Types of Holidays
Calahonda is located in Andalusia, Spain, between the popular towns of Marbella and Fuengirola in the Costa del Sol.
Given its location in a popular part of Spain, Calahonda is easy to reach from the UK and travel time is quite short.
Best Time to Go
Calahonda enjoys around 330 days of sunshine per year, making it a great holiday destination in any month. However, temperatures do vary quite a lot â" January and December range from 3°C to 12°C, and temperatures rise steadily, reaching 23°C in May before rocketing to 30°C in June and reaching about 34°C in July, with summer lows averaging about 17°C. At this point, temperatures again start to steadily decrease.
Rainfall is also variable and higher in the winter month, with January, February, May and November averaging eight days of rain and ten in March, April and December, while June to August get just one or two.
Sights to See
One of the main sites to see is Las Alpujarras, a historical region in Andalusia. The main attraction there is the mountains, and visitors can enjoy various activities like walking, hiring, biking and horseback riding to take in all the sights in a variety of ways.
The Nerja Caves are also a popular attraction, thanks to the history and natural rock formations to be found inside. The caves provide a great place to take in nature at its best and enjoy in the tranquil peace and serenity away the noise of the outside world.
While in Calahonda you can also go to Albaicin, a historic walking area and a World Heritage Site. Part of the appeal of the area is not just the stunning beauty, but the way it makes you feel as though you have stepped back in time
Activities
Calahonda has a number of activities to be enjoyed during your stay.
Drive five minutes in your car to Cabopino and you will be at a beautiful harbour, perfect for enjoying a relaxing drink and watching the boats.
You can also go to Fuengirola, which has multiple things on offer including a zoo, a great beach, a water park and the Myramar shopping mall.
There is also Benalmadena, which has a marina and sea-life centre as well as a theme park. Itâs also worth noting that Gibraltar is not too far away, so you could venture there for a good day out.
Golfers will love Calahonda, as itâs often referred to as the Costa del Golf, with a multitude of golf courses in the area.
For those who enjoy getting wet, there are many sea sports and activities going on in the area, including dolphin watching, windsurfing and water skiing.
Beaches
Calahonda Beach is relatively small, and benefits from being sandy and sheltered, offering a beach space that feels quite private. The beach is also still used by local fishermen, so you can watch them prepare their boats and the old fishermenâs cottages and storerooms are still there to see.
Calahonda does not have water sports but it does have showers, toilets, a restaurant and a lifeguard.
Calahonda Beach is probably the most photographed beach in all of Costa del Sol â" partly because of its own beauty, and partly because it is next to Nerjaâs Balcon de Europa.
Nightlife
Calahonda is predominately a quiet town and doesnât have the vibrant nightlife of other resorts and holiday destinations. Nonetheless, there are many bars, pubs and restaurants in which to spend your evenings.
Miel y Nata, for instance, has excellent views of the Mediterranean Sea, and Millennium is a late-night cocktail bar complete with entertainment, representing a very good choice for ways to pass the night hours.
Calahonda also has The Strip, which is full of English, Irish and cocktail bars to cater to all tastes. Sisters Bar, for instance, has karaoke and other forms of entertainment in a friendly and lively environment, while Rumores is more relaxed with good wine and cocktails. There are also numerous sports bars, such as Miliâs Sports Bar and Grill.
Accommodation
With rooms starting at £53, the Macdonald Leila Playa Club is one of the most affordable hotels in Calahonda. The hotel also offers a lot for the money, with activities including petanca, bingo, Spanish lessons, wine tasting and quiz night, as well as many walks being available. There is Aqua Aerobics and a cabin for childrenâs activities.
If you are willing to stay slightly outside of Calahonda for a more luxurious hotel, then Iti Playacalida Spa in Almunecar could be just the place, situated on an inlet overlooking the sea. Facilities include outdoor swimming pools with slides and a Jacuzzi, with excellent panoramic views. There is an indoor heated swimming pool and a games area with mini-golf, archery and rifle shooting, as well as a small casino and gym.
To really relax, you can make use of the sauna and relax room, and with the on-site restaurants offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, you could opt to never leave the hotel at all. The hotel also has a multitude of rooms, from a single for up to two people, a junior suite for up to four people. There is also a range of boarding, from bed and breakfast and half board to all inclusive, which ensures that everyone can be catered to.