Whisk yourself away to the unmissable destination of Costa Del Sol…..

….its great climate is one of its main attractions with a Mediterranean lifestyle that will captivate you as soon as you discover it.

The easy way of life and a friendly and welcoming character added to the distinguishing features of the Costa del Sol mixed with the great climate invites you to take to the streets, savour tapas in outdoor seating areas or enjoy traditional fried fish in beach bars. Boasting over 300 days of sun a year and mild temperatures even in winter makes this a perfect option for anytime of the year.

Beaches

One of the main attractions of the Costa del Sol is the variety of beaches. Málaga province is bathed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and boasts a total of 161 km of coast, running from Manilva to Nerja.

There are around 90 kilometres of beaches on the Western Costa del Sol. This area comprises the towns to the west of Málaga capital, taking in Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella, Estepona, Casares and Manilva.

Los Álamos Beach in Torremolinos is extremely popular with young people looking for exciting nightlife. This is where you will find the most fashionable beach clubs, and days and nights of non-stop fun. If you prefer to relax and completely disconnect, take a trip to Artola – Cabopino Beach (Marbella) located in the natural surroundings of the Artola Dunes.

Beaches in Málaga

Málaga’s city beaches are generally easily accessible, and, being so close to the city centre, they have a wide range of services on offer. Malagueta Beach is right next to the city’s old quarter and there are others further away from the main tourist area such as Pedregalejo Beach, in the capital’s eastern district. The latter is located in a traditional fishing district, with a unique charm and some of the best beach bars on the Costa del Sol, where you can try Málaga’s legendary fried fish.

Beaches in the region of Axarquía enjoy some unique features including marvellous views of mountain ranges, rugged cliffs typical of this area and beautiful coves. An absolute must if you come to the Costa del Sol.

If you prefer to spend a day away from all the hustle and bustle, a visit to the beaches of Maro, situated in the Cliffs of Maro – Cerro Gordo Area of Natural Beauty is recommended. This is a protected beach with difficult access. It is also popular with scuba diving enthusiasts due to the richness of its seabed.

Areas of Natural Beauty and Natural Parks

Málaga province contains some unique landscapes, which in many cases have become protected spaces at a regional, national and global level. There are incredible areas of natural beauty and natural parks where you can really get away from it all.

The Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, declared a Biosphere Reserve, is home to the largest Spanish fir forest on the planet. The Sierra de Grazalema is another area in Málaga province that benefits from this special protection, and where you can enjoy some extraordinary landscapes.

Areas of natural beauty in the Antequera region

An essential stop on your route through the areas of natural beauty on the Costa del Sol is the Torcal de Antequera, an impressive karst landscape with sinuous limestone rock formations creating a real city of stone. Close by, and still in the Antequera region, you can find the second largest common flamingo colony in Europe at the Fuente de Piedra Lagoon Nature Reserve.

Los Gaitanes Gorge Area of Natural Beauty and the Caminito del Rey

The Los Gaitanes Gorge Area of Natural Beauty is one of those places to forget about your worries and leave the stresses of everyday life far behind. The Caminito del Rey trail runs along the sheer rock walls, and from here extraordinarily beautiful images come into view. Without doubt this is one of the most spectacular and astounding interior landscapes of Málaga province.

Culture

Art lovers will find plenty to discover on the Costa del Sol. Museums such as the famous Picasso Museum, the Málaga Pompidou Centre and the Collection of the Russian Museum are amongst those museums that simply cannot be missed if you’re looking to enjoy up close the cultural and artistic variety the Costa del Sol has to offer.

Outside the city of Málaga itself, the towns in the province have experienced a boom in the range of cultural activities on offer thanks to the emergence of new museums and exhibition centres.

The Costa del Sol is connected to a number of civilisations who have inhabited the region throughout its history. The Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs all left their own marks, which are visible today in the form of monuments and architectural masterpieces.

Málaga is the perfect blend of tradition and modernity. A walk through the streets of its old town will show you precisely that. Here you will come across some of the most iconic sights in Málaga. First, there’s the Cathedral, which is known as La Manquita (meaning “The One-Armed Lady”) owing to the fact it’s missing a tower, and then you have the Roman Theatre, which has recently been restored as a theatrical venue.

The Central Atarazanas Market boasts stunning architecture and the layout of a traditional food market. The Malagueta Bullring allows you to delve into the world of bullfighting and its spectacle and be sure to stroll through the iconic Calle Larios, or indeed through the beautiful squares that are Plaza de la Constitución and Plaza de la Merced (birthplace of Pablo Picasso)

Other sights

The coastline of the Costa del Sol also harbours a number of sights that each tell their very own story of the area. Special mention should go to the fortresses of Castillo de la Duquesa (Duchess’ Castle) and Fortín de Sabinillas (Sabanillas Fort) in Manilva, Sohail Castle in Fuengirola, which is situated at the top of a hill that boasts stunning views of the sea and Colomares Castle in Benalmádena, a modern castle with various striking patterns.

In the east, nature has given rise to very unusual places over the course of time. Take, for instance, Cueva del Tesoro (“Treasure Cave”) in Rincón de la Victoria, which is famous for the legend of a treasure that was once hidden by the Almoravid emperor, or indeed the Nerja Caves and their breathtaking underground rock formations.

You will also find some real gems tucked away in the town of Vélez-Málaga. Its old town made up of steep and winding streets has been declared an Artistic-Historical Site.

What to do with children a family

The Costa del Sol is the perfect place to take the kids to. You will be sure to get the most out of your family holiday thanks to all the things there are to do for children and the range of leisure parks you’ll find.

One theme park you really can’t miss is Tívoli World in Benalmádena, which is one of the Costa del Sol’s oldest amusement parks. Aventura Amazonia in Marbella is a good choice for the more adventurous out there.

The water parks are the only leisure parks that close during the winter months, but they do remain open during spring and some of autumn. Torremolinos is home to one of the largest water parks on the Costa del Sol – Aqualand. This is an enormous water park that contains impressive slides and the highest kamikaze water slide in the world. Mijas is home to Aquamijas, a water park with choppy rivers, mazes and slides.

Unearth the secrets of the animal world in Bioparc Fuengirola, you’ll have the opportunity to see some of the wildest, most unusual animals from the jungle up close and you’ll be able to embark on an authentic safari & swim with the friendly dolphins at Selwo Aventura and you can immerse yourself in the vastness of the world’s seas and oceans with the iconic sharks at Sea Life Benalmádena

Lobopark in Antequera is a must to see one of the most fascinating animals alive today: the wolf. On full-moon nights, the centre organises Noche de los Aullidos (“Howl Night”) night tours, where you can see the wolves in a different light.

Nearby in Fuente de Piedra, you will find the Donkey Sanctuary, a non-profit organisation where you will be able to see these beautiful animals close up and contribute towards their conservation.