Istan lies at the head of a valley about 15km inland just behind Marbella. It is renowned for its natural springs which gush from the Sierra Blanca, to form the Rio Verde, which is now dammed to create the Embalse de la Concepcion (the huge reservoir which supplies water to Marbella). Istan is another of the ‘white villages’ of Moorish origin, which because of its constant water supply, was once a centre for silk production, and was one of the last villages to be re-conquered by the Christians in the 15th century. Istan's streets are narrow and steep and unsuitable for cars, so the best way to explore this traditional village is on foot. Leave your car at the new car park on your way in and follow your nose to one of the four restaurants or several bars serving local specialities and tapas in Istan. There is also the Rural Hotel at the entrance of the village if you wish to extend your stay. After your meal, why not take a constitutional stroll to the end of the promontory along the new and well defined walkway which has wonderful views to the lake and the sea beyond. It was created by the local ayuntamiento, and is regularly used for the evening paseo by the local residents and visitors alike. There are companies which offer outdoor activity courses and canoeing on the lake. Also, around the village there are many footpaths and cycle tracks winding through the beautiful and protected Biosfera de la Sierra de las Nieves (created in 1995 by UNESCO). This natural park covers an area of18,530 hectares, centring on Mount Torrecilla (1909m - La Concha as it is locally known because of its conch-like shape) and has a rich variety of largely undisturbed flora and fauna, including wild boar and the Iberian eagle.