You'll find plenty to do in the town of Salobreña and down at the seafront and if you're inclined to venture further afield there are some wonderful day trips and excursions to be enjoyed in the Andalucian province.

A tour through the town to explore the back streets and visit the old Moorish castle is a good starting point. For the less energetic there's a small local bus which stops at various points along the seafront promenade and takes you up to the "casco antiguo" (the old quarter of town). The streets here are a delightful maze of whitewashed buildings with balconies overflowing with colourful geraniums and bougainvillea.

They wind their way inexorably up to the castle, culminating in steep cobbled steps designed to seriously challenge the hardiest of pedestrians. Stop for some liquid refreshment and a delicious fresh snack at one of the local tapas bars - try the fried fish, clams, chorizo sausage or a wedge of local cheese.

Visit the Town Hall museum in the old quarter and learn about Salobreña's colourful past and its human habitation spanning 6,000 years.

Marvel at the sea, coastal and mountain views from the Arabic castle which towers above the town 105 metres above sea level. The castle attracts thousands of visitors every year and is the scene of various concerts and shows, particularly in the summer months. It's an impressive spectacle, especially when illuminated at night.

Just below the castle is the 16th century Mudejar-style parish church, the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario which was built on the site of an old mosque and bears the legacy of the Moorish invaders in its distinctive Arabic archway. A treasure trove of Roman remains and other archaeological finds have been unearthed in this area.

Heading beachwards, take the time to enjoy the gardens of Parque de la Fuente where you'll find tropical birds and plants, a pond and a children's playpark.

The El Peñon, which divides the coastline here, is a huge rock jutting out into the Mediterranean and affording wonderful views across the sea and to the mountainous hinterland. The rock was a prison in the first and second centuries and later became a Christian burial ground. An artificial reef has proved successful in attracting a wealth of marine life here and is subsequently a delight for divers and snorkellers.

For sports lovers there's a nine-hole golf course, Campo de los Moriscos, on the east side of the town and a local sports complex offering tennis, basketball, football and other activities.

Hikers will be kept happy with 140 kilometres of local walks, ranging from one to seven hours and detailed in leaflets provided by the local tourist information office.