abound, inviting guests new to the city to study the form of passers by, always an interesting pastime!
There are several beaches in the city itself, and a luxurious leafy boardwalk along the seafront joins them all.
History buffs might want to note that Christopher Columbus sailed from here on his 2nd and 4th voyage to the New World.
Foodies will be happy in this town; the restaurants and tapas bars are of good repute, with some of the best seafood served anywhere along this coast.
Food scene
An excellent chiringuito, or beach bar. Good seafood, good drinks, happy atmosphere. Right on the beach at Alcaidesa. Open year round.
22 residents recomanen
D Blanco
0 S/N P.º Maritimo de la AlacaidesaAn excellent chiringuito, or beach bar. Good seafood, good drinks, happy atmosphere. Right on the beach at Alcaidesa. Open year round.
Excellent restaurant, good service, well priced. A 5 min drive from the condo. Open year round, though only on select days (mostly weekends) in winter.
18 residents recomanen
La Finca Thai Fusion
Km 127 N-340Excellent restaurant, good service, well priced. A 5 min drive from the condo. Open year round, though only on select days (mostly weekends) in winter.
An excellent Italian restaurant, at 10 mins. from Alcaidesa it is right in the neighbourhood.
Ristorante Bucintoro
An excellent Italian restaurant, at 10 mins. from Alcaidesa it is right in the neighbourhood.
One of the very best tapas bars in Tarifa.
45 mins. drive from Alcaidesa, I recommend Tarifa as a day trip and El Lola as the place to sample tapas in the old town.
71 residents recomanen
El Lola - Bar de Tapas y Flamenco
5 C. Guzmán el BuenoOne of the very best tapas bars in Tarifa.
45 mins. drive from Alcaidesa, I recommend Tarifa as a day trip and El Lola as the place to sample tapas in the old town.
This tapas bar and restaurant comes highly recommended. It is a 5 min. drive from the condo. Well priced, well suited to families.
Restaurante la Terraza de Teo
48 C. CarreteraThis tapas bar and restaurant comes highly recommended. It is a 5 min. drive from the condo. Well priced, well suited to families.
This is a lively bar and restaurant right in the marina at Sotogrande, serving good tapas and drinks from their large terrace. It is a local favourite, suitable for all types of groups, including families.
7 residents recomanen
Hairy Lemon
This is a lively bar and restaurant right in the marina at Sotogrande, serving good tapas and drinks from their large terrace. It is a local favourite, suitable for all types of groups, including families.
Located in the port of Sotogrande, right alongside the berthed yachts in the marina, this restaurant boasts a large outdoor terrace and serves fresh, vibrant food, from breakfast onwards ...
9 residents recomanen
Foodisiac Sotogrande
Avenida de la MarinaLocated in the port of Sotogrande, right alongside the berthed yachts in the marina, this restaurant boasts a large outdoor terrace and serves fresh, vibrant food, from breakfast onwards ...
A favourite day trip to enjoy brunch, cocktails, pampering.
This is a special place in which to spend a day of pampered luxury. It is located within a few miles of Alcaidesa.
79 residents recomanen
La Reserva Club Sotogrande
s/n Av/ La ReservaThis is a special place in which to spend a day of pampered luxury. It is located within a few miles of Alcaidesa.
Sightseeing, lunch, sport
These are the only polo grounds in the area and definitely worth a visit to watch polo being played - or even to take a lesson in polo playing !
26 residents recomanen
Santa María Polo Club Sotogrande
Autovía del MediterráneoThese are the only polo grounds in the area and definitely worth a visit to watch polo being played - or even to take a lesson in polo playing !
Sport
This is a superb riding stables with tours through areas of great natural beauty. English is spoken and summer horse riding camps are offered.
Club De Equitación Natural
37 Diseminado Poligono 12This is a superb riding stables with tours through areas of great natural beauty. English is spoken and summer horse riding camps are offered.