The nearest beach is Torre del Mar (40 min), a vibrant Spanish seaside resort with many 'chiringuitos'; beach bars where one can eat tapas and "espeto de sardinas", or just have a beer!
Vélez-Málaga is a lively town with a nice old centre and lots of shops.

More to the east, we can recommend a visit to the "Cuevas" in Nerja. A few kilometers further in the Natural Park beneath the old coastal road N-340a, lay splendid beaches like Playa Cañuelo and Playa Cantarijan.

In he villa we have an information map with more suggestions.

The 5 large Andalusian cities are not far with the car from Jardín del Duende.

Málaga (1 uur), has become a sparkling and interesting harbor city over the last 5 years; Picasso’s birthplace, with 5 leading musea, sights like the Alcazaba, the recent restored centre with passages and narrow alleys, modern shops and many restaurants and bars. Parading along the promenades and the waterfront in the harbor district  "Muello Uno’ is something to do.

Antequera (1.30 hours), is situated at the foot of the mysterious Parque Torcal. This heart of 'Andaluz' offers much architecture from the early history.

Córdoba (2 hours), early Roman city with Moorish legacy. The Mezquita, Barrio Judería and many other historical monuments you'll find in the centre and surroundings (Medina Al-Zahara).

Granada (2 hours), in the hills of the Sierra Nevada with the beautiful Alhambra and the old Moorish quarter Albaicín. Higher in the Massif (3300 m.) skiing is possible until the end of April. 

Seville (3.5 hours). A visit to this large and interesting Andalusian city needs more than a day.