If you carry a single image of Andalusia in your head, the odds are good that it looks like Casares. The white houses spill down a steep crag, crowned by the ruin of a Moorish castle and a church at the summit. From the viewpoint on the road it is one of the most photographed scenes in the region, and once you are in the village you understand why people go out of their way for it.
Casares lies in the west of the Costa del Sol, in the hills behind Estepona, with the sea always somewhere in view. It is a village that has held on to its character despite the busy coast nearby.
Wandering the village
The charm of Casares is in the walking. Streets too narrow for cars, staircases that disappear around a corner, and one new view after another over the white roofs and the valley. At the top stand the castle and the old church, alongside a cemetery whose setting often earns it a place among the most beautiful in Spain.
On the village square you drink coffee among the residents, and in the bars you eat simply and well. On clear days the view from the edge of the village runs all the way to the Mediterranean, and sometimes as far as the rock of Gibraltar and the coast of Africa.
Quiet with the coast close by
Casares itself is still, but the beach is nearer than you would think from up on the hill. Down on the shore lies Casares Costa, a calm stretch of coastline with a wide beach, apartments and a handful of restaurants. Estepona, with its restored centre and marina, is just under half an hour away. Marbella and Puerto Banús work well for an afternoon, and Gibraltar is about three quarters of an hour.
That lets you combine the character of a genuine mountain village with everything the coast offers, without long drives.
Nature and walking
Behind Casares begins the Sierra Crestellina, a protected area known for its vultures. Routes lead from the village into the hills, with views that improve at every bend. A little further on lies the Sierra Bermeja with its distinctly reddish rock and the rare pinsapo, a fir that grows only in this part of Spain.
It is a landscape quite unlike the rest of the Costa del Sol: rougher, greener and far emptier. In spring the slopes fill with wild flowers and the long views are at their sharpest. Bring proper shoes if you plan to walk beyond the viewpoint.
Sights and tips
The castle and the old centre are the main draws, together with the views you get almost everywhere in the village. Take your time walking up; the village is small but the climb is steep and the atmosphere deserves not to be rushed. Park at the entrance to the village, because you will get nowhere inside it by car.
The Roman baths near Manilva, close by, are well worth a look, as is a drive through the Sierra Bermeja towards Estepona. Come outside the height of summer if you can; in spring and autumn the temperatures suit both the streets and the walking paths, and the light on the white walls is at its best.
Casares sits on a hill and the loveliest places around it are scattered, so without a car you are limited here. We arrange one to be ready when you arrive, so you can head straight up the mountain road. The details are on our page about car hire.
Your holiday home in Casares
Pure white Andalusia with the coast within reach. If you want to rent a holiday home in Casares, Casares Costa or the hills around them, our range is below.
