Istanbul

Istán, the source of the Costa del Sol

Istán, whose name—of Islamic origin—means “fortress” or “castle,” is perched on a rocky outcrop jutting from the foothills of the Sierra Blanca, giving it the appearance of a natural lookout point.

Surrounded by a privileged natural environment of great richness and beauty, its lands are traversed by the Verde River, which originates in the Sierra de las Nieves, and the Molinos River, which originates in the heart of the Sierra Blanca. The waters of the latter, channeled through a multitude of irrigation ditches dating back to the Al-Andalus period, irrigate exquisite vegetable gardens, once powered numerous flour mills, and feed a multitude of fountains throughout the town.

There are numerous trails to explore in the surrounding area, especially the one leading to the source of the Molinos River or the one to the Canalón pond, and visitors can explore the Church of San Miguel, the Escalante Tower, or the El Chorro washhouse fountain, and then relax while enjoying the town’s traditional dishes, such as corn soup or fried rabbit. In the spring, the town hosts the Gastronomic Fair, where visitors can sample a wide variety of local dishes.