Velez Malaga · Spain

Population - 55,000 in the Axarquia Region
Distance from Malaga airport: 19 Miles (31KM)

Far more appealing than the built-up coast is the rolling interior, known as the Axarquia which stretches back from the sea towards the hills that mark the border with Granada province. This white village-specked region is easily accessibler from Málaga., and is slowly being discovered by tourists in search of an alternative holiday. It's a good winter destination, when cooler temperatures are kinder to walkers, and the hotels, restaurants and bars that stay open are real travellers' rests, warmed by wood-burning fires and serving hearty, home cooking.

Despite attempts to preserve the area for rural tourism, development, mainly in the form of faux-white village urbanizaciones, is slowly creeping its way into the hills and there is reasl danger that more intensive exploitation of the Axarquia might be on the way.

The capital of Axarquia is the busy town of Velez-Malaga, just four kilometres (2.5 miles) inland from Torre del Mar.

Frequent buses head the 4KM inland from Torre del Mar to Velez-Malaga, a bustling market town and supply center for the region's farmers. The town climbs up a slope from the main street, Avenida Vivar Téllez Castillo, a good a place as any to start a tour of the sights. What's left of it clings to a rocky outcrop, which from its dominant position above the white-walled barrio of San Sebastián gives good views out over the coast.