Marbella Old Town and Plaza de los Naranjos

Behind Marbella's glitzy reputation is a pretty Andalusian old town (Casco Antiguo) of narrow whitewashed lanes, flower pots and little squares. At its heart, the Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Tree Square), laid out in 1485, has café terraces under the orange trees, the town hall and a Renaissance fountain.

Wander the lanes to the Church of the Incarnation and the remains of the Moorish castle walls. The Avenida del Mar, lined with bronze sculptures by Salvador Dalí, leads down to the beach promenade. Marbella is about 45 minutes from Málaga airport by bus or taxi.