Casares is a picturesque village with a population of just three thousand people, and the view from the approach is one of the most photographed in Spain. Calling Casares beautiful doesn’t quite do it justice. While many of the white villages are stunning, there’s something particularly captivating about Casares that compels visitors to stop, gaze, or take a photo. Its houses, like sugar cubes, are stacked precariously high, almost touching the battlements of an ancient Arab castle. It’s hard to believe that this charming village is only nine miles from the busy coast and has managed to stay off the typical tourist routes.
Casares is a charming Andalusian white village located a short drive inland from Estepona on the Costa del Sol. There is a wide variety of properties available in Casares, ranging from apartments near the coast to rustic villas in the hills near the village. Essentially, there are three types of properties in Casares: coastal apartments, large country villas in the hills, and a few village houses in need of renovation.
Most people driving west along the Costa del Sol after leaving Estepona and passing a petrol station called ‘Buenas noches’ may not realize they are passing through the municipal district of Casares. You don’t officially enter the district of Manilva until you cross the River Manilva just before reaching the fishing village of Sabinillas. The coastal part of Casares is often referred to as Casares Costa to distinguish it from the village itself, which is located a few kilometers inland.
Most of the properties in Casares Costa have been developed since the 2000s. Some properties, such as Casares del Mar, are located on the beach side of the coastal road. Others are situated just inland, near three golf courses: Doña Julia Golf Course, Casares Golf Course, and Finca Cortesin championship golf course. These can be accessed via the roundabout on the coastal road leading to the MA-8300 road that goes up to the village.
Another notable development in the Casares municipal district is Alcazaba Lagoon, accessible from Estepona Golf. Initiated in 2008, this unique development features a private lagoon and beach for residents and their guests.
Finca Cortesin, a five-star hotel, spa, and golf resort on the Costa del Sol, is often regarded as one of the finest hotels in Spain. Many of Andalucia’s most iconic hotels, known for their unusual or visually stunning architecture, are housed in historic buildings like old convents and castles.