You don't need to venture far inland to find a completely contrasting side of Spain to that offered on the Costa del Sol. This is the 'real' Spain that growing numbers of foreign buyers are going in search of, where a far more traditional way of life exists in the smaller towns and villages, property is cheaper and bigger. For instance, the El Chorro lakes are always a surprise to visitors who do not expect to find that the countryside around Malaga is home to the Malaga "Lake District" as it is known. For fans of holidays in Cumbrian Cottages in the Lake District, 3 huge lakes surrounded by pine trees are all you need to feel like the tourist areas of the Costa del Sol are absolutely miles away.

It is advisable to learn a bit of Spanish if you want to feel part of the community. Yet you are still within half an hour's drive of the coast when you fancy a refreshing spot of seaside air.

Though it's starting to see the trappings of development, with new supermarkets, cinemas and plans for a golf course, Coín is far enough inland to be detached from the mass tourism of the Costa del Sol. It remains a traditionally Spanish town reliant on agriculture and famous for its ceramics. The surrounding Guadalhorce valley has a microclimate which produces an abundance of water and fertile land for growing oranges and lemons. In May, June and August Coín's 20,000 inhabitants celebrate their lively local festivals.

There are no international schools here yet, but the local state and private Spanish schools are seeing growing numbers of foreign pupils.

RONDA
An hour from the coastal town of San Pedro de Alcántra, set high above the plains overlooking the Malaga province, is the beautiful Andalucian town of Ronda. It is a popular spot for daytrippers, who weave their way inland from the coast up the vertiginous mountain road through the Sierra Bermeja to reach this stunning historic town. The dramatic El Tajo gorge - with a stone bridge dividing the medieval streets from the 18th century part of town - is the unmissable highlight, with picturesque houses to one side perched dramatically at the top of the cliff. From the Mirador, you can soak up incredible views for miles across the plateau and the three surrounding national parks. If you are someone who is usually takes Lake District Holidays but you are looking to venture that bit further then you will find that a town like Ronda offers a perfect combination of masses of greenery, spectacular scenery as well as the warm sunshine.

Ronda is also home to Spain's oldest bull ring, still in use and home to an excellent museum of bull fighting as well as a stunning Pador hotel which is by far one of the best hotels in Ronda.

Heading into town from the bull ring you reach the pedestrian shopping district, whose buildings retain their traditional style. This may be one of the oldest cities in Spain, with nearby cave paintings dating back to the Neolithic age, but the city caters for all modern tastes with cinemas, concerts, theatre and sports events. If you have the patience to navigate the winding mountain road leading to Ronda, this is surely one of the most dramatic and beautiful towns in Andalucia to live.

The town has a predominantly Spanish feel, with typical shopping streets, a busy weekly market and an old-fashioned town centre, though foreigners are starting to buy here and the odd English bar has cropped up.

Nearby, 12km north, is the huge natural gorge at El Chorro, a beautiful area now known as the Andalucian lake district, and El Torcal, a dramatic moon-like landscape formed from limestone.

Alora - home to perhaps Spain's most famous writer, Cervantes, and the birthplace, it's said, of Malagueño Flamenco - has an interesting history, inhabited by the Phoenicians, then the Romans, before the Visigoths destroyed the castle and the Moors turned up to rebuild it with typicals Arabic features.

Today, it is still a traditional agricultural community, producing olives, grapes and tropical fruits. On Mondays, the streets are buzzing with the weekly market.

That's the backdrop to an equally fascinating town, typically Spanish, overflowing with history and set among rich, fertile plains.

The town is famous for its Roman ruins and for being home to more places of worship than anywhere else in Spain. It also has a famous bull ring, a fruitful olive-oil producing industry and the much-visited Dolmen Caves on the edge of town, housing burial chambers dating back to 2,500 BC.

Antequera's surrounding countryside is equally full of surprises, with the flamingo lake at Fuente de Piedra 40 minutes away and the lunar landscape of Sierra El Torcal.

Now, Antequera is becoming an increasingly popular place among British property buyers, as there are still relative bargains to be found and golf courses are starting to crop up.