Olvera: White Village and Sierra Greenway
What Olvera is really like: a hilltop white town crowned by a Moorish castle and church, and the start of the Vía Verde de la Sierra greenway.
Setenil de las Bodegas: Cave Houses Under the Rock
What Setenil de las Bodegas is really like: white houses built into and under the cliffs of the Trejo gorge, with tapas in the shade of the rock.
Figueres: Dalí Theatre-Museum, Sant Ferran Fortress and Toy Museum
Inland Catalan town, about 21 km by road from the sea at Roses: the Dalí Theatre-Museum, the vast Sant Ferran fortress and the Toy Museum on the Rambla.
Rota
What Rota is really like: wide Bay of Cadiz beaches, the Castillo de Luna, ancient stone fish traps and an easy Costa de la Luz base.
Frigiliana: Old Town, Nerja Bus and the Río Higuerón Walk
Frigiliana guide: a white village 300 m up, 6 km from Nerja. Old quarter, Río Higuerón walk, bus from Nerja, parking, where to stay and when to visit.
Cambrils: a working fishing harbour, 1,762 m Vilafortuny beach and Parc Samà garden
Fishing port and beach town of 37,068 residents near Salou: 1,762 m Vilafortuny beach, a working harbour, Parc Samà and seafood.
Tarifa
What Tarifa is really like: kitesurf beaches, the southern tip of mainland Europe, views of Morocco and a whitewashed old town on the Costa de la Luz.
Almuñécar: Castle, Roman Fish-Salting Factory and Town Beaches
Almuñécar guide: old town or seafront, Castillo de San Miguel, Cueva de Siete Palacios, the Roman factory in El Majuelo, town beaches and coves, and the road to Granada.
Salou: Family Beaches, a 9.49 km Coast Path and PortAventura Nearby
Costa Daurada resort next to PortAventura: Llevant beach, a 9.49 km coast path and a fountain promenade. Suits families and package trips, not a quiet stay.
Huelva
What Huelva is really like: Columbus history, the Muelle del Tinto, the Odiel marshes and a gateway to the Costa de la Luz beaches.