When most people look into buying real estate on Costa del Sol, they’re primarily thinking of the sun-drenched beaches and chowing down on tapas while they enjoy the sand between their toes. But there are so many other attractions in the area. You can still enjoy the balmy weather and work on your tan in the local parks, hiking trails, amusement parks, and much more.

If you can tear yourself away from the beautiful beaches, there are plenty of places to hike up and down the Costa del Sol.

Lobo Park
Open daily from morning until evening, you can howl with the wolves at Lobo Park. There are multiple guided wolf tours (in Spanish and English) daily so that you and your family can experience the power of nature in its purest form. Lobo Park is a non-profit association that researches lupine behavior in the wild and the dynamics of the pack. The park is home to three different species and never interferes with the wolves’ natural behaviors.

Sierra de Mijas
If you fancy a hike with mesmerizing coastal views, there is no better place than this mountain range. Most of the hiking trails start in the village of Mijas Pueblo. However, the numerous trails vary in length, so you can choose anything from a one to seven-hour route, depending on your fitness level. Many of the trails are steep, so you may want to bring your knee brace or hiking poles if you’re worried.
The tallest peak is Pico de Mijas at 1050m. You’ve got 360 panoramic views of everything from Malaga to Gibraltar. Don’t worry if that sounds too daunting, though. Pico Puerto Malaga is half as tall and still has plenty of excellent views. Just try to schedule your hike for sometime in the winter since the summer heat could make these hikes much more challenging.

Rio Chillar
If you’re looking to spend some time in the great outdoors, but hiking up mountains sounds too rough, why not try a relaxing river walk? Strolling along the Rio Chillar takes you through canyons and past waterfalls, where you can shuck your clothes for a quick dip to cool off. The walk is a 16km round trip, so if you take a few breaks to swim, you can easily spend 7 hours basking in the sunshine.

Nerja Caves
One of the most awe-inspiring places to walk around is the Nerja Caves. They’re only a 10-minute drive from Nerja, and since it’s entirely underground, you can take a break from the scorching summer sunlight. The caves extend over 5km, so there are plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. One chamber is used as a concert hall because of the amazing acoustics.

The caves have towering stalagmites over 30m tall. Some of the chambers even have prehistoric paintings that have been carefully preserved. They don’t allow tourists in those chambers, but the onsite museum has reproductions, so you can enjoy them without worry. Beyond The Beaches in Costa del Sol.