One of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, the Costa del Sol is set in a province of outstanding natural beauty, filled with golden sands, luxurious tourist villages and picturesque harbours. With vast sandy beaches it is a tourist haven, but there is much to explore away from the coastline with everything from Moorish palaces to golf courses and theme parks. It is a gateway to Andalucia, an outstanding region of white-mountain villages and historic cities such as Seville, Ronda and Cordoba Jenez. The weather is good throughout the year with scorching summer temperatures peaking at about 35°C in June-August and the sun often shining through the winter months. Malaga Airport can be reached in approximately two and a half hours from most UK airports all year round giving you ample opportunity to discover this truly international region.
Whether secluded or lively, Costa del Sol resorts are family friendly and offer a wide variety of facilities...
The Costa del Sol has a diverse range of resorts that have something for just about every type of holidaymaker. Most of the resorts are thriving, but the nightlife is quieter in more secluded resorts if you prefer a more peaceful break. The leading resorts are all family friendly with many good amenities and plenty to do throughout the day. There are many large hotel complexes with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, including special kids activities such as soccer schools, swimming clubs and crèches. There are also a number of upmarket resorts such as Puerto Banus and the Costa del Sol in general is a golfer's paradise.
The Costa del Sol has 300km of coastline and as a consequence you are spoilt for choice with many resorts to choose between and many long, sandy beaches within close reach.
The most renowned resort on the Costa del Sol is Torremolinos, which is hugely popular with families and couples who are seeking a lively resort. There are five miles of sandy beach with numerous watersports available. However, the resort is perhaps most famous for its evening entertainment which includes flamenco shows, salsa nights and open air discos. There are many street cafes and terrace bars, and the resort also contains a number of clubs and discos that attract younger visitors. Indeed the area did have a clubbing reputation but has matured in recent years with beautiful public gardens and excellent seafood restaurants.
The attractive marina resort of Benalmadena has a vibrant atmosphere and is lined with shops and restaurants. The numerous boutiques and stores selling local handicrafts are a major draw for visitors, while the evening entertainment includes discos and a casino. During the day you can entertain children at the Tivoli World amusement park, wander down the flower-filled streets or tuck into some delicious dishes at the local tapas bar.
Both Puerto Banus and Marbella are further along the coast and take a couple of hours to reach from Malaga Airport. However, they are both worth the trek, particularly if you're a fan of staying up late with Puerto Banus offering a range of high-class bars, restaurants and clubs and Marbella having built a reputation as a clubbing hotspot. Puerto Banus is also a popular shopping destination with numerous designer goods and exclusive boutiques.
In the opposite direction Nerja offers magnificent sea views from the Balcon de Europa as well as a lively nightlife scene and coarser sands on Playa Burriana. Estepona, to the south of Marbella, makes a good shopping day out with local handicrafts, ceramics and fashions available as well as being right on the beach.
Sitting at the foot of the Sierra de Mijas Mountains, Fuengirola has an array of entertainment options for families and children alike with a marina, zoo, waterpark, market and many watersport activities. The Santa Amalia beach and Playa de los Biliches are long and golden, and perfect for soaking up the rays.
The biggest coastal city in the south is Malaga itself, which offers many beautiful beaches and a buzzing night scene. There are a wide variety of restaurants, bodegas and bars, which remain busy throughout the week, along with nightclubs and discos. It's also an ideal spot for a little sightseeing with the Alcazaba, built in the eleventh century, several interesting museums and a cathedral. Day trips are also popular and excursions to the Andalucian Hills, Mijas and Ronda are all recommended. Gibraltar is vastly popular with its extensive range of British shops selling duty free products, its wildlife - including a large population of apes, and of course the famous rock of Gibraltar.
