Casares, a guide with things to do and places to visit

Casares is a charming town on a hill in Sierra Bermeja. It blends influences of Malaga, Cadiz, and Andalusia. Its white houses, narrow streets, and historic corners make it ideal for enjoying Andalusian culture and nature. Casares offers a variety of landscapes, from rugged mountains to beaches and green fields. It’s a town with personality, recognized as a Historic-Artistic Site. It surprises visitors with its beauty and charm.

Discover Casares

Casares is a place with a fascinating history and unique charm. It is an Andalusian white town that overlooks the Mediterranean from the mountains of the Serranía de Ronda. Its origin dates back to the times of the Iberians and Phoenicians, who established the city of Lacipo near where the town is today. The Romans also left their mark on this place, where it is said that Julius Caesar was cured of an illness thanks to the sulphurous waters of the Hedionda Baths. According to legend, it was Julius Caesar himself who founded the spa and gave the town its name.

But the current appearance of Casares is mainly due to Arab influence, which dominated the area from the 8th to the 15th century. From this period, the ruins of the Castle are preserved, which was an important border fortress between Christian and Muslim kingdoms. The Church of the Incarnation also stands out, built on an old mosque after the reconquest.

Things to do

Casares is also the birthplace of Blas Infante, considered the father of Andalusianism. His birthplace is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. Other tourist attractions are Ballesteros and Hedionda caves and picturesque white and steep streets of town that offer spectacular views of natural surroundings. Casares is undoubtedly an ideal destination for lovers of history, culture and nature.

In Casares you can find numerous routes and trails that allow you to discover its landscapes and flora and fauna. You will see from cork oak and holm oak forests to rivers and streams through caves and cliffs. These interesting routes and trails we will leave for future articles if you find them interesting.

Hedionda Baths

It is a magical place where you can immerse yourself in thermal waters that have been flowing and healing for more than two thousand years. Do you want to know more about this hidden treasure?

The Hedionda Baths are a unique architectural work with a central room and two side galleries. The building is well preserved and can be accessed for free. A pool of sulphurous and ferruginous water awaits you, maintaining a pleasant temperature of about 21ºC throughout the year. These waters have beneficial properties for the skin, helping to alleviate problems such as dermatitis, rashes or atopic skin.

Around the building there are several outdoor pools where you can also enjoy the bath, surrounded by lush vegetation that invites you to walk and rest. In addition, there is a recreational area with tables and shade where you can have a picnic or barbecue.

The Hedionda Baths have been visited by illustrious characters such as King Alfonso XI, writer Washington Irving or bandit José María El Tempranillo.

If you want to visit the Hedionda Baths, you should keep in mind that the Casares City Council has established measures to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors. Among these measures, the most important is that the capacity of the spa is limited to 24 people and it is necessary to book in advance to access it during peak hours, which are from 12:00 to 19:00 from July 2 to September 9. This way, you can avoid crowds and enjoy a peaceful and relaxing bath in this historic and natural place.
https://www.eventbrite.es/o/ayuntamiento-de-casares-24450375891

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/tm7wTnzHz25xfMDt9

Caves of Casares

The caves of the great duke and the caves of Ballesteros are two rock formations that are located in the surroundings of the Hedionda Baths, an ancient Roman spa located in Casares, Malaga.

These caves are the result of water erosion on limestone and offer a spectacular and unique landscape. They can be visited following a path that starts from the recreational area of ​​the Hedionda Baths and runs along the Manilva riverbed.

The caves of the great duke take their name from one of the forts that were built during the War of Independence to defend Casares from French troops. The Ballesteros fort, also called Quirós fort, is located on top of one of the hills that dominate the town and from where you can enjoy breathtaking views. The fort was built by General Francisco Ballesteros, a national hero who participated in several battles against invaders.

The Ballesteros caves do not have such a well-known history, but they are equally beautiful and surprising. They are natural cavities that open in rock and have different shapes and sizes. Some are very wide and others narrower, but all have special charm.

Latitude: 36.4751     Longitude: -5.22742

Location: https://mapcarta.com/es/N1243340472

Other recommended places to visit

Of course there are many things to do and visit in Casares, we will recommend other places of interest in the area:

• Castle of Casares: It is a medieval fortress that stands above the town and offers spectacular views. You can access its ruins by a path that starts from the Plaza de España. Although the castle is in ruins, it is worth visiting for its historical value and for the beautiful landscape. (Map)
• Cemetery of Casares: It is a unique and original cemetery, located on the hillside, next to the castle. It has white stepped tombs that form a harmonious ensemble with the landscape. It is one of the most photogenic cemeteries in Spain and has been declared a Cultural Heritage Site. (Map)
• Plaza de España: It is the heart of the town, where the town hall, the Carlos III fountain and several bars and restaurants are located. It is an ideal place to have a drink and enjoy the atmosphere. The square is also the stage for many festivals and cultural events that take place throughout the year. (Map)

Beaches in Casares

Casares has four beaches that stretch along two kilometers of coastline. These are the beaches you can enjoy in Casares, a town with a lot of Andalusian flavor and color:

• Ancha Beach: It is the westernmost and largest beach, with more than one kilometer in length and 50 meters in width. It is a semi-urban beach, with dark sand and calm waters, which has numerous services and facilities for bathers. It has a promenade that borders it and connects with Sabinillas beach, in the neighboring municipality of Manilva.
• Chica Beach: It is a small cove located between Parrilla stream and a cliff covered with vegetation. It is an irregular beach, of sand and rocks, which has about 300 meters in length and variable width. It is a quieter and more natural beach than the previous one, ideal for those looking for a secluded corner.
• Sal Beach: It is the most attractive beach from a landscape and historical point of view. It is located between the cliff that separates it from Chica Beach and Torre del Salto de la Mora, or Torre de la Sal, a 16th century watchtower that served to watch over the coast. It is a beach about 700 meters long and 30 meters wide, with fine sand and crystal clear waters, which offers spectacular views of Gibraltar Rock and African coast.
• Piedra Paloma Beach: It is the easternmost beach and closest to Casares town. It is a beach about 800 meters long and 40 meters wide, with coarse sand and rocks, which has a family-friendly and quiet atmosphere. It has some basic services such as showers, trash cans or parking.

Popular festivals and events

Casares has a rich festive tradition, reflecting its history, culture, and identity. Some of the most notable fairs and festivals are:

• La Noche en Vela (July 1): The town is lit up with candles and filled with activities for all tastes: gastronomic route, night market, live music, workshops and children’s games.
• Cultural Summer (July): On Friday nights, music, theater and dance shows at the Rosario Gardens amphitheater. There are classical works as well as flamenco, jazz, rock or folklore.
• Casares Costa Velada (August 15): Beach party with children’s activities and live music. There are inflatables, foam party, popular games, sandcastle contest and live music.
• Secadero Fair (penultimate weekend of July): Fair with great neighborhood participation. There is a parade, coronation, float contest, popular dance and fireworks.
• Casares Fair (first weekend of August): Traditional and family fair in the historic center. You will find booths, attractions, music and dances in La Carrera and Plaza de España.
• Patron Saint’s Day (second weekend of September): Religious festival in honor of the Virgen del Rosario del Campo. There is a transfer of the image, mass, presentation of the casareñitos and procession through the town with band and rockets.
• Terror Passage (end of August in Casares and autumn in Secadero): Terrifying tour through different scenarios with actors who interpret scary scenes. Better book in advance if planning to assist to this event.
• Tostón and Halloween (October 31): Party that combines the chestnut roast next to the cemetery with the celebration of Halloween. On the Coast and in Secadero there are costumes, candies, horror stories and mobile disco.

If you want to know the complete calendar, you can check the town hall website.

How to get to Casares

We will give options and advice so that you can enjoy your trip to Casares and know how to get there from Malaga airport:

By car

If you want to go by car, you have two main options: the AP-7 or the A-7. The AP-7 is a toll highway that takes you directly to Casares in just over an hour but costs about 10 euros. The A-7 is a free road that runs along the coast but has more traffic and takes about 20 minutes longer. In both cases, you will have to exit the road at exit 153 and follow the signs towards Casares on the MA-8300. Here are the directions to go by AP-7:

• Take N-340/MA-21 from Malaga airport.
• Continue on AP-7 towards Pista Colada de los Molinos a E. Take exit 1070 B from AP-7.
• Continue on Pista Colada de los Molinos a E and MA8300 to C. Molinos/MA-528 in Casares.

By public transport

If you prefer to go by public transport, you also have several options. The cheapest is to take the Avanza L-616 bus from the airport to Marbella, which costs about 6 euros and takes about 40 minutes. From Marbella, you can take the Avanza L-313 bus to Sabinillas, which costs about 4 euros and takes about 45 minutes. From Sabinillas, you can take the L-770 bus to Casares, which costs about 2 euros and takes about 20 minutes.

The downside of this option is that bus schedules may not coincide and you will have to make several transfers:

• Take the Avanza L-616 bus from the airport to Marbella.
• Take the Avanza L-313 bus from Marbella to Sabinillas.
• Take the L-770 bus from Sabinillas to Casares.

By transfer

Finally, another option is to hire a transfer service from the airport to Casares, which offers comfort and speed. You can choose between different types of vehicles, from economical cars to minibuses, depending on the number of people and luggage you carry. You can book your transfer online in advance and have a driver waiting for you upon arrival at the airport. Follow the link to find the best prices for Malaga airport transfers.