Camping Rural Fuente de Piedra

The local lagoon of Fuente de Piedra is known throughout Spain for its birdlife – over 170 species have been recorded here – and it's famed too throughout the world for its flamingos… The colony of pink feathered ones that descend on the lagoon to breed in spring is the second biggest colony in Europe (after the French Camargue region) and the only inland site on the continent where flamingos breed. It's quite the sight – make sure your smartphone/camera is fully loaded with charge. The city of Antequera, 20 minutes from Camping Rural Fuente de Piedra, is also a top pick, partly for its good self and partly because it's known as the heart of Andalusia for its centrally placed spot among Málaga, Granada, Córdoba and Seville. Go here for several old churches, the Roman baths and Roman villa, the Alcazaba fortress, and about 80% of Málaga province's arty hoard. A bit further away but still easily accessible at around 45 minutes are the beaches and resorts of the glittery Costa del Sol, and within about an hour you'll be able to arrive at the cities of Córdoba, Sevilla or Granada. Nature sorts and conservationists might also like a look at Málaga's El Refugio del Burrito, the Spanish site set up as a subsidiary of the UK Donkey Sanctuary.