Find information on Tolox in our Travel Guide covering sights, foods and nightlife plus more...
Tolox is a pretty Andalusian village almost sixty kilometres from Malaga and fifty from Ronda. It lies in the Sierra de Nieves Nature Park in an area of great natural beauty. When viewed from a distance, Tolox resembles a scattering of white marble chippings contrasting sharply with the ancient woodlands of Spanish fir and gall oak and the blackened remains of the devastating fires in the early nineteen nineties. The Sierra Blanca and the Sierra Parda form a magnificent backdrop for the village. Tolox is a small community with less than three thousand inhabitants and is a perfect venue for combining a relaxing break in the sun with forest trails or more strenuous mountain walks. The famous Fuente Armagosa Spa attracts many visitors with its claim to have healing properties.
A Tolox holiday offers peace and relaxation in a beautiful mountain village where you can enjoy its traditional atmosphere and bask in the warmth, not only of the sun but in the welcoming hospitality of the local people. Here you have the choice of exploring the surrounding countryside, playing a round of golf at a nearby course, or sailing or fishing on the lake. The beaches of the Costa del Sol are easily accessible by car.
A Tolox holiday appeals mainly to couples who enjoy outdoor activities. Those interested in non-powered water sports will find the lake is the perfect place for sailing, canoeing and fishing. The area is very popular with walkers, cyclists and horseback riders.
Although Tolox is a year round holiday venue, the summer holiday period is probably the most popular time to go, with guaranteed sunshine. However, with the mountains close by, skiers often make their base here in the winter.
Less than an hour from Malaga, Tolox is an oasis of peace and tranquillity in the hills beneath the Sierra Blanca and the Sierra Parda in the Sierra de Nieves Nature Park. It is a small friendly village, unspoiled by tourism, with a population of less than three thousand. The steep, narrow winding streets were not built for the motor car and the village is best explored on foot. Whitewashed houses gleam in the sunshine, their doorways filled with pots of brilliant red flowers and with blossom cascading from their balconies. The streets contain small shops and cafes and there are shady squares where you can enjoy refreshments in the pavement bars and cafes.
Many visitors travel to Tolox to sample the Fuente Amargosa Spa, the waters of which are said to possess healing properties especially for those suffering from respiratory problems.
The hills surrounding the village provide opportunities for hiking, cycling, rock climbing, horseback riding and jeep safaris. The Andalucian Lake District is within a thirty minute drive of Torox and offers non-powered water sports including sailing, canoeing and fishing. There are also pedaloes for hire. Golfers have a choice of courses in the area, the nearest is within a half hour drive. Remember to bring your handicap certificate as this is sometimes a course requirement. The beaches of the Costa del Sol can be reached in less than an hour and here you will find long stretches of sand and sea with an abundance of water sports.
In order to make the most of your Tolox holiday, car hire is recommended.
The nightlife in Tolox is very low key reflecting the popularity of the resort with couples. Evenings are spent wandering its charming streets and alleyways, enjoying local hospitality in the company of friends. There are some excellent restaurants serving mainly traditional food.
The narrow, winding streets of Tolox have small craft shops where the goods are made by local people. These include items made from esparto grass, pottery, embroidered linens and basketry. There are shops supplying holiday essentials but Tolox does not have the usual array of tourist shops. There is a market each Wednesday in the Plaza Alta.
Tolox has a number of good restaurants serving mainly traditional food from fish recipes to dishes using meats such as goat. Sweet food is very popular with cakes and pastries using nuts and dried fruit. A good way to try Spanish food is to order a plate of tapas which consists of a medley of bite-sized dishes. Tapas are also ideal for filling the sometimes long gap between lunch and dinner, which is served later in Spain than at home.
Children are always made very welcome in Spanish restaurants and their tastes and portion sizes are usually accommodated.
Spanish wines are pleasant and inexpensive.
