Estepona
Driving time: 45 minutes
A picturesque, fairly quiet resort town with white-washed buildings and a palm-fringed promenade. The town’s chief beach, Playa Rada, is lined with tempting seafood restaurants, while the Orchidarium is a space-age botanical garden with sculpted white walls, a towering glass dome and waterfall features. Estepona’s old town is one of the prettiest in the region - its cobbled lanes are lined with tapas bars and charming houses decorated with colourful plants.
Marbella
Driving time: One hour 10 minutes
History and glamour collide in Marbella, one of the Costa del Sol’s most sought after destinations. As well as being a hotspot for the elite thanks to its affectionately nicknamed ‘Golden Mile’ of five-star hotels, restaurants and clubs, it’s also perfect for a cultural day out. Marbella’s history stretches back centuries and you’ll find evidence of it in its stunning Old Town, which has Moorish ruins and a plaza filled with fragrant orange trees.
Seville
Driving time: Two hours 30 minutes
If you really want to make a day of it - or plan an overnight trip - you can reach Seville in a few hours. You’ll find the impressive gothic Seville Cathedral and its adjoining Giralda Tower at the centre of the city’s Old Town, as well as the gorgeous Alcazar Palace complex, with its Moorish decor. If you do stay overnight, make the most of the nightlife, characterised by atmospheric tapas restaurants and flamenco bars.