Surroundings & activities
The villa is ideally located for short trips to the beach, culture and even snow fun in the winter months.
Andalusia
The beautiful mountain villages of Competa and Frigiliana - the most beautiful village in Andalusia - are a stone's throw from the villa.
Short trips to the beautiful seaside resorts of Nerja, La Herradura or the old city center of Malaga are also possible. The beautiful Granada is a 75 minute drive, Cordoba and Seville 2h15 minutes. The foothills of the Sierra Nevada are approximately 80 minutes' drive away, allowing for a day trip to the ski area in the winter months.
The villa is less than 15 minutes' drive from the beach. From Villa Emma, it is about 25 minutes to the beach.
Tejeda, Alhama and Almijara Nature Reserves
Compèta borders a huge natural park formed by the mountain ranges Tejeda, Alhama and Almijara. This impressive nature reserve passes through several trails with rich flora and fauna, including mountain goats and eagles.
The nature parks provide a stunning backdrop for numerous nature walks for novice and more experienced hikers. The GR 242 Tejeda-Almijara is a red and white marked hiking route that runs all the way through the Sierra de Tejeda-Almijara y Alhama and you can do it in four days. The route is in a line and officially starts in Periana in the mountains and ends in Nerja on the sea. The GR-242 used to be a standalone route, but is now part of the much longer GR-249.
In addition, there are also many other activities possible in the nature reserve such as 4×4 tours, canyoning, caving, or mountain biking (rental). Organizations such as the local Salamandra are happy to guide you in this. Salamandra guide you through this.
Competa
This picturesque town has houses generally painted white on cobbled streets and sloping. Many bars and restaurants offer a variety of dishes, including traditional Spanish dishes and tapas. Cultural attractions include the church of La Asunción from the 16th century, the beautiful facades and a walking tour with photos, poems and history. In Compèta you will find shops, supermarkets, several good restaurants and a number of typical Spanish cafes.
Frigiliana
The mountain village of Frigiliana, which is a 25-minute drive away, is not called the most beautiful village in Andalusia for nothing (it was even named the most beautiful village in Spain).
This charming white village is located in the Natural Park of Sierras Almijara, Tejeda and Alhama. In its sloping narrow streets, with their white-painted houses, you soon notice that you leave everything behind and become absorbed in the moment. Discover its sights and nature while immersing yourself in the simplicity and romance of one of the most special white villages in Andalusia. Frigiliana is one of the best preserved Moorish villages.
Nerja
The Spanish coastal town of Nerja is 18km (25 minutes) from the villa and was originally a fishermans town, and you can still feel it when you walk around.
Nerja has about 21,000 inhabitants and 16 kilometers of beaches. Nerja has many water sports possibilities and the advantage that the beaches are not as busy as, for example, the slightly further away Málaga. If you are looking for a picturesque beach, Playa El Salon is a must between the Spanish houses. Papagayo Beach is very characteristic between the cliffs and if you are looking for a large beach where there is more to experience, you can go to Playa de Calahonda or Playa Torecilla.
In addition, Nerja is known for the 'Caves of Nerja', which are definitely worth a visit.
At the center of the old town is 'El Balcón de Europa'. This is a viewpoint and promenade on top of the cliff with a beautiful sea view.
Malaga
Málaga is a vibrant city and the second largest city in Andalusia after Seville. Popular with holidaymakers as a city trip, a beach holiday, but also as a stop during a tour of Andalusia.
A combination of fascinating history, traditions and beautiful sights make this city popular. The friendly inhabitants create a nice and relaxed atmosphere. As a city on the Costa del Sol, with many beaches and a sunny climate, this is a versatile holiday destination.
The history of Málaga goes back more than 3000 years. Several influences can still be seen. Especially in the historic center you can see the most beautiful sights of Málaga. You can see work by the Romans at Teatro Romano (Roman theater). Both the Alcazaba (Moorish fortress) and the Gibralfaro castle were built by the Moors.
The Catholic Monarchs also left their mark on the city. Next to the Cathedral of Málaga you will find a number of old Catholic churches in Málaga centro.
With more than 25 museums in Malaga, there is an interesting exhibition for every taste. From the famous Picasso Museum to the surprisingly nice car museum. In addition to many art museums, there is also a wine museum and a sea museum (harbour).
Granada
Granada is one of the most special cities in Spain.
In addition to the world-famous Alhambra, you will find many more beautiful and unique sights here. The Moorish influences are still clearly visible here today and sometimes you really feel like you are in Morocco instead of Spain.
Granada is about 75 minutes drive from the villa. Granada is one of the top ten most popular city trip destinations in Spain. This is mainly due to the presence of the medieval fortress Alhambra, but of course also because of the old town where the characteristic Andalusian atmosphere hangs. Although the city has a total of almost half a million inhabitants, the city center is quite compact and intimate. If you are going to visit Granada, a visit to the Alhambra will undoubtedly be on your program. Keep in mind that you can't just stand in line at the cash register and then walk in. The Alhambra has a daily limit of 6600 visitors, which makes pre-booking your entrance to the Alhambra a must during the summer season (approximately May to October). Alhambra undoubtedly on your programme. Keep in mind that you can't just queue up at the ticket office and then walk inside. The Alhambra has a daily limit of 6,600 visitors, making advance booking of your entrance to the Alhambra a must during the summer season (say, May to October).
Cordoba
Cordoba is a beautiful city and also a nice place for a city trip, if you want something different from the big well-known cities. You have seen the Cordoba sights in one day, but there is plenty to do in the area to entertain you for several days.
If you go to Cordoba, a visit to the “Mezquita Cordoba” is definitely worth it.
This cathedral is truly stunning. The name literally means 'Mosque', referring to its past before it was used as a cathedral. It is only since the Reconquista that the Mezquita Cordoba is used as a cathedral. Over the years there have been various adjustments to the building, so that you can now easily recognize both Christian elements and Moorish influences. This makes it an unmissable tourist attraction during your holiday in Andalusia.
Seville
Seville is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities in Andalusia and even Spain. The sun almost always shines here and the food is delicious. In addition, there are many beautiful sights in Seville that you just have to see once. Seville is the most beautiful city we have seen in Spain.
The city has too many sights to list, but our favorite is the beautiful Plaza de España. The beautiful square is shaped like a semicircle, completely surrounded by buildings. Today, these buildings are largely used by the government, but in the past these buildings formed the pavilion of Spain during the world exhibition. At the bottom of the buildings you will find 52 beautiful tile mosaics depicting all the Spanish provinces. In the middle of the square you will find a fountain. Furthermore, the square is surrounded by a canal with four bridges over it. These four bridges symbolize the four ancient kingdoms of Spain.
You can sail on the canal, stroll around the great square and relax and people watch. If you go up the balconies of the buildings (this is free), you have a great view over the whole square. Plaza de España is one of the most beautiful squares in the world.