{"id":811700,"date":"2023-01-05T10:16:41","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T09:16:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/?p=811700"},"modified":"2024-06-26T10:49:14","modified_gmt":"2024-06-26T08:49:14","slug":"south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/","title":{"rendered":"See south-eastern Spain in a whole new light"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=\u201d1\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d900px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||true|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d header_2_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d header_3_font=\u201d|600|||||||\u201d header_3_text_color=\u201d#307f90\u2033 header_3_font_size=\u201d26px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||true|\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Contrasts and wonders<\/strong><\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Nature reserves nestling in the landscape like enchanted oases, evocative expanses of desert, wild beaches hidden away like treasures, white villages perched on mountainsides, reminders of a rich history and the sun shining like a smile\u2026 <strong>South-eastern Spain<\/strong> simply dazzles with the diversity of its breathtaking beauty. Here\u2019s a brief overview\u2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d text_font=\u201d||||||||\u201d text_line_height=\u201d1.8em\u201d link_font=\u201d||||on||||\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d header_3_font=\u201d|600|||||||\u201d header_3_text_color=\u201d#307f90\u2033 header_3_font_size=\u201d26px\u201d header_3_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d header_4_font=\u201d|600|||||||\u201d header_4_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_4_font_size=\u201d22px\u201d header_4_line_height=\u201d1.5em\u201d header_5_font=\u201d|700|||||||\u201d header_5_text_color=\u201d#307f90\u2033 header_5_font_size=\u201d18px\u201d header_5_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d header_6_font=\u201d|600|||||||\u201d header_6_font_size=\u201d16px\u201d header_6_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d text_orientation=\u201djustified\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||27px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Tabernas desert: land of the cinema<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Once upon a time in the east\u2026 Located in the centre of the province of Almeria, the <strong>Tabernas desert<\/strong> was captured for posterity in the 1960s when it <strong>featured in numerous Westerns,<\/strong> as well as in a host of epic, adventure, war and science-fiction films. With its unfailing sunshine and vast expanses of desert, torn asunder by canyons reminiscent of the American West, this <strong>semi-desert \u2013 the only one of its kind in Europe \u2013<\/strong> is the backdrop for major cinematic classics that include <em>Lawrence of Arabia<\/em>, <em>Indiana Jones <\/em>and the Westerns of Sergio Leone. At its peak, the Tabernas desert was home to fourteen outdoor film studios. Now preserved, the <strong>Mini Hollywood and Fort Bravo Western villages<\/strong> are open to the public. In this historical setting, film buffs and desert lovers are invited to enjoy an unforgettable experience in the wild west<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d width=\u201d100%\u201d width_tablet=\u201d\u201d width_phone=\u201d\u201d width_last_edited=\u201don|phone\u201d max_width=\u201d1000px\u201d module_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d custom_padding=\u201d||5px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d background_size=\u201dcontain\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_image src=\u201dhttps:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/iStock-1356728994.jpg\u201d alt=\u201dle sud est de l\u2019Espagne\u201d title_text=\u201despagne-du-sud\u201d align=\u201dcenter\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=\u201d1\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||22px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d900px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||true|false\u201d locked=\u201doff\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d text_font=\u201d||||||||\u201d text_line_height=\u201d1.8em\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d header_3_font=\u201d|600|||||||\u201d header_3_text_color=\u201d#307f90\u2033 header_3_font_size=\u201d26px\u201d header_3_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d text_orientation=\u201djustified\u201d custom_padding=\u201d40px||37px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Cabo de Gata: where the desert plunges into the sea<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>At Cabo de Gata, the lowest point in eastern Spain<\/strong> located opposite North Africa, <strong>volcanic rocks <\/strong>plunge into the sea, revealing untold natural treasures. Declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1997, the <strong>Cabo de Gata natural park<\/strong> covers nearly 40,000 hectares, including 60 kilometres of coastline. From arid hinterlands to the crystalline waters of the coast, it is home to an incredibly diverse and thriving fauna and flora. This is serious <strong>hiking territory,<\/strong> dotted with <strong>flourishing endemic vegetation<\/strong> mainly composed of agaves, dwarf palm trees, jujubes and mastic trees. It\u2019s not uncommon to come across a chameleon or a gecko (which, incidentally, is the symbol of the region), to see birds of prey or migratory birds, or to surprise a wild boar or fox. At the foot of the chalky and black rock cliffs overlooking an azure sea, sublime coves and wild beaches, an <strong>abundant marine population<\/strong> prospers just a short distance from the shore.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d width=\u201d100%\u201d width_tablet=\u201d\u201d width_phone=\u201d\u201d width_last_edited=\u201don|phone\u201d max_width=\u201d1000px\u201d module_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d custom_padding=\u201d||5px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d background_size=\u201dcontain\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_image src=\u201dhttps:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/iStock-1027302840.jpg\u201d alt=\u201dle sud est de l\u2019Espagne\u201d title_text=\u201despagne-du-sud\u201d align=\u201dcenter\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d900px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d7px||7px||true|false\u201d locked=\u201doff\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d text_font=\u201d||||||||\u201d text_line_height=\u201d1.8em\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d header_3_font=\u201d|600|||||||\u201d header_3_text_color=\u201d#307f90\u2033 header_3_font_size=\u201d26px\u201d header_3_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d text_orientation=\u201djustified\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||1px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Visiting the white towns of Andalusia in Malaga<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Perched on mountainsides surrounded by protective vegetation, you\u2019ll spy clusters of squat, whitewashed houses crisscrossed by shaded, winding streets. These are the \u2018pueblos blancos\u2019 or the <strong>white towns of Andalusia<\/strong>, a collection of jealously preserved historical vestiges of a region marked by its dual Moorish and Christian heritage. Particularly numerous in the <strong>province of Malaga<\/strong>, they represent a pleasant alternative to the hustle and bustle of the neighbouring seaside resorts on the Costa del Sol. <strong>Ronda<\/strong>, famous for its suspension bridge linking two parts of the town, its arenas, its Arab baths and the Palace of the Moorish king, is undoubtedly <strong>one of the most spectacular sights on this tourist route, which winds its way through the white villages<\/strong>. The nearby <strong>village of Mijas<\/strong>, which has been popular with artists since the 1950s, is another highlight thanks to its majestic pine forest. Further east, in the province of Granada, <strong>Frigiliana<\/strong> exudes irresistible charm with its stunning views of the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d width=\u201d100%\u201d width_tablet=\u201d\u201d width_phone=\u201d\u201d width_last_edited=\u201don|phone\u201d max_width=\u201d1000px\u201d module_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d custom_padding=\u201d||5px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d background_size=\u201dcontain\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_image src=\u201dhttps:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/iStock-1363634657.jpg\u201d alt=\u201dle sud est de l\u2019Espagne\u201d title_text=\u201despagne-du-sud\u201d align=\u201dcenter\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d900px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||true|false\u201d locked=\u201doff\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d text_font=\u201d||||||||\u201d text_line_height=\u201d1.8em\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d header_3_font=\u201d|600|||||||\u201d header_3_text_color=\u201d#307f90\u2033 header_3_font_size=\u201d26px\u201d header_3_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d text_orientation=\u201djustified\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||37px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>El Caminito del Rey: a dizzying prospect<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>In El Chorro <\/strong>in Malaga\u2019s Sierra, there is a legendary trail located off the beaten track offering a <strong>dizzying walk<\/strong> that defies both imagination and gravity. Attached to the walls of the canyon of the Gaitanes Gorges, the <strong>Caminito del Rey<\/strong> is a pedestrian footpath made of wood, ropes and steel that stretches over more than three kilometres and culminates <strong>300 metres above the gorges of the Guadalhorce River<\/strong>. Built at the very beginning of the 20th\u00a0century to connect the villages in two districts, it owes its name to King Alfonso XIII, who boldly crossed it during a visit in 1921. Beyond its striking beauty, the part of the <strong>Los Ardales natural park<\/strong> that is traversed by the \u2018Caminito\u2019 offers hikers the opportunity to discover more than twenty caves, most of which are decorated with primitive paintings dating back to the Palaeolithic period.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d width=\u201d100%\u201d width_tablet=\u201d\u201d width_phone=\u201d\u201d width_last_edited=\u201don|phone\u201d max_width=\u201d1000px\u201d module_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d custom_padding=\u201d||5px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d background_size=\u201dcontain\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_image src=\u201dhttps:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/iStock-1130859004.jpg\u201d alt=\u201dle sud est de l\u2019Espagne\u201d title_text=\u201despagne-du-sud\u201d align=\u201dcenter\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d900px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||true|false\u201d locked=\u201doff\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d text_font=\u201d||||||||\u201d text_line_height=\u201d1.8em\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d header_3_font=\u201d|600|||||||\u201d header_3_text_color=\u201d#307f90\u2033 header_3_font_size=\u201d26px\u201d header_3_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d text_orientation=\u201djustified\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||37px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Beaches as nature intended: four sublimely wild beaches between Murcia and Malaga<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The various regional natural parks dotted along the coast of <strong>south-eastern Spain<\/strong> boast a multitude of hidden beaches and coves, which have been protected from over-construction for the tourism industry and carefully developed by local authorities keen to showcase their natural heritage. If you can only fit four of them into your itinerary, we recommend first heading to Cartagena in the province of Murcia to enjoy the fine golden sand of <strong>Calblanque beach<\/strong>. Then, travel south to the Cabo de Gata-Nijar natural park and spread out your towel on the <strong>vast wild beach of Los Genoveses<\/strong>. Continuing south, you reach Gualchos on the \u2018tropical\u2019 coast of the province of Granada, where you can cool off in the crystalline waters of the <strong>charming La Rijana cove<\/strong>. Finally, in Nerja near Malaga, your stunning journey will come to an end at the <strong>hidden beach of Caleta de Maro,<\/strong> where a natural waterfall flows into the sea.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d width=\u201d100%\u201d width_tablet=\u201d\u201d width_phone=\u201d\u201d width_last_edited=\u201don|phone\u201d max_width=\u201d1000px\u201d module_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d custom_padding=\u201d||5px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d background_size=\u201dcontain\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_image src=\u201dhttps:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/iStock-1291805179.jpg\u201d alt=\u201dle sud est de l\u2019Espagne\u201d title_text=\u201despagne-du-sud\u201d align=\u201dcenter\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\u201d2_5,3_5\u2033 admin_label=\u201dMEA \u2013 decalage\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d1000px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d21px||21px||true|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d2_5\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|on||||||\u201d header_2_text_align=\u201dleft\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#ffffff\u201d header_2_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d background_color=\u201d#307f90\u2033 custom_margin=\u201d|-30%|||false|false\u201d custom_margin_tablet=\u201d|0%|||false|false\u201d custom_margin_phone=\u201d\u201d custom_margin_last_edited=\u201don|tablet\u201d custom_padding=\u201d30px|75%|30px|20px|true|false\u201d custom_padding_tablet=\u201d|20px|||true|false\u201d custom_padding_phone=\u201d\u201d custom_padding_last_edited=\u201don|tablet\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The Roman Forum in Cartagena and the Alhambra in Granada: a blend of heritage and history<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u201d3_5\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_color=\u201d#f7f7f7\u2033 custom_margin=\u201d50px|||-25%|false|false\u201d custom_margin_tablet=\u201d0px|||0%|false|false\u201d custom_margin_phone=\u201d\u201d custom_margin_last_edited=\u201don|desktop\u201d custom_padding=\u201d40px|40px|40px|40px|true|true\u201d custom_padding_tablet=\u201d|20px||20px|true|true\u201d custom_padding_phone=\u201d\u201d custom_padding_last_edited=\u201don|tablet\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d]<\/p>\n<p>A crossroads of Mediterranean and Muslim cultures, the heritage of <strong>southern Spain<\/strong> reflects the dual influences of the two main civilisations that have occupied it. In Cartagena, it is the imposing remains of the Roman Empire that give the city its identity. Further south in Granada, as in the rest of Andalusia, it is the imprint left by the domination of the kingdom of Al-Andalus that prevails, particularly at the <a href=\"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/cruise-spain-alhambra\/\">unmissable Alhambra Palace<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d900px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d7px||7px||true|false\u201d locked=\u201doff\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d text_font=\u201d||||||||\u201d text_line_height=\u201d1.8em\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d header_3_font=\u201d|600|||||||\u201d header_3_text_color=\u201d#307f90\u2033 header_3_font_size=\u201d26px\u201d header_3_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d text_orientation=\u201djustified\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||9px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Sierras and national parks in eastern Andalusia<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Desert, mountains and sea\u2026 Eastern Andalusia is a land of contrasts with two important mountain ranges \u2013 the \u2018Sierras\u2019 \u2013 declared national natural parks. On the doorstep of Granada, the Sierra Nevada, whose alpine climate contrasts radically with the arid plains it overlooks, reaches its highest point at the peak of Mulhac\u00e8n, at nearly 3,500 metres of altitude. The mountain range is home to the highest ski resort in Spain and the southernmost in Europe. In the province of Malaga, the Sierra de las Nieves may have more modest altitudes, but it is still swept by snow every winter. Inhabited by a particularly varied wildlife, it has been recognised as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO since 1995.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Photos credits :\u00a0 \u00a9 Istock<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=\u201d1\u2033 admin_label=\u201dPUSH\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_padding=\u201d||0px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_row column_structure=\u201d1_2,1_2\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d1_2\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_padding=\u201d|50px||50px|false|true\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_image src=\u201dhttps:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/PUSH_Seychelles\u00a9StudioPonant-Laurence-Fischer.jpg\u201d alt=\u201dTourisme : Nouvelle-Cal\u00e9donie, vue rapproch\u00e9e sur le lagon turquoise avec l\u2019\u00eele du pin en arri\u00e8re plan\u201d title_text=\u201dPUSH_Seychelles\u00a9StudioPonant-Laurence Fischer\u201d align=\u201dcenter\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d445px\u201d module_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d max_height=\u201d445px\u201d custom_margin=\u201d-90px||||false|false\u201d custom_padding=\u201d||20px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u201d1_2\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_padding=\u201d|50px|||false|false\u201d custom_padding_tablet=\u201d|50px||50px|false|false\u201d custom_padding_phone=\u201d|20px||20px|false|true\u201d custom_padding_last_edited=\u201don|phone\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d text_font=\u201d|700|||||||\u201d text_text_color=\u201d#ffffff\u201d text_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d text_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d width=\u201d70%\u201d width_tablet=\u201d100%\u201d width_phone=\u201d\u201d width_last_edited=\u201don|desktop\u201d custom_margin=\u201d10px||20px||false|false\u201d custom_padding=\u201d|0px||20px|false|false\u201d text_font_size_tablet=\u201d\u201d text_font_size_phone=\u201d25px\u201d text_font_size_last_edited=\u201don|tablet\u201d border_width_left=\u201d5px\u201d border_color_left=\u201d#26afc2\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d]<\/p>\n<p>PONANT takes you there<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d text_text_color=\u201d#ffffff\u201d width=\u201d70%\u201d width_tablet=\u201d100%\u201d width_phone=\u201d\u201d width_last_edited=\u201don|desktop\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d]<\/p>\n<p>Rediscover the shores of the Mediterranean from the sea<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=\u201dhttps:\/\/www.ponant.com\/destinations\/mediterranee\u201d url_new_window=\u201don\u201d button_text=\u201dView cruises\u201d button_alignment=\u201dleft\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.19.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_margin=\u201d20px||20px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Contrasts and wonders <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":811707,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"thematique":[1376,1436],"class_list":["post-811700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-get-inspired","thematique-europe","thematique-the-mediterranean"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>South-eastern Spain: Off the Beaten Track | Magazine PONANT<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Stray off the beaten track to explore the regions of Murcia, Malaga, Andalusia and Granada, and discover the natural wonders that south-eastern Spain has to offer.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"South-eastern Spain: Off the Beaten Track | Magazine PONANT\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Stray off the beaten track to explore the regions of Murcia, Malaga, Andalusia and Granada, and discover the natural wonders that south-eastern Spain has to offer.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Magazine de voyage Escales : interviews, inspirations et conseils | Magazine PONANT\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ponant\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-01-05T09:16:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-06-26T08:49:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/iStock-1202237941-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1267\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"\u00c9quipe \u00c9ditions PONANT EXPLORATIONS\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Cie_ponant\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Cie_ponant\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"South-eastern Spain: Off the Beaten Track | Magazine PONANT","description":"Stray off the beaten track to explore the regions of Murcia, Malaga, Andalusia and Granada, and discover the natural wonders that south-eastern Spain has to offer.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"South-eastern Spain: Off the Beaten Track | Magazine PONANT","og_description":"Stray off the beaten track to explore the regions of Murcia, Malaga, Andalusia and Granada, and discover the natural wonders that south-eastern Spain has to offer.","og_url":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/","og_site_name":"Magazine de voyage Escales : interviews, inspirations et conseils | Magazine PONANT","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ponant","article_published_time":"2023-01-05T09:16:41+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-06-26T08:49:14+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1900,"height":1267,"url":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/iStock-1202237941-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"\u00c9quipe \u00c9ditions PONANT EXPLORATIONS","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@Cie_ponant","twitter_site":"@Cie_ponant","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/"},"author":{"name":"\u00c9quipe \u00c9ditions PONANT EXPLORATIONS","@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/a62d2aa3c59ae32847bf45b8ba0b956d"},"headline":"See south-eastern Spain in a whole new light","datePublished":"2023-01-05T09:16:41+00:00","dateModified":"2024-06-26T08:49:14+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/"},"wordCount":2846,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/iStock-1202237941-1.jpg","articleSection":["Get inspired"],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/","url":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/","name":"South-eastern Spain: Off the Beaten Track | Magazine PONANT","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/iStock-1202237941-1.jpg","datePublished":"2023-01-05T09:16:41+00:00","dateModified":"2024-06-26T08:49:14+00:00","description":"Stray off the beaten track to explore the regions of Murcia, Malaga, Andalusia and Granada, and discover the natural wonders that south-eastern Spain has to offer.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/iStock-1202237941-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/iStock-1202237941-1.jpg","width":1900,"height":1267,"caption":"le sud est de l\u2019Espagne"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/south-east-spain-off-the-beaten-track\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"See south-eastern Spain in a whole new light"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/","name":"Magazine de voyage Escales : interviews, inspirations et conseils | Magazine PONANT","description":"Le magazine de voyage par PONANT","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/#organization","name":"Ponant","url":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/logo-escales@2x.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/logo-escales@2x.png","width":510,"height":174,"caption":"Ponant"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ponant","https:\/\/x.com\/Cie_ponant","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/croisieres_ponant\/","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/ponantcruises\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/PonantCroisieres"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/a62d2aa3c59ae32847bf45b8ba0b956d","name":"\u00c9quipe \u00c9ditions PONANT EXPLORATIONS","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/298d6f786aa7fa2257b0bb6189c5bad8f16c9bb16111a0a6b6b6d5f3ab99c650?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/298d6f786aa7fa2257b0bb6189c5bad8f16c9bb16111a0a6b6b6d5f3ab99c650?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"\u00c9quipe \u00c9ditions PONANT EXPLORATIONS"},"description":"Parce qu\u2019une envie d\u2019ailleurs commence souvent par une histoire inspirante, l\u2019\u00e9quipe \u00c9ditions PONANT EXPLORATIONS vous invite au voyage au fil des pages du magazine Escales : entretiens avec des experts de l\u2019exploration ou des artistes et artisans d'exception, immersion au sein de communaut\u00e9s isol\u00e9es, conseils et guides pour choisir votre prochaine destination hors des sentiers battus, curiosit\u00e9s... Elle s\u00e9lectionne pour vous les plus belles exp\u00e9riences \u00e0 vivre au bout du monde."}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/811700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=811700"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/811700\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/811707"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=811700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=811700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=811700"},{"taxonomy":"thematique","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/thematique?post=811700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}