Between Torre del Mar and Rincón de la Victoria lies a stretch of coast that most visitors drive straight past, and that is exactly what makes it so pleasant. Almayate and Valle Niza are small settlements with long beaches, plenty of space and no high rise. What you get here is the unhurried rhythm of rural Andalusia, with the sea on one side and the orchards on the other.
This is an area for people who do not fill their holiday with plans. No promenade lined with shops, no queue at the restaurant, but the sound of the sea, room to walk, and a night sky you will not get on the busier parts of the coast.
Space and quiet
The beaches are broad and long, with the grey sand and pebbles found everywhere in this part of the Axarquía, and with enough length that you will find a spot to yourself even in summer. There are chiringuitos where you eat fresh fish with your feet more or less in the sand, and where the staff recognise you after two days.
Behind the shore stretch the subtropical orchards the Axarquía is known for. Avocados, mangoes, custard apples and citrus all grow here thanks to the mild climate, and during the harvest you see the crates stacked along the roadside. A walk or a bike ride through that landscape shows a very different side of southern Spain than the coast road does.
Central to the area
For all the quiet, you are far from isolated here. Torre del Mar with its promenade, supermarkets and restaurants is a few minutes' drive. Vélez-Málaga, the heart of the area, is about the same. The white mountain villages of the Axarquía are within half an hour, and Málaga with its airport and museums is around half an hour away.
That makes Almayate and Valle Niza a comfortable base: out into the area during the day, back in the evening to a house where it is quiet.
Who it suits
This piece of coast works well for families with young children, for couples who want to unwind, and for anyone who would rather finish a book than work through an itinerary. If you are after nightlife, shopping and buzzing evenings, Torre del Mar or somewhere further west will serve you better. If you are after space, you are in the right place.
Sights and tips
The big draw is the quiet, so set your expectations accordingly. Take a long beach walk towards Benajarafe or Torre del Mar, hire a bike and explore the orchards behind the coast, or give yourself an afternoon at a chiringuito. The old watchtowers along the shore are nearby, left over from the days when this coast kept an eye out for pirates, and they make a good target for a short walk.
For shops, terraces and the weekly market you simply get in the car and head for Torre del Mar. The area is pleasant all year, and May, June, September and October are when the calm here comes into its own: warm enough for the beach, and with the feeling that the coast belongs to you.
Because the settlements are small and public transport is limited, a car here is more a necessity than a luxury, if only for the shopping. We make sure one is waiting when you arrive, even on a late landing. More about that on our page about car hire.
Your holiday home in Almayate and Valle Niza
Beach and quiet without the crowds, with the whole area within easy reach. If you want to rent a holiday home in Almayate, Valle Niza or the coastline around them, our range is below.
