Costa del Sol is a coastal region located in the south of Spain that is loved by Irish holiday makers. It is known worldwide for being one of the main tourist destinations in Spain and stands out especially for its incredible climate, with hot summers and mild winters. With its endless beaches, hidden coves, charismatic white villages, and cities with centuries of culture, the Costa Del Sol region is the perfect destination for solo travel, as a couple or with your family. In this blog post we want to help you choose the best area of Costa del Sol for your next holiday. This is the Ultimate Guide to Costa Del Sol.

Malaga

If you want a city break experience, Malaga is a must visit. Malaga, the largest city of this province is one of Spain’s most loved cities not only nationally but also internationally. On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Malaga has a set of wonderful beaches that together, with the city’s charm, great dining and historical significance makes it one of the great favourites.

Strolling through its streets is a real wonder and wherever you look there will always be something that captures your attention. Malaga is full of historical sites such as the famous Alcabaza, one of the largest Arab fortresses in Andalusia. For incredible views of the entire city check out Gibralfaro Castle. Malaga is also home to a theatre from Roman times, a real marvel for history lovers and a cathedral that captivates everyone who passes through it for its size and decoration in the purest Renaissance style.

The city is also significant from an artistic point of view as it is the birthplace of the painter Pablo Picasso, to whom a museum has been dedicated with much of his work and that you cannot miss.

But Malaga is not only history and art. One of the things that characterizes this city and the entire Costa del Sol region, is the large number of bars and restaurants that can be found around every corner.  We also highly recommend you try out some of the local Tapas. And, if you fancy treating yourself to some glorious shopping, be sure to stroll along the famous Calle Larios.

Torremolinos

Just 12km from Malaga, Torremolinos is one of the cities of Costa del Sol that has a long and extensive history, which can be seen in the numerous Phoenician, Greek, Roman and Arab remnants that can be found and visited in this area. Like most of these southern, Spanish towns, the typical fairs and festivals are especially noteworthy, without forgetting the importance of the local gastronomy, one of the main elements that characterize all these towns, if not the most important.

Throughout Torremolinos you will also find plenty of accommodation options along the city’s best beaches including El Bajondillo, La Carihuela, Los Alamos or Playamar. The city also has dedicated cycling and skating lanes that run alongside its picture-perfect promenade. The promenade will take you all the way to La Carihuela, the traditional fishing district of Torremolinos, a must visit on your trip. If you prefer to relax in the glorious sunshine, that’s cool too or for even more thrills, why not windsurf along the gorgeous coast!

Benalmadena

About 20km from the city of Malaga you will reach another gem of Costa del Sol, the famous Benalmadena. Golden stretches of beach, a wide variety of quality restaurants, vibrant nightlife and a plethora of family-friendly activities make Benalmádena a premier resort along the Costa del Sol. Benalmadena is also home to a large number of hotels, golf courses and marinas as well as the amusement park Tivoli World, which is perfect for family fun with the little ones. If you do fancy some sightseeing during your visit, there are several monuments of special interest, such as the Buddhist Stupa of Enlightenment, Bil-Bil Castle and the three old watchtowers that defended the city.

Fuengirola

About 20km from Benalmadena, you will find the gorgeous town of Fuengirola, one of the main tourist destinations in Costa del Sol. Fuengirola stands out for its wide range of activities which are loved by holiday makers. Those who wish to learn more about the history of Fuengirola can do so by visiting archaeological remains such as settlements from the VI – III centuries BC, castles of the tenth century, Roman baths or Visigoth necropolis. On the other hand, if you are looking for leisure time, Fuengirola has a wide range of possibilities to enjoy its gorgeous waters with a wide range of water sports such as sailing and scuba diving. For those on holiday with your family, you can enjoy the areas beaches, some of which are considered the best of Costa del Sol or for a fun day out, you can visit the Zoo or the Water Park.

Marbella

The famous city of Marbella is located about 60km from the city of Malaga and is another must visit area of Costa del Sol. The promenade of Marbella is an avenue that stretches along the sea between the marina and Puerto Banus. It is a pleasant place for a stroll, where you will also find plenty of stores, bars and restaurants for all budgets.  Puerto Banus, is one of the most emblematic areas within Marbella itself, famous for its marina where you can see some of the largest and most luxurious yachts in the world and stroll through its renowned streets, full of restaurants, bars and stores with international brands and luxury goods.

This Andalusian city has a long history behind it, but it also embraces modernity through its fantastic nightclubs and nautical enclosures for boat and yacht lovers. In other words, there is no room for boredom in Marbella. You can have a great time with water activities at Cable beach, taste delicious tapas, visit the historical monuments and party until the sun comes up in any of its elegant clubs.

Nerja

Nerja, located approximately 60kms from Malaga is one of the jewels of Costa del Sol. This bright, vibrant town, is surrounded by beaches and beautiful coves with crystal clear waters and plenty to do. For those wanting to be immersed in Nerja’s beauty and history, less than 4km from the center of Nerja is one of the areas  main tourist attractions, the Cave of Nerja, where along 2 km of subway galleries you can admire amazing geological formations formed by the passing of the centuries. The journey to these caves is also beautiful, with excellent views from a train that departs from the center of Nerja and takes you to the caves as it passes beautiful views of the coast.

In the town of Nerja itself, there are many beaches that you should definitely visit, such as Burriana Beach a family beach, urban, with all its services and many restaurants nearby. Also you should not miss Calahonda Beach right beside the famous Balcon de Europa, a small but really nice spot! If you want to explore even more, there is a hidden gem beach located just 16 minutes away by car. The Canuelo Beach is one of the best beaches in this area, especially if you are a snorkelling lover.

Mijas

Mijas is a town located in an inland area of Costa del Sol, at the foot of the areas mountains. However, the most important part of the town is what’s known as Mijas Costa, an important tourist resort on the coast that has up to 12 km of beaches for you to enjoy.

Estepona

The last destination of Costa del Sol is the bright town of Estepona, which retains the charm of a typical Andalusian village with small squares and flowers as façade decoration. Like many of the above mentioned towns, Estepona has almost 21km of beaches, many of them distinguished with the European Blue Flag. It also has a charming promenade and marina that hosts a flee market every Sunday with typical products and crafts.

So there you have it, the ultimate guide to Costa del Sol! If you would like more information on a sun holiday to Costa del Sol, you can reach our five-star holiday experts seven days a week on 01-6995329. Alternatively visit our website to learn even more about this popular sun destination or find the best holiday deal to Costa Del Sol with our holiday deal finder.