The beautiful town that has been named one of Spain’s ‘most beautiful’ | Europe | Travel

A quaint village home to around 8,000 people has been given an impressive accolade. Casares, southwest of Malaga, on the border with the province of Cadiz, is about a 40-minute drive from Marbella.

This year, it made it onto th4e National Geographic’s 100 most beautiful pueblos in Spain, coming in at number 94. The ranking is updated every year, with thousands of picturesque towns vying to be named among Spain’s best. 

Casares is a postcard-perfect Anadalucian white village, a short drive inland from Estepona on the Costa del Sol. By the look of it, you would think that tourists would flock to Casares, yet somehow it has slipped under the radar.

Most day-trippers instead heading to nearby Rona and Setenil de las Bodegas. Yet this benefits Casares – leaving it authentic, quaint and all the better for those that do choose to visit. 

National Geographic said: “It is difficult to imagine Casares without its viewpoints, from where you can get a panoramic view tinged with an enchanting whitewash, with the layout of its houses resembling stacked sugar cubes.”

Though small, there are plenty of streets to explore, cafes to eat in and viewpoints that make wonderful photography spots. 

National Geographic praised its “narrow and winding centuries-old slopes” and impressive Casares Castle, first built by the Arabs in the 1200s and used to defend against the then-ruling Nasrid kingdom. Today, all the winding narrow streets lead upwards from the plaza to the castillo. 

Within the walls of the castle, one can also find Casares Cemetery. Following the aesthetic of the town, the cemetery too is whitewashed, with its niches arranged in a circular shape above ground, giving it a truly striking appearance. 

It is also recommended to visit the Iglesia de la Encarnacion, a medieval church that dates back to the 16th-century and boasts a Mudejar bell tower. 

As common in most Spanish towns, Plaza de Espana is Casares main square. In the middle is Fuente de Carlos III, an 18th-century fountain which provides fresh drinking water even today. Around the square are plenty of cafes as well as the pretty 17th-century church of San Sebastian.

Between the main plaza and the castle is Arco Medieval Arrabal, one of the medieval gateways into the old town. Its grand archway is one of the clearest examples of Moorish architecture. 

Another big attraction is the Banos de la Hedionda, a Roman spa located in the valley of the Manilva river, which is famous for its sulphurous waters which are believed to have healing properties. 

The Anadlusian mountains surrounding Casares were designated as a nature reserve in 1989. Today, the Sierra Crestellina Natural Reserve is home to a host of birdlife, including a colony of griffon vultures, who nest on the ledges above Casares and spend their days soaring in the thermals above.

The nearest airport is Malaga, with plenty of direct flights from all major UK airports. From here, one can easily pick up a rental car to start your tour of the best of Spain’s pueblo blancos. 

On Tripadvisor, one visitor said: “Little gem hidden in the mountains… so cool to walk through the town, read all about it’s history and immerse yourself in the local tradition.”