Living every day in a picturesque town with the ruins of an ancient castle and a backdrop of the vast ocean under the Mediterranean sun sounds like a fantasy, right? If you move to Casares, that could be your life! With easy-going residents, luxurious houses, and deliciously fresh food, it’s hard to imagine a better life than soaking up the sun on the aptly named Costa del Sol.

Prime Location
Named after the Roman Caesar, Casares switched from Roman hands to Moorish ones during its history. The Moors built the spectacular castle at the top of the hill. It still stands today, although in ruins after the Christians invaded and eventually conquered the area.

Even if you’ve never lived in a small town before, you won’t be sacrificing anything with Casares since it’s only a few hours drive from Malaga, the main city of the Andalusian region. Your drive will be just as scenic as the town, and it’s easy to maintain that laid-back atmosphere while you go. You can also take the buses between Casares and Estepona, then from Estepona to Malaga. The whole trip should only take about two hours each way. Just be sure to keep track of the bus schedule, so you don’t end up accidentally stranded somewhere!

On the other hand, Casares hasn’t yet made the tourist list, so you won’t have to worry about overcrowding during the summer and autumn when everyone flocks in.

Casares
The Plaza de Espana is the main square in Casares and the best place to spend long sunny days. There are adorable cafes where you can pull up a chair and share a drink with your neighbors. Many people love eating at Antiguo Bar Nuevo or just going there for a cold Cerveza on a hot summer day. Wandering around the narrow streets, you’ll see plenty of colorful flower pots standing out brightly against the white facades as you wander.

There’s an autumn festival that takes place during the first weekend of August, Feria de Casares, and the celebration for the patron saint of Casares, Virgen del Rosario, happens the first week of September. Fall is an amazing time in southern Spain.

If you want to stretch your legs, there are plenty of places up by the ruins of the castle and old churches that you can hike up to. We highly recommend taking your camera because on a clear day you can see all the way to the Rock of Gibraltar over on the African coast!

Avian Magnificence
If you want to truly admire what nature has to offer, you should keep an eye out for the beautiful birds that fly over Casares. Hiking up to the castle doesn’t just give you a great view of the water and countryside; it’s also a good place to whip out your binoculars and keep your eyes glued to the sky. If you’re lucky, you’ll see peregrine falcons, Griffon vultures, and kestrels. Off The Tourist Trail in Costa del Sol.