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What to do in Costa del Sol
Find out what to do on the Costa del Sol, where to go for the best beaches and what else there is to experience apart from swimming.
Beaches and swimming
The main attraction that draws millions of tourists from across Europe to the Costa del Sol is swimming at the local, miles-long beaches in several world-famous resorts. The vast majority of beaches on the Costa del Sol are covered infine, light-coloured sand, andthe drop-off into the sea is quite steep. However, the sea here is usually calm, making it ideal for swimming and water sports.
Where are the cheapest resorts on the Costa del Sol?
The beaches on the Costa del Sol are immaculately maintained, and most of them are literally surrounded by amenities. Free toilets and showers are a given, as are sun lounger and parasol hire (prices per set per day range from 15 eur to 25 eur) and a wide range of water sports.
The most beautiful beaches on the Costa del Sol
- Playa de Burriana inthe resort of Nerja
- Playa de la Malagueta in Málaga
- Playa de Maroin the resort of Nerja
- Playa Puerto Banús in the resort of Marbella
- NagüelesBeach in Marbella
- FuengirolaBeach in Fuengirola
- Playa del Bajondillo in the resort of Torremolinos
In total, the coastline boasts 125 sandy beaches stretching over a total length of 160 km.
Nightlife and gastronomy
Spain is renowned for its superb cuisine and excellent tapas bars, where you can spend hours or even the whole night. The towns and resorts along the Costa del Sol are, of course, no exception, offering you the chance to enjoy long summer nights.
Whether you’re spending time in the largest city, Málaga, the major resorts of Marbella or Fuengirola, or in smaller towns, the local bars and restaurants will never let you down.
Golf on the finest courses
The Costa del Sol is one of the world’s most popular golf destinations. The reason is obvious: according to statistics, it enjoys 325 days of sunshine a year and temperatures remain pleasant all year round. Even in winter, temperatures rarely drop below 13 °C.
The coast also boasts excellent facilities in the form of a continuous stretch of seaside resorts with all the necessary amenities, as well as many luxury resorts. Thanks to Málaga’s major international airport and excellent motorway links, the whole of the Costa del Sol is easily accessible. The Costa del Sol also has a pleasingly varied terrain; it is neither too flat nor too hilly.
Taken together, these factors mean that there are more than 50 golf courses along the coast, with at least one in virtually every small resort – and often several. The Costa del Sol is therefore a golfer’s paradise for both the most experienced players and beginners alike.
Typical Andalusian villages
If you get tired of lazing around by the sea all day or walking around the golf course, take a short trip inland to one of the Andalusian villages with their typical white houses. And which villages would we recommend? Take a look at our mini-guides to the four most famous Andalusian villages:
Hiking
Although the Costa del Sol is best known as a beach and golf destination, lovers of trekking and hiking will also find plenty to enjoy here. Particularly along the west coast, several mountain ranges rise steeply from a narrow strip of resorts to heights of over 1,200 metres above sea level. The best places for walking can be found in the Sierra de Mijas and Sierra Blanca mountain ranges.
A trip to Gibraltar
A small peninsula with an iconic, majestic rock under British administration – a narrow strip of land over which Spain and the United Kingdom have been squabbling for decades. This is Gibraltar, situated at the very end of the Costa del Sol, which is a popular destination for day trips and longer breaks from the Costa del Sol.
Read our guide to Gibraltar.
A trip to the town of Ronda
The inland town of Ronda, perched on two rocky outcrops and linked by the iconic Puente Nuevo bridge, is another great option for a day trip – or even a longer break – from the coast. Ronda is connected to Málaga, Marbella and Estepona by direct bus services.
You can find full details on transport, sights and accommodation in our guide to Ronda.
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