Coin
Coin sits on the northern foot of the Sierra de Mijas, inland Málaga, overlooking the spectacular Guadalhorce valley, one of the most fertile areas in southern Spain, where the beautiful landscape is covered in orchards and farmland and affords beautiful mountain views.
The town itself has grown in popularity and has become a destination for foreign residents, wanting to live in a more authentic Andalucian environment. The town offers good shopping, dining and leisure facilities and is located just 20 minutes drive from the coastal town of Marbella.
Coin offers an escape from the typical Costa del Sol seaside resort and is a good jump off point to see other areas of inland Andalusia.
History
There is evidence of a native Iberian village in the area and the town was made a Roman settlement in the 1st century B.C. However, the later Arabic influence is more apparent as you wander around the town.
In 929 the area was caught up in the Muladí (Christian convert to Islam) rebellion led by Omar Ben Hafsun against the Emirate of Cordoba. Abderraman III, the first Caliph of Cordoba, fortified Coin, improving its defences to stave off the attacks of the muladí rebel.
In Roman times, the town was known as Lacibis, later altered to La Cobin. The Arabs called it Dacuan, which later became Cohine. During the Moorish occupation, the area enjoyed a period of great prosperity and Coin became one of the most important towns in the region.
Places to visit
The most interesting monuments in the town are the churches of St. Andrew, St. John and La Vera Cruz, along with La Fuensanta, also known as Llano de la Virgen, where there have been prehistoric archaeological findings.
Areas of interest and of immense beauty in the neighbouring areas are the forests of Alpujata, La Fuente, El Charco del Infierno and La Albuquera.
The nearby towns of Monda, with its castle and steep winding streets and Guaro, which has an excellent summer festival, called the Luna de Moro (Blackberry Moon Festival) are both worth a visit.
Beaches
The nearest beaches are those of Marbella, a 25 minute drive away, or Málaga and Torremolinos, around 30 minutes away.
Golf
The nearest golf course is Lauro Golf, a 27 hole course designed by Falco Nardi. It is one of the most reasonably priced golf courses on the Costa del Golf and offers its player some of the most sumptuous scenery possible, you will be hard pressed to keep your head down whilst taking your swing.
Cuisine
Coin provides some excellent dining options, from cheap and cheerful tapas, to some of the best country ventas in the area, try Venta Los Morenos on the Mijas to Coin road and there are also some fining dining restaurants including El Postillon, a lovely restaurant on the Alhaurin to Coin road.
Climate
Casaras enjoys a sub-tropical Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and warm winters. Cooling breezes from the sea make the summer heat manageable; temperatures average 32 ºC during the summer.
