The area offers a wide range of activities – walking, historical visits, beaches and swimming (Mediterranean or Atlantic), village ferias, bird watching, food and drink, sailing out of Gibraltar, …….
The area is on the bird migration route between Europe and Africa so in Spring and autumn the birdwatching is excellent both locally and with trips to nearby popular observation points. Birdwatching trips can be arranged with local guides.
Locally
There is a range of good walking in the Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales from gentle riverside strolls to longer more demanding circular walks.
Jimena itself, with the Moorish castle atop, its narrow winding streets and traditional Andalusian architecture, makes for enjoyable exploring. And of course the bars and restaurants are there to quench the thirst and appetite.
The neighbouring villages make for short outings to explore more of the area, to take coffee in the village squares, enjoy tapas outside at sunset, and generally enjoy the Andaluz culture and way of life.
A little further afield
There are plenty of nearby places for local outings such as Ronda with its gorge, bridge, old bullring, museums and galleries. Ronda can be reached by train from Estacion de Jimena or by driving.
Castellar de la Frontera is a neighbouring walled hilltop village and castle with very narrow streets, fantastic views, some shops and restaurants.
The Mediterranean coast, the Costa del Sol, is approximately 40 minutes’ drive away. There is a variety of beaches, some with beach bars (chiringuitos), some adjacent to coastal resorts, some quiet and more secluded. The nearby Port of Sotogrande is known for its fine restaurants and bars. Estepona is the closest major coastal town and is a wonderful place to explore. It also has facilities for diving, watersports, fishing.
The Atlantic is approximately 60 minutes’ drive away, with long sandy beaches, dunes, pine forests, beach bars/restaurants and very little development. Towards the Atlantic, at the southernmost tip of Spain is Tarifa, an old walled town and a major kitesurfing centre. It is also a ferry port for crossings to Morocco (Tangiers).
Gibraltar is approximately 45 minutes’ drive, where you can explore its historic tunnels and caves, meet the monkeys on the summit and look across to Africa, wander the High Street shops, eat/drink.
Longer outings
There are other destinations a little further away which can either be a long day trip or visited with an overnight stay. For example:
Granada and the Alhambra can be reached by train or car, but needs an overnight stay.
Tangiers in Morocco can be reached by car and ferry and also merits an overnight stay, but it is possible to drive to Tarifa, take the ferry to Tangiers, visit the markets and the Medina, have lunch and return!
Seville, Cadiz, Jerez and Cordoba are all roughly two hours’ drive away.