Iznájar, set in the heart of rural Andalucia, is ideal for cheap short breaks and holidays within easy reach of the historic centres of Granada, Seville and Córdoba, Golf at Antequera and Malaga and the Costa del Sol. It is on the edge of the Subbetica Natural Park ideal for walking, bird-watching and horse-riding, fishing, cycling or just relaxing. Rute, Loja and the coast are all easy to get to.

Here are just a few highlights.

The historic town of Iznájar, with its 8th century Moorish castle and 16th century church, commands a spectacular position overlooking the beautiful 35km long lake. The lake has a fabulous large beach ideal for all the family and during the summer dinghies, canoes and pedalos can be hired very cheaply. Take a picnic or barbeque and even your fishing rod and spend the day on the beach and you won’t want to come home until sunset. There’s also a large stylish beach bar/restaurant with authentic cuisine and plenty of cold beer!! During the summer months there’s a second very reasonable beach bar.

The reservoir was created some 40 years ago and has an enormous stock of large carp, barbel, black bass, eel, pike, rainbow and brown trout that would tempt any fisherman.

The local horse-riding stable at Salinas offer facilities for all ages and abilities. Everything from lessons with a BHS qualified instructor to hourly hacks and one day, two day or five day accompanied trail riding. For more information please visit www.ecuestrelasminas.com

The area is also a bird-watching paradise and there are locally organised bird-watching and walking tours where you can hope to catch sight of up to 40 different species. For more information please visit www.basicallybirding.com

The town has a good selection of bars, restaurants and even a nightclub.

Local areas for fishing are the lake at Iznájar and the river at Rio Frio. The predominant species to be caught in the lake are carp and barbel. The average catch size being 3 to 5 pounds but the odd one is 15 to 20 pounds. Be warned, these fish are extremely fit and will break light, oblique match tackle.

Terminal rigs should all be stepped up as if fishing in Ireland. Minimum 6 to 8 pound line and hook sizes 10 to 4. These fish are not shy and all methods will catch. Baits to be used include sweetcorn, meat, pellets and boilies. It may be useful when float fishing to use sliders as the lake is extremely deep and it is not uncommon to find 20 foot at the rod tip. Ground bait is effective and can be purchased locally.
Fly fishing will produce trout and carp feeding from the top!! Spinning with spoons and plugs will produce catches of black bass and pike.

Rio Frio offers fly fishing on the trout river. This river is renowned in Europe and has recently boasted two record-breaking trout. For the unsuccessful fisherman, farmed trout can be purchased locally for as little as €1 each.

The newly completed 18 hole golf course is a masterpiece of Spanish design around many beautiful water features.
Spend as little as 80 euros for an 18 hole round for two people, including your own buggy (membership is not necessary and you can even hire your clubs).
Then enjoy a drink or meal at the clubhouse or the stylish restaurant with stunning views of the countryside.
Also close by is the luxurious 4 star Hotel Antequera Golf with two swimming pools, gym facilities, sauna, Jacuzzi and several quality restaurants.

Just south of Antequera is the stunning national park of El Torcal. This is a geological wonder and ideal for nature walks taking in the views and the flora and fauna.
Guide books are available from the reception and the trails are all clearly marked.
For the most spectacular sights visit the park close to sunset.

Possibly the most beautiful attraction in the whole of Andalucía is the hilltop Alhambra, overlooking Granada. Now a World Heritage site, it’s easy to appreciate why when you marvel at the palaces and gardens and beautiful fountains created by Moors.
All this and it’s less than an hour’s drive away. In summer it’s advisable to book tickets in advance through www.alhambratickets.com as daily ticket sales are limited.

Overlooking Granada are the spectacular Sierra Nevadas, Europe’s most southerly ski slopes.
It is even possible to spend the morning on the beach on the Costa del Sol and Ski in the afternoon. From the Iznájar area, the ski slopes are only 1 ½ hours drive away.

Formerly the capital of Moorish Spain, Córdoba sits on the river Guadalquivir which connects it to Sevilla.
The most famous building in Córdoba is the Mezquita, the largest mosque built in Spain.
It’s easy to find in the centre of town and other attractions are the city’s Gothic churches and palaces, all of which can easily be explored on foot.

An hour’s drive will take you to the start of the beaches on the coast at Torremolinos.
Then a little further and you’re in Benalmadena, Fuengirola and heading towards the likes of well-heeled Puerto Banús and Marbella.
The area is awash with bars, restaurants and night life.