Costa del Sol: where to go on the southern Spanish coast

The Costa del Sol, translated as the Sunny Coast, is probably the most sought-after coastline in southern Spain. Hot summers and mild winters, long sandy beaches, azure seas, luxury hotels and beautiful seaside villages. Plus, there’s a commuter train from Málaga that runs along the coast, which I did some riding on during my three-month stay.

Where to stay on the Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol is a long stretch of coastline and where you stay will have a big impact on the whole experience. It’s all about what you expect from your holiday.

If you want city, culture and gastronomy, choose Málaga. It’s clearly the most vibrant place on the whole coast. You’ve got clouds of restaurants, museums, tapas bars and there’s really something going on in the evening. The city’s best downtown boutique hotel for me is the Palacio Solecio.

If beaches and tranquillity are more your thing, look to Torremolinos or Fuengirola. Both towns have long sandy beaches, decent infrastructure and Málaga can be reached in a few minutes by train. It’s a fine compromise between a resort and a normal city.

Marbella is a level up in price and visual appeal. Nice historic center, more upscale vibe, expensive restaurants. If you’re looking for true luxury, the best hotel on the entire coast for me is the Anantara Villas & Suites Marbella Benahavis. And then there’s the area around Mijas, where you’ll find golf resorts and tranquillity away from the tourist traffic.

Excursions and experiences on the Costa del Sol

Many of the best trips from the Costa del Sol go to places with limited capacity or time slots. Booking in advance saves waiting and nerves.

• Caminito del Rey – guided tour with ticket – Entry to Caminito del Rey is on a time slot basis and in high season it can sell out weeks in advance.
• Trip to Gibraltar – Pick up directly on the Costa del Sol and transfer to Gibraltar.
• Marbella – dolphin watching from the boat – The boat capacity is limited, in summer the places fill up quickly.
• Frigiliana and Nerja – Two of the prettiest white towns on the east coast in one trip. Without a car, you can only get there with a transfer.
• A trip to Ronda and Setenil – Ronda is one of the most photogenic towns in Andalusia. An organized trip deals with transportation and parking, which is not exactly fun in Ronda.

Where to go on the Costa del Sol

Málaga

The capital and largest city on the Costa del Sol and also the only airport. It makes sense to choose Málaga from the Costa del Sol if you want city life, culture, a great choice of restaurants, sightseeing, but also to enjoy the beaches.

You can visit the 11th-century Moorish fortress of Alcazaba, Gibralfaro Castle, the cathedral with its rooftop view, the Picasso Museum, but most of all the city’s beautiful squares and winding streets dotted with tapas bars serving great Spanish cuisine. A short walk from the centre is La Malagueta, a long sandy beach with clear water and beach bars (chiringuitos).

Marbella

Marbella is a symbol of Andalusian elegance. In the beautiful harbour of Puerto Banús you can admire the yachts or shop in the boutiques of famous brands. Marbella’s historic centre offers the traditional charm of Andalusia, narrow streets with white houses and blue planters. The Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnación church and Plaza de los Naranjos are worth a visit, where you’ll also find tapas restaurants and bars.

For relaxation, there is Playa de la Fontanilla beach and there are also several golf courses.

Nerja

The town of Nerja is famous for its caves, the Cueva de Nerja, where you can see prehistoric paintings and impressive stalactites and stalagmites. The Balcón de Europa lookout, built on a cliff in the centre of town, overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. Also in Nerja are traditional Andalusian white houses and narrow streets.

For swimming and sunbathing, there’s Playa de Burriana, but it’s also popular for diving and kayaking.

Benalmadena

A very popular tourist destination is Benalmadena, known for its Puerto Marina and Sea Life Aquarium and the Tivoli World theme park. There is the large Paloma Park with lakes, gardens and wildlife. Above Benalmádena is Mount Calamorro, which can be reached by cable car and is a wonderful hike from there.

Benalmadena has beautiful beaches, such as Playa de Bil Bil.

Estepona

This small town is located just outside Marbella and again has the traditional Andalusian charm. The historic centre is full of narrow streets, white houses and floral decorations. Statues and murals abound throughout the town. There is an Orchidarium with a large collection of orchids and tropical plants.

You can play golf and ride horses here. A popular beach is Playa de la Rada.

Fuengirola

Fuengirola is at the last station of the C1 metro line from Málaga, so it’s easy to get here from Málaga in about 25 minutes. There is a modern zoo , Bioparc Fuengirola, dedicated to the conservation of endangered species. There’s Sohail Castle, where cultural events and festivals are held.

Fuengirola has a rich nightlife, bars and clubs. There are the long beaches of Playa de los Boliches.

Calahonda

A quiet resort between Marbella and Fuengirola. There are clean, less busy beaches. The town is also renowned for its golf courses. There are also plenty of opportunities for hiking in the surrounding mountains.

Frigiliana

One of the most beautiful pueblos blancos (white towns) in the whole of Andalusia. It’s in the mountains above Nerja, so it doesn’t offer beaches, but it does have beautiful cobbled streets lined with flowers. There’s the Church of San Antonio and the Museum of Archaeology, and artisan markets and shops selling local produce like olive oil and wine.

There are many trails in the surrounding mountains with spectacular views of the sea and nature. Frigiliana is ideal for a quiet and authentic atmosphere, being quite away from the tourist crowds.

Beaches on the Costa del Sol

The most popular beaches on the Costa del Sol include: La Malagueta (Málaga), Playa de Burriana (Nerja), Playa de Cabopino (Marbella), Playa de la Carihuela (Torremolinos), Playa de Calahonda (Mijas Costa), Playa de Los Álamos (Torremolinos), Playa de Maro (Nerja), Playa del Cristo (Estepona), Playa de Carvajal (Fuengirola), Playa de Bil Bil (Benalmádena), Playa de Guadalmar (Málaga) or Playa de Artola (Cabopino).

What to taste on the Costa del Sol

On the Costa del Sol, espetos de sardinas are an absolute staple. These are sardines skewered on reed sticks and roasted over an open fire right on the beach in bars called chiringuitos (if you don’t appreciate sardines like I do, it’s nice just to look at). If you like cold soups, go for the ajoblanco. This almond-garlic soup is served with grape wine or chunks of watermelon and is the historical predecessor to the better-known gazpacho. A very popular starter is berenjenas con miel de caña, fried slices of aubergine drizzled with thick cane molasses, which is made in nearby Frigiliana.

For seafood, try the local speciality conchas finas. These are large clams with smooth shells and reddish meat, which are most often eaten raw with a squeeze of lemon and pepper, or grilled with garlic. For a sweet spot or just to accompany wine, try the torta de aceite. It’s a thin, crispy cake with aniseed and olive oil, traditionally associated with Malaga and the surrounding area.

So much for the local specialties, but you’ll probably mostly be eating Spanish classics like paella, tapas and jamón ibérico anyway. And andalusian specialities.

Where to go for a day trip from Costa del Sol

Wherever you live on the Costa del Sol, you’ll probably have the opportunity to take some nice sightseeing trips and day trips from here. Some places are so interesting, though, that it’s worth setting aside a whole day for them.

Ronda

The famous town of Ronda is built on two cliffs connected by the impressive Puente Nuevo bridge over the deep El Tajo gorge. The views from here are spectacular. There are also well-preserved 13th-century Arab baths and the historic Palacio de Mondragón with its magnificent gardens. The Plaza de Toros is one of the oldest bullfighting arenas in Spain, and is home to the traditional Feria Goyesca festival.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar, a British territory closely adjacent to the Costa del Sol, known mainly for the monumental limestone rock The Rock where monkeys roam freely and overlook Africa. There is also a unique runway that leads through the only entrance road to Gibraltar, which is also a beautiful view from The Rock.

Don’t forget to bring your passport for this trip as Gibraltar is outside the EU.

Tarifa

Punta de Tarifa is the southernmost point of continental Europe. Tarifa itself is a very nice town and the surrounding beaches are great for water sports and surfing. At the same time, they are not as crowded as on the Costa del Sol. You can go kitesurfing at Playa de Los Lances, for example .

Caminito del Rey

A famous hiking trail leading through the dramatic landscape of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes canyon. The Puente Colgante suspension bridge offers breathtaking views.

Granada

Granada is a city rich in history, situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It has one of the most visited monuments in Spain, the Moorish Alhambra Palace with its Generalife Gardens. The historic Arabic quarter of Albaicín has narrow streets with traditional whitewashed houses and you’ll find the Mirador de San Nicolás overlooking the Alhambra. Granada’s Renaissance cathedral is also worth a visit.

Granada is also one of the Andalusian cities famous for the fact that you automatically get a plate of tapas with your drink almost everywhere you go.

Where is the Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol is a long stretch of coastline in the very south of Andalusia. It starts in the west at La Línea de la Concepción, which is directly adjacent to Gibraltar. To the east it stretches to the town of Nerja, near the Sierras de Tejeda Natural Park. The largest city on the coast and the centre of attention is Málaga.

How to get to the Costa del Sol

Málaga is the main gateway to the Costa del Sol, with direct flights from most major European cities. From the airport, it’s a quick drive to resorts like Nerja, Marbella or Torremolinos — the whole coast stretches roughly 150 kilometres.