I love September in Spain.  The weather is still beautiful and the most of the tourist hordes who descend on the Costa del Sol in July and August have left.

With a general economic downturn in Spain and the UK, many people are having to tighten their belts and budget more carefully for weekends and holidays.  Blessed with 320 average days of sunshine a year in the south of Spain, I know where I would rather spend my winters, and there is so much to do which costs very little.

While the weather is still good, there is no better way to spend a Sunday than lazing on the beach with a good book – and it´s still warm enough to go in the sea.  We spent last weekend at La Cala de Mijas beach, and bought a great takeaway lunch from ´To go…´ which is situated on the street just behind the tower by the beach.  We have bought food from here before and it is always excellent.  I can personally recommend the Swedish prawns with dill – delicious in a crusty roll or sandwich. A great variety of fillings area also available for wraps, including coronation chicken, cheddar cheese and pickle, and the ever popular roast ham and mustard.  Chilled smoothies and juices are also sold, and you can put your order in early if you like, go and sunbathe for a few hours and pick up the food at a time to suit you. Or take a bottle of wine or a few beers in a cold box to enjoy with your food – either way you will save on expensive restaurant prices.

Another great place to visit – if you are looking for something different to do in the evenings – is the Malaga Contemporary Art Centre.  Situated in the centre of the city, in the former Wholesaler´s Market, this building was designed by  Luis Gutiérrez Soto, who was one of the most important exponents of Spanish nationalism.  Many of the exhibitions are free, and visitors come from far and wide to enjoy the amazing displays of contemporary art on show.  For further details of upcoming events at the MCAC, call 952120055.
If you like to be out in the fresh air, and enjoy walking and trekking, there are many different trails to take in and around Marbella.  One of the most beautiful areas is the Sierra de los Nieves close to Ojen, which boasts some of the most rare wild flowers and plants you are likely to see in Andalucia.  Take a stroll around El Refugio de Juanar, which is signposted just past Ojen, and only takes ten minutes to reach from Marbella.  There are trails and treks here to suit all ages and abilities, and if you only fancy a gentle walk, then you can take the shorter routes, including a one and a half kilometre path through the woods to the Mirador de Marbella. Overlooking Marbella and with fantastic views over the Mediterranean, this is one of the best viewpoints in the area.  Situated half way up the famous La Concha Mountain, the surrounding scenery is stunning.  If you feel more energetic, and if you are fit enough, there is a trail up to the top of La Concha from here, which will take approximately 2-3 hours.

On the way back to Marbella, we decided to stop off in Ojen and enjoyed tapas and drinks at one of the small bars in the village.  Only ten minutes from the coast, but the bar and restaurant prices were tiny in comparison.  We enjoyed gazpacho, Spanish omelette, boquerones and seafood salad plus two beers for €12.00.  Not bad for a delicious lunch for two people.  On returning to Mijas-Golf, we parked up the car and went to our local pub in the park – El Esparragal – and enjoyed a few more drinks in the sunshine.  Beer here is €1 a glass, and if you choose to eat here, chicken wings, some great ripe tomatoes with garlic and olive oil and home- made ham or chicken croquettes are €2 each.  Alternatively, try one of the great menus del dia which are chalked up on the blackboards outside many of the ventas in Mijas-Golf.

The previous week, we played tennis on Sunday morning at the Aztec Club in Riviera del Sol (€6 each for an hour), and then had lunch at Antonio´s Beach Bar, Calahonda.  The prices are more than reasonable here and the food is fantastic.  The fresh sardines and side salad were just what the doctor ordered, and including a couple of drinks, the bill came to €15.00 for two.
Another great way to get around between Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Torremolinos and Malaga is by taking the local train.  Leaving Fuengirola and Malaga every 30 minutes, the Cercanias line is cheap and efficient.  If you don´t want to take the car, there is no better way to get from A-B than taking the train directly into town.  One of our favourite things to do at the weekend is to travel into Malaga, and enjoy a walk around the city and the main port.  There are plenty of cheap and cheerful pavement cafés in and around the port area of Malaga, and the train will only cost you approx €2.50 return from Fuengirola-Malaga.
Many people are under the misconception that if you go out on the Costa del Sol, it will cost you an arm and a leg – but this is not the case.  Take a look at some of the tourist attractions in Malaga, Marbella, Fuengirola and Torremolinos, and you will find that many of the upcoming events are free – especially the fantastic ferias and processions.