Medina del Zoco Malaga Spain

This small, charming Moorish-style holiday complex lies in Calahonda, halfway between Marbella and Fuengirola on Spain’s ever-popular Costa del Sol. It’s a peaceful location yet close to bars, restaurants and local shops, and offers attractive two-bedroom self-catering timeshare apartments five minutes from a sandy beach.

Cool marble flooring, double glazing, bright, stylish décor and spacious rooms are highlights here, and the well-equipped kitchens boast washing machines as well as a fridge-freezer and microwave. In the lounge/dining area, full patio doors open out onto a large, furnished terrace perfect for evening meals under the stars.

Ceiling fans, a TV and DVD player and generous storage space are offered, and the master bedrooms give access to a small, private sun terrace. There’s a compact, private garden as well, leading into the outdoor area with its adults’ and kids’ pools and pretty, palm-lined communal gardens. The laid-back ambience of the complex is great for families with younger children as well as for older guests.

No less than six golf courses are within a five-minute drive, and another two dozen are easily accessed by car. Water sports, hiking and walking, boating, fishing and sailing are all found in Calahonda, together with a plethora of harbor front seafood eateries and friendly bars.