Velez-Malaga

Steeped in Spanish history and culture, Velez-Malaga is a traditional city away from, but close enough to, the vibrant, cosmopolitan Costa del Sol and Malaga city.

Velez-Malaga, known locally as Velez, is an ancient market city. With Phoenician, Roman and Carthaginian heritage sites intact and both baroque and Mudejar architecture dominating the city centre, there’s a whole scope of Spanish history to see in one place.

Despite being so close to the popular Costa del Sol resorts of Torre del Mar and Caleta de Velez, it has avoided the trappings of tourism. It remains an Spanish authentic city built on the agricultural processing, of crops grown nearby including sugarcane, olives and muscatel grapes, used to make the famous Malaga wines.

A medieval wall once encircled the old town, protected by the Moorish Fortress of Velez-Malaga; parts of both still stand. The Chapel of Our Lady of the Remedies is a typical 17th-century whitewashed church. Biennial Palace and Casa de Cervantes – where the writer Miguel de Cervantes is rumoured to have stayed – are examples of wealthy manor homes. The CAC Vélez-Málaga Centre for Contemporary Art is run from a beautifully restored religious school.

There is a thriving flamenco scene with monthly events run by Peña Flamenca Niño de Vélez. Among the many fiestas, the Royal San Miguel festival stands out for its range of activities, concerts and food. The beaches at Caleta de Velez and Torre del Mar cater for a lively, international crowd and offer great cafes and restaurants, a promenade, a marina and water sports facilities.  Golfers can pay to play at Baviera Golf course.