I spent more than 6 weeks wintering in the south of Spain, Andalusia.
In this blog you will find some super nice spots!
Park Nacional Donana
Park Nacional Donana is located in the west of Andalusia, I drive to the visitors center and take the road that runs straight through the park. I take a quick walk (without dog) through the Palace Gardens where you can spot many birds.
In Cuesta Maneli, Leo and I are walking together again. A wooden path through the dunes takes us to the viewing deck and the beach with white-yellow chalk cliffs. We are all alone and it is so beautiful here! A great walk! On to Huelva because we are not allowed to spend the night in the nature park.
La Rabida
There is a huge Columbus monument in La Rabida, Columbus started his first expedition to America more of less here. Monastery of Santa Maria de La Rabida, the small monastery next to the monument, is a museum and open to visitors.
Hike San Roque – Guadiaro
A wonderful hike along the Spanish coast. We will spend a few nights in Sotogrande, where there is a free camper place. I park on asphalt with a sea view! Due to the rain, the other places by the sea have turned into a mud puddle. Here you can choose from various walking routes that are clearly marked.
White village Casares
Casares is a white village located at an altitude of 1100 meters. When I arrive at the camper parking lot it is dry for a while and I see a glimpse of this wonderful area through the fog. The next day I take these photos of the village in clear weather, superb!
While walking the dog I meet English Mikael, he lives here and gives me lots of tips on what to do in the area, great! First I look at the white village and the colorful Christmas tree.
Many vultures fly on top of the hill near the castle, these animals are so fascinating. We have lunch next to the church with a view of the vultures, I can watch them for hours.
Smurf village Júzcar
Via Benarraba a beautiful mountain road to Júzcar. Apple Maps suddenly ‘says’ to turn left and a 5 km long dirt road to Júzcar follows, not recommended! The road is getting worse and steeper. Without any damage and with a little sweat on my back, we arrive in the blue Smurf village.
I feel like a kid again hahah.
Ronda town on the cliff
Another beautiful road, to Ronda, the nature here is magnificent. I met up with travel friends I met in Greece more than a year ago, how special!
Ronda is built on a cliff and that is very special to see. I take photos from the cliff and from the high bridge Puente Viejo. It is a pleasant city with many terraces and musicians. Do some shopping and buy a warm scarf, it’s a bit chilly here.
Leo and I also take a long walk and we’re happy! The Camino de Santiago Via Serrana runs through the city.
Fuengirola beach
The beach in Fuengirola and the full moon, fantastic!
Antequera & Torcal de Antequera
Antequera is located on the pilgrimage route; Camino Malaga-Santiago. From Antequera another 1174 km 😅
Of course we will walk part of the route! More than 30 churches and monasteries in this Camino town! The old town is beautiful with nice shops. We wander around without a plan and look at some churches.
Torcal de Antequera is on the agenda today. A nature reserve with mountains that look like stacked pancakes. In Antequera the weather is nice, little sun and 18 degrees. Once you reach the top of the nature reserve, the weather is completely different! 8 degrees, icy wind and the mountains are in the clouds. We also see wild ibexes!
Cinemas Studio Texas Hollywood
Tabernas Desert! We drive to Tabernas via a beautiful mountain route. A protected desert area of 280 square km. My first stop is at Texas Hollywood Fort Bravo, a film set where several western films were filmed. It’s great, Leo and I are walking through the dusty village and at any moment a western movie can start!
And that’s when the show begins, cowboys, money, horses and shooting. Phew, Leo is suddenly very scared of that gun sound, he’s completely shivering. I think it’s a great setting but we’re leaving immediately. Just a bit running and playing in the desert behind Texas Hollywood and Leo is happy again!
Do you like westerns? Please watch this video!
Tabernas Desert hike
Walking in Tabernas desert, I was looking forward to it. Via the Komoot app I find a walking route that starts at Mini Hollywood. An amazing hike through one of the few stretches of desert in Europe! We walk in the dry riverbed and I feel completely happy. Walking together with Leo, this landscape, the silence.
Nature Park Cabo de Gata
We drive further to Gabo de Gata park. Via a bumpy road we arrive at the beach Playa de los Genoveses. I park here and we walk to Monsul Beach, splendid! We spend the night in San José, a very relaxed coastal village.
There is also a Camino through San José haha, where not in Spain?! We will of course walk part of the Camino and also view the village, the harbor and the coast.
Then I find a perfect camper spot with a sea view and next to this hiking trail along the sea. Wow, this makes us happy! This is exactly why we travel, to enjoy it to the fullest!
We are going to spend the rest of the winter in Murcia & Valencia, will you travel with us?
