Holidays on the Costa del Sol

When it comes to truly luxurious holidays on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, the Costa del Sol region has no equal. The country’s best beaches and clubs, combined with picturesque natural scenery and stunning architecture, have turned this place into a Mecca for the annual pilgrimage of millions of tourists.

What You Need to Know About the Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol resort region can easily compete with the famed French Riviera for the title of Europe’s most popular celebrity resort. Year after year, politicians, show business stars, athletes and other connoisseurs of luxury flock here, filling the local harbors with their glamorous yachts.

The local resorts can boast magnificent beaches, but it is not comfortable to relax on them all year round: due to Atlantic currents, the water can be quite cool even in summer. On the other hand, this creates ideal conditions for fans of active water sports, including surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Where the Costa del Sol Is Located

The Costa del Sol region is located in the south of Spain, between two other resort areas — Costa Tropical and Campo de Gibraltar. It is part of Andalusia and includes some of the towns of the province of Málaga, in particular Málaga, Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Marbella, Nerja and others.

The region’s main transport hub is Málaga Airport, which is connected to most coastal towns by regular local train and bus services.

When It’s Best to Go to the Costa del Sol

For more than 320 days a year the region enjoys excellent weather, so if you suddenly feel like heading for warmer climes while spending a minimum of time and effort, the Costa del Sol can be an excellent choice.

The beach season starts in May and lasts until the end of October, although you can only really swim in the sea from June. This is exactly when the peak of tourist activity on the coast falls, so it makes sense to take care of tickets and accommodation well in advance. For the rest of the year, with the exception of the Christmas holidays, when lively celebrations take place all over Spain, the Costa del Sol is much calmer. During this period the region is ideal for long and fascinating walks, getting acquainted with the cultural heritage of the Spanish south, and enjoying water sports.

What to Do on the Costa del Sol

No one will ever be bored on the Costa del Sol! In addition to its beaches, the region offers a huge variety of activities that will fill your trip with an amazingly diverse range of impressions. Here you can:

• Relax on one of the many golden-sand beaches that gave the region its name.
• Go sailing.
• Play golf on one of the 60 excellent local courses.
• Have fun at the Aquapark Torremolinos and Parque Acuatico Mijas water parks.
• Do water sports.
• Go shopping, for which all conditions have been created in the region.
• Work your way through countless local restaurants and bars.
• Set off in search of adventure in Selwo, one of the best safari parks in Europe.
• Indulge in the joys of the coast’s vibrant nightlife.
• Explore the caves of Nerja.
• Take a walk around Frigiliana, a small town located in the Almijara mountains at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level.
• Make a foray into Morocco, which is practically within arm’s reach from the Costa del Sol.
• Visit Frigiliana, one of the most picturesque “white” villages of Andalusia.
• Go on a cultural and gastronomic excursion to Ronda, an incredibly scenic town both in terms of its architecture and its dizzying surrounding landscapes.
• Visit the Torcal de Antequera National Park, one of the most famous in the country.
• Enjoy the marvelous beauty and distinctive character of Granada, which is among the most beautiful cities in Spain.
• Conquer your fear and walk along the Caminito del Rey mountain path, hanging directly above a gorge.
• Go rock climbing in Comares.
• Visit the Los Alcornocales Natural Park, famous for its ancient cork oaks, streams and waterfalls.
• Get properly acquainted with the regional capital, Málaga, which is home to numerous museums, Roman and Arab monuments, as well as restaurants and nightclubs.

Which Hotel to Choose on the Costa del Sol

• Gran Hotel Miramar 5* (Málaga)
  In the overwhelming majority of rankings of the region’s best hotels, Gran Miramar proudly takes first place. This luxurious hotel is located in the center of Málaga, a minute’s walk from La Malagueta Beach. On the grounds of this elegant and sophisticated, state-of-the-art hotel, there is a spa center, a swimming pool, the Príncipe de Asturias restaurant, a rooftop bar terrace, a children’s pool, a small club and conference rooms.
• Hotel Boutique Teatro Romano 2* (Málaga)
  Despite its rather modest star rating, the Boutique Teatro Romano hotel can boast a combination of stylish décor, stunning views from the rooms, excellent service and an extremely convenient location in relation to all of Málaga’s key attractions.
• Room Mate Valeria 4* (Málaga)
  Room Mate Valeria is an excellent choice for those who want to “kill two birds with one stone” and stay between the beach and the historic sights: the city’s cathedral is a 5-minute walk from the hotel, and La Malagueta Beach is 20 minutes away. Guests of the hotel have at their disposal a cozy inner courtyard with a terrace, a rooftop pool, a fitness center and many other amenities.
• MB Boutique Hotel - Adults Only 3* (Nerja)
  The MB boutique hotel in Nerja will allow you to fully enjoy genuine Spanish hospitality. This small and cozy hotel has its own bathing facilities, baths and Jacuzzi and offers guests a huge selection of relaxation treatments. In addition, excursions, horse-riding lessons and other leisure activities are regularly organized for hotel guests.
• Vincci Selección Estrella del Mar 5* (Marbella)
  Located in Marbella, the five-star Vincci Selección Estrella del Mar is considered one of the best beach hotels in the region, and for good reason. Among its advantages are stylish and spacious rooms in an Arab and Mediterranean style, close proximity to Elviria Beach, four outdoor pools with sun loungers and daybeds around them, a lounge bar, a fitness room, restaurants with scenic terraces, a garden, a 4,000-square-meter beach club, and a superbly equipped spa.

Where to Eat Well on the Costa del Sol

From a gastronomic point of view, the region is perfectly suited for a close acquaintance with traditional Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine. All the local establishments can be roughly divided into several main types:

• Beach bars (chiringuitos), where it is best to order main courses and snacks made from fish and seafood, especially those deep-fried.
• Traditional small restaurants away from the shoreline in Benalmádena, Mijas, Casares and Benahavís, where you can taste many interesting traditional dishes made from rabbit, seafood and pork.
• Award-winning Michelin-starred restaurants in Marbella for the most discerning guests :)
• Ubiquitous tapas bars with a wide selection of local drinks and snacks.
• In addition, keep in mind for your travel calendar that every June a large gastronomic festival is held in Málaga ;)

What to Combine a Trip to the Costa del Sol With

The Costa del Sol coastline is so diverse and scenic that, for the most part, you can easily spend a long time without leaving it at all :) But if you are eager to cover as many interesting locations as possible during your trip, we suggest including the following points on the map in your itinerary:

• Morocco, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the Costa del Sol and whose influence is especially tangible here.
• Seville, which can become your guide to the world of passionate Spanish football and equally passionate bullfighting.
• Madrid, with all its metropolitan diversity. It can serve as a long layover point at the beginning or end of your journey.
• Portugal, in particular Lisbon, which will reinforce your impressions of the distinctive and vibrant southwest of Europe.