6 Best Things to Do in Rincon de la Victoria
The East of Malaga is completely underrated, and you’ll be surprised by the amount of beautiful coastal towns and villages worth exploring.
I’ve always lived on the west side of the Costa del Sol, which is much better known, and although I love it, I’m also looking for less popular, less well-known villages.
I had been to Rincón de la Victoria before, but had only eaten or spent some time on the beach with my family. However, this time I decided to do a bit of sightseeing and realised that it’s worth visiting beyond the summer.
The beaches are beautiful, but there’s more to this coastal town, from marine caves to Roman ruins and bright and colourful street art.
If you’re ready to explore El Rincón, this guide includes the best activities, places to eat and accommodation suggestions.
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1. Discover Cueva del Tesoro
If there’s one attraction you shouldn’t miss in El Rincón de la Victoria, it’s Cueva del Tesoro, or Treasure Cave in English.
I have visited them twice, and I was amazed on both occasions. First of all, it’s the only marine cave in Europe and the third in the world.
As soon as you pick up your tickets at the ticket office, I recommend downloading the audio guide to learn the ins and outs of this incredible cave.
But if you aren’t that interested in the history, you’ll still be amazed by the beauty of each room.
There’s a lift that takes you down to the caves, but if you can, take the stairs. You’ll find large posters explaining the importance of the caves for previous civilisations and how they were discovered.
Out of all the rooms, Sala de los Lagos is my favourite. As its name suggests, it features artificial lakes, and the turquoise lights that illuminate the area make it so beautiful.
2. Visit Cueva de la Victoria
Cueva de la Victoria is another cave my partner and I explored during our most recent trip to El Rincón. The truth is that I hadn’t visited a cave like this before.
First, it’s important to know that it isn’t a regular cave, and you can’t visit it on your own. It’s hidden and can only be accessed with a guide.
Also, it isn’t accessible for everyone. Bear in mind that we had to climb ladders and bend down in some areas to explore it.
What makes this cave different from others is that it isn’t adapted to the public, so I really felt what it was like to be in a cave, no lights, no noise…
The guide, Pedro, gave us a helmet with a small torch and explained how to go down to the cave.
Once we went down the ladder and entered the main part of the cave, he told us a bit about the archaeological work that had been carried out and helped us understand what life was like in the Mesolithic. He showed us shells and other items from those times.
I found the guided visit very interesting. You can book yours via El Rincón de la Victoria website.
3. Learn about local archaeology at Villa Antiopa
Archaeology lovers must add Villa Antiopa to their itinerary. This Roman villa has been transformed into a museum with archaeological remains. You can still see the rooms and learn about their function, too.
At the beginning of the museum, there is a selection of objects from that time. Once you get through the automatic doors, you’re inside the villa. I recommend following the posters to learn about what life was like here. However, one of the most impressive features is the floor of each room; many of these are intact or have undergone little reconstruction.
In my opinion, one of the best parts of the museum is the interactive area upstairs. I particularly like the screen where you can pick from several characters who lived in the villa, from slaves to those in power, and it explains what life was like for them.
Another interactive part of the museum concerns garum. Wondering what that is? It was a classic Roman condiment made from fish, herbs and salt. You can actually smell each ingredient put into the mix. The smell is not pleasant. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you!
4. Find street art across the town
I love seeing street art wherever I go, so when I saw there were a few along El Rincón, I thought I had to see them.
The two murals you can find are Mural Virgen del Carmen and Mural del artista Lalone.
The first represents the religious procession of the town’s Virgin, whereas the second is simply a lovely painting of two girls looking out windows with beautiful flower pots.
These are the locations:
5. Walk Acantilados y Túneles de El Cantal
Do you love walks with sea views as much as I do? You can’t miss this walking route in El Rincón de la Victoria. It’s one of my favourites.
It’s an easy walk in which you can enjoy stunning sea views, admire the cliffs, walk through tunnels, and see the small shrine of Virgen del Carmen, the patron of sailors.
Part of the walk involves stairs, but there’s also an adjacent trail that is completely flat and accessible to everyone. I personally prefer the one with the stairs, as I get the best views.
6. Spend time at Playa del Rincón de la Victoria
One of the highlights of El Rincon is its beach. This 7-kilometre beach goes all the way from El Rincon de la Victoria to la Cala del Moral. It’s a favourite for its clear and shallow waters.
Due to its size, it doesn’t feel too crowded even in the summer months.
It’s fantastic for families with children and for anyone with mobility problems, as it has accessible entrances.
On top of this, you’re spoilt for restaurant choices, especially if you love fish and seafood. That’s where you’ll find me!
Places to eat in Rincon de la Victoria
Brisa Specialty Coffee
This coffee shop on the beachfront is beautifully designed, giving all the boho and Bali vibes in El Rincón. The moment I saw it, I knew I had to try their drinks.
They have anything from speciality coffee to chai lattes and matcha (my preferred caffeine drink of choice). I really liked the matcha, which came with a glass of water (a plus after a drink like this!)
While they have indoor seating, I recommend sitting outside, especially on a sunny day.
Traga Birra
While looking for affordable tapas bars in El Rincón, I came across Traga Birra and saw a couple of videos raving about it, so I decided to give it a try.
Not only do they have tapas, but brunch dishes, burgers and more. We tried the patatas bravas, the croquetas (photo above), the burger and the toast with avocado and smoked salmon. The portions were quite generous, and the staff was too.
While I don’t recommend it for authentic Spanish cuisine, it’s a good place to go when you fancy a wider variety of dishes.
Gelateria Flambé
Calling all ice cream lovers. My partner loves ice cream, and unlike me, he doesn’t mind summer or winter.
So, we went to Gelateria Flambé, which is a short walk from the coffee shop mentioned above.
He tried the chocolate and lemon pie flavours, and the latter was a winner for him.
They also have a wide range of desserts, such as cheesecakes and cakes, which I wish I had some space left to try. They look really good, so maybe I’ll get one next time.
Where to stay in Rincon de la Victoria
El Rincon de la Victoria isn’t as developed as the towns to the west of the Costa del Sol, which I actually think is good. Therefore, don’t expect many hotels and large resorts, but holiday homes and Airbnbs.
I don’t have personal recommendations since I’ve only come to El Rincón for the day. However, here are some accommodations based on my research:
- FAY Victoria Beach (best beachfront hotel)
- At Home in Malaga Stay & Solo Travellers (guest house for solo travellers)
You can also find other stays on the map below:
Conclusion: Is El Rincón de la Victoria worth exploring?
I totally think it’s worth spending time in El Rincón de la Victoria, and I’m glad I explored it beyond its beaches. It’s also a fantastic base for exploring eastern Malaga province while remaining relatively close to the city.
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Have a lovely time on the Costa del Sol!
Cristina xx
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