Area information

• The local area
• The local towns
• Málaga
• Further afield in Andalucía
• A favourite day trip
• Location map

The Market Garden of Andalucía

Lauro Golf is set in the Guadalhorce Valley between the towns of Alhaurín de la Torre and Alhaurín el Grande. The valley is an agricultural area and is full of olive, almond and citrus groves interspersed with market gardens growing all sorts of wonderful produce. Oranges, lemons, pomegranates, figs, melons, strawberries, artichokes, tomatoes, avocados, pumpkins… the list goes on.

Many places sell their produce directly to the public and you can just pitch up at many of the small-holdings and take your choice from the current season’s crop. Travelling around it’s not at all unusual to see goatherds moving their goats from one area to another, grazing as they go.

Untouched by mass development and handy for the coast

Separated from the coast by the Sierra de Mijas, "The Alhauríns" have managed to hold off the onslaught of tourism that the coastal towns have suffered, whilst still being handy enough if you fancy a day at the beach or a night on the town.

The valley attracts walkers and cyclists who love to take in the beautiful scenery. And if that sounds too energetic for you, horse riding is popular in the valley and there are several equestrian centres on your doorstep.

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Alhaurín el Grande

Alhaurín el Grande is a lively inland town just 35 minutes from Málaga Airport, the city of Málaga being a further 10 minutes onwards. In the heart of olive country, Alhaurín is an agricultural town known for its citrus groves as well as almonds and olives. The scenery around Alhaurín is quite spectacular with the Sierra de Mijas forming a dramatic backdrop to the town.

There’s a full range of shops and amenities in the town, plenty of restaurants and bars, a brand new swimming pool and a sports centre. The town is typically Spanish and throughout the year, there are parades, street parties, processions, etc. which draw all the locals to take part. Market day is Thursday in el Grande.

Alhaurín de la Torre

Alhaurín de la Torre is a bigger town than el Grande and has similar facilities including shops, banks, restaurants, a market (Wednesday), sports centre, swimming pool…

It’s fair to say that de la Torre is the more elegant of the two towns with wonderful park areas and street planting. It’s on the Málaga side of Lauro so you would pass through de la Torre on your way to/from Málaga or the airport. You can get to the coast within 15 minutes.

Like el Grande, de la Torre has regular street parties, parades and processions when all the locals get together to eat, drink and be merry.

Both towns have a lively night life, which goes on to the early hours of the morning.

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Málaga

Málaga is the major city in Málaga Province and has excellent rail and road connections to other parts of Andalucia and Spain. Málaga airport is undergoing major upgrading with a new terminal and runway being added.

The large port at Málaga is capable of accepting major cruise liners as well as large cargo vessels. An underground railway system is currently being built and will connect the major towns along the Costa del Sol.

The elegant old city of Málaga

The city itself is full of old and elegant buildings with the old town being particularly interesting. It’s a maze of small streets and alleys dotted with tapas bars, street entertainers, historical buildings and interesting shops as well as the now famous Picasso Museum.

Málaga offers excellent shopping, restaurants, entertainment and night life. There are several first class sports centres and arenas and of course, the ever popular beach area where locals and tourists worship the sun god.

Further afield in Málaga Province

If you’re sightseeing by car, it is well worth taking a drive to the provinces very own "Lake District", not far from the ancient town of Antiquera (also well worth a visit). And if you plan to make a day of it, you’re not far from the lake at Fuente de la Piedra which is home to migrating and breeding flamingos every spring.

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Historic cities and picturesque white villages

The province is dotted with lovely little white villages and further afield in Andalucia are the famous cities of Seville, Granada, Cordoba, Jerez and Cádiz.

Granada and Cordoba are very Moorish and just crammed with history. Seville is a very elegant city with a beautiful old town and houses one of the official residencies of the royal family.

Jerez is famous for its sherry bodegas and the equestrian school where they train the famous Andalucían horses. Cádiz is famous for the battle of Trafalgar and you'll hear a different side of history here. It’s also famous for the wind which comes off the Atlantic... so best not to go in the winter!

Flamenco features strongly in Andalucía and all of these cities have dance shows which can be fascinating. You may find the flamenco shows which feature just singing are an acquired taste...

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A family favourite

One of our favourite day trips with visitors is to drive the newly constructed (and very wide) mountain road through the Sierra de las Nieves from Coín to the ancient town of Ronda. Spend a few hours wandering round the old town and walking along the gorge before eating a typical lunch of tapas and wine.

Take a look at the Mondgragon Palace in the old town. It’s a beautiful Moorish residence with tranquil gardens and water features - shades of Alhambra.

Then take a slow drive back through the cork forests and the Sierra Bermeja (take your time - the scenery is stunning) until you hit the coast . When you arrive at Marbella, stop for some sustenance and wander round the old town or the along promenade before heading back up through the mountains past the little villages of Ojén and Monda, to home and bed!

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Location Map

The graphic below shows the position of the house on the development. Use the map further down the page to zoom around and check out the whole area - if you'd like to.

Zoom in and out on the map with the plus and minus controls on the top left of the map. Or pan up, down, left and right with the arrow symbols.

You may prefer to view a larger version of the map (it will open in a new window.)