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A 16km drive from Marbella will take you to Istan. It is worth the drive along the twisting road, flanked by avocado and citrus trees that go under the huge autopista toll road bridge. The dam of the Embalse de la Concepcion can be seen just after the bridge and that supplies many of the Costa towns with their water.
Istan was founded in the 9th Century by the Moors and has a population of only 1300. Although there isn’t that much to see here it is a pleasant place to spend a couple of hours strolling through the narrow streets.
The only monument is the “Torre Arabe” whose tower features a Moorish arch. Travel through the village following the only road up, at the point where the road turns into a donkey track, a beautiful mountain stream will cool hot feet. In the spring the air is heavily scented by the beautiful spring flowers that surround this water feature.
There are very few bars or restaurants to note but where you are sure to find a small group of old Spanish men, you are sure to find a drink!