Casa La Paz

An emerald-green lake where you can fish and swim, sweet-smelling pine forests and a hydroelectric dam (because why not?) can all be seen in nearby El Chorro (10 minutes' drive). While in the area, stop off in town to sort an outdoor climbing or abseiling session with one of El Chorro's expert guides. The Caminito del Rey trail is also close by (30 minutes) – make sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment. These rocky valleys are well worth exploring – check out the viewpoint and castle ruins at Bobastro (30 minutes) where ancient Moorish and Roman stones can still be seen. Fancy surveying this rugged landscape from the saddle? A highly rated local riding school has horseback treks for all ages and abilities (20 minutes). Craving the sand and sangría of the Costa del Sol? Day trips to the seaside are a breeze at Casa La Paz, with top resorts like Marbella, Fuengirola and Torremolinos all reachable in just over an hour’s drive. This is where to head for tiddler-focused ents, too, like the rides and slides at Tivoli World theme park or Aqualand's mega-sized splash zone (both 40 minutes).