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Almáchar Spain My Joyful Discoveries in a White Village of Andalusia

Elena Sullivan — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:09:57 +0000

There is something quiet and authentically harmonious about this village, just as there is in many other white villages of Andalusia. Slowly passing all the steep turns of the winding road to Almáchar, you arrive in an oasis of peaceful hills, where getting to the central square means climbing up the sloping streets (which is quite a workout, so be ready!). From the very first minutes, this physically demanding walk makes you think about everyday life in the village, where these steep climbs and descents are simply part of the routine. What looks romantic and peaceful to a traveller can actually be an exhausting part of everyday life for the people who live here. As a traveller, photographer and seeker of stories, I found this difference attractive and curious.

It was a hot August day when we visited, and there were very few people on the streets. As we slowly made way uphill, stopping now and then to catch our breath and look around, I started imagining what it must be like to make these same climbs and descents every day. I realised a long time ago that differences in lifestyle easily awaken my curiosity and often stay with me long after the trip. There is a kind of remote happiness here, a peacefulness that you somehow have to earn by climbing into the hills.

At some point, while taking a break during my walk through the streets of Almáchar and looking around, it almost feels like time has stopped. Then you turn another corner and suddenly see the central square, filled with lively conversations coming from the tapas bars, and you realise that life is very much happening here. It just doesn’t look like the kind of active life we, travellers from the noisy world of big cities and capitalism, are used to seeing. Our idea of an active life is often connected with financial growth, earning more, having more opportunities, new technologies and new discoveries. We are always running towards something new and modern, trying to move faster than the flow of life itself.

In Almáchar, I felt another direction. Life seemed to move more naturally, and people seemed to live with this flow rather than trying to get ahead of it. While we were there, we tried to join it too, although my backpack full of photography equipment was constantly trying to slow me down.

Maybe this is what I find so interesting about the white villages in Spain. They are beautiful, of course, but there is more to them than whitewashed houses and picturesque streets. The villages of Spain that are tucked away in the Andalusian hills can give you a small glimpse into a completely different way of living. Almáchar probably isn’t the first place people think about when looking for the best small towns in Spain.

There is something nice about walking through a village where you don’t feel that every street and every corner exists for tourists.

Among the white villages of Andalucia, Almáchar has its own character. It is small, steep, quiet and closely connected to the landscape around it (like in my photo print “Tree of Connection”). You are also seeing how the houses, the hills, the streets and the everyday life of the people somehow fit together. This is what makes travelling through the Andalusian white villages so interesting to me.

A Note about History of Almáchar white village in Spain

Almáchar is one of the white villages in Spain, located in the hills of the Axarquía region of Málaga. Like many of the Andalusian white villages, it is surrounded by hills, vineyards and traditional agricultural landscapes, with whitewashed houses climbing up the slopes. The village has Arabic origins, which can still be felt in the narrow, winding streets and in the way the houses follow the shape of the hills. Even the name Almáchar comes from Arabic, from Maysar or Machar, meaning something like “the meadows” or “land of meadows”. Almáchar was also one of the so-called Four Villages, together with Cútar, El Borge and Moclinejo, which lived under the protection of the castle of Comares.

The history of the village is also very closely connected with grapes and raisins. The surrounding landscape is full of vineyards and traditional paseros, the structures where Moscatel grapes are laid out to dry in the sun and become raisins. This tradition has shaped the agriculture of the area and the way people lived and worked here for generations. By the 19th century, Málaga raisins had become an important export product and were even considered a luxury in some European markets. Today, the traditional production of uva pasa is recognised as part of the important agricultural heritage of the Axarquía.

There have also been some difficult moments in the village’s history. In 1755, a series of earthquakes forced people to leave their homes and take refuge in the countryside. Somehow, when you walk through Almáchar today, with its steep streets and houses built into the hills, these layers of history make the village feel even more interesting. It is not simply one of the white villages of Andalucia that looks beautiful in photos. There is a long agricultural and cultural history behind those white walls and the Museo de la Pasa is probably one of the best places to understand it. Located in an old house, the museum preserves traditional tools and objects connected with raisin production and rural life, giving you a much more tangible idea of how people here lived and worked.

Things to Do in Almáchar, Andalucia

There are several interesting things to see and do in Almáchar, especially if you enjoy small villages where the experience is more about walking, looking around and noticing the little details than following a long list of tourist attractions. After learning a little about the history of the village, the first place I would recommend visiting is the Museo de la Pasa.

Visit the Museo de la Pasa

The Museo de la Pasa is probably the best place to start if you want to understand Almáchar and the landscape around it. The history of the village is closely connected with grape growing and the traditional production of raisins, and the museum gives you a glimpse into this part of local life. It is a small family museum and that is actually part of its charm. You can see the traditional tools and objects connected with raisin production and get a better idea of how this work was once part of everyday life in the village. After visiting the museum, it is much easier to look at the vineyards and paseros around Almáchar and understand that they are important part of the lifestyle in this area. The opening hours: Saturday 11an -2 pm, 6pm-8pm Sunday 11-2pm

Walk Around the Casco Antiguo

The Casco Antiguo, or old town, is probably where you will spend most of your time anyway. The streets are narrow, steep and sometimes surprisingly quiet, with white houses, little corners and views appearing when you least expect them. One of the streets worth looking for is Calle de Mártires, one of the characteristic streets of the old part of Almáchar and a good place for a little photographic walk. I found that simply wandering without a specific destination was one of the nicest things to do here.

Look for the Traditional Paseros

The landscape around Almáchar is closely connected with vineyards and the traditional paseros, where grapes are laid out to dry in the sun and eventually become raisins. Once you know the story behind them, you start noticing these structures and the vineyards around the village differently. This is also one of the reasons I think Almáchar is interesting for anyone exploring the white villages of Andalusia.

See the Iglesia de San Mateo

The Iglesia de San Mateo is another historical place to add to your walk around Almáchar. The parish was established in 1505, and the church itself was built in the 16th century. It has three naves separated by columns and pointed arches.

Look for the Little Corners of Almáchar

One of my favourite things about walking through white villages in Spain is finding small details that may not even appear on a typical list of attractions. Almáchar has several of these little corners, including a historic white tunnel covered with trees, small shaded spaces decorated with crochet work, and unexpected views between the houses. There are also places such as the Cueva del Moro and the Jardines de El Forfe to look for if you have more time. None of these places needs to take hours to visit. They are more about slowing down, walking around and seeing what you find – which, honestly, is probably the best way to experience one of the quieter Andalusian white villages.

How to Get to Almáchar

Almáchar is around 32 km from Málaga by road, and the easiest way to reach the village is by car. The drive takes roughly 40 minutes, depending on traffic, and the road becomes increasingly winding as you get closer to the hills of the Axarquía. The journey itself is part of the experience, with views over the surrounding countryside and vineyards along the way.

If you are travelling without a car, it is also possible to reach Almáchar by bus from Málaga, although you will usually need to change buses. Current routes connect Málaga with Almáchar via Rincón de la Victoria, with the total journey taking around two hours or more depending on the connection. It is worth checking the latest timetable before setting off, as services are limited.

Once you arrive, the best way to explore Almáchar is on foot. The village is small, but be prepared for plenty of steep streets and stairs, comfortable shoes are definitely a good idea!

All images in this article were taken by Elena Sullivan, ArsVie Photo Studio and are protected by copyright. If you are interested in using any of the them, please contact me for permission. Thank you for understanding!

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Vintage Travel Is Exploring Cities Through Historical Eyes

Elena Sullivan — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 20:05:40 +0000

Today, when we travel to famous cities (Paris, London, Madrid, Malga, Rome, Athens, etc.), we often follow recommendations that we find through Instagram bloggers or Pinterest and visit places that are constantly promoted on the internet. We already have a kind of ready-made travel plan: arrive at the famous location, take a beautiful photo, upload it, and let everyone know where you are. There is nothing wrong with this. I also take photos when I travel, and I understand how nice it is to share a moment with other people. At the same time, I have started noticing that sometimes sharing the experience with followers can become more important than trying to understand the place itself. We see what is happening now, take a picture of it, and move on. The past often stays somewhere behind us.

Living in the present is important, of course, but I think that looking into the past can make travel much more interesting.

This is what I like about vintage travel and historical travel. When we choose places to visit with history, we can experience a destination in a different way and discover things that may not be part of the usual tourist route. It can give a place another layer and leave you with something to think about later, perhaps when you are sitting with a glass of wine or a cup of hot chocolate and remembering the trip.

What if we look deeper into the history of the places we visit and try to find the stories of people who walked these streets long before us? Instead of simply looking for places to visit, we can travel through history and see how the present connects with what came before us. When we travel to historical places, we are often surrounded by details that have survived for centuries.

Museums, historic centers, galleries, hotels, restaurants, and even ordinary residential buildings occupy spaces where completely different lives once took place. People walked more slowly, dressed differently, talked about things that may seem unfamiliar to us today, and looked at the same impressive buildings that we now see restored, changed, or sometimes partly abandoned.

Centuries can separate us from those people, yet traces of their lives are still around us.

You just have to slow down enough to notice them. I like looking at old building facades with cracks and layers of chipped plaster, old signs in shaded passageways, unusual doors, locks and door knockers. There are so many small details that are easy to walk past when you are focused on getting from one famous sight to another. Looking at a city this way sometimes feels a little like an Indiana Jones adventure, although on a much smaller scale. There are no ancient temples to discover and no lost treasures to find. You are simply looking for something old that has managed to stay in the middle of modern life. You also don’t need to know the complete history of a city to do this. I am not a historian, and I don’t travel with the goal of learning every date and historical event. I am more interested in the small things that make me curious and make me want to know what happened there before I arrived.

Talking to people who remember the place

During a recent trip to one of the white villages of Andalusia, Almáchar, I visited a very interesting small and cozy museum dedicated to raisins. It was one of those places to visit with history that I probably would have missed if I had been focused only on the main tourist attractions. While walking around the village, I started talking to an older woman who had lived there all her life. My first question was about the museum. She explained a little about it, and then the conversation naturally moved to life in this small town. At some point she pointed toward an Estanco and told me that this was where her parents had met. Both of them had also lived in the village. I could see that she enjoyed sharing these memories. The events had happened many decades ago, but they still felt close to her. She was telling me about places that had been part of her life, and suddenly those places became much more interesting to me. This is something I have started to appreciate when I travel to historical places. The history is not always something you find in a museum or read on an information board. Sometimes it is simply part of someone’s memory. Before that conversation, I was looking at the village mostly as a traveler and photographer, noticing the white buildings, the streets, the doors, the windows and all the small details of the architecture. After talking to her, I started seeing some of the same places differently.

As a traveler visiting for the first time, you may see a building simply as a building: walls, the roof, the windows, perhaps the beautiful location. Then someone tells you that their parents met there, or that their family had a shop there, or remembers something that happened in that particular street many years ago. The building suddenly has another meaning. This is one of the reasons I have become so interested in these small white villages. I like photographing them, but I also like the stories behind them. Talking to people who have lived there their entire lives gives you a different way of understanding the place. The architecture itself doesn’t change after a conversation like this, but the way you look at it does.

How photography changes when you look for history

My photography also changes when I start looking at a place through these stories. Old walls, doors made of time-worn wood, locks and handles, weathered window frames and faded signs can all make me think about the people who lived and walked there before us. I might look at an old door and wonder who opened it every morning, who knocked on it, or how many people have touched the same handle over the years. A window can make me think about the people who once stood behind it and looked out at the same street. I will never know most of these stories and I don’t really need to but the questions themselves change the way I look at the place.

We take photos of present moments. We capture the moment when we are standing somewhere, and that photo becomes part of our own memory of the trip. When I photograph an old place, I sometimes think about how many other moments have happened in exactly the same spot. The people and their everyday routines are gone, and many of their stories disappeared with them. The buildings and small details that remain are some of the few things connecting us with that time. This way of traveling takes a little more time. You have to slow down, look around, talk to people and allow yourself to be curious about things that may seem insignificant at first. Photography and history can come together in a very simple way when you start asking yourself what was here before you arrived.

That’s what makes vintage travel interesting. A place can be much more than the famous building you came to photograph. There can be a story in an old door, a faded sign, a small museum, or in a conversation with someone who has spent most of their life there. The more I learn about those stories, the more I see when I take photos of a place.

I think … maybe this is what I am really looking for when I travel now, the past that is still quietly living somewhere in the present.

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A Photo Journey into the Magic of Paris at Night

Elena Sullivan — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 16:57:31 +0000

And then the sun disappears below the horizon, and one by one, the streetlights come on. Restaurants switch on their own lights, each creating its own little glow, and together they give the city a special atmosphere – a kind of unhurried liveliness. The streets are still busy, but everything seems to slow down a little. Many Parisians and visitors are already making their way to restaurants and bars, ready to breathe out and relax after a busy day. The city lights create the perfect setting for it – magical, yet accessible to anyone willing to take a leisurely walk through the streets and enjoy the elegant balance of light and shadow.

As a photographer, I find night photography and cities at night especially captivating, and Paris has a particular attraction for me. Here, the play of light and shadow reaches its peak, and interesting moments seem to appear everywhere. All you need is to find the right angle, hold your breath for a moment (so you don’t blur the shot when using a short shutter speed), and press the shutter-release button.

Then comes the best part, looking through the photos later on a computer screen, or turning them into wall art, as I did with my Midnight in Atlanta photo.

What follows is a collection of photos of Paris at night and Eiffel Tower at night that I took during our summer trip. Enjoy looking through them with a glass of wine or a cup of aromatic tea, sometimes a little visual escape is all you need to lift your mood.

Eiffel Tower & Paris at night

You might be also interested in reading other articles about Paris, France:

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Paris outfits & Stylish Ideas Without Breaking the Budget

Elena Sullivan — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 10:44:17 +0000

“We’re flying to Paris at the end of June and we only have one suitcase between the two of us.” Once I fully processed that sentence from my husband, I realised that for this trip I was going to have to plan my outfits well in advance. After all, voici Paris — a city where fashion in Paris is not only about looking stylish, but somehow feels like part of the experience. The visual inspiration is everywhere, and it naturally makes you want to be more creative with your clothes too. Suddenly, planning my Paris outfits became almost as exciting as planning what we were going to see and do. (I wrote more about this in my article “Things to do in Paris France on your first trip while learning about joie de vivre”)

I started planning my outfits to wear in Paris well ahead of the trip and would occasionally test my husband with questions like, “What if I need these shoes?” or “I also need to take this dress because I don’t know what mood I’ll be in that day, and maybe I’ll want to wear it.” As you can imagine, male logic works somewhat differently, and phrases containing the word “maybe” seem to introduce a huge element of uncertainty into the equation and, at the very least, cause some concern.

Knowing how much I love putting outfits together, my husband kindly explained that the word “maybe” was simply not going to work for this trip. So, c’est la vie (that’s life – Eng. translation) and all my creative Paris inspired outfits had to fit into half a suitcase. One suitcase between two people. That was it.

Unlike the situation I described in my article “When happiness is packed in one red suitcase”, this time, while preparing for our trip to Paris, I had to squeeze everything I needed for outfit happiness, and all the clothes to wear in Paris, into half of a turquoise suitcase.

What Colours to use in Paris outfits?

Red is a must for Paris, even if it is just a small detail somewhere in your outfit. There is something about red against the streets of Paris that instantly makes an outfit feel a little more French and a little more special. White and black are classics that never really go out of style and are always a great starting point when putting together Paris outfits.

The easiest way to add a little creativity to any outfit is through accessories: a handbag, scarf, earrings or a necklace, and of course, shoes. You don’t need to completely reinvent your wardrobe to create Paris inspired outfits. Sometimes one beautiful accessory or a carefully chosen colour is enough to give a simple look that Parisian feel. When thinking about clothes to wear in Paris, I usually prefer a few versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched rather than taking too many different outfits.

My Choice of Outfits for This Paris Trip

1. Red, White and a Little French Touch

White and red is one of my favourite colour combinations, and I knew I wanted to take it with me to Paris. I started with a simple white vest and high-waisted white shorts from Zara, which made a comfortable base for a hot summer day. Then came the red: a red leather belt, a structured red crossbody bag Parfois and matching red loafers. I also added a colourful silk neck scarf SHEIN with little touches of red, green, blue and yellow. The scarf was probably my favourite detail (and I love love scarves) because it instantly made the outfit feel more interesting without making it complicated. This was my favourite Paris outfits because it was comfortable enough for walking all day but still had that little French feeling I was looking for.

2. A Little Inspiration from Emily in Paris

This outfit was partly inspired by Emily in Paris. I know that some of the outfits in the later seasons of the series can be rather extravagant, but I still think there are plenty of ideas you can borrow and adapt to your own style. This time, I took the inspiration rather than trying to copy the look. I wore a white high-neck top with a delicate face illustration SHEIN and a slightly shimmering silver sequined midi skirt H&M. I added a pastel blue belt and a light blue scarf tied around my wrist, which gave the outfit a softer, more playful feel. The shoes were one of my favourite parts of this look, comfortable printed sneakers from a local Spanish brand – Spanish Bailarinas.

3. Champagne Gold and Tulle

For another day in Paris, I wanted something a little more elegant, so I chose a shimmering champagne-gold top MUSE with a draped neckline and paired it with a flowing beige tulle midi skirt. I added a woven tan belt with a large round buckle, a tan handbag with metallic details and layered necklace and several bracelets. The final touch was a high bun, although this was less of a fashion decision and more a matter of survival (ufffff this heatwave!). With the summer heat, having my hair down simply wasn’t an option! Comfortable beige sneakers Tommy Bahama completed the outfit, proving once again that outfits to wear in Paris don’t necessarily have to involve uncomfortable shoes.

4. A Polka-Dot Dress

Polka dots have been around for decades and somehow never seem to disappear. They keep coming back in new collections, especially for spring and summer, and I have always liked their slightly playful, retro feeling. For Paris, I chose a white shirt dress covered in green polka dots by EMBLEMS (Spanish clothing brand), with short sleeves, a button-down front and an olive-green fabric belt. I paired it with a dark olive crossbody bag and white sneakers, which made the whole look much more practical for walking around the city. A white shoulder bag added another simple detail and also served as a elegant item to store bottle of water, a hat and fan (I wish somebody invents a compact air-conditioner, it will be super useful during European heatwaves). This outfit felt feminine and a little vintage, but still comfortable enough for a full day of exploring Paris.

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Best Food in Paris & Why Calories Feel Different When You Eat a Good Croissant

Elena Sullivan — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:10:08 +0000

There are some topics that are simply a pleasure to write about, and food has always been one of them. But when that food happens to be French, somehow it becomes twice as enjoyable.

Traveling in Paris, walking through the streets, wandering from one café to another, occasionally stopping at a little outdoor terrace simply to watch the relaxed rhythm of local life unfold around you, it doesn’t take long to realize that the French appreciation for beauty extends far beyond museums, architecture, or fashion. It also finds its way into almost every part of daily life, and perhaps nowhere is this more obvious than in food. From simple cafés and bakeries to elegant restaurants, discovering the best food in Paris is as much about experiencing the culture as it is about enjoying a good meal.

Best Food in Paris & Why Calories Feel Different When You Eat a Good Croissant

Food in Paris, France feels like art made edible. Even if you don’t speak a single word of French, you somehow understand it. You may struggle to pronounce the name of a pastry displayed behind the glass, but somehow that awkward feeling quickly disappears because beauty has a language of its own. Standing in front of those beautifully arranged displays, filled with glossy éclairs, delicate fruit tarts, airy meringues, buttery croissants, silky creams, and desserts that almost seem too elegant to eat, you slowly realize that you don’t actually need to read the labels. Everything important has already been communicated through texture, shape, and presentation.

It’s a feast long before the first bite. The longer you stand there, the more difficult the decision becomes, because choosing just one suddenly feels like an almost unreasonable expectation. Your imagination has already tasted three different desserts before you’ve even reached the counter. And then… The brain arrives. (saying jokingly :)) That wonderfully rational part of us whose full-time job seems to be protecting us from making irresponsible decisions. It quietly begins reminding us about calories, sugar, healthy eating, and every nutrition expert’s advice we’ve ever heard. Suddenly, somewhere between the raspberry tart and the chocolate éclair, an internal debate begins.

– “Do you really need dessert?”

– “Maybe just coffee.”

– “Remember everything you’ve learned about healthy eating.”

Why does that conversation always seem to happen at exactly the wrong moment?

If there is one place in the world where food and best desserts deserves to be enjoyed without endless negotiations with yourself, it might just be Paris, France.

Travel has never felt like the right time to obsess over calories. In fact, I sometimes think that one of the greatest gifts travel offers is permission. Permission to step away from routines that quietly follow us at home; to loosen the rules we unconsciously create for ourselves; to order dessert simply because it looks beautiful, to drink good wine on a Tuesday afternoon without waiting for a celebration, and to spend two hours over lunch without feeling guilty that you’re “wasting time.”

After all, isn’t that part of why we travel? Not simply to see another place, but to experience another way of living. Perhaps that’s what the French describe so beautifully as joie de vivre – the joy of living. It’s something I mentioned in my very first article about Paris (“Things to do in Paris France on your first trip while learning about joie de vivre”), and the longer I spent there, the more I began noticing it everywhere. It was in the conversations that seemed to stretch comfortably into the afternoon; in people lingering over coffee instead of rushing away; in beautifully set tables where even the simplest meal somehow felt like an occasion; in the confidence to enjoy life without constantly asking whether every choice was the most productive, the healthiest, or the most efficient. Perhaps that’s also why discovering the best food in Paris is about much more than finding the most impressive restaurant or the most famous dish. It’s about slowing down, enjoying the moment, and allowing food to become part of the experience.

Some moments simply deserve to be enjoyed for exactly what they are. And perhaps that’s why I have absolutely no interest in counting calories while standing in front of a Parisian pâtisserie.

The calories certainly exist. The emotional weight doesn’t have to. Because I would much rather remember the incredible croissant I ate in a little neighborhood café than spend years remembering how disciplined I was for saying no. Those memories last far longer.

One thing that fascinated me throughout our four days in Paris was how much cafés and restaurants contribute to the personality of the city itself. The interior design, the lighting, the furniture, the music, the tiny details placed almost effortlessly around the room, they all become another layer of understanding the city.

Paris is a fascinating conversation between centuries. Baroque elegance (Hôtel de Toulouse), Gothic grandeur (Notre-Dame Cathedral), Classical harmony (Panthéon), Art Nouveau curves (Castel Béranger), contemporary minimalism (Fondation Louis Vuitton) somehow all of it coexists, and restaurants become little extensions of that artistic history. The architecture outside blends into the atmosphere inside, while the food becomes yet another expression of the city’s creativity. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons best food eperience in Paris stay in your memory long after you’ve returned home. They become part of how you experience the city.

If Paris is on your travel list, let me offer one small suggestion. Wake up early one morning and simply walk. (Don’t begin your day with a checklist of famous landmarks!) Instead, follow the smell of freshly baked bread until it leads you to a neighborhood café. Chances are you’ll know you’ve found the right place before you even reach the door. There will already be people sitting outside, slowly drinking coffee, chatting with friends, reading the newspaper, or simply watching the world pass by. Walk in. Smile. Try saying Bonjour and S’il vous plaît. Will your French pronunciation be perfect? Probably not. Will you receive an overly enthusiastic response? Probably not either. The French have earned their reputation for being a little reserved, and I’ve learned to simply smile and appreciate it as another charming cultural difference. That’s also part of traveling in Paris – being curious enough to try; practicing a few words in another language, even if your accent is far from perfect; allowing yourself to feel slightly uncomfortable instead of avoiding new experiences altogether.

I hope that years from now, when Paris becomes another beautiful memory, I won’t remember how many calories were in the croissants or whether ordering dessert in Paris was the healthiest decision I could have made. I’ll remember the little cafés hidden on quiet streets, the pastry windows that looked more like art galleries than bakeries, and the joy of discovering croissants in Paris while simply wandering without a plan. I’ll remember the conversations that somehow lasted much longer than we expected, the wonderful French wine that was surprisingly affordable, and that unmistakable feeling that, for a few days, life revolved a little less around productivity and a little more around simply enjoying the moment.

I think that’s the real beauty of travel – it reminds us that some experiences become unforgettable precisely because we stopped negotiating with ourselves and allowed them to happen. If there’s one thing I hope to remember from Paris, it isn’t another landmark or souvenir, but the French ability to enjoy the best food in Paris, good wine (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire Valley wines, Rhône wines, Provence rosé), long conversations, and ordinary moments without adding unnecessary emotional weight to any of it. Perhaps that’s why, when I think about the best dessert in Paris, I don’t think only about what was on the plate but about the whole experience of sitting somewhere beautiful, taking your time, and simply enjoying it.

Best Desserts & Pastries to Try on Your First Trip to Paris

Croissant au beurre – the classic buttery French croissant
Pain au chocolat – flaky pastry filled with chocolate
Macarons – colourful almond meringue cookies with creamy fillings
Éclair – choux pastry filled with cream and topped with icing
Mille-feuille – layers of crisp pastry and pastry cream
Paris-Brest – choux pastry filled with praline cream
Opéra cake – layers of almond sponge, coffee cream, chocolate and ganache
Saint-Honoré – puff pastry and choux pastry with cream and caramel
Crème brûlée – creamy custard with a crisp caramelised top
Tarte au citron – French lemon tart, usually with a buttery pastry base
Madeleine – small, soft, shell-shaped buttery cake
Mont-Blanc – chestnut cream, meringue and whipped cream, famously associated with Angelina Paris

Did You Know? There Is an Official Competition for the Best Croissant in France

If you are wondering how anyone could possibly decide which croissant is the best, France actually has a national competition for it. The Concours National du Meilleur Croissant au Beurre is dedicated to finding the best traditional butter croissant in France, with professional judges evaluating everything from the pastry’s layers and texture to its flavour and appearance.

And this year’s winner was Dylan Delmaire from L’Epi du Roi in Île-de-France. He took first place in the 2026 competition, ahead of Maxime Brice from Boulangerie Brice and Julien Marsal from La Boulangerie du Père Pain Pain.

So, if you are serious about finding the best croissant in Paris, you could start by looking at the winners of this competition. It may not give you one definitive answer, after all, everyone has their favourite bakery, but it certainly gives you a very good place to begin your croissant research.

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Best Budget-Friendly Way to Enjoy Paris in 4 Days

Elena Sullivan — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:53:13 +0000

Perhaps I am getting slightly ahead of myself, but yes, it is absolutely possible to enjoy Paris without spending a fortune, and there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to enjoy Paris. I realised this after our summer trip to the city (first impression you can find in this article “Things to do in Paris France on your first trip while learning about joie de vivre”), when we spent four days in Paris and, unfortunately, arrived right in the middle of a heatwave. The sun that Parisian residents spend much of the winter dreaming about had suddenly become our biggest enemy, and we found ourselves looking for any possible way to escape it.

In the end, we understood that the best places to hide from the heat were pharmacies and chocolate shops (Yesss! there is some inrony in this!). It still makes me laugh, two places with completely different purposes: one sells things designed to make us feel better, while the other sells things designed to make us happy. Yet during that particular summer, they offered exactly the same precious luxury: air conditioning.

Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and its historic buildings are an essential part of its grandeur and charm; but those beautiful old buildings can be surprisingly difficult to adapt to a changing climate, which means that air conditioning is still relatively uncommon in many apartments and smaller hotels. Keep this in mind when planning a budget trip to Paris and searching online for cheap hotels in Paris, cheap hotels in Paris, France, or more generally economical hotels in Paris. The price may look attractive, but during a summer heatwave, the presence or absence of air conditioning can make a surprisingly big difference to your experience.

So, based on our four days in Paris, I want to share some practical ideas for keeping your trip affordable without feeling as though you have to compromise on the pleasure of being in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Here are some of my favourite things to do on a budget trip to Paris, France

Stay in an Airbnb or Hostel

When Airbnb and the modern hostel concept first became popular, they offered travellers something hotels often could not – a much more affordable way to stay. Over time, both concepts have evolved considerably. Today, some hostels in major cities offer private rooms with hotel-style facilities, while Airbnb has grown into a huge part of the short-term rental market, ranging from simple rooms to beautifully designed apartments.

During my first solo trip around Spain, I stayed exclusively in hostels, and it turned out to be such a fun experience that I still look back on it with a smile. Over the past few years, while travelling around the US, Mexico, where I lived for nine years, and Europe, including Paris, my husband and I have mostly booked our accommodation through Airbnb. Paris was no exception.

We had a specific budget in mind, and since our trip to Paris was in June, right in the middle of the high tourist season, we started looking for accommodation through Airbnb and hostels from the very beginning. Eventually, we found a wonderful apartment through Airbnb and it turned out to be one of the nicest surprises of our budget trip to Paris.

Despite being a budget-friendly option, the location was fantastic, and our two Parisian hosts, Claude and Paul, were simply wonderful! We will remember the breakfasts Paul prepared for us for a very long time. When we booked our room in their apartment, we somehow overlooked the fact that breakfast was included, so discovering this was a particularly lovely surprise. Check out their Airbnb here.

Our experience reminded me that looking beyond traditional hotels can make a huge difference when travelling to an expensive city like Paris. If you are searching for affordable places to stay in Paris, it is worth comparing Airbnb apartments and hostels with traditional hotels rather than automatically choosing a hotel. In particular, when looking for cheap hotels in Paris, France, or economical hotels in Paris, I would always check several accommodation platforms and compare not only the nightly price, but also the location, included extras, air conditioning and reviews.

Here are a few hostels worth checking when planning a budget trip to Paris:

The People – Paris Marais
Generator Paris
St Christopher’s Inn Paris – Canal
Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels
JO&JOE Paris – Gentilly
Auberge Internationale des Jeunes
Oops! Hostel

Stay Near the Airport & Close to the Metro

This is actually what we have decided to do on our next trip to Paris, which will hopefully happen in autumn or winter. We would love to explore more of the city’s museums and galleries, and somehow the colder, rainy weather feels much more appropriate for spending hours indoors surrounded by art. There is something particularly appealing about walking through Paris in the rain and then escaping into a warm museum for a few hours.

When we were planning our summer trip, we started looking at hotels and apartments in different parts of Paris and noticed something quite interesting: many well-known hotel chains have properties near the airports, and their prices can be considerably more affordable than staying in the centre. So, for our next budget trip to Paris, we are planning to consider one of these hotels, with one important condition: it must be within easy walking distance of a metro station.

This can potentially save a significant amount on airport transfers. By staying near the airport and using the metro for the rest of the journey, you can avoid expensive taxi or Uber rides to and from a centrally located hotel. In our case, our Uber trips from the airport to our Airbnb in central Paris and back cost us €180 in total. Of course, this was our experience, and the cost can be quite different for other travellers depending on the airport, time of travel and location of their hotel or apartment. That is a considerable part of a travel budget that could easily be spent on something much more enjoyable.

Once you are in Paris, the metro makes it relatively easy to reach the neighbourhoods where you want to spend your day, whether your plans involve museums, galleries, shops, restaurants or the city’s famous landmarks. After congested traffic we experienced during our trip to Paris, I have to admit that I am not particularly enthusiastic about spending future visits sitting in buses or other road traffic simply to get from one part of the city to another. The metro is faster, predictable and, most importantly, saves precious time.

So this is the plan we are taking with us for our next visit: find one of the cheap hotels in Paris, France or other economical hotels in Paris near the airport, make sure there is a convenient metro connection, and use public transport to explore the city. It may not sound as romantic as waking up in the centre of Paris, but for a budget trip to Paris, it could be a surprisingly practical compromise.

Take a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus for Three Days

On our first day in Paris, near the Eiffel Tower, we bought a ticket for one of the hop-on hop-off buses. The ticket was valid for the following three days, which made it feel almost like having pre-paid transport for the duration of our stay. The buses follow a circular route, with around 12–14 stops covering some of the city’s main tourist areas and attractions.

I found this particularly convenient for a first trip to Paris, when you want to see as many of the famous sights as possible without spending time figuring out how to get from one area to another. You pay once and can then hop off whenever you want, explore a neighbourhood on foot, and simply wait for the next bus to continue your journey. For example, you can spend part of the day exploring one area, then hop back on and continue to another without paying for each individual journey.

It is not necessarily the fastest way to move around Paris, especially when traffic is heavy, but as a sightseeing option it can be a practical and enjoyable way to get an overview of the city – particularly during a short budget trip to Paris.

Popular hop-on hop-off companies in Paris:

Tootbus Paris
Big Bus Tours Paris
Open Tour Paris

Visit Small Galleries Instead of the Big Museums

I have always felt that some art galleries are like little art worlds of their own. They can be intimate, cosy and full of unexpected discoveries. You want to stand in front of a painting for a while, look at the details, hear the story behind its creation and simply take your time without feeling that you need to move on to make room for the next visitor.

Paris may be a city of big museums and world-famous art collections but there is still plenty of room for smaller private galleries. If you want to experience a different side of Paris beyond its major attractions, I would definitely recommend taking some time to wander into one of these smaller spaces simply because something catches your eye.

There is something wonderfully unpredictable about it. You might discover an artist you have never heard of, fall in love with a particular painting, or perhaps stand there wondering what exactly you are looking at, and that is part of the fun. Smaller galleries can also help you save both money on entrance tickets and time spent waiting in queues, leaving you with more of both to enjoy the city.

Here is a list of some Paris art galleries worth discovering, even during a short budget trip to Paris:

Galerie Perrotin
Galerie Templon
Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac
Polka Galerie
Semiose
Galerie Continua
Galerie Lelong & Co.
Galerie Marian Goodman
Galerie David Zwirner
Galerie Almine Rech
Galerie d’art Carré d’artistes Marais

Avoid Instagram-Popular Cafés, Restaurants and Bars Near the Main Sights

Instagram is undoubtedly a popular platform for discovering restaurants, cafés and bars, but that does not mean you should automatically trust every “Top 10 Restaurants”, “Best Bars” or “Best Hotels” list that appears at the top of your search. In my experience, particularly in large cities like Paris, these highly recommended places are often much more expensive than you might expect and do not always live up to the hype.

While walking around central Paris, particularly in the area around the Eiffel Tower, we noticed several bars and restaurants with huge queues outside. Looking at the people waiting, I could not help but wonder how many of them were influencers or simply visitors hoping to get that perfect Instagram photo. Yet, just a few minutes’ walk away, in either direction, we found cafés without any queues at all but filled with local residents.

I usually take it as a very good sign. Locals know where to eat, and they are far less likely to choose a place simply because it looks good in a social media post. The food is often better, the atmosphere feels more authentic, and the prices can be much more reasonable. I always try to avoid tourist traps, especially those that have become popular on Instagram, and this simple habit can make a surprisingly big difference during a budget trip to Paris.

Enjoy Paris from the Viewpoints

One of the easy things to do to enjoy Paris without spending much money is to find a good viewpoint and simply take in the city from above. From this perspective, you can really appreciate the scale and depth of Paris, the rooftops stretching into the distance, the Seine winding through the city and the famous landmarks appearing almost like small details within a much larger landscape. For me, this is one of the simplest pleasures of a budget trip to Paris.

If you are a photographer like me, definitely bring a zoom lens. It allows you to pick out interesting details from that enormous view and create more intimate, almost compressed compositions. Instead of trying to capture the entire city in one frame, you can isolate a distant building, a rooftop or a familiar landmark and create a much more atmospheric photo.

If you are taking photos with your phone, do not forget about the panoramic mode, called Pano on an iPhone. Paris is one of those cities where a panoramic photograph can really help convey just how vast and layered the city feels.

Some of the most popular viewpoints in Paris include:

Eiffel Tower – one of the most iconic places to enjoy panoramic views over the city.
Arc de Triomphe – a fantastic viewpoint for seeing the grand avenues of Paris stretching out in all directions.
Sacré-Cœur Basilica – offers beautiful views over the rooftops of Paris from Montmartre.
Galeries Lafayette Rooftop – a great option if you want a central view of the city without paying for an observation deck.
Montparnasse Tower – one of the best places to see the Paris skyline with the Eiffel Tower included in the view.
Parc de Belleville – a quieter alternative with lovely views across the city.

Have a Picnic

This was actually one of the things I most wanted to do during our trip to Paris, but the heatwave that had settled over France in those days forced us to change our plans. Sitting on the grass, even in the shade, felt unbearably hot, and the heavy, scorching air seemed to push us towards interesting places where we could at least escape indoors and have a little hope of finding some relief from the heat.

Picnics are a very popular pastime in Paris, and there are plenty of parks and green spaces where you can spread out a blanket and enjoy a simple meal outdoors. If you want to make your picnic part of a budget trip to Paris, it can also be a great way to save money on eating out. Pick up some bread, cheese, fruit, pastries and a bottle of wine from a local market or shop, find a pleasant spot and simply enjoy the atmosphere.

Naturally, parks located close to markets and food shops tend to be more popular and can get quite crowded, especially on warm days; but that is also part of the Parisian picnic experience. Here are a few places you could consider:

Champ de Mars – with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop.
Canal Saint-Martin – a lively area popular with locals, particularly on warm evenings.
Jardin du Luxembourg – one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont – a more spacious option with lovely views and plenty of greenery.
Place des Vosges – a beautiful historic square in the Marais where you can relax on the grass.

Rent a Bike to Get Around

This option will probably be most appealing to people who genuinely enjoy cycling and feel comfortable riding on roads filled with traffic. Cycling is a very popular way to get around Paris, and as a traveller, I found it fascinating to watch. These two- and three-wheeled vehicles add another layer of movement and energy to an already lively Parisian street scene.

If you feel confident enough to join them, renting a bike can be an interesting way to explore the city while also saving time on some journeys. You can rent bikes at various locations across Paris using Vélib’, the city’s public bike-sharing system, or apps such as Lime and Dott for electric bikes. Bonjour RATP can also be useful when planning journeys around the city.

Visit Museums on the First Sunday of the Month

If your trip happens to coincide with the first Sunday of the month, it is worth checking which museums and monuments are offering free admission. A number of Paris museums open their permanent collections to visitors free of charge on the first Sunday, although the exact arrangements can vary from one museum to another.

Among the museums that may offer free admission are Musée d’Orsay, Musée National Picasso-Paris and Centre Pompidou for their permanent collections. At Musée Rodin, free first-Sunday admission is generally limited to the low season, from October to March.

It is worth checking the official website of each museum before your visit, as free-admission policies, opening hours and reservation requirements can change. Even when admission is free, you may still need to reserve a time slot in advance, and the number of free tickets can be limited. For a budget trip to Paris, though, this is a great opportunity to experience some of the city’s world-famous art without paying the usual entrance fee.

Visit One of Paris’s Free Museums

Paris also has plenty of lesser-known museums that offer free permanent collections or free admission throughout the year. These can be a wonderful alternative to the city’s biggest and busiest museums, particularly if you have already spent several days surrounded by crowds and queues.

Some free museums worth discovering include:

Musée Carnavalet – the history of Paris
Musée Cognacq-Jay – 18th-century art
Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris – modern and contemporary art
Maison de Victor Hugo – the former home of the famous French novelist
Fragonard Perfume Museum – the history of perfume
Musée Curie – the history of radiological research
Musée de la Préfecture de Police – the history of the Paris police
Petit Palais – fine arts, with a free permanent collection

I think these smaller museums are a great option for a budget trip to Paris. You do not have to spend a lot of money or visit all the famous places to have an interesting day. Sometimes it is much more fun to find a museum you have never heard of, walk in without any particular expectations and see what you find. For me, these unexpected little discoveries are often what I remember most from a trip.

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Things to do in Paris France on your first trip while learning about joie de vivre

Elena Sullivan — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 08:41:31 +0000

Croissants, baguettes, macarons, flowers, soulful Bordeaux wine, bicycles and beautiful streets – all of this is, of course, wonderful. But the blazing sun and exhausting heat can fog your brain, and at some point you stop noticing even the most beautiful things around you. You only have enough energy for one thing: finding shade, a bar with air conditioning, or at the very least a fan, and sitting there waiting for your body to cool down to a point where curiosity and energy for wandering the city return.

Paris, France is beautiful. No matter what people say about the snobbishness of the locals (and yes, we met some of those too), the city inspires you with its appearance, architectural greatness, and majestic sculptures. Walking through its streets, you start to feel that joie de vivre is real and that it can actually be experienced in everyday life, rather than being just a romanticized idea from TV series like Emily in Paris.

A lifestyle where you can enjoy life and still work, make plans, achieve goals, casually flirt, drink light wine, and have unhurried conversations about the smallest, most delicate details of life. Somehow, the French have managed to combine all of this into a lifestyle that attracts millions of people from all over the world.

On this Paris trip, my beloved husband and I were tourists in Paris. Nowadays there is a strong trend (especially on social media) to experience a place as NOT a tourist. It creates this idea that being a tourist is somehow, at the very least, not respectable. For a long time, I also tried to travel as “not a tourist.” But what I kept forgetting to ask myself was: as what then? A local resident?

There are so many slogans coming from magazines, travel guides, and online images – sometimes AI-generated, sometimes carefully crafted by marketers – all pushing this idea of “blend in, don’t be a tourist.” But the truth is simple: how can you be a local when it’s your first time in a city?

Even the most popular books about “non-touristic travel” can’t turn you into a local. Reading is one thing, but to truly know a city, you need to live in it. And to understand Paris, France you need to live in the rhythm of the joie de vivre lifestyle, which takes time to learn. All of us, slightly overwhelmed children of the bright capitalist world, where the only thing that matters is being busy and productive every moment, need time to understand joie de vivre. And we also need good Bordeaux, conversations with real French people, and full immersion into the rich culture of this country. There are so many things to do in Paris, but perhaps the most important one is simply to slow down and experience the city in its own rhythm.

Experiencing joie de vivre while traveling in Paris France

Now let’s return to the very real topic of heat because it was everywhere. Where I currently live on the Costa del Sol in Spain, the sun is intense but during our Paris trip, we felt like we recharged our solar batteries for months ahead. I have never experienced such heat even living in Cancun, Mexico, where it’s hot 365 days a year, but there it feels different, and there are air conditioners and fans everywhere.

In Paris, those modern comforts are not as common. Either it’s a tribute to history, architecture, and the joie de vivre lifestyle, or simply a lack of adaptation – you really feel it. Later, after returning home, I read about the heatwave that swept across many European countries, especially France, and the extreme temperatures that unfortunately took the lives of more than a thousand people. I learned that in France this is still a relatively new phenomenon, and many buildings are simply not designed for air conditioning, it’s not something traditionally considered. Heat happens in summer, then winter comes with cold that requires heating anyway, so perhaps it hasn’t been prioritized.

So maybe, in a place so full of joie de vivre, people simply haven’t yet fully adjusted to this new reality. The Airbnb we stayed in had one air conditioner in our room, while another was in the owners’ living room. They looked very interesting, almost toy-like. I think I’m used to more modern, sleek air conditioners from living in Mexico and then the United States, so I initially perceived these differently, not very seriously. But the most important thing is: it worked, and it helped a lot.

Speaking of Airbnb, I’m completely in love with it, especially because of the warm welcome we received from the owners, Claude and Paul. If any of you are planning a trip to Paris, here is the link to their Airbnb. The location was very convenient, just 5–7 minutes walk from the Eiffel Tower, surrounded by bars, restaurants, and shops. I will forever remember breakfasts with Paul, which he prepared for us every morning, and our conversations in a French-English mix. I also remember my modest attempts to read French using Google Translate, most of the time my pronunciation was so broken that I eventually just showed Paul the translated text on my phone. As it turned out, that was far more effective.

These four days in Paris were incredibly intense and yes – extremely hot, but they were also full of impressions, enough for many articles and many photos. For the first one, I suggest this collection. There are so many things to do in Paris, but sometimes the most memorable parts of a trip have nothing to do with ticking famous places off a list. For the first Paris trip, I suggest these places:

Places to Visit in Paris for the First Time

Things to Do in Paris for the First Time

Take a Seine River cruise
Watch the sunset from a Paris viewpoint
Walk along the Seine
Explore Montmartre on foot
Have a picnic in a Paris park
Try French pastries, cheese and wine
Visit a local food market
Explore Parisian cafés
Take a walking tour
Ride a bike around the city
Browse small art galleries
Enjoy Paris at night

How to Enjoy a Paris Trip Without Letting the Heat Ruin Your Trip

Don’t underestimate a European summer

Europe (including Paris, France) isn’t always mild anymore. Heatwaves above 35 – 40°C are becoming much more common, and many cities aren’t built to handle them.

Always check if your accommodation has air conditioning

Unlike the US, Mexico, and many other countries, air conditioning isn’t standard in Europe. Even hotels and Airbnbs that advertise AC may have only one unit for the entire apartment or cooling that isn’t very powerful. Double-check before booking, especially if you’re traveling during the hottest months.

Buy a handheld fan or better yet, pack a rechargeable neck fan

This was probably our best purchase of the trip. On our very first day traveling in Paris, after realizing just how intense the heat was, we bought handheld fans while walking around the city. They made a huge difference. If I were packing again, I’d definitely bring a rechargeable neck fan, it keeps your hands free and can make sightseeing much more comfortable.

Explore early and late

Do your walking in the morning, take a long lunch or visit museums during the hottest part of the day, then head back outside in the evening.

Stay hydrated

Heat sneaks up on you faster than you realize, especially when you’re distracted by beautiful streets and landmarks. If you run out, don’t worry, street vendors usually sell cold bottles of water for around €1, and you’ll also find plenty of small convenience stores along the way.

Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses

Not because it’s fashionable (although it can be), but because you’ll genuinely enjoy your day much more.

Don’t feel guilty about slowing down

Take the metro, grab a taxi, sit at a café for an hour or more. You don’t have to prove anything by walking 30,000 steps a day. We also discovered that some of the best places to escape the heat were ice cream shops, pharmacies, and especially chocolate stores. I definitely sampled more chocolate than I had planned on this trip but in the name of staying cool, I think it was completely justified.

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Visiting Some of the Best Wineries in Sonoma Valley California

Elena Sullivan — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:43:12 +0000

When travelling to San Francisco and its surrounding areas, a visit to a winery can add a certain element of beauty and aesthetics to the journey and I think it’s something that sometimes is surprisingly important when creating a harmonious impression of a place. If, like me, you enjoy adding a little beauty, atmosphere and those understated details that make a trip feel special, then read until the end. In this article, I will take you through three wineries in Sonoma Valley, California that inspire precisely that kind of feeling … places where wine, landscape and a sense of beauty come together naturally.

“In vino veritas” the classic Latin phrase meaning “in wine, there is truth” – is familiar to many wine lovers and to anyone who enjoys those long conversations about life that somehow seem to become more interesting after the first glass.

Buttery Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon, gracefully poured into delicate wine glasses, have an almost innocent ability to help thoughts find the right words (Yes!!! Exactly like that :)). The body relaxes, the conversation becomes warmer, and even our gestures seem to acquire a more measured and friendly rhythm. Perhaps this is why philosophising about life feels particularly pleasant in such a relaxed state. Somehow, the truth becomes just a little easier to find – and perhaps a little easier to accept.

Wine is one of those drinks that can be enjoyed for a very long time when approached in the right spirit. It is a journey without a final destination, where the pleasure lies in the taste, the aroma and the conversations that flow almost as naturally as the wine being poured into the glass. A Sonoma Valley wine tasting can therefore become about much more than simply tasting different varieties. It can be about slowing down, noticing your surroundings and allowing yourself a few hours in which there is nowhere else you need to be.

And Sonoma Valley, California seems almost destined for this kind of experience. Its fertile soils and favourable climate provide ideal conditions for growing varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Cabernet Sauvignon. The valley is shaped by shifting microclimates, from the cooler, bay-breezed southern end to the warmer pockets further north, creating a remarkable diversity of conditions for winemaking. Given this combination of landscape, climate and fertile ground, it was perhaps only a matter of time before a thriving wine industry developed here.

Today, the wineries of Sonoma Valley offer much more than a glass of wine. They are places where architecture, gardens, vineyards, food and hospitality can become part of the experience and this is exactly what makes me want to visit Sonoma Valley. So, rather than simply making a list of the best wineries in Sonoma Valley, I want to share three places that caught my attention for the atmosphere and beauty they bring to the experience of wine.

A Brief History of Sonoma Valley in California

Before Sonoma Valley, California became known for its vineyards and elegant tasting rooms, the valley was home to Indigenous peoples, including the Miwok, Patwin, Pomo and Wappo, who had lived here for thousands of years. The story of wine began much later, in the early 19th century, when Franciscan missionaries planted the first grapevines at Mission San Francisco Solano in 1823–1824.

The real transformation came in the middle of the 19th century. In 1857, Hungarian immigrant Agoston Haraszthy founded Buena Vista Winery, introducing European vine cuttings and experimenting with new winemaking techniques. His work helped establish Sonoma as one of the foundations of California’s modern wine industry, and Buena Vista is still considered one of the most historically significant wineries in Sonoma Valley.

Sonoma’s history has never really disappeared beneath the vineyards. It is still visible in old buildings, historic estates, wine caves and even in the character of the wineries themselves. Walking through the valley today, it is easy to feel that you are moving between different chapters of the same story, from the early mission vineyards to the pioneering winemakers of the 1800s and, finally, to the sophisticated wine country that attracts visitors today.

Perhaps this is part of what makes it so enjoyable to visit Sonoma Valley. Today, with more than 100 wineries across the valley, that history has evolved into a destination where wine, architecture, nature and slow living come together making a Sonoma Valley wine tasting feel like a small journey through California’s past as much as an opportunity to discover its wines.

Three Wineries Worth Visiting in Sonoma Valley, California

All three wineries we visited have a completely different style, interior and personality, and naturally, each one creates a slightly different feeling. I have arranged them in the order in which we discovered them. We had no particular plan and no wine tastings booked in advance. Instead, we simply decided to drive along the road through Sonoma Valley and stop at the wineries that, for one visual reason or another, immediately made us want to pull over and explore.

Ledson Winery

Ledson Winery was our first stop, which somehow made the whole experience feel wonderfully spontaneous and uncomplicated. And for my first tasting, I chose a Chardonnay, which I slowly savoured while sitting at a wooden table in the courtyard, looking out over the vineyards glowing in the warm California sunshine.

The main building immediately catches your attention. Designed to resemble a castle, it has a slightly theatrical, almost fairytale quality, and the elevated aesthetic continues inside. Wood is one of the dominant elements of the interior, creating a natural connection with the surrounding landscape and, somehow, with the idea of wine itself. There is something particularly pleasant about sitting in a place where the architecture, the vineyard and the wine seem to belong to the same visual story.

Ledson is also a winery with a remarkably broad selection of wines. Alongside Chardonnay, its portfolio includes Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc and several other varieties. The winery produces wines from different areas of California, including Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, Napa Valley & Anderson Valley.

As for my choice, the Chardonnay felt particularly appropriate for that warm afternoon, a wine to sip slowly rather than rush through (sounds as romantic as it truly was!). Ledson currently offers several Chardonnay styles, from richer, oak-influenced expressions to fresher versions with brighter acidity, so it is a good place to explore how differently the same grape variety can express itself.

And perhaps this is what I enjoyed most about our first Sonoma Valley wine tasting: there was no pressure to turn it into a serious wine exercise. We simply arrived, chose a wine, found a beautiful place to sit and allowed the afternoon to unfold at its own pace. Sometimes, when you visit Sonoma Valley, that is really all you need.

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

Located not far from Ledson Winery, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards immediately felt very different. Its style is more casual and colonial, with a quieter, more grounded character and none of the outward grandeur of Ledson. The winery’s mission-style architecture and surrounding vineyards give it a distinctly Californian sense of place, while the atmosphere feels very welcoming.

When we stepped into the courtyard, where tables are arranged for wine tastings and the estate also hosts weddings and private events, I was struck by the view. The mountains seemed to surround the winery like a soft, undulating border, creating a beautiful natural frame for the vineyards. It’s that view that makes you want to sit down for a little longer than planned and simply take it in.

Here, my choice was Pinot Noir – light, aromatic and wonderfully easy to drink. St. Francis describes its Sonoma County Pinot Noir with notes of red cherry, pomegranate, strawberry and raspberry, complemented by hints of baking spice, chamomile tea, orange peel and cinnamon. The wine has a soft, silky texture with enough acidity to keep it fresh, which makes it particularly pleasant to enjoy slowly while taking in the scenery.

St. Francis has been making wine for more than 55 years and today produces a broad portfolio of Sonoma County wines, with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel among its best-known varieties, alongside other reds and whites. The estate is also fully certified sustainable, with vineyards across Sonoma County. For visitors, there are several ways to experience the winery, from an Artisan wine tasting to wine-and-food pairings and vineyard experiences. St. Francis was a completely different kind of Sonoma Valley wine tasting experience from our first stop. It felt less theatrical and more connected to the landscape surrounded by vineyards and mountains.

Little Vineyards Family Winery

Little Vineyards Family Winery was the last winery we visited that day and it felt the most personal. Its name is reflected quite clearly in the character of the place: the atmosphere is more intimate, relaxed and family-oriented, with a strong rustic style running through the interiors. There is nothing overly formal about it and that is exactly what makes it so inviting.

Music runs like a golden thread through the details of the winery. Guitars hang on the walls, while shelves are filled with CDs and vinyl records, alongside books about wine. It feels less like a traditional tasting room and more like someone’s wonderfully eclectic home, a place where wine, music and conversation naturally belong together. Live performances are also regularly held in the backyard, adding another layer of warmth and personality to the experience.

The whole atmosphere seems to invite you to slow down, relax & talk. And maybe this is not the most essential part of a wine tasting but for me it is one of those seemingly small details that can make the entire experience feel more memorable. After all, wine is not only about what is in the glass; it is also about the mood, the people and the conversations that happen along the way.

At Little Vineyards, my choice was Petite Sirah, a bold and richly flavoured red that felt like an interesting contrast to the lighter Pinot Noir I had chosen at St. Francis. The winery also specialises in Zinfandel, one of the varieties for which Little Vineyards is particularly known. Their portfolio includes a selection of estate-grown and Sonoma Valley wines, with both red and white varieties available for tasting.

Looking back, I think the three wineries made a surprisingly harmonious sequence. Ledson offered the grand architecture and a sense of theatrical beauty; St. Francis brought us closer to the surrounding mountains and landscape; and Little Vineyards ended the day with music, rustic details and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. Three completely different interpretations of Sonoma Valley wine tasting, which is perhaps exactly what makes visiting the best wineries in Sonoma Valley so enjoyable.

A Day in Sonoma Valley

This day turned out to be wonderfully balanced, full of new experiences, yet at the same time deeply relaxing (mmm…maybe wine has something to do with it!), perhaps because the experience itself was centred around wine. Driving along the sun-drenched roads of Sonoma Valley, surrounded by warm air and vineyards stretching into the distance, somehow feels like entering another reality, one where it becomes remarkably easy to dream about the future.

It was just one day a tiny moment in the scale of the universe and yet, within that single day, it was impossible to fully comprehend the efforts of generations of people who have worked this land, carefully cultivating it and passing their knowledge from one generation to the next. All I could really do was pause for a moment and appreciate the beauty around me, and the richness of the aromas and flavours that are ultimately the result of all those years of work.

The favourable climate and fertile soils of Sonoma Valley, California continue to do their part, helping preserve this extraordinary corner of California for everyone who comes here wanting to discover the flavours of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and so many other wines. So, perhaps there is nothing more to do than slow down, raise a glass and enjoy the moment!

Salud!

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Ultimate City Guide to Torremolinos Spain by a Local

Elena Sullivan — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 16:36:00 +0000

I love the romance of nostalgia. There is a particular charm in looking back at the past, perhaps because it softens the harder parts of reality and turns them into something a little easier for the mind to take in. That is probably why I enjoy being in cities where traces of history have survived in old buildings, architectural landmarks and sculptures, sometimes playfully hidden in different corners of the city. In places like this, you find history right there on the surface, waiting for anyone curious enough to notice it.

Torremolinos is one of those places where nostalgia comes easily and quite happily and deliciously, considering the number of restaurants and tapas bars offering such a wonderful variety of Spanish food. Although the golden age of Torremolinos is generally considered to have been from the 1950s to the 1970s, the town is still one of the most popular holiday destinations on the Costa del Sol today.

Its neighbours, Málaga, one of the oldest cities in Europe, and Marbella, famous for its wealthy and luxurious atmosphere, attract more tourists statistically. When you walk through the streets of Torremolinos in summer, the feeling can be quite different. There is a certain energy here that is difficult to measure in statistics: people walking towards the beach, restaurants filling up in the evening, the sound of conversations coming from terraces and tapas bars, and the feeling that the town has been welcoming visitors for generations. And perhaps that is part of what makes Torremolinos so interesting to me. Its past is not locked away in a museum but mixed into everyday life.

During its glamorous years, Torremolinos attracted an impressive list of international celebrities. Brigitte Bardot, Salvador Dalí and Gala, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, John Lennon, Ava Gardner and many others spent time here. Their presence became part of the town’s legend, and you can still find echoes of that era in the old streets, hotels, restaurants and places along the coast. Today, Torremolinos is a mixture of all these different layers, the old fishing village, the glamorous resort of the mid-20th century, the busy summer destination and the everyday Spanish town where people actually live. And I think the best way to understand it is to explore its different areas, because each one has its own atmosphere and tells a slightly different story.

Torremolinos has a long history of being an LGBTQ+ friendly destination, and this is something you notice when spending time in the town. The area around La Nogalera is particularly well known for its LGBTQ+ nightlife, with bars, clubs, restaurants and accommodation catering to a very international crowd. The official tourism website describes Torremolinos as one of the pioneering LGBTQ+ destinations in southern Europe, and the town continues to celebrate this history with its annual Pride events.

Areas of Torremolinos (Malaga Spain)

Torremolinos is a relatively small town and its neighbourhoods can feel surprisingly different from one another. Some are right by the sea and full of holiday activity, while others are further inland, quieter and more residential. If you are visiting for the first time, knowing a little about these areas can help you decide where to stay and also give you a better idea of what to expect when exploring the town.

The main areas I will be looking at are:

El Bajondillo
Los Álamos
La Carihuela
Los Pinares
El Calvario
Montemar
The Promenade
The Centre

I find this way of looking at Torremolinos particularly useful because the town changes quite noticeably as you move from the centre towards the coast and then along the promenade. One street can feel lively and touristy, while a few minutes away you may suddenly find yourself surrounded by quieter residential streets.

Things to Do and See in Torremolinos (Malaga Spain)

With a population of around 70,000, Torremolinos is a relatively small town, yet it has a surprisingly varied collection of places to see and things to do. Its history, architecture, art and lively streets make it much more than simply a beach destination. Many of the main sights are within easy reach of the centre, so you can comfortably combine sightseeing with stops at tapas bars and restaurants or a relaxing afternoon on the beach.

If you go beyond the famous sightseeing spots, there is so much more of Torremolinos to discover. The white buildings, narrow streets that feel very Andalusian and places with interesting light and shadow combination.

Torre Pimentel

Address: Torre de Pimentel, C. Cta. del Tajo, s/n, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

Torre Pimentel is one of the symbols of Torremolinos and a monument you will see in many photographs and tourist guides. It stands between Calle San Miguel and Cuesta del Tajo, on the route down towards Bajondillo Beach, so you are unlikely to miss it as you walk up or down the beautifully tiled steps. Built around 1300 during the Nasrid period, the tower formed part of the defensive network along the coast of the Kingdom of Granada. Originally known as Torre de los Molinos, it eventually gave the town its name – Torremolinos, or “Tower of the Mills”.

Casa de los Navajas

Address: Calle Antonio Navajas Ruiz, Bajondillo, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

Standing rather unexpectedly among modern apartment buildings, Casa de los Navajas immediately catches your eye with its distinctive architecture. This elegant little palace was built in 1925 as the seaside residence of the wealthy Luque-Navajas family, whose fortune was connected to the sugar-cane industry. Designed in a Neo-Mudejar style with Mozarabic touches and decorative elements inspired by Granada’s Alhambra, the house feels wonderfully out of place in the best possible way. Today it also hosts exhibitions, concerts and theatre performances, making it both a historical landmark and a cultural space.

Spot the Murals

As someone who enjoys art in all its forms, I always like discovering murals when I visit a city where street art has become part of the urban landscape. Torremolinos has its own collection, and many of its murals celebrate the celebrities and personalities associated with the town during its glamorous years of the 1960s and 1970s, when it became one of the most fashionable destinations on the Costa del Sol. Keep your eyes open as you walk around, some of the most interesting artworks are easy to miss if you are concentrating only on the main sights. You can follow the official Ruta de los Murales to discover more of them.

Clock Tower

The Clock Tower is hard to miss thanks to its central location and the prominent clock tower that gives the area its name. Around it you will find restaurants, bars, karaoke venues and places offering live music, making this one of the liveliest spots in the centre. If you want to spend a few hours right in the middle of the action, surrounded by people and the sounds of Torremolinos after dark, this is the place to be.

Cat City

This may not be an official tourist attraction, but for me it is one of the sweetest little discoveries in Torremolinos. There are plenty of cats here, and most of the time you will find them peacefully lounging on the rocks or sitting in the sun as if they have absolutely nowhere else to be. One important thing to know is that visitors are asked not to feed them: a dedicated team of volunteers looks after the cats and provides them with food and water. So although they live freely in this open environment, they are very much cared for.

ABA Art Gallery

For art lovers, ABA Art Gallery is a small contemporary gallery in the centre of Torremolinos where exhibitions by local and emerging artists are held throughout the year. The focus is largely on contemporary art, making it an interesting little stop if you enjoy discovering independent galleries rather than only visiting the larger cultural institutions. Check their website or social media to see which exhibition is currently on.

Art Around Town

Address: C. de la Cruz, 42, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

If you enjoy art, it is worth keeping an eye on the cultural programme of Torremolinos. The Pablo Picasso Cultural Centre, the Town Hall and Casa de los Navajas regularly host exhibitions and cultural events, so there is often something new to discover during your stay. I particularly like this aspect of Torremolinos because art here is not confined to one large museum but it appears in smaller galleries, historic buildings and unexpected corners of the town.

Centro de Interpretación Turística

Address: C. Cta. del Tajo, 11, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

The Centro de Interpretación Turística is a good place to visit if you want to learn more about Torremolinos beyond its beaches and nightlife. Located on Cuesta del Tajo, in the old part of town, it also hosts temporary exhibitions, so there can be something different to see depending on when you visit. Recent exhibitions have included photography, contemporary art and projects exploring the history and character of Torremolinos.

It is also a useful place to stop if you need practical information about the town or want to find out more about what is happening locally. The centre is currently listed as open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00, although I would recommend checking the official tourism website before visiting, especially if you are interested in a particular exhibition.

Sunday Vintage Fair

Address: Av. del Real, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

For lovers of vintage clothing, decorative objects and all things with a little history, the Sunday vintage market is worth adding to your itinerary. It takes place outside the main centre, close to Torremolinos Town Hall, and is a nice way to spend a slower Sunday morning browsing for something unusual to take home. You never quite know what you might find, which is part of the charm.

Flamenco Show

A visit to Andalusia can feel incomplete without experiencing flamenco, and Torremolinos offers the chance to see this passionate Spanish tradition in an intimate setting. Taberna Flamenca Pepe López, located int he Central part of town walking distance from the metro, is one of the places to consider for a flamenco evening, where music, singing and dance come together in a performance that captures a very different side of Andalusian culture. It is a lovely choice for an evening when you want to step away from the beach bars and experience something with deeper cultural roots.

Spot all the sculptures

One of my favourite things to do in Torremolinos is to turn a walk around town into a little sculpture/monument hunt. There are sculptures and interesting public artworks located in different parts of the town, so keep your eyes open as you explore. Some are easy to spot, while others are tucked away in streets, squares and unexpected corners.

Best Restaurants in Torremolinos (Malaga Spain)

On my first visit to Torremolinos, I remember walking along the promenade and being struck by how harmonious the design of the coastal area felt. The wide stretches of beach flow naturally into spaces lined with evergreen palm trees, which sit beautifully alongside the beach clubs and restaurants. And, of course, there are the chiringuitos – the traditional Spanish beach restaurants that have become such an essential part of Spain’s seaside dining culture.

Torremolinos has plenty of them, so there is certainly enough choice to find a favourite. For something a little more traditional, the tapas bars and restaurants are mostly within easy walking distance of the promenade, gradually leading you towards the centre of town. The first restaurant we visited in Torremolinos was El Dorado, the restaurant closest to the promenade on my list of favourites. We still return there regularly. But a few weeks ago, we discovered what felt almost like a hidden gem: Ambrosia, a Spanish-Italian restaurant that has quickly taken the number-one spot on my list. I’ll explain why.

Ambrosia

Address: C. Carmen Montes, 8, Loc 3, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

Ambrosia is a charming Spanish-Italian restaurant run by two chefs, Miguel from Spain and Simone from Italy. Both have extensive experience working in restaurants in Spain and London, including Michelin-starred restaurants in Marbella. Their restaurant is tucked away from the busier part of the promenade, creating a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy dinner without the usual noise and bustle of the coast.

The food is refined and distinctive, with every dish we ordered leaving an impression. We tried the veal, cannelloni and ajo blanco soup, and each one had its own character, both in flavour and presentation. For several years now, I have had a little ritual whenever I visit an Italian restaurant: I always order the tiramisu. I jokingly tell people that I judge Italian restaurants by their tiramisu, and Ambrosia certainly passed my little test with ease.

Their tiramisu is exceptional: light, delicate and almost imperceptibly melting in your mouth, with a lingering, wonderfully indulgent aftertaste. Yes, it is the kind of dessert that makes you want another spoonful… and then another. For me, everything about Ambrosia deserves five stars, and it currently holds the top position on my list of restaurants in Torremolinos.

El Dorado

Address: C. del Peligro, 2, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

El Dorado was the first restaurant we visited in Torremolinos, and it has remained one of those places we are always happy to return to. The menu offers a generous selection of Spanish dishes and is thoughtfully structured, making it surprisingly easy to choose what to order.

We have already been back several times and are planning to return again. On weekend evenings, particularly during the busy summer season, I would recommend making a reservation in advance. Otherwise, you may find yourself waiting for a table. Despite the restaurant’s generous size and how busy it can become, the service is impressively efficient, with both the food and drinks arriving without a long wait.

Morrofino Restaurant

Address: P.º de Maritimo Torremolinos, 69, Loc 16, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

Morrofino, located in Playamar close to the promenade, offers Mediterranean and Spanish cuisine with a modern and creative touch. The menu combines traditional favourites with dishes such as tuna tataki, burrata, fresh seafood, grilled meats and other Mediterranean-inspired creations. Its relaxed setting and varied menu make it a good option for a leisurely lunch or dinner, particularly if you are exploring the Playamar area.

Olas de Levante

Address: Restaurante olas de levante, Calle Bulto, 26, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

Located in La Carihuela, one of Torremolinos’ historic fishing neighbourhoods, Olas de Levante focuses on seafood and traditional Mediterranean cooking. The menu includes fresh fish, pescaíto frito, rice dishes, paella and arroz negro, alongside a selection of salads and meat dishes. Its location makes it a natural choice for anyone wanting to combine a stroll through La Carihuela with a taste of the area’s long-standing fishing and seafood traditions.

Zenzero

Address: C. Rio Veral, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

Zenzero is an Italian restaurant with an artsy interior and a wonderfully homely feel. The interior is particularly charming: cosy, intimate and full of character. If you appreciate thoughtful interior design, small atmospheric restaurants and vintage decorative pieces, Zenzero is definitely worth discovering. There is something pleasantly nostalgic about the space, making it feel more like a little neighbourhood restaurant than a place designed purely for tourists.

Casero La Comida Mediterránea

Address: C. Skal, 4, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

Casero La Comida Mediterránea is a cosy restaurant where Mediterranean and Spanish cooking meets influences from other culinary traditions, including Moroccan and Arabic flavours. The menu offers everything from tapas and seafood to meat dishes and more creative combinations, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options also available. Its warm and intimate atmosphere makes it particularly appealing for a relaxed evening meal, and its popularity means that booking ahead is a good idea.

Sensaciones La Carihuela

Address: C. de San Ginés, 32, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

Sensaciones La Carihuela is a restaurant to consider when exploring La Carihuela, one of the most atmospheric parts of Torremolinos. Its location fits naturally into an evening spent wandering through the old fishing quarter, where restaurants, terraces and narrow streets create a lively Mediterranean atmosphere. It is a good addition to the list for anyone looking to discover the dining scene around La Carihuela rather than staying only along the main promenade.

Zabor Fetén

Address: C. de la Cruz, 10, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

Zabor Fetén is a contemporary gastrobar in the centre of Torremolinos, situated on a pedestrian street close to some of the town’s best-known bars. The concept combines traditional Spanish flavours with a more modern approach, offering gourmet tapas, Mediterranean dishes and creative combinations, alongside a selection of cocktails. I particularly like the idea of this kind of place for an evening when you want to share several small dishes rather than settle into a traditional three-course dinner, relaxed way to enjoy both the food and the atmosphere of the town centre.

El Taller

Address: C. Príncipe Faisal de Arabia Saudi, 2, Loc 1, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

El Taller is another charming restaurant tucked away from the main promenade, offering a quieter and more intimate dining experience. Its refined menu, much like Ambrosia, has echoes of the kind of creative cooking you might associate with Michelin-starred restaurants. The food is artistic without feeling overly complicated, and the presentation has a distinctly creative character that is matched by the flavours themselves. There is a real sense of care behind each plate, making the meal feel like more than simply dinner.

The wine list is another pleasant surprise. It is thoughtfully curated without being intimidating, and Spanish wine lovers will find plenty to explore. El Taller is one of those places that rewards curiosity, the kind of restaurant you might easily walk past if you are only following the busiest streets, but which becomes a memorable discovery once you find it.

Best Coffee Shops for Breakfast in Torremolinos

Torremolinos is a nice beachfront town to start the day slowly, no matter what you are looking for a healthy breakfast, a good coffee and something sweet, or a more traditional Spanish morning meal. From stylish little coffee shops to old-fashioned churrerías, there is plenty of choice and here are the best of them.

TÓOP Coffee & Bakery

Address: Av. de Benyamina, 8, Loc 1, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

With its cheerful and positive atmosphere, TÓOP Coffee & Bakery is a lovely place to start the day in Torremolinos, whether you are looking for breakfast or a relaxed brunch. The casual décor, with its rustic touches, fits beautifully with the overall atmosphere and architectural character of the town. The menu is fresh, colourful and easy to navigate, with plenty of healthy ingredients: from acai bowls with homemade granola and sandwiches with avocado, mozzarella and salmon to classic Spanish pitufos (a small bread roll) served with olive oil and tomatoes. Add a smoothie, perhaps a green one or a refreshing combination of mango and pineapple, and you have everything you need for a delicious start to the morning.

The café is owned by Lina, who trained in baking in Belgium, and her cinnamon rolls (Yummmy! ) are truly something special. They are so delicious that they are almost impossible to resist. When I tried one for the first time, it immediately reminded me of my grandmother’s baking. That is one of the greatest compliments you can give to a pastry: when a taste can transport you, through your senses, straight back to childhood memories. There is something very comforting about that, and perhaps that is what makes TÓOP feel so memorable. The coffee shop is open from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, making it a particularly good option for an early breakfast or leisurely brunch.

Para el Café

Address: Pl. Costa del Sol, 5, Loc 24, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

Para el Café is a small coffee shop in the heart of Torremolinos, located on Plaza Costa del Sol, and is a particularly good choice if good coffee is an important part of your morning. They work with Café Arabo and serve 100% Arabica coffee, alongside bagels, toasted sandwiches and more traditional Spanish breakfast options such as tomato toast with or without Serrano ham. The menu is simple but well thought out, making this a lovely little spot for an easy breakfast before heading out to explore the town.

Naranjito

Address: Calle Mar, 20, C. de San Ginés, 30, y 27, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

If you are looking for a good breakfast in La Carihuela, Naranjito is one of the places I would add to the list. This family-run café and pastry shop has been serving breakfast for decades and offers everything from traditional Spanish and English breakfasts to toast, croissants, fresh orange juice, smoothies and homemade pastries. My favourite there is the crumble cake and the croissants are also especially good. I also like the cheerful atmosphere here because interior has lots of orange, which gives the place a warm and positive feel.

Elvira

Address: P.º de Maritimo Torremolinos, 1, Beach, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

Elvira is a specialty coffee shop right on the seafront, with uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean and a calm, welcoming atmosphere. The menu focuses on fresh, healthy food, with protein-rich options, brunch dishes, smoothie bowls and specialty coffee, making it a great choice for those who prefer a lighter and more nutritious start to the day. I particularly like the idea of coming here in the morning, sitting close to the sea and taking your time over breakfast while watching the promenade gradually come to life.

Dena Café & Bar

Address: C. los Perros, 12, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

Dena Café & Bar is another relaxed option for breakfast in Torremolinos, particularly if you are looking for something casual rather than a more polished brunch setting. It has the easy-going character of a local café-bar, making it a good place to stop for coffee and a simple breakfast before beginning a day of exploring. Sometimes that is exactly what you want on holiday … somewhere uncomplicated, friendly and comfortable, where you can sit for a while and watch the town wake up.

Churrería El Único

Address: Pl. Costa del Sol, 5, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga

For anyone looking for a classic Spanish breakfast, a visit to Churrería El Único is a must. This is the place to come for freshly made porras, a thicker, softer cousin of the better-known churros, served with a traditional Spanish coffee or hot chocolate. In fact, the porras here are among the best I have tried so far in the area, and definitely worth seeking out if you want to experience this very Spanish breakfast tradition. You can also try one of the freshly prepared pitufos, including the version with ham, for a more savoury start to the day. Located in the centre of Torremolinos, close to the metro station and many of the town’s attractions, it is an easy stop to combine with a morning of sightseeing.

Best Hotels in Torremolinos

Choosing where to stay in Torremolinos depends very much on what kind of holiday you have in mind. Some hotels are right on the seafront, making it easy to step out and enjoy the beach and promenade, while others are closer to the centre or tucked away in quieter residential areas. There are also plenty of options for different styles of travel, from elegant boutique hotels and larger beachfront resorts to apartment-style accommodation that gives you a little more independence.

I have put together a selection of hotels and apartments across Torremolinos that are worth considering, whether you are looking for a beautiful sea view, easy access to the beach, a central location or simply a comfortable base from which to explore the town and the surrounding Costa del Sol.

Hotel Ocean House Costa Del Sol
Essence Hotel Boutique
Meliá Costa del Sol
Hotel Isabel
Hotel Perla Del Sur
Medplaya Hotel Pez Espada
Hotel Apartamentos Bajondillo
MS Amaragua
Occidental Torremolinos Playa
SOL by Meliá Torremolinos
Kora Olea
Hotel Tarik
Apartamentos Buendia Suites
Arcos de Montemar
Princesa Solar 4★

Find out more info about Hotels in Torremolinos in this article – “Best Hotels in Torremolinos, Malaga Spain”

Best Hostels in Torremolinos (Malaga Spain)

During my first solo trip around Spain, I stayed in hostels. Partly, this was because I was travelling on a relatively small budget, but I was also curious about meeting people from different corners of the world. It turned out to be a fun and unique experience, one that added many wonderful moments to my memories of that trip.

Ever since then, I have often recommended that young travellers try staying in a hostel at least once in their lives. To me, a hostel is almost like a living encyclopaedia of travellers, where, within a single evening, you can meet people from completely different countries, hear their stories and perhaps even find yourself making plans for the next part of your journey together.

The concept of the hostel originated in Germany and gradually spread across Europe. Today, hostels have become an important part of the travelling culture, particularly among younger and solo travellers. And, of course, Torremolinos has its own selection of interesting places to stay:

Beatriz Charming Hostal
Micaela Hostal
Joy Beach B&B
Los Geranios del Pinar
Hostal Guillot
Albergue Inturjoven Torremolinos

Beatriz Charming Hostal

A charming small guesthouse just steps from the beach, with a convenient location in the heart of Torremolinos. Some rooms also offer sea views.

Micaela Hostal

A cosy, family-style hostal in El Bajondillo, just a short walk from the beach. A good choice for travellers looking for something simple and personal.

Joy Beach B&B

Located close to the beach, restaurants, bars and the lively centre of Torremolinos, Joy Beach B&B is a convenient choice for travellers who like to be close to the action.

Los Geranios del Pinar

Set in a quieter, greener part of Torremolinos, Los Geranios del Pinar offers a more peaceful atmosphere away from the busiest coastal areas.

Hostal Guillot

A simple and centrally located hostal, ideal for travellers who value convenience and easy access to the town’s restaurants, shops and transport.

Albergue Inturjoven Torremolinos

A budget-friendly hostel with a relaxed and informal atmosphere, particularly suitable for younger travellers, solo visitors and groups.

Best Chiringuitos (Beach restaurants) in Torremolinos

Chiringuitos are one of those wonderfully Spanish concepts that can be found along beaches throughout the country. The word itself has a playful sound that seems to perfectly match the relaxed atmosphere of these seaside restaurants, a combination of sun, sand, sea and long, unhurried lunches.

The name chiringuito refers to establishments located on or next to the beach, usually operating during the summer season. Interestingly, however, the word itself did not originate in Spain but in Cuba. Chiringuito is a diminutive of chiringo, the name once given on the island to a particular way of preparing coffee, in which boiling water was poured through a stocking. Over time, the word came to be associated with the establishments where this coffee was served.

The term was later brought to Spain by César González Ruano, an illustrious Spanish journalist and writer, who encountered it during his travels in Cuba. He used the word to describe El Kiosket, a beach establishment in Sitges, near Barcelona. In 1949, El Kiosket officially adopted the name chiringuito, and from there the word became part of Spanish beach culture.

Torremolinos has plenty of chiringuitos, and as you walk along the promenade, you will come across dozens of them. Some are perfect for a relaxed lunch by the sea, while others are better suited to a drink, a sunset or a leisurely afternoon. Here are a few that I think are worth paying attention to:

El Salado Playa
El Canarias
Kavana Playa
Tela Marinera Chiringuito
Chiringuito Ma’res
La Frontera Playa
Chiringuito Sal Marina
Chiringito El Yate
Chiringuito PlayaCopaCabana

Where to Listen to Live Music in Torremolinos

From jazz and blues to Spanish guitar and easy-going rock, Torremolinos has plenty of places where you can relax with a drink and enjoy live music.

Jazz Lawrence – This venue has a particularly varied programme of live music, so it is worth checking their website before your trip to see which performances coincide with your stay in Torremolinos.
Billie’s Piano Bar and Speakeasy – Located in the centre of town, Billie’s is a small, atmospheric piano bar inspired by the 1920s. One of the owners is also a musician, and live performances are a big part of the experience, creating a cosy setting for cocktails, tapas and music.
Elton’s Rocket Bar – A lively spot for music lovers, particularly if you enjoy piano-led rock and roll. Their programme includes energetic live shows inspired by the music of Elton John and classic rock, making it a fun choice for an evening out.
Clock Tower – Situated on Plaza Costa del Sol, Clock Tower is a lively bar in the centre of Torremolinos where you can combine drinks and a relaxed evening atmosphere with live entertainment.
El Velero – One of the chiringuitos on the beach in the Bajondillo area, El Velero is a lovely place to combine the seaside atmosphere with live music. Very often in the evenings, music adds another layer to the relaxed setting, making it especially enjoyable as the day begins to wind down.

Have you been to Torremolinos, or are you planning a visit? I’d love to hear about your favourite places, hidden gems and memorable experiences. Share your recommendations in the comments, I’m always happy to discover somewhere new to add to my list!

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Best Hotels in Torremolinos Málaga Spain

Elena Sullivan — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:14:02 +0000

When planning a solo trip, honeymoon or family holiday in Torremolinos, Malaga province, Spain, or really any other city, choosing a hotel is usually the second most important decision after booking your flights. Finding the right hotel can take quite a bit of time. An all-inclusive hotel or a small boutique hotel or a hostel whatever you are looking for, you can easily spend hours comparing places, looking through photos, checking prices and finding the right option for your dates in Spain.

In Torremolinos (Malaga province in Spain), as in many other towns along the Costa del Sol, there is a large selection of hotels for almost every budget. You can stay right on the coast with views of the Mediterranean Sea, in the centre surrounded by bars and restaurants, or a little further inland in the hills, where the atmosphere is quieter and more private. So, whatever kind of holiday you are planning, you should be able to find a hotel that suits you.

Of course, the price of your room will usually affect the quality and number of amenities available, as well as the design and overall atmosphere of the hotel. I don’t think we should underestimate the importance of price. We all understand that, in many cases, the cost of a room reflects what the hotel can offer. A room with a sea view, for example, will almost always cost more, and sometimes simply waking up and looking at the Mediterranean is already part of the experience.

Before we move on to the list of the best hotels in Torremolinos Málaga Spain, let’s first take a look at the different areas of the town. Where you stay can make quite a difference to your holiday, especially if you want to be close to the beach, restaurants and nightlife, or prefer somewhere quieter.

Areas of Torremolinos, Malaga Spain

Torremolinos is divided into several areas, each with its own character: The Centre, The Promenade, La Carihuela, El Bajondillo, Los Álamos, Los Pinares, El Calvario and Montemar.

The town’s coastline stretches for approximately 7–8 kilometres, with several different beach areas along the way. El Bajondillo is one of the busiest areas, especially during the summer, and the beach here can become quite crowded.

If you prefer more space and a slightly less busy atmosphere, I would look towards Los Álamos or the areas closer to it. La Carihuela has a very different feeling again, with its traditional fishing-village character, seafood restaurants and promenade, while The Centre is a better choice if you want to be surrounded by shops, cafés, restaurants and everyday local life.

The map (below) will give you a better idea of where these areas are located and help you choose the part of Torremolinos that suits your style of holiday.

My Selection of Best Hotels in Torremolinos Malaga Spain

Here are some of the hotels and apartments I would consider when looking for a place to stay in Torremolinos:

Meliá Costa del Sol
Hotel Ocean House Costa del Sol
Essence Hotel Boutique
Hotel Isabel
Hotel Perla del Sur
Medplaya Hotel Pez Espada
Hotel Apartamentos Bajondillo
MS Amaragua
Occidental Torremolinos Playa
SOL by Meliá Torremolinos
Kora Olea
Hotel Tarik
Apartamentos Buendia Suites
Arcos de Montemar
Princesa Solar 4*

Meliá Costa del Sol

One of the more established and best beachfront hotels in Torremolinos, Meliá Costa del Sol is a good choice if your priority is location, sea views and a full range of hotel services. You can expect around all the necessary amenities, including swimming pools, restaurants and bars, a fitness area, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, terraces and direct access to the promenade. Prices can start around €130–€150 per night in quieter periods and easily reach €250–€400+ during the high season, especially for rooms with sea views. Current rates vary considerably by dates and room type.

Essence Hotel Boutique

Essence Hotel Boutique in Torremolinos is a smaller and more intimate option with a focus on wellness and relaxation. Among its main amenities are a swimming pool with a counter-current system, jacuzzi, Turkish bath, buffet restaurant, Wi-Fi and other wellness facilities. The hotel’s own website currently advertises rooms from around €76 per night, although summer and holiday dates can be considerably more expensive.

Hotel Isabel

Hotel Isabel is a four-star beachfront hotel located directly on the Paseo Marítimo Torremolinos. It has lots of amenities including an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, garden, restaurant/bar, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, 24-hour reception and rooms with balconies or sea views. One thing I particularly like about this hotel is the range of room options, from single rooms to larger family rooms and suites. Prices currently start from around €75 per night, with sea-view and larger rooms generally costing more, sometimes reaching €150–€200+ depending on the season.

Hotel Perla del Sur

Hotel Perla del Sur is a smaller hotel close to the beach and promenade, making it a practical option if location is more important to you than having a long list of resort facilities. Prices are generally in the €70–€160 per night range, although summer dates can be higher.

Medplaya Hotel Pez Espada

Pez Espada is one of the recognizable classic hotels on the Torremolinos coastline, located close to La Carihuela. It offers around 10–12 key amenities, including swimming pools, restaurants, bars, gardens, terraces, Wi-Fi, fitness facilities and beach access. Rooms range from standard options to larger sea-view suites. I would put the approximate price range at €130–€300+ per night, with suites and high-season dates at the upper end. Current listings show significantly higher prices for some sea-view and suite options.

Hotel Apartamentos Bajondillo

If you prefer having more space and the possibility of preparing your own food, Hotel Apartamentos Bajondillo in Torremolinos is worth considering. It is right on the beachfront and has a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, Wi-Fi, gardens, entertainment and apartment-style accommodation. The published rates show how much prices change during the year: studios can range from around €75–€195 per night, while apartments for up to four people can range from roughly €145 to €300+, depending on the dates.

Occidental Torremolinos Playa

This is a good option if you are looking for a larger resort atmosphere, particularly for a family holiday. The hotel has swimming pools, restaurants and bars, gardens, entertainment, Wi-Fi, fitness facilities and terraces. Prices are generally around €120–€300 per night, depending on the season, room type and whether meals are included.

SOL by Meliá Torremolinos

SOL by Meliá is another beachfront choice, particularly suitable for travellers who want the convenience of a larger hotel with plenty of facilities nearby. This hotel has swimming pools, restaurants, bars, Wi-Fi, terraces, entertainment and fitness facilities. A reasonable approximate range would be €110–€280 per night, with July and August usually being considerably more expensive.

Kora Olea

Kora Olea is quite different from a traditional beach hotel. It is an aparthotel-style property with fully equipped kitchens, balconies and a more residential feeling, which can be especially convenient for longer stays. It offers all necessary amenities, including an outdoor pool, fitness centre, coworking space, garden areas, BBQ facilities, breakfast, Wi-Fi, private parking, shuttle service and a children’s playground. Prices vary depending on the length of stay and booking conditions, but I would use approximately €100–€220 per night as a general guide for shorter stays.

Hotel Tarik

Hotel Tarik is a smaller, more traditional hotel close to the beachfront, with a much more intimate feeling than the larger resorts. It has around 8–10 main amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar, terrace, Wi-Fi, air conditioning and 24-hour reception. Current listings show prices around €200+ per night for some dates, although the actual rate can vary substantially depending on the season and room type.

Apartamentos Buendia Suites

Buendía Suites is a good choice if you like the idea of having an apartment rather than a traditional hotel room. The property has swimming pool, Wi-Fi, 24-hour reception, welcome drink, private terraces and modern apartment facilities. Prices are approximately €120–€250 per night, with larger suites and busy dates reaching the higher end of the range. There is a central bus station across the road, so if you want to explore Costa del Sol area using a public transport, staying at this hotel adds a certain convenience.

Arcos de Montemar

Arcos de Montemar is a recently renovated three-star hotel close to La Carihuela Beach. It has around 10 main amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool, exotic gardens, restaurant, snack bar, pool bar, solarium, Wi-Fi, parking and 24-hour reception. The hotel has 51 rooms, all with private balconies, and is around 200 metres from La Carihuela Beach. I would estimate €80–€180 per night, depending on the season and room type.

Princesa Solar 4*

Princesa Solar is a four-star hotel in the Montemar area in Torremolinos, offering a quieter location while still being relatively close to the beach and La Carihuela. It has swimming pools, restaurant, bar, spa/wellness facilities, Wi-Fi, gardens, terraces and parking. Prices are generally around €100–€220 per night, although summer dates can be higher.

MS Amaragua

MS Amaragua is another beachfront option, located next to La Carihuela Beach, and it has one of the more extensive lists of facilities on this selection. It has indoor and outdoor pools, spa and wellness centre, gym, sauna, Turkish bath, restaurants, bars, direct beach access, gardens, room service, parking and 24-hour reception. Prices are approximately €130–€300+ per night, with sea-view rooms and busy summer dates usually costing more.

Hotel Ocean House Costa del Sol

Located in the Carihuela area, Hotel Ocean House Costa del Sol is a modern option for travellers who want to stay close to the beach and enjoy a resort-style atmosphere. The hotel offers roughly 10 key amenities, including outdoor pools, restaurants and bars, Wi-Fi, fitness facilities, terraces and entertainment. I would expect prices in the approximate range of €120–€300 per night, depending heavily on the season and whether you choose a sea-view room.

This is not necessarily a ranking from number one to number fifteen. I would look at these hotels differently depending on what kind of trip you are planning, your budget, the location you prefer and, of course, what is available for your dates.

How to Choose the Best Hotel?

If you are an experienced traveller and exploring different cities and countries is one of your favourite hobbies, you probably already have your own way of finding a best hotels. After years of travelling solo, such as whether the area feels safe, how well it is connected to public transport, how close it is to the centre, and what is within walking distance.

For those who are less experienced, I have one simple piece of advice: choose the area first, and the hotel second. Think about what you want from your holiday. Do you want to walk to the beach every morning? Would you rather be close to restaurants and nightlife? Or would you prefer somewhere quieter, even if that means being a little further from the centre?

Once you have chosen the area, start comparing hotels and read the reviews. I usually check both Google Reviews and Booking.com, because comments from other travellers can give you a much better idea of what to expect than the hotel’s own photos. I also pay special attention when I see several people mentioning the same thing, either they are praising or complaining about it. If different guests independently notice the same detail, there is a good chance it really reflects the hotel and is worth taking into consideration.

If you have questions about best hotels in Torremolinos Malaga Spain or want to share your own experience, leave a comment below.

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Best Ways to Move Around Spain for Women Traveling Solo

Elena Sullivan — Sun, 06 Sep 2026 17:29:25 +0000

Often, when I start writing about Spain, I nostalgically try to draw parallels with my first solo travel experience in Spain in 2013, which I wrote about in my article “How traveling solo with a one-way ticket changed my life?” Now it is 2026, and it feels like solo travel for women has become both easier and more complicated. Easier because technology has developed so much, giving us more options for getting around. But at the same time, having so many options can make choosing more complicated or at least take much more time. On my first trip to Madrid, I used public transport, including metro. When I traveled solo to Barcelona, Seville and Valencia, I chose the same way of getting around. It was easy and straightforward. The first time, of course, I spent a little longer standing in front of the ticket machine, trying to figure out how to buy a metro card. Learning to do something for the first time and becoming more confident as you go is also part of the experience of solo female travel.

When my husband and I moved to Spain in 2025, (details I shared in this article “Moving to Spain from the United States. Our NLV Visa Journey to Costa del Sol”) new options were added to ways of getting around each city in Spain, including Uber and Bolt. Both apps entered the Spanish market after my solo travels around Spain. And I am pretty sure that if I were traveling around Spain alone again today, I would use these apps quite a lot. They are convenient and available in many Spanish cities, although not everywhere. For example, in Ronda, an unusually beautiful town about an hour from Marbella and around two hours from Málaga, these apps do not operate. In that case, your options are limited to public transport or taxis, which are usually found at designated taxi ranks marked with the appropriate signs.

Choosing how to move around is also an important part of planning the best solo destinations to visit in Spain. (BTW check out this article “Best Solo Travel Destinations in Spain for Women”) Some places are incredibly easy to explore by train or public transport, while others are much more convenient with a car or taxi. In the next section, I’ll look in more detail at the different options for getting around Spain and what I think works best for women traveling solo.

Best Ways to Move Around Spain for Women Traveling Solo

Uber or Bolt?

When I traveled independently around Spain, Uber was not yet available here, although it was already widely used in the United States, especially in San Francisco, the city where the company was founded. By the way, I have a few interesting articles about traveling in San Francisco here if you’d like to take a look: “My postcards of California San Francisco best places to visit on a first trip” and “Timeless elegance Palace of Fine Art San Francisco California.”

Today, in 2026, I would risk saying that most people around the world have heard of Uber. In Spain, the app is also widely used, together with its competitor, Bolt.

For women traveling solo from the United States, Uber might feel more familiar, simply because it is so widely used there. One thing that surprised me the first time I used it in Spain was ordering an Uber and seeing a car arrive with a Bolt logo. There is no need to worry, many drivers work with both apps. When this happened to me for the first time, I asked my friendly driver about it, and he explained how it works.

In general, I have found both apps very convenient and easy to use. Just keep in mind is that during rush hour, and especially during the busy tourist season in July and August, waiting times can be a little longer than usual, so it is worth planning some extra time.

Also, keep in mind that Uber and Bolt are not available in every Spanish city, particularly in smaller towns away from the main tourist centres. When these apps are not available, the easiest option is usually a local taxi. Taxis can normally be found at designated taxi ranks, and you can usually pay either by card or in cash.

Metro

The metro is available in many of Spain’s larger cities, including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao, Seville, Alicante, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca and Granada. Prices vary from city to city, but the system is generally quite similar. You can usually choose between single tickets and multi-ride or travel passes, which can be a good option if you are staying in a city for a week or more and plan to use public transport frequently.

I live in Torremolinos, near Málaga, and often use the metro myself. I find it very convenient, fast and safe, especially for solo female travel. If you are planning to travel solo around Spain, the metro can be one of the easiest ways to move around without having to worry about driving or parking.

For a more comfortable and predictable journey, I recommend checking the train times before heading to the station. The only time you may have to wait is if your train has just left. The usual interval can be around 10–15 minutes, depending on the city and line. If you would rather avoid waiting, simply check the official metro website for the city you are visiting and look at the timetable before you leave.

Public Transport

Public transport is a very convenient way to travel around Spain, especially in larger cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Valencia. Along the Costa del Sol, the public transport network is also quite well developed, and you can use buses to move around the cities as well as between different towns.

When it comes to travelling along the Costa del Sol, buses operated by Avanza connect many of the coastal towns. Most cities have a main bus station where many routes begin, although buses often make stops in different areas before joining the main A-7 highway towards their destination.

Local buses also run regularly within the cities. Payment is usually made when you get on the bus, so as with any solo travel, I recommend keeping a small amount of cash with you. Depending on the city and route, card payment may also be available, but I would not rely on it completely. The buses usually have route maps and a screen or display showing the next stop, so pay attention if you are travelling somewhere for the first time and do not want to miss your stop. I also find it helpful to follow the route on Google Maps or Apple Maps, especially when using a bus route for the first time. Each bus stop has a timetable, and from my experience, buses generally arrive quite close to the scheduled time. For solo female travel, I find buses a simple and affordable way to explore Spain, especially when you want to move around without renting a car.

If you are planning your trip in advance and want to learn more about public transport in Málaga and along the Costa del Sol, it is worth checking the official website of the Consorcio de Transporte Metropolitano del Área de Málaga. You can find information about routes, timetables and transport options before your trip.

Local Taxi

Taxis can be especially useful in Spain when you are travelling at night, carrying luggage, or heading somewhere that isn’t well connected by public transport. In most Spanish cities, there are designated taxi ranks where you can easily find a car, or you can request one through the PideTaxi app, which operates exclusively in Spain and connects passengers with regulated local taxis in more than 120 cities and towns across the country. You can usually pay for your taxi either by card or in cash. Taking a local taxi is one of those small conveniences that can make a female solo trip feel much easier, especially at the end of a long day when you simply want to get back to your hotel without thinking too much about the journey.

Renting a Car

When we moved to Spain, we decided to rent a car for two weeks so that we could get used to our new surroundings and explore the area more easily. We used a company called “HARO Rent a Car,” and overall, the whole process, from booking online to returning the keys, was very smooth. We contacted the company by email and received confirmation with the date and time when we needed to come to their office. On the day, we arrived, signed the agreement, collected the car and were on our way. The whole process took no more than 30 minutes.

Having a car definitely gives you more freedom and comfort, especially when you want to explore places that are difficult to reach by public transport. Though, I didn’t feel that comfortable at all first couple of month driving in Spain. The narrow roads and small parking spaces meant that I was constantly paying attention and driving with more tension than usual.

One thing to consider when renting a car in Spain is if you want a manual or automatic car. If you are used to driving an automatic, especially if you are coming from the United States, make sure to book it in advance. Automatic cars can be more limited and sometimes more expensive than manual ones. If you are planning a longer road trip, also check your route for toll roads. Some of the main highways in Spain are toll-free, but there are still some peajes (toll roads), so it is worth knowing in advance if you will need to pay along the way. At the toll booths, you can usually pay either by cash or card, and the cost can range from around €3 to €10, depending on the road and distance. If you decide to rent a car in Spain, keep parking in mind. In many towns and cities, finding a free parking space can be challenging, and sometimes you may find yourself driving around for quite a while before finding somewhere to leave the car. This was one of those many things I had to get used to when we first arrived in Spain.

Bikes and Scooters

Bikes and scooters are another popular way to get around Spain, and they can give you a little more independence during your solo trip. With a bike, you can easily reach places that might be less convenient to get to by car or public transport, while also enjoying the city at your own pace.

In larger Spanish cities, there are plenty of bike rental stations, which makes renting a bike quite easy. In Barcelona and Madrid, as well as in many parts of Málaga, there are also dedicated bike lanes, so cycling around the city can be a comfortable option.

If you are one of those solo travellers who enjoys getting around by bike, there are several rental apps you can have on your phone. BiciMAD in Madrid, SEVICI in Seville, and RideMovi, which operates in several cities across Spain, are just a few examples.

Scooters can be just as convenient, but there are a few things worth knowing before you rent one. Electric scooters are subject to local traffic rules, and in many places you can’t ride them on sidewalks or pedestrian areas. Parking is another thing to keep in mind, as you generally can’t simply leave the scooter anywhere you want. Each city has its own rules, and some have designated areas where shared scooters must be parked.

As you can see, getting around Spain is relatively easy, thanks to the well-developed public transport system and the availability of modern apps for booking taxis and rides. Before we bought a car here, we often used either Uber or public transport. Which one we chose depended mostly on how quickly we needed to get somewhere and how far away our destination was.

Now that we have a car, I still often choose the metro when I need to go to Málaga or to one of the towns in the direction of Fuengirola. During the busy tourist season, taking the metro can actually be faster, and it also solves one of my biggest concerns – parking. When I take the metro, I simply don’t have to think about where I am going to leave the car. If comfort is your priority, there are several ride-hailing apps available, and sometimes the easiest choice is simply to order a car and enjoy the journey without worrying about traffic, parking or changing transport.

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Discovering the Secret World of History-Inspired Interior Design at Hotel Claude Marbella

Elena Sullivan — Sat, 05 Sep 2026 20:19:36 +0000

There are hotels where staying is simply practical, places with everything you need for a pause during your trip: a bed, a shower, a mini fridge, breakfast included in the room rate. And then there are hotels that become an essential part of the experience itself. Places where you wake up slowly, take in the view, watch the soft morning light fill the room, and easily begin dreaming about the new day ahead. Boutique Hotel Claude in Marbella, Spain is one of those hotels.

Every time you walk through its hallways and stay in one of the rooms it feels as if the hotel is telling you a new and fascinating story through its décor and interiors. Here you always want to hear what comes next. On one wall, a vivid painting of a woman’s portrait surrounded by oversized flowers. Across the room, a sculptural wall relief in the lion’s shape, dating back to the last century. At the centre, a well disappearing deep into the building and into its history. Nearby, a small bar room with a collection of beautiful books and contemporary artworks that make you stop for a moment and smile.

There is something intimate about the interior space, with its refined and timeless lines connecting the different art elements: paintings, photo prints, decorative objects and ornaments. The visual story continues into each of the seven guest rooms, where hotel room décor becomes part of very well crafted experience. The hotel interior design is carefully layered, creating a feeling that is elegant without becoming formal. Elements of this boutique hotel interior design blend with the character of the old building, while details of bedroom decoration make each room feel personal and inviting. There is also something here that reminds me of home styling, the way objects, books, art and small details are brought together to create a feeling of coziness.

There are only seven rooms, and that is enough to create a sense of intimacy right in the centre of Marbella’s lively Casco Antiguo. The small scale is part of its charm. You never feel like you are simply staying in a hotel, but entering a private little world with its own rhythm, objects, and stories. Boutique Hotel Claude feels like an oasis of calm in the middle of a city where colourful life is constantly unfolding in the streets. It brings a necessary balance to travelling through Marbella and for the time of your stay becomes a quiet place to return to after spending the day surrounded by the energy, colours and movement of the city.

Hotel Claude’s History

The story of Hotel Claude Marbella begins long before it became a boutique hotel. The house dates back to the 17th century and has been carefully restored, preserving many of its original details while adding contemporary comfort.

The house was once the summer residence of Eugenia de Montijo, Empress of France and wife of Napoleon III. Born in Granada in 1826 during an earthquake, her life was almost as dramatic as her birth. Known for her beauty and ambition, she became one of the most fascinating women of her time.

In the 1970s, the house became the southern Spanish home of French opera singer Claude Devoize and her husband, Don Juan Berjano. Together they restored the old mansion and turned it into a private gathering place for music and culture, where opera rehearsals, literary evenings and society dances took place. Today, Hotel Claude is considered the first boutique hotel in Marbella. Original 17th-century elements, including the marble courtyard, iron door, columns and historic well, are combined with artworks created especially for the hotel.

There are only seven rooms categorised as Chic, Chic Superior and Chic Suite. Each one is inspired by a different province of Andalusia. The hotel room decor uses colour, artwork and decorative details to create a different atmosphere in every room. The marble courtyard and rooftop terrace overlooking Marbella’s old town complete this quiet little world, a peaceful place with a long and fascinating history.

How was the interior design of Hotel Claude created?

The interiors of Hotel Claude were originally designed by Angell Gordon, while the later renovation was led by Lord Designs Interiors. The newer design gives the old house a fresh feel without losing its original character, mixing modern pieces, art and beautiful materials with the traditional Andalusian details.

Each room at Hotel Claude takes inspiration from a different part of Andalusia, turning the region’s architecture, colours and atmosphere into its own interior story. The Alhambra Chic Suite, inspired by Granada and the golden age of the Nasrid Kingdom, is probably the most distinctive example. The Alhambra is one of Granada’s most recognizable landmarks and one of the most important examples of Spain’s Islamic heritage. Built as a palace and fortress complex, it includes the Alcazaba, the Nasrid Palaces and the gardens of the Generalife. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, it is also one of the most photographed places in Spain, especially with the Sierra Nevada rising behind it.

The architecture of the Alhambra is known for its intricate Arabic patterns, decorative tiles, carved wood, arches and ornamental details. Even the pomegranate, from which Granada takes its name, has become one of the symbols of the city. It is this atmosphere of Granada and the Alhambra that Hotel Claude brings into its most special suite. Rather than trying to recreate the palace itself, the interior design takes some of its most recognizable elements and translates them into a more intimate contemporary space.

You can see this in the high wooden ceiling, original Arabic-style tiles and decorative latticework. The 27 m² suite has several different areas, including a small living space, a large bed and a custom-made dressing table combining natural wood, marble and golden metal details. The bathroom continues the idea with patterned Andalusian tiles and a walk-in rain shower.

The hotel interior design in the Hotel Claude is mixed with contemporary comfort, creating a space that feels connected to Granada’s history while still being comfortable for modern travellers. The hotel room decor plays an important part in creating this atmosphere. From the tiles and wood to the smaller decorative details, everything adds another layer to the story. It is a good example of boutique hotel interior design, where the personality of the space becomes part of the experience. Even the bedroom decoration feels more like a carefully styled private room than a typical hotel bedroom, with the combination of materials, artwork and details creating a warm and intimate atmosphere.

Contact & Reservations

For more information about Hotel Claude Marbella, room availability and reservations, visit the official Hotel Claude website

Address – Calle San Francisco, 5, 29601 Marbella, Spain

Contact – info@hotelclaudemarbella.com

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Finding a House for Sale in Málaga Advice from an American Realtor Living in Spain

Elena Sullivan — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 12:37:53 +0000

Stories about people relocating to different cities and countries have always fascinated me. Part of that fascination comes from my genuine curiosity about such complex life transitions, which I see as adventures in themselves. Another reason is much more personal. Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of moving to another country in search of a different way of life. (I write more about that journey in my articles “How traveling solo with a one-way ticket changed my life?” and “Moving to Spain from the United States. Our NLV Visa Journey to Costa del Sol.”)

Relocation has become one of the recurring themes on my blog, where I write about everything from adapting to a new culture to building a life abroad. As more people search for information about moving to Spain and even buying property in Málaga, I wanted to expand this topic by interviewing people whose own relocation stories might inspire others considering a similar path.

One of the first people in this series is Hamilton Beau Bone. My husband and I met him at one of the “Americans Living in Malaga” meetups that he regularly organizes in Málaga, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella, and even Nerja.

Hamilton is a real estate agent in Málaga, Spain who helps both local and international buyers navigate the process of finding the right home. He also specializes in thoughtful property renovations and restorations rather than quick flips. After living in Spain for more than ten years, he has gained valuable insight into what people searching for Málaga houses for sale, Málaga apartments for sale, or planning to buy a house in Málaga should know before making the move.

Below is our conversation about relocation, life in Spain, and the Málaga real estate market. If you’d like to connect with Hamilton, you’ll find his contact information at the end of the article.

Finding a House for Sale in Málaga Advice from an American Realtor Living in Spain

Before we dive into the Málaga property market, I’d love to hear a little about your own journey.

How did you go from teaching English in Spain to working as a real estate agent?

I originally came to Spain to teach English, but after several years I realized I was completely burned out. As much as I loved those cute little Spanish kids, teaching was slowly eating away at my soul. I’ve always been an ambitious person, and I wanted to find a career that would allow me to build something while still helping people.

For months I looked at job postings on LinkedIn and local websites, but nothing really felt right. Then one day it suddenly clicked. My background before moving to Spain was in real estate, so why wasn’t I doing that here? Becoming a real estate agent in Málaga felt like finding an old glove you’d forgotten in the trunk of your car. The moment you need it, you find it, put it on, and it still fits perfectly.

Real estate gave me the opportunity to combine everything I enjoy: helping people through one of the biggest decisions of their lives while building a career that challenged me. It wasn’t an easy path because finding professional opportunities in Spain outside hospitality and tourism can be difficult, especially if you’re self-employed, but looking back, it was absolutely the right decision.

Next you can see one of his current listings in Benalmadena, Spain – Casa o chaleten venta en Calle Madreselva

What first inspired you to move from the United States to Spain?

A friend from high school suggested I move to Spain to teach English. Honestly, I didn’t think they’d even accept me, but somehow they did!

Why did you choose Málaga, and what made you stay?

The funny thing is… I didn’t choose Málaga! I actually wanted Granada or Seville. I’d already visited Málaga once before, and it was a very different city back then. What made me stay was the lifestyle. People here genuinely prioritize friends and family. They’re not hyperfocused on what everyone else is doing. It’s very much a “live and let live” society, and over the years that way of life really grew on me.

Why do you think Málaga has become such a popular destination for international buyers?

Málaga has a very unique vibe compared to cities like Barcelona, Madrid, or Valencia. It feels primarily Spanish and then international second, and I think that’s helped it keep its personality. It’s not trying to be everything for everyone. If Málaga is your kind of place, you’ll absolutely love it. If it isn’t, that’s okay too.

What are the biggest mistakes foreigners make when buying property in Spain?

I’d say there are two major ones. First, relying too much on AI instead of doing their own research and due diligence. Second, choosing the wrong agent. A good real estate agent in Malaga doesn’t simply show beautiful properties. They ask questions about how you actually want to live, which neighborhoods suit your lifestyle, and they’ll point out the negatives just as much as the positives. Sometimes what buyers think they want turns out to be completely different from what actually suits them. Always read reviews and, even more importantly, talk to people who have genuinely worked with that agent.

What should someone know before starting the home-buying process in Málaga?

Spend a couple of months renting a house or apartment first. Before you get caught up looking at Malaga houses for sale or deciding to buy a house in Málaga, think about what your everyday life is actually going to look like, not what your vacation looked like. Walk the neighborhoods. Eat in locally owned restaurants instead of tourist spots. Experience daily life before making such a big decision. And candidly, most people don’t even need a car.

Which areas of Málaga would you recommend for different lifestyles?

I never recommend one specific neighborhood because it depends entirely on the person. How Spanish do you want your daily life to be? What kind of lifestyle are you looking for? Some international buyers are drawn to areas like Centro Histórico, El Limonar, La Malagueta, Soho, or Pedregalejo because of their atmosphere and proximity to the city, while others prefer quieter areas around Málaga where they can have more space and a different pace of life. For families and retirees, there are great options all across Málaga. The important thing is finding the neighborhood that matches how you want to live.

Is now still a good time to invest in real estate in Málaga?

If you’re buying for yourself, absolutely. If you’re expecting a 50% return in three years, then Spain probably isn’t for you. Málaga will continue growing, but I always encourage people to buy a house in Malaga because they genuinely want to live here, not simply because they’re chasing quick profits.

What’s one piece of advice you always give clients relocating to Spain?

Read reviews about every real estate agency in Malaga. Meet several real estate agents before making a decision. Figure out who genuinely cares about helping you and who is simply trying to sell you something. And learn some Spanish. I really wish I had invested in private lessons much earlier after moving here. It would’ve made my first years much easier.

Looking back at your own relocation, is there anything you wish you had known before moving?

I wish I’d arrived with a much more open mind. For my first few years, I kept comparing everything to America and complaining about how slow or inefficient things felt. That mindset held me back. The biggest mistake expats make is arriving with expectations instead of curiosity.

Next you can see one of his current listings in Malaga, Spain – Piso en venta en Calle Carretería

What’s the biggest misconception foreigners have about buying property in Spain?

Many people think buying property is simply about finding the perfect house. Whether you’re looking at Malaga apartments for sale or hoping to buy a house in Málaga, the real decision is about choosing the lifestyle that suits you. The property is only one part of the decision. The neighborhood, your daily routine, the local community, and even where you buy your morning coffee all become part of your new home.

Finally, what does “home” mean to you after living in Spain for more than a decade?

Home is Málaga. It’s knowing my neighbors. It’s spending a couple of extra minutes asking how they’re doing. It’s chatting with the lady at the fruit shop. It’s supporting local businesses instead of automatically going to supermarkets. Every morning I wake up grateful for the opportunity to live here because if that opportunity ever disappeared, I’d never regret just how magical this experience has been.

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5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Relocating and Moving Abroad

Elena Sullivan — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 08:12:31 +0000

Most people think relocation is about choosing a new country. I think relocation is about choosing a completely different everyday life. Everyone talks about how exciting it is to move abroad. They talk about beautiful cities, better weather and food, new opportunities, and starting over. What people don’t talk about nearly enough is what happens after the excitement wears off and real life begins.

I’ve relocated four times in my life, most recently to Costa del Sol in Spain. Along the way I’ve met many people who have also relocated, and I’ve realized that while every story is different, many of the challenges are similar. Today I’d like to share five things that I think many people don’t really consider before deciding to relocate to another city or another country. Because relocation isn’t for everyone. And that’s perfectly okay.

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Relocating and Moving Abroad

1. Romanticizing Relocation

The biggest mistake people make before relocating is falling in love with an imaginary version of their future life. Relocation is often romanticized because we picture how exciting, beautiful, and fulfilling life will be once we arrive. But if there’s one part of relocation that truly deserves to be romanticized, it’s actually the move itself: the preparations, packing your life into boxes, saying goodbye, traveling, and the feeling of constantly being in motion. There really is something exciting about that stage.

Before social media, relocation was mostly seen as a practical decision, something that many had to do. Today we have unlimited access to information about almost every country in the world, making moving abroad feel far more attainable. We see beautiful places, inspiring lifestyles, and exciting new beginnings, so naturally relocation starts to feel like an adventure. And in many ways it is.

What social media rarely shows is everything that comes after: the paperwork, opening bank accounts, learning how the healthcare system works, figuring out where to shop, getting a drivers’ license and dealing with dozens of small everyday challenges. As your departure date gets closer, excitement naturally builds, often masking the fear and uncertainty of leaving everything familiar behind. The same thing happens during your first months in a new country, when every day brings something new to discover.

But eventually that excitement fades. The romantic version of relocation disappears, and what remains is everyday life. You still have to solve problems, adapt, and slowly build a new normal. So before you decide to relocate, ask yourself one simple question: Am I ready for that part too?

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2. If you’re someone who depends on having a large circle of friends

Once the excitement of relocation begins to settle, another challenge gradually appears, and I think it’s one many people underestimate. If you have a close circle of friends and you’re used to seeing them regularly, relocation can be much harder than you expect.

Building a new social circle takes time. Sometimes two or three years, sometimes even longer. I’ve met people who moved to another country and eventually returned home, not because they disliked the country, but because they never managed to build a community where they truly felt comfortable and accepted. When you relocate, it’s important to understand one thing from the beginning: nobody is waiting for you there. That may sound harsh, but it’s simply reality. People who already live there have their own friends, routines, and lives. Most of them aren’t actively looking to expand their social circle. You’re the one who’s looking.

I don’t say this to discourage you. I say it because understanding this helps set realistic expectations. You’ll have to introduce yourself, make the first move, accept invitations, and sometimes even deal with rejection. In my experience, one of the easiest places to start is the expat community. You’ll already have one thing in common: you’ve all gone through the experience of moving to the same country, and that’s often enough to start a conversation and build new friendships.

3. “I’ll learn the language once I get there.”

Language isn’t what makes the first year hard. It’s everything you can’t do because you don’t yet speak the language.

If you’re starting from scratch, or even with a small vocabulary, it will probably take two or three years before you can comfortably hold a natural conversation in your new language. When I moved to Cancún, Mexico, it took me around three years before I truly felt comfortable speaking Spanish. And that’s despite the fact that I had to use the language regularly for work because I had a photography business there. So, if you’ve already made the decision to relocate, start learning the language before you move. It will make those first months much less overwhelming. And by the way, language is something you can keep learning for the rest of your life. Even after years of living in a country, you’ll still discover new words, new expressions, and new ways people communicate. And I think it’s one of the most rewarding parts of living abroad.

4. Loving a country isn’t enough.

Sometimes we’re simply craving something new: a different culture, architecture, food, or pace of life. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But if what you’re really looking for is novelty, maybe a long trip is enough.

Because relocation isn’t a vacation. It’s moving your entire life to another city or country where, instead of having breakfast served to you while staying at a fancy hotel, you’re figuring out where to buy groceries and making breakfast yourself. A big move will give you new experiences, fresh perspectives, and memories you’ll probably never forget. But it also brings uncertainty, frustration, and moments when you’ll question whether you made the right decision.

There’s a saying that no matter where you go, you take yourself with you. I think there’s a lot of truth in that. Relocation changes your address, but it doesn’t automatically change you. It won’t solve personal problems, erase old habits, or make you a different person. If anything, living in a new country often forces you to get to know yourself even better because everything familiar has disappeared. So if there’s a country you absolutely love, ask yourself this question: Do I really want to build my life there, or do I simply enjoy spending time there?

5. If you’re not ready to adapt, relocation probably isn’t for you.

There’s one mindset that has helped me through every relocation: Assume everything will be different. And when something isn’t, treat it as a pleasant surprise.

If you move to another country, even something as ordinary as grocery shopping becomes completely different. During your first months you’ll probably spend two or three times longer in the supermarket because almost everything is unfamiliar: the products, the brands, the packaging, and often the language. It takes months before you naturally know what you like, where to find it, and what becomes part of your regular routine. It may not sound like a big deal, but when almost every daily task requires extra time and mental energy, it becomes surprisingly exhausting.

People rarely talk about this side of relocation because it’s not glamorous. It’s not the kind of thing you post on Instagram. But these hundreds of small adjustments are what eventually become your everyday life. Technology has made the process much easier. During our first six months in Spain, I would sometimes spend an hour and a half in Mercadona just choosing groceries. Almost every product was unfamiliar, and I wanted to understand what I was buying. Google AI became one of my favorite tools because I could simply take a photo of a product and instantly learn what it was and how people used it. Little things like that made adapting much easier.

At the end of the day, relocation is a long process of adaptation. The more willing you are to embrace the differences instead of constantly comparing them to what you’re used to, the easier that process becomes.

So, is relocation for everyone? Probably not. But neither is staying in the same place just because it’s familiar. Relocation is simply a choice. Like every big decision in life, it comes with trade-offs. There are things you’ll gain, and there are things you’ll lose. The important thing is to understand both before you make that decision.

If you’re already living abroad, I’d love to know what surprised you the most after moving. And if you’re thinking about relocating, tell me where you’re planning to go and what’s motivating your decision.

Where Do You Belong

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Castillo de Monda Hotel Spain Castle’s Interior Design Inspiration

Elena Sullivan — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:19:28 +0000

Spain offers so much variety for curious travelers. It is a country that has been conquered, liberated, rebuilt, and shaped by different civilizations over thousands of years, and today every region tells its own story through architecture, landscapes, traditions, and food. It is one of the reasons I never get tired of exploring it. One weekend takes me to a charming white village, another to an ancient Roman theatre, and sometimes to places I had never even heard of until they unexpectedly appeared on my Google search.

One of my digital notes is filled with places I want to visit in Spain, and somehow that list keeps growing much faster than I can actually travel. I don’t mind that at all. Having such a list keeps me curious, motivated, and always looking forward to the next little adventure. Every time I cross one destination off, I usually add two or three new ones.

One of those places was Castillo de Monda Hotel in Andalucia Spain.

We stopped there on our way home after visiting the Cheese Market in Coín. Since Coín and Monda are practically neighbors, combining both into one day trip made perfect sense. While searching for castles nearby, Google suggested Castillo de Monda, and although the photos looked beautiful, I deliberately avoided reading too much about the place. Over the years I have learned that traveling becomes much more enjoyable when I don’t create high expectations beforehand. It allows me to experience a place through my own eyes rather than comparing it with someone else’s impressions.

Walking through the entrance of Castillo de Monda, I immediately felt that quiet excitement that only certain places create. It was because everything around me felt harmonious. The atmosphere seemed to invite visitors to slow down, look around, and notice all the beautiful details that together create a memorable hotel space

Interior Design Inspiration from Castillo de Monda in Spain

This hotel is for people who appreciate history, beautiful interior design, and that nostalgic feeling of stepping into another era while still enjoying the comfort of modern travel. The experience begins long before you reach the reception desk. As you slowly drive uphill along the narrow winding road leading to the castle, the surrounding scenery gradually changes, and with every turn you begin leaving everyday life behind.

Walking along the cobblestone path and passing beneath the stone archway, you enter a small courtyard that opens onto the hotel lobby. The soft lighting immediately creates a warm atmosphere, almost as if you have stepped into the pages of a historical novel where you are the long-awaited guest.

The first impression stays with you much longer than those first few minutes after entering. A beautifully aged leather chairs, vintage suitcases that seem to have traveled through decades of history, heavy wooden tables, paintings with a historical character, and carefully selected decorative objects displayed behind antique glass cabinets all blend together so naturally that you almost forget you are standing inside a hotel. Every detail feels thoughtfully chosen, every texture complements another, and together they create an atmosphere that quietly draws you in before you even begin exploring the rest of the building.

Warm greetings from the staff complete that first impression perfectly. There is something about Spanish hospitality that always feels genuine, and here it becomes another beautiful part of the overall experience.

One of the first things that caught my attention throughout the hotel was the expressive stonework. The textured stone walls are part of the architecture and also become one of the strongest elements of the Mediterranean interior design, adding warmth, character, and authenticity to every room. Looking at them, it is impossible not to imagine another life that once existed inside these walls, when the castle served a completely different purpose and witnessed stories far removed from today’s peaceful atmosphere.

Light, which is one of the most important elements of any interior design, has also been handled beautifully. In some spaces, bright Andalusian sunlight pours through deeply recessed windows, while in others the lighting is intentionally softer, creating cozy corners that invite you to slow down, sit for a while, and simply enjoy the surroundings. Those thick stone walls framing the windows remind you how seriously buildings were constructed centuries ago. Everything feels solid, protective, and built to last. People certainly built differently back then.

As someone who loves photography, I naturally found myself paying just as much attention to the decorative details as to the architecture itself. Beautiful wall decor is thoughtfully integrated throughout the hotel without ever overwhelming the space. Paintings, old mirrors, books published in different decades, glass and wooden vases, dried flower arrangements, ceramics, and carefully selected furniture all work together to create interiors that feel rich in history yet surprisingly calm. Heavy wooden pieces are beautifully balanced by delicate glass decorations, while the dried flowers soften the stronger architectural elements, creating a lovely contrast between strength and elegance.

The ceilings deserve special attention as well. Large chandeliers combined with warm earthy tones naturally draw your eyes upward, adding another layer of depth to the hotel’s interiors without distracting from the architecture itself. Even the chairs look as though they could tell stories from another century, making it easy to imagine noble families gathering here many years ago.

For anyone looking for interior design inspiration, Castillo de Monda hotel offers countless beautiful examples of how timeless interiors are created. It reminds us that memorable spaces are rarely filled with expensive furniture alone. Instead, they are built through thoughtful combinations of natural materials, carefully chosen decorative objects, beautiful lighting, and a respect for history that gives every room its own personality.

Walking through this spanish hotel, I kept mentally collecting little interior decorating ideas that could easily work in an ordinary home. Mixing natural stone with warm wood, combining antique furniture with modern comfort, decorating with books, ceramics, dried flowers, and vintage trunks, allowing architectural features to become part of the decoration. All these small decorating ideas create interiors that feel welcoming, lived in, and full of character.

The outdoor spaces continue exactly the same atmosphere. Terraces invite you to enjoy breakfast overlooking the Andalusian hills or sit down for a romantic dinner after sunset, while the swimming pool offers welcome relief during hot summer afternoons. Everything encourages you to slow down, enjoy the moment, and appreciate the peaceful surroundings.

Creating interiors like these probably takes years, because nothing feels rushed or accidental. Every object seems to have found its place naturally over time, every material complements another, and every room tells the same story in a slightly different way. It is this attention to detail that makes Castillo de Monda Hotel much more than simply a beautiful hotel. It becomes a place that continues inspiring you long after your visit has ended.

The History Behind Castillo de Monda Hotel

One of the things I appreciated most about Castillo de Monda was that it doesn’t try to hide its history behind perfectly polished walls. Throughout the hotel there are old photos, historical drawings, archaeological information, and descriptions explaining how the castle evolved over the centuries. I found myself stopping more than once to read them because they completely changed the way I looked at the building around me.

The original Castillo de Monda was built more than six hundred years ago, and although much of what you see today has been carefully restored and adapted into a hotel, many original elements have been preserved and incorporated into the design. Walking through its corridors, terraces, and gardens, you are often standing next to walls and towers that have witnessed centuries of Andalusian history.

The castle has survived far more than the passing of time. After the War of Granada and the Morisco revolts during the 15th and 16th centuries, parts of its defensive walls were destroyed. Later came centuries of abandonment, harsh weather, and even the removal of stones by local people who reused them to build houses and agricultural terraces. Looking at the castle today, it is almost difficult to imagine that for a long time it stood as little more than romantic ruins overlooking the village.

One detail I found particularly fascinating was learning that the builders originally worked with whatever the mountain offered them. Large natural rock formations were incorporated directly into the fortification, becoming part of the castle itself. Even today, some of those original stone foundations remain visible beneath parts of the hotel, quietly reminding visitors that this was once a military stronghold rather than a peaceful retreat.

The reconstruction of Castillo de Monda only began in the 1970s. Old photos displayed inside the hotel show a dramatically different place: collapsed walls, isolated towers, and ruins sitting on top of the rocky hill before restoration work started. Earlier, in 1969, architect Francisco Prieto-Moreno, the same renowned architect who worked on the restoration of the Alhambra and the Alcazabas of Málaga and Almería, designed an ambitious restoration project inspired by Nasrid architecture. Only part of that vision was eventually completed, but it helped shape the castle you can experience today.

As you walk around the hotel, you’ll also discover that history still hides beneath your feet. Archaeologists uncovered thousands of ceramic fragments around the castle, everyday objects that reveal how people once cooked, ate, and lived here centuries ago. Even an incomplete engraving carved into the entrance of the south tower has survived. Its exact meaning remains unknown, although historians believe it may have served as a protective symbol.

Perhaps that is what impressed me most. Castillo de Monda doesn’t feel like a modern hotel decorated to resemble an old castle. It feels like a historic castle that has simply learned how to welcome modern travelers without forgetting the hundreds of years that came before them. And somehow, knowing its story makes every stone wall, wooden beam, and carefully chosen decorative detail feel even more meaningful.

I originally came to Monda because I wanted to visit another castle in Spain. I left with something much more valuable than another destination crossed off my travel list. I left inspired by beautiful hotel interior design, thoughtful wall decor, timeless Mediterranean interior design, and the realization that the most memorable interiors are the ones that make you feel something the moment you walk through the door.

If you appreciate history, architecture, photography, or simply enjoy discovering places with soul, I highly recommend adding Castillo de Monda to your Spain itinerary. Some places impress you while you are there. Others quietly stay with you long after you have returned home. Castillo de Monda became one of those places for me.

Hotel Castillo de Monda address: Calle Castillo 29110 Monda, Màlaga

Hotel Booking – contact here

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Best Instagram Worthy Cafés in Marbella You’ll Want to Photograph

Elena Sullivan — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 07:56:48 +0000

How do you promote your Instagram? Well, there are millions of articles about it and probably just as many videos. And one piece of advice always stays the same: create more interesting content and take better photos.

But there is one more ingredient that often gets overlooked – the place itself.

The topic you choose plays a huge role in how people interact with your content, and food has always been one of the most popular and viral themes on social media. Add travel to it, and you’ll get an unbeatable combination. Beautiful food, places, and beautiful memories all in one photo.

Ever since I moved to Spain, I’ve been exploring the local food scene together with many other beautiful sides of this country, its charming small towns full of history and stories, art galleries, local markets, and learning to embrace a slower lifestyle with a healthier work-life balance. Somewhere along the way, I realized that Marbella is full of instagram places that deserve much more attention.

Every Instagrammer should know about these cafés, and there are two very simple reasons why.

First, they are visually beautiful.

Second, they serve really good food.

For me, that’s the perfect combination. A café can have the prettiest interior in the world, but if the food is disappointing, I probably won’t come back. Luckily, the cafés on this list offer both.

Marbella, with its elegant and luxurious lifestyle, has created a café culture that can easily elevate any Instagram account. So, if you’re looking to add a few sophisticated, high-end vacation photos to your feed, these cafés are definitely worth visiting.

Travel is not only about taking photos, but having beautiful ones to remember your summer vacation in Marbella is always a nice bonus.

Aesthetics play an important role on Instagram, and cafés and restaurants offer endless inspiration for creating beautiful content. Whether you’re searching for Insta worthy places, Instagram worthy places near me, or simply somewhere lovely to enjoy your morning coffee, these places won’t disappoint.

Best Instagram Worthy Cafés in Marbella Spain

Marbella has a way of making everyday moments look beautiful. Whitewashed buildings, palm-lined streets, colorful flowers, stylish cafés, luxury boutiques, and more than 300 sunny days a year create endless opportunities for photography and Instagram content. You don’t have to search very hard before finding another pretty corner of the city.

Professional photographers, travel bloggers, and anyone who enjoys taking beautiful vacation photos will quickly understand why Marbella is one of the favorite instagram vacation spots on the Costa del Sol.

Sometimes all you need is a cup of coffee, beautiful natural light, and a lovely corner of the city.

Café Flores

Address: Pl. Puente de Rda., 5, 29601 Marbella, Málaga

Café Flores is my favorite café in Marbella and is located right in the heart of Casco Antiguo (Old Town Marbella). Every time I walk around the Old Town, I somehow end up passing by it. And very often, I end up sitting there too.

The food is great, but what stood out most for me was the presentation of every dish and the perfectly balanced interior design. Nothing feels overdone, yet every little detail seems to have its place. It’s one of those cafés where you naturally slow down, enjoy your coffee, and look around.

Outside, beautiful bougainvillea climbs around the building, covering it with different shades of pink and purple. If you’re hoping to take photos surrounded by flowers, plan your visit for late May or June-July. That’s when the bougainvillea is at its most spectacular and turns Café Flores into one of my favorite instagram places in Marbella.

If you have a sweet tooth like I do, make sure to try their tiramisu. It’s the best one I’ve had in Marbella so far. What makes it even more interesting is the presentation. Instead of arriving on an ordinary plate, it’s served in a traditional Italian moka coffee maker. Before you even taste it, the presentation makes you smile.

If you’re looking for insta worthy places in Marbella Spain, or simply one of the most charming cafés in Marbella to enjoy a slow breakfast or dessert, Café Flores is definitely worth adding to your list. Beautiful food, flowers, and the atmosphere of Marbella’s Old Town, it has everything you need for both a relaxing break and beautiful vacation photos.

Rachel’s Eco Love Grab & Go

Address: Nueva andalucia, Hotel Hard Rock, C. Las Violetas, pta.32, 29660 Marbella, Málaga

Rachel’s Eco Love is another one of my favorite Instagram places in Marbella and a wonderful place to slow down for a healthy breakfast.

Located in the Los Monteros area, it has a completely different atmosphere from the cafés in Marbella’s Old Town. Clean aesthetics dominate the space, with white walls, soft blue accents, natural wood, and touches of boho décor. Large windows fill the café with beautiful natural light, making it one of those places where almost every table feels perfect for taking photos.

If you decide to sit outside, you’ll love the large cream-colored umbrellas that create a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere while giving you just enough shade to enjoy your breakfast comfortably under the Spanish sun.

Their colorful fruit bowls are delicious and perfect for your Instagram feed. Healthy, fresh, and beautifully presented, they’re one of those breakfasts that almost ask to be photographed before you take the first bite.

Take your time here. Order breakfast, enjoy another coffee, take a few photos for your Instagram, maybe even record a short video. Slow mornings like this are one of my favorite parts of living in Spain, and cafés like Rachel’s Eco Love make it very easy to embrace that slower rhythm of life.

Food photography continues to be one of the most popular categories on Instagram and other social media platforms, so if you’re looking forinstagram vacation spots or instagrammable spots, or simply beautiful Instagram places while visiting Marbella, this café definitely deserves a place on your list.

Rosas Café Marbella

Address: Gaviotas IV, Av. Playas del Duque, Local 3, 29660 Marbella, Málaga

If you love clean, feminine aesthetics, Rosas Café Marbella is one of those Instagram places you should definitely visit.

Soft pink and white dominate the interior, while roses are elegantly integrated into the décor of the walls and ceilings. Everything feels bright, fresh, and carefully designed, making it one of the most instagram worthy places I discovered while exploring Marbella Spain.

The coffee menu deserves special attention as they offer several creative versions that are both delicious and beautifully presented. Sometimes it’s hard to decide what to order because almost every drink looks photo-worthy.

Expect to pay a little more than you would at a regular coffee shop. But if you’re vacationing in Marbella, whether it’s for a girls’ trip, honeymoon, birthday celebration, or bridal party, you’ve probably already accepted that many places here come with a luxury price tag.

The good news is that Rosas Café delivers the whole experience. Beautiful interiors, creative food and drinks, and plenty of little corners that make taking photos easy. It’s one of those cafés where you don’t have to search for a nice background, it seems every table has one. The photos you take here will stay on your Instagram much longer than the coffee stays in your cup.

If you’re looking for elegant Instagram places or simply beautiful cafés to add to your Marbella itinerary, Rosas Café is definitely worth a visit.

They also have another location in Sotogrande if your travels take you a little farther along the Costa del Sol.

Celicioso Marbella Gluten-Free Bakery

Address: Von Hohenlohe s/n, Av. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe, 29602 Marbella, Málaga

Celicioso is another café worth adding to your Marbella itinerary, especially if you’re looking for beautiful Instagram places that offer something a little different.

The café has both indoor and outdoor seating. Outside, you’ll find a lovely terrace surrounded by flowers, making it a pleasant spot to enjoy your coffee while taking a break from exploring the city.

Step inside, and you’ll most likely fall in love with the cute vintage-style car displayed right in the middle of the café. It’s such a fun and unexpected addition to the interior and instantly caught my attention. Of course, it’s also a great little backdrop if you’re looking to add something different to your Instagram feed.

Another thing I really like about Celicioso is its gluten-free menu. It brings something unique to Marbella’s already diverse café scene and gives people with dietary restrictions a place where they don’t have to compromise on beautiful food or atmosphere.

Even if you don’t follow a gluten-free diet, it’s still worth stopping by. Sometimes it’s simply nice to discover another beautiful café, enjoy a good cup of coffee, and add another one of Marbella’s instagrammable spots to your travel memories.

I’ll keep adding more beautiful cafés to this list as I discover them because that’s one of the things I love most about living in Spain. There is always another charming café, restaurant, or hidden corner waiting to be explored.

If you’re looking for Instagram places in Marbella Spain, I hope this guide helps you discover a few cafés worth visiting. If you enjoy creating content for Instagram or simply love surrounding yourself with beautiful places, these cafés offer a wonderful combination of aesthetics, delicious food, and relaxed Marbella vibes.

Travel is about much more than taking photos. It’s about discovering new places, trying new flavors, slowing down, and creating memories that stay with you long after your vacation is over. But I have to admit… having a few beautiful photos to look back at later is always nice too.

So, next time you’re in Marbella, order that coffee, treat yourself to dessert, take a few photos if you feel like it, and simply enjoy the moment. And if you visit one of these cafés or discover another hidden gem in Marbella, let me know in the comments. I’m always looking for my next favorite café.

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The Cheese Market in Coín Spain That Ruined My Idea of Simple Cheese

Elena Sullivan — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 13:03:06 +0000

The first time I tried Spanish cheese, I was standing in the tasting room inside El Corte Inglés Supermercado, a department store in Spain known for its diverse, high-end culinary treasures. It was December, right in the heart of the Christmas season, and I was shopping for something special to grace our holiday table.

As a total newbie to the country, I was eager to explore the rich tapestry of Spanish flavors. I already knew that cheese is one of the most celebrated, delicious products of Spain, but I didn’t know where to start. I struck up a conversation with a lovely lady working the counter, asking for her personal recommendations.

I still vividly remember that first sensation after taking a bite of a special, artisanal goat cheese she handed me. Softly melting on my tongue, it flowed from a delicate, creamy sweetness into a rich, earthy finish. This powerful experience completely changed my perception of what dairy could be; it made me want to explore every local creamery hidden across the Iberian Peninsula.

Next, I tried a beautifully aged manchego cheese – the legendary sheep’s milk variety that has won countless gold medals as the best spanish cheese. It was completely different: firmer in structure, with sharp, complex, and crystallized notes. That Christmas, our cheese plate was an absolute triumph. Even my husband, who is usually far less adventurous with food exploration, loved it.

That was the exact moment my romance with spanish cheese started. Over the next few months, that romance has only evolved, ultimately leading us inland to a vibrant cheese market in Coín to explore the incredible local producers of the Málaga province.

Coín is located in the province of Málaga, in southern Spain. It sits inland, surrounded by rolling hills and agricultural land, and feels very different from the coastal rhythm of the Costa del Sol.

We had heard about a local cheese market in Coín, a monthly gathering of artisanal producers from across the Málaga region. It immediately went on my list of places to visit.

But life, as always, had its own timing. One month it rained. Another time I mixed up the dates and thought it was Saturday instead of Sunday. And so the visit kept getting postponed. Until finally, in April, we made it there.

The cheese market in Coín Spain

There is something special about local markets in Spain. In these places, food is personal. You meet the people behind every product. The cheese market in Coín is part of a larger Sunday market held in the industrial area of La Trocha. It takes place every Sunday, but the cheese producers are only present on the third Sunday of each month (September to May).

From the entrance, you can immediately spot the cheese stands located in the center of the market. Producers from different parts of Málaga province come together to present their artisanal cheeses, each one with its own story, texture, and character. And you can taste almost everything.

For someone who is exploring Spanish cheese beyond the usual supermarket selection, this is a dream. It feels more like discovering than choosing.

Types of cheese at the Coín market

In the Coín market, most local producers focus on goat cheese (queso de cabra), along with some blended varieties, and you can also find sheep cheese, though less often. Because Coín sits in the Guadalhorce Valley, it has become a small hub for artisan cheeses made from local goat breeds like Malagueña and Payoya. Goat milk gives the cheese a slightly tangy, bright flavor that reflects the local landscape: dry hills, sun, herbs, and olive trees. This is what makes European cheese so fascinating: every region tastes like its environment.

At the Coín cheese fair, you mainly find:

Semi-curado (aged for about 1–3 months. Mild, slightly creamy, and softer than curado.)
Curado (aged for about 2–6 months. Firm texture with a pronounced, savory flavor and deeper intensity.)
Viejo / Añejo (aged for about 12 months or more. Hard or crumbly texture with a strong, sharp, and complex flavor.)

Our experience at the Coín cheese market

We couldn’t resist buying cheese and ended up with seven different types.

One of my personal favorites was:

El Pastor del Torcal – a matured goat cheese with honey and flower petals. Soft floral sweetness combined with depth and saltiness.

Another favorite:

Perlas del Torcal – goat cheese with AOVE (extra virgin olive oil). Smooth, elegant, and perfect on thin crispy bread.

My husband preferred:

Reserva Natural de Pimentón – a cured goat cheese from Quesos Montes de Málaga with a slightly smoky, spicy note.

We spent a long time walking from stand to stand, tasting, comparing, and slowly building our selection. That second round, after already seeing everything once, helped us choose more consciously instead of emotionally. It is very easy to fall in love with everything when it comes to best Spanish cheese.

Practical tips for visiting the Coín cheese market

If you are planning a trip to the Coín cheese fair, here are a few practical tips based on our experience:

Check the schedule in advance Make sure to double-check the market dates before you go, as sometimes there can be last-minute changes. The cheese market takes place from 9:00 to 14:00 on the third Sunday of each month, from September to May (inclusive).
Bring cash (efectivo) A lot of vendors still accept only cash. What we discovered that day is that many stands do not take cards, so having euros in cash is essential. Even in today’s digital world, it is still very useful to carry cash when visiting local markets, especially outside big cities. The trade-off is worth it – you often get better quality products at better prices.
Plan your parking and arrival time If you are coming by car, try to arrive earlier to secure a parking spot. We arrived around 11:00, and it was already very crowded. We had to drive around for 10–15 minutes before finding parking off the main road, a few hundred meters from the market. If you arrive at peak time, it is often easier to park slightly before the official location on GPS and just walk to the market. It saves time and is less stressful.
Bring a cooler bag It is almost impossible to resist buying cheese there – everything is just too good. And if you plan to continue your day by exploring Coín town or nearby villages like Monda, a small cooler bag is extremely helpful to keep your cheese fresh while you travel.
Don’t rush your choices With so many amazing cheeses, it is easy to want to buy everything at once – I definitely had that feeling too. Instead, we first walked around all the producers, tasting and observing what they had. Then, on a second round, we chose what we truly liked. This simple approach helped us make much more balanced and intentional decisions.
Coin Cheese Market Address: Polígono Industrial “La Trocha”, 29100 Coín, Málaga, Spain
Prices Expect to pay around 7–14 euros for 300–500 grams of cheese, depending on the type, aging, and producer.
Make it a small road trip On the way back, consider driving through the nearby town of Monda, which is only a 5-7 minute drive from Coín. It has a beautiful hotel-castle with panoramic views and a charming old town square below it. Combining the cheese market with a stop in Monda makes for a very balanced and enjoyable day trip, whether you are coming from Marbella or Fuengirola.

What makes the Coín cheese market memorable is the food itself and the people behind it. These are small producers who work with care, tradition, and pride. Their products are not mass-produced, they are made with love and shaped by time and craft.

Visiting such places is also a way of supporting local food culture and understanding how deeply food is connected to identity in Spain. For anyone interested in Spanish cheese, or simply in authentic travel experiences, this kind of market is one of the most rewarding places to visit.

My relationship with Spanish cheese started in a supermarket tasting corner, but it grew into something much bigger, a way of understanding place through flavor.

From Manchego cheese to small goat cheeses from Málaga, each bite tells a story of land, tradition, and craftsmanship. And the cheese market in Coín became one of those rare travel experiences where everything feels simple, grounded, and real. If you love food, travel, and discovering local culture, this is one of those small Sunday journeys in Spain that stays with you for a long time.

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The post The Cheese Market in Coín Spain That Ruined My Idea of Simple Cheese appeared first on Fine Art photography, fine art photo prints, canvas, wall art, macro photography, Spain.

Best Hotels in Marbella A Visual Guide to Beautiful Design-Led Stays

Elena Sullivan — Sat, 23 May 2026 21:39:59 +0000

Marbella is home to a mix of well-known hotel brands and more unexpected, intimate spaces, all located along one of the most desirable coastlines of Costa del Sol in Spain.

Typically, a list of the best hotels in Marbella is created based on practical elements: location, amenities, food quality, entertainment, price per night, and the strength of the hotel brand. And if that’s what you’re looking for, it’s easy to find using platforms like Booking or TripAdvisor.

But here, on my blog, where I explore visual beauty, aesthetics, art, travel, design, and photography, I wanted to approach this differently.

This is my personal selection of the best visually pleasing hotels in Marbella, where the experience is built around interior design. Very often, that level of attention to detail also reflects in the service, atmosphere, and overall feeling of the stay.

Staying in one of these hotels can truly transform your trip. In many ways, I compare it to reading a really good book, one that you can’t put down, that leaves you inspired, nourished, and slightly changed.

A beautifully designed luxury or boutique hotel creates a layered experience. It’s about how textures, colors, light, and objects come together to create something immersive. When you slow down and really look, it becomes almost like a visual story unfolding around you.

That is what, for me, defines the best place to stay in Marbella, comfort and location matter, but even more important is the feeling of being inspired by your surroundings.

Marbella as a destination for design focused hotels

Since relocating to Spain, I’ve continued exploring beautiful spaces, and Marbella immediately stood out. As one of the top travel destinations in Europe, it offers a wide range of accommodations, from large luxury hotels in Marbella Spain to smaller, more intimate boutique hotels.

What I found especially interesting is how diverse the hotel scene is here. You can move from grand, resort-style elegance to very personal, design-focused spaces within a short distance.

There are many beautiful hotels in the area, but I’ve selected nine that stand out for their interior design, atmosphere, and overall visual identity. Many of them also fall into the category of boutique hotels Marbella is becoming increasingly known for.

If you are planning your trip, consider saving this list, it might help you find your best place to stay in Marbella, depending on your style and mood.

Design-focused selection of best luxury and boutique hotels in Marbella

Marbella Club Hotel. One of the most iconic and established best hotels in Marbella, this property blends Andalusian charm with understated luxury. Originally a private residence, it has evolved into a refined beachfront retreat with lush gardens and elegant interiors. The design feels timeless rather than trendy, focusing on comfort, space, and natural beauty. It is a perfect example of classic luxury hotels in Marbella Spain.
Hotel Claude Marbella. A small, intimate property located in the Old Town, this is one of the true boutique hotels Marbella offers for travelers who appreciate history and character. Set in a restored 17th-century building, it combines traditional architecture with subtle, modern touches. The atmosphere feels personal and quiet, almost like staying in a private home. Ideal if you are looking for something authentic and less commercial.
Puente Romano Marbella. More than just a hotel, this is a lifestyle destination and one of the most recognizable best hotels in Marbella. Designed like a Mediterranean village, it offers a mix of lush gardens, beachfront access, and a variety of restaurants. The aesthetic is vibrant and social, blending luxury with a relaxed coastal feel. It stands out among best boutique hotels in Marbella Spain for its energy and diversity of experiences.
Boho Club Marbella. A design-forward hotel with a strong identity, Boho Club is one of the more creative boutique hotels Marbella has to offer. Its interiors are layered with art, textures, and eclectic pieces that create a distinctive, curated atmosphere. It feels both relaxed and expressive, appealing to those who appreciate visual storytelling in design. A good choice if you are looking for something less traditional.
Nobu Hotel Marbella. Sleek, modern, and internationally recognized, this hotel brings a contemporary edge to the scene of best hotels in Marbella. The design is minimal yet refined, with a focus on clean lines and subtle luxury. Located within the Puente Romano complex, it offers access to vibrant nightlife and dining. It is one of the more cosmopolitan luxury hotels in Marbella Spain.
Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavís Marbella Resort. Grand and architectural, this hotel stands apart with its palatial style inspired by Italian villas. It is one of the most visually striking best hotels in Marbella Spain, surrounded by golf courses and scenic landscapes. Interiors are elegant, with classical influences and a sense of scale. A strong option if you are looking for something more formal and immersive.
La Fonda Heritage Hotel. Located in Marbella’s Old Town, this hotel blends history with contemporary design, making it one of the standout boutique hotels Marbella offers. The building has been carefully restored, preserving traditional elements while introducing modern aesthetics. The result is a balanced, thoughtful space that feels both rooted and current. It is quiet, refined, and very visually cohesive.
Marbella Boutique Art Hotel. As the name suggests, this hotel focuses on artistic expression and individuality. It fits well within the category of boutique hotels Marbella, offering a more creative and informal atmosphere. Interiors often feature bold details and personal touches rather than uniform design. It is a good option for travelers who enjoy something less conventional.
Cortijo Boutique Marbella. A smaller, more intimate property that reflects a traditional Andalusian cortijo style. It offers a relaxed and authentic atmosphere, making it a quieter alternative among the best hotels in Marbella. The design leans toward simplicity, natural materials, and local character. It fits naturally within the growing scene of boutique hotels Marbella focused on charm and intimacy.

Marbella is often associated with luxury and rightly so. But beyond the traditional idea of luxury hotels in Marbella Spain, there is a deeper layer of experience to discover.

The most memorable stays are shaped less by size or brand recognition and more by how a place makes you feel: the way light enters a room, the textures you notice, the quiet details that reveal themselves over time.

That is what turns a hotel from simple accommodation into part of your journey, your memory, and visual story. And that, for me, is what truly defines the best hotels in Marbella.

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