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Casa Margarita
Situated on the Costa Del Sol, southern Spain, Sitio de Calahonda is the largest property development you will find between Marbella and Fuengirola, it is actually part of La Cala de Mijas. The rural flavour and coastal lifestyle are two of Calahonda's most attractive features, because its founder was keen on green areas, large plots and limits on apartment buildings.
The apartment is located right on what the locals call 'The Strip', a whole street of bars, restaurants and shops and is a short walk from two other main shopping areas and the beach.
There are many activities to do and places to visit including golf, walking, museums, galleries and well-being centres. The long coastline affords a large number of water sports and Cabopino Port is a lovely place to sit and have a drink or meal and watch the world go by.
If you need health care there are chemists and three medical centres, offering 24 hour service. The Hospital Costa del Sol is the coast's state-of-the-art medical facility and is just minutes from Calahonda.
THE LOCALITY
The
THE STRIP
Calahonda Strip is a small section of Avenida de España leading down to the main roundabout in Calahonda and El Zoco. The street has several bars and restaurants and is very popular for people living or visiting the area. There is something for every taste on the strip, including Indian, Italian, Chinese, Spanish and British food as well as Irish, sports and traditional Spanish bars.
Here are some bars and restaurants that can be found along Calahonda Strip:
Hardy’s Bar: Hardy’s is popular for live sports with five screens inside and out and has friendly staff and a variety of British beers. Open seven days a week 9.30am till late they have an extensive food menu most of which is home made. They serve a variety of breakfast foods and offer a Sunday roast for €9, booking recommended.
Willsons Bar: Willsons bar serves good food such as breakfasts, baguettes, kebabs and snack platters and shows live sports. Opening hours: 9:30 – 23:30 (Closed Tuesdays).
The Harp: The Harp Bar is a popular watering hole with a good atmosphere and a large outdoor seating area. They serve a variety of British beers and have a food menu although we have not tried it.
Mini-Mart: A small supermarket catering for the majority of tastes and needs, not too expensive either, handy for bits and bobs.
Overseas Asian Restaurant: The Asian restaurant serves a wide range of Asian cuisine including Japanese, Sushi, Thai and Chinese dishes. We have tried a variety of food from there and it has always been good, more expensive than the UK though, watch out for the prices of starters and side dishes Opening hours: 12:30 – 16:00 & 18:30 – 00:00. Telephone: 952 93 11 84
The White Lion: A brand new bar for 2017 serving food and drinks daily, we have not eaten there but it is a nice friendly place to sit and have a drink or two.
Euroland: A bit like a pound shop this Chinese Bazaar has a bit of everything so you are likely to find what you are looking for!
La Latina: La Latina is a nice local Spanish bar with home-made Paella and a good selection of tapas. Opening hours: 12:00 – 23:00. Free Wi-Fi available.
Little Italy: Little Italy serves everything you would expect, fresh pasta, pizza, fish and some nice BBQ food. Opening hours: 18:00 – 23:30. Telephone: 952 93 52 13.
English Garden: We have not tried the English Garden yet but it has a good reputation for high class, good quality, tasty food. They do an Early Bird special which seems quite popular.
Little México: Nice Mexican restaurant serving all full Mexican grill, quesadillas, burritos, tacos, fajitas. Telephone: 952 93 18 28.
Ambiente Gift Shop: There is a small air-conditioned gift shop to buy your holiday souvenirs; it is not easy to see as it is up a side street rather than on the strip itself. The merchandise on offer is unusual compared to other gift shops and caters for a variety of tastes.
The Loft: A stylish, air-conditioned bar, they have entertainment (music/comedy) on Fridays and shows live football. They also serve freshly baked pizzas and other snacks which you can take away. Opening hours: 12:00 – 23:30.
Le Bistrot Suisse: A popular Swiss restaurant with a great menu. They serve cheese dishes & platters, Fondues, Swiss sausages and steaks. The desserts are lovely and they also have an excellent wine list.
Helados: An ice-cream parlour under new management, we have not tried it yet.
Little India: Little India is a family run restaurant with a good range of Indian dishes available. More expensive than the UK you have to make sure that you ask for extra heat as although tasty the dishes are all very mild. You can get a takeaway and they even do home delivery as the complex is right next door. Tel 952 93 52 13
La Tasca Rincon de Cristobal: A traditional Spanish tapas bar with a lovely atmosphere. They serve meals and tapas all day and is a popular place to go to watch Spanish football. Opening hours: 13:00 – 23:00
Slow boat: Good Chinese food and a large menu available, the spring rolls are good from here. Opening hours: 12:00 – 16:00 & 18:00 – 00:00.
Tapavino: A brand new and classy wine bar with an eclectic selection of tapas. We have heard good things about the food plus they offer a lunchtime special of three tapas and a glass of wine for €9.95.
Bogart’s: *Under New Management in 2017* Bogart’s is very popular and is open every day serving a variety of meals and tapas, the burgers are excellent. It is a lovely place to sit and catch the last of the suns rays in the evening with a drink or two and watch the world go by. Opening hours: 18:30 – 23:30. Telephone: 952 93 02 32.
Street sellers: You do get a lot of street sellers in the area, especially at busy times of the year. It is up to you whether to engage with them and have a good haggle over their wares but a polite no thank you will usually show them that you are not interested. Please do not buy DVDs from the street sellers as you can not guarantee that they will be good quality and the fashion sunglasses will not have UV protection so don’t rely on them to protect your eyes.
El Zoco is a small shopping centre at the bottom of the road, just after the roundabout on the left hand side. It is the main shopping hub, close to public transport links and the beach. The commercial centre looks a bit jaded but the restaurants on the 2nd floor are quite popular.
Here are some of the services and businesses you can find in El Zoco:
Ferreteria: The Calahonda hardware shop stocks everything for work around the house or in the garden. Additionally, they also provide a key cutting service and is a good place to visit if you need a local electrician, plumber or painter. Opening hours: Monday to Friday (9:30 – 18:30), Saturday (10:00 – 13:30).
Caffe Stella: A bar and restaurant serving Italian, British and Spanish food and snacks. During the summer, they have live music. Free Wi-Fi available. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (09:00 – 00:00).
La Taberna De Maite: A popular Spanish restaurant with a nice selection of tapas and drinks. Opening hours: Monday to Friday (07:30 – 23:30).
Camerinos: Unisex hairdressers. Opening Monday to Saturday (10:00 – 19:00). Telephone 952 93 59 56.
Correos: Local Post office. Opening hours Monday to Friday (08:30 – 14:30), Saturday (09:30 – 13:00).
Piscis: Newsagents selling international daily newspapers, magazines, cards and tobacco. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (08:30 – 18:30).
Banko Popular A bank offering currency exchange and financial help. Opening hours: Monday to Friday (08:30 – 14:30).
Supersol: One of Calahonda’s largest supermarkets, is fairly inexpensive and has just about everything including a range of English goods in the freezer section. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (9:00 – 21:00). There is a cafe bar inside the supermarket which is very pleasant and has outdoor seating too.
Villa Paradiso: Super Italian with super friendly staff.
China City 2: Great Chinese restaurant with loads of choices on the extensive menu. One of the most popular Chinese restaurants in Calahonda.
Mandragora: Slovakian food's the highlight of this restaurant established in El Zoco for more than 20 years. Chicken breast in hot Slovakian Leco is a great dish and the wine list is a treat.
La Postas: Currency exchange office. Opening hours: Monday to Friday (10:00 – 19:00).
The Almond Tree: A family run restaurant. They serve full English breakfast, sandwiches, burgers and much more. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (9:00 – 16:00).
The Boat house: Very popular fish and chip shop. They also have pies, puddings and vegetarian meals and serve an excellent Sunday Carvery.
Meson de Calahonda: Voted the No.1 restaurant in the area on Trip Advisor for quite a few years. The owner has been there for 25 years and the restaurant has a relaxing and friendly atmosphere with a large outdoor seating area although it is lovely inside. The staff are lovely and allow you time to sit and enjoy your food and drink. The food we had was very good, a huge portion of meat with a few vegetables and all very tasty. A lot of the people in there were regular customers.
More Restaurants
El Zoco
Los Jarales
Situated in front of the main motorway (N340) and close to the main roundabout and El Zoco, Los Jarales has a big camping area and lots of shops and bars.
The bus from Marbella stops in front of Los Jarales, go down the steps and the stop is there. To get a bus towards Fuengirola or to walk to the Calahonda beaches, use the footbridge to cross the motorway.
Here are a few of the places and services that can be found in Los Jarales:
Sobar: An American style diner which serves a variety of food and drinks including an excellent Sunday Carvery, it is advisable to book.
Beauty Parlour: I forgot the name and I have not tried it.
Haberdashers: Clothes repairs and sewing accessories
Espresso: Cafe/restaurant with a menu covering Irish, British & Swedish food. They have live music on Tuesday and Friday evenings. Opening hours: 9:00 – 23:30.
Overseas: British supermarket selling Waitrose and Iceland products, more expensive than the UK.
Mercadona: Best priced supermarket, can be very busy. Monday to Saturday 9:15 – 21:15.
Barboru: Cafe/bar with a large menu and they also serve Sunday roast. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 – 16:00, Saturday 9:00 – 14:00. Tel 652 33 48 13
Los Jarales: Camping and caravan site which gives the area the same name. Open all year round and very popular for long and short term stays. Tel: 952 93 00 03.
