📍 Casares, western Costa del Sol
Photo: georama / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Casares is the white village in the hills above Manilva and the name also covers Casares Costa, the coastal extension where Finca Cortesín sits. The village itself is around 15 km inland from Nylva Homes, perched at around 400 m above sea level on a rocky outcrop with a ruined Moorish castle at the top and a clear sight line across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco on clear days. Casares Costa is closer to the sea and closer to Nylva, about 8 km away, and is where most of the new development and the Finca Cortesín golf and hotel complex sit.
What makes Casares different from Manilva or Estepona?
Height and the village. Casares old town is one of the most photographed white villages in Andalucía because of the way the houses cascade down the rock face below the castle. At 400 m elevation the view is even longer than from the Nylva hillside: you see from Tarifa in the west to Estepona in the east, with Gibraltar, the Strait and Morocco spread out below. The village is a 15 minute drive inland from Nylva but it is one of the local day-trip destinations buyers use most.
Where is Finca Cortesín?
Casares Costa, about 8 to 10 km by road from Nylva Homes. Finca Cortesín is one of the top-ranked golf courses in continental Europe, home to the Solheim Cup in 2023, and the associated hotel is one of the higher-end luxury properties on the Costa del Sol. The course is public but expensive; you can play it as a guest without being a member. For Nylva buyers who care about golf, having Finca Cortesín 10 minutes away is a meaningful part of the location case.
What else is around Casares and Casares Costa?
- Sierra Crestellina. A mountain ridge immediately behind Casares village with a natural park, hiking trails, vulture colonies and panoramic viewpoints.
- Baños de la Hedionda. Roman-era sulphur baths in a small canyon a short drive from the village. Still in use as a swimming spot.
- Doña Julia Golf. 18-hole course in Casares Costa, near Finca Cortesín.
- Casares Costa beach. A quieter stretch of coast with a mix of older resorts and newer residential developments. Blue Flag water quality.
- The village of Casares itself. Whitewashed houses, narrow streets, the castle ruins, small tapas bars with view terraces, and the Blas Infante birthplace (the “father of Andalucía” was born here).
Is Casares a good place to buy property?
Yes, for a specific type of buyer. The village itself has very limited new build stock (the historic fabric is protected), so most buyers who want Casares buy either an old stone house in the village itself for renovation or a new build in Casares Costa near the golf courses. Nylva Homes sits outside the Casares municipality in Manilva but is close enough to use Casares as your weekend and golf territory while living on a hillside with a closer sea view. For buyers who want the white-village atmosphere and the Finca Cortesín golf without paying Finca Cortesín prices, Nylva plus day trips is a sensible combination.
Related reading
- Three continent view apartments at Nylva
- Energy cert A apartments at Nylva Homes
- Manilva area guide
- Buying off-plan in Spain guide
- Contact Marcelo for viewings
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Casares like for sea view and golf buyers?
Casares combines a photogenic white village at 400 m altitude with Casares Costa on the coast, where Finca Cortesín golf sits. For sea view and golf buyers the area is a strong combination: long-distance panoramas from the village, elite golf on the coast, and quieter than Marbella or Sotogrande year-round.
How far is Casares from Nylva Homes?
The village is around 15 km inland (25 to 30 minutes by road via the winding mountain road up from the coast). Casares Costa including Finca Cortesín is 8 to 10 km away by the coastal road (10 to 15 minutes). Most Nylva buyers use Casares as a day trip and Casares Costa as their golf territory.
Can you see Morocco from Casares village?
Yes, on clear days. The village sits at around 400 m above sea level with a direct line of sight across the Strait of Gibraltar. The view is arguably wider than from Nylva because of the extra elevation, though the Rock of Gibraltar sits further to the east from the village vantage point.
Is Finca Cortesín expensive to play?
Yes by Costa del Sol standards. Green fees for visitors are among the highest in the region, reflecting the Solheim Cup pedigree and the course condition. You can play it as a paying guest without being a club member. Many buyers play once or twice a year and use Doña Julia or La Duquesa Golf for regular golf.
Are there any new builds in Casares village itself?
Very limited. The historic fabric of the village is protected so there is almost no new construction inside the old town. Buyers who want to live in the village typically renovate an existing stone house. New build stock is concentrated in Casares Costa near the beach and the golf courses.
What are the Baños de la Hedionda?
Roman-era sulphur baths in a small canyon near Casares, still in use as a free public swimming spot. The water has a slight sulphurous smell which locals consider part of the experience. Worth visiting at least once for the history and the setting.
Is Casares a good year-round location?
The village itself quietens significantly in winter because much of its trade is summer tourism. Local bars and basic services stay open all year, though. Casares Costa is busier year-round because of the golf and the residential population. Buyers who want year-round life usually pick the coast; those who want atmosphere prefer the village.
What wildlife is around Casares?
The Sierra Crestellina natural park above the village is one of the best places in Andalucía for spotting griffon vultures, which nest on the cliffs and thermal-soar over the village most mornings. Ibex, eagles and several species of raptor are also present. Hiking trails are well marked and usable most of the year.
How does Casares compare with Mijas Pueblo?
Casares is less commercialised and less busy with tour buses than Mijas Pueblo. It has a rougher, more working-village feel, though the view from Casares is significantly more dramatic. Mijas is easier to reach from Málaga airport; Casares is closer to Gibraltar and to the view buyers pick Manilva for.
Is there a school in Casares?
A Spanish state primary school in the village and another in Casares Costa. International schools are further away in Sotogrande and Estepona. Most international buyers with school-age children commute to Sotogrande International School or equivalent from wherever they live on this stretch of coast.
Can I walk from Casares Costa to Nylva Homes?
Not directly on a coastal path, the A-7 motorway is the only through route in between. For walking, the Sabinillas-La Duquesa paseo and the hillside trails above Nylva are better options. Casares Costa is a short drive.
Does Casares have a beach?
Casares Costa has a stretch of sandy beach with Blue Flag water quality, a handful of beach bars and quieter atmosphere than Sabinillas. The village of Casares itself has no beach since it is 400 m up in the hills, but the coast is a 20 minute drive down.