Casares, Benahavis, Ojén, Coín, Mijas, Alozaina, Tolox and Ronda are some of the white towns, whose history points back to the magnificent civilization that lasted for eight centuries in Spain: The Moors.

Casares

This picturesque mountain village, set amid the Sierra Bermeja range at an altitude of 435 metres, was once a Roman enclave, later to become a moorish stronghold.

On the road to Manilva one finds the Roman sulphur baths of La Hedionda, where Julius Caesar is said to have been cured of his liver problems.

Is a typical andalucian, mediterranean pueblo whose streets bear testament to its moorish past. The settlement was originally sited around the fortifications that were built to defend the castillo de Montemayor, since from its walls one can look out over more than 100 kilometres of spanish coastline, and you can also clearly make out the coastline of Africa.

The fauna of Benahavis, which has been declared a Monumento de Interés Natural, is typical of mediterranean mountainsides.

One of Benahavis greatest achievements is to have developed and preserved its own, tipycally mountain-style cusine.

This village, founded by the moors and conquered by the Catholic Kings in 1485, still keeps its andalucian charm.

Its whitewashed houses are adorned with flowers, and in 1977 Alozaina was declared the prettiest village in Spain.

Mijas is called the essence of Andalucía because of its location, in the Sierra de Mijas, its proximity to the sea and its latticed windows, full of flowers.

Mijas has a picturesque burro-taxi service which gives a delightful ride through the town.

Its orchards of orange and lemon trees have given Coín the name of Valley of the Orange Blossom.

There are typical Moorish neighbourhoods such as Santa Maria, the San Andrés square and Los Albaicines. Near the town stands the Virgen de la Fuensanta Sanctuary.

Ojén is a natural starting-pint for excursions into the Sierra Blanca. It is famous for its views, its aguardiente liquor flavoured with fennel and for the abundance of wild game in the area (there is a national hunting reserve).

Within the municipality is the famous Parador de Juanar, a lookout point from which one can look over Marbella, the Straits of Gibraltar and the coastline of Africa.

Tolox is situated in the foothills of the Serrania de Ronda mountains range, amid beautiful forests containing Spanish fir trees, a species of conifer similar to the abeto fir and which is almost extinct. There is also a large game reserve containing the Spanish goat (capra hispánica), roe deer and many smaller animals.

The village itself is typically Moorish, although its first settlement dates from roman times.

Outside the village is the spa called the Fuente Amargosa (bitter spring) whose waters are said to be excellent in treating bronchial ailments.

Ronda has housed the people who have shaped Spanish history for centuries. Celts, Phoenicians, Romans and Moors have all left traces, making Ronda an obligatory stop for those wishing to learn more about the culture and roots of the Spanish people.

Don´t miss the bullring, which is the oldest in Spain, also of interest are the ancient districts of San Francisco, La Ciudad and El Mercadillo (little market). What every visitor remembers, however, is the 100-metre deep, half-kilometre long Tajo ravine with the Guadalevin riverfar, far below.

Ronda is also well known for its pottery and ceramics, esparto grass handicrafts, carpentry and iron works.

Another attraction of Ronda is the countryside : the surrounding mountains, which contain a marvellous variety of plant and animal life.