Casares Travel Guide

Casares has been inhabited for thousands of years by a myriad of civilisations, each leaving its mark. Besides walking along the narrow, cobbled streets with their Moorish design, one should not miss the opportunity to see the Arab Castle at the top of the hill where the views are spectacular.

Casares is a picture postcard village with a population of just three thousand and the view from the approach is definitely worth a photo. To say that Casares is beautiful is an understatement. Most of the white villages are beautiful but there is something very special about the sight of Casares that causes the visitor to park the car and simply stare or take a photo. There are the sugar cubes again, piled precariously high and just nudging the battlements of the Arab castle. It is hard to believe that this enchanting, typical village is only nine miles from the hustle and bustle of the coast and somehow succeeded in avoiding the coach tour circuit.

Locality:
The village of Casares is just 14 kilometres from the bustling and cosmopolitan Costa Del Sol, in the province of Andalucia. Its municipal territory stretches between the Costa del Sol, the Ronda highlands and the Gibraltar plain. As a result, it shows some of the characteristics of each of those three zones, although the mountain region more influences its appearance than the other two.

Those wanting a rewarding scenic experience can follow the narrow street adjacent to the Virgin del Rosario chapel. Keep climbing and eventually you will have reached the top of the town of some 1,400 feet above sea level.
There is an old fortress and a derelict church, as well as a marvelous view overlooking the rooftops of the village. Peregrine falcons and kestrels can be found here, on a clear day, you will be able to spy on the African coast with the Rock of Gibraltar looming craggily in the foreground. Tiny village shops full of local produce hide round every corner with a scattering of small bars and cafes thrown in for good measure. Local pottery and leatherwork are very good buys.

The town is almost untouched by tourism. Casares has its own little museum with artefacts dating from the Roman times. The whole town is a photographer’s paradise. In Roman times the town was of such importance that it had its own mint and Roman baths which were ordered to be built by Caesar as a sign of gratitude to being cured of a skin complaint after bathing in the sulphurous waters in the locality. Numerous Roman ruins lie close by, including part of an aquaduct. A truly, sleepy village, locked in time. The local fiestas take place in the first two weeks of August and the Cristo fair takes place in September when the village comes alive.