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If you're planning a trip to the Costa del Sol, know that it won't be your last. This sunshine coast is so captivating it draws people back time and time again.
Alive with culture, architecture, breathtaking scenery, picturesque “white villages” and so much more. The Costa del Sol is known for its great quality of life, which is centred on a diverse range of leisure opportunities.
The laid-back Andalusian lifestyle, first-class cuisine, award-winning beaches, and year round warm climate attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year, for a reason!
Stretching east to Nerja and west towards Gibraltar, with the historic city of Málaga at its centre, the Costa del Sol offers a varied and unique collection of towns and resorts to explore. Some of the more popular spots along the coastline include Nerja, Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Mijas, Estepona, and, of course, the glamorous magnet that is Marbella.
To help you learn more about this charming region of southern Spain, we're sharing our list of top places to see and activities to enjoy during your stay. Our recommendations from east to west Costa del Sol.
The old town of Nerja has remained virtually untouched for decades, with narrow, winding streets and traditional white-washed homes. Surrounded by gorgeous scenery and award-winning beaches.
The beaches are some of the finest on the Costa del Sol, with miles of soft golden sand and crystal clear waters. One of the most popular beaches is Burriana, a lovely 800-metre long beach with blue-flag distinction and superb facilities, located just 1 km from the city centre.
Playa de Maro (Maro Beach) is a 500-metre long cove-like beach bordered by steep cliffs and enjoying amazing scenery, it’s often featured in Spain’s best beaches list.
One of Maro’s biggest attractions is the magnificent Maro waterfall, located to the west of the beach and only accessible by kayak or boat. It flows from the Nerja Caves through the Sanguino stream and cascades 15 metres to the sea below.
A trip to the Cuevas de Nerja (Nerja Caves) is a fun day out for the whole family and should be on everyone's must-visit list. The 5km-long series of underground caves boast one of the largest stalagmite formations around, a 32-metre towering column, and various breath-taking forms of stalactites hanging from the cave's ceilings.
Another popular Nerja attraction is the Balcón de Europa, a stunning viewpoint suspended over the cliffs with spectacular views of the Costa del Sol and the Sierra Nevada mountain range behind it.
On the outskirts of Nerja and up into the hills there are pretty residential neighbourhoods where you’ll find Nerja villas which can be booked for family holidays.
If you like your holiday served with a hearty side of adventure, then book a trip to the Caminito del Rey and experience this jaw-dropping walkway.
Located an hour away from the coast, the Caminito del Rey (also known as Camino del Rey) brings tourists from all over the world, who dare to cross the walkway and suspension bridge which is set 100 metres above the Guadalhorce reservoir.
The path leads you through the El Chorro gorge where the water rushes below. If you’re not great with heights, try your best not to look down below you!
From start to finish, the path is just over eight kilometres, and takes about three hours to walk. However, not all of it hangs over the cliff. Much of it is a pleasant stroll through the Hoyo Valley or over a boardwalk through Gaitanes Gorge.
While some parts of the path might feel precarious, it is totally safe. The path has been in use since 1921, but was completely rehauled in 2015. Nonetheless, it’s one of the best adventure day trips and not to be missed when you visit the Costa del Sol in Spain
Bustling Malaga City hardly needs any introduction. A city break favourite for decades, Malaga is a cultural and culinary hot spot, situated on the beautiful Mediterranean coast, it’s less than an hour from Marbella, so if you are staying further down the coast at one of the main resorts, there is no excuse not to pay a visit.
Although you might not know it when you first set eyes on the high-rise luxury hotels and glamorous mansions, Malaga is one of the oldest cities on earth – dating back to at least 700 BC. Historic attractions can be found within the centre and around it, such as the Moorish fortress of Alcabazar or the Gibralfaro Castle.
Malaga has long been a hub for artists and creatives – in fact, it was the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. As such, it’s no surprise that the city offers a dazzling selection of galleries and creative spaces, such as the Centre Pompidou Malaga and CAC Malaga.
You’ll find works and exhibitions happening around town from up-and-coming contemporary artists to the world’s great masters.
If you want to take back a souvenir of Málaga, head to Calle Larios, which is the main thoroughfare shopping street, and from here you can lose yourself in the myriad of lanes and alleys, where the best hidden shops and boutiques can be found.
From Calle Larios hop over to Muelle Uno, Málaga’s modern port, where some of the slickest yachts and cruise liners dock and where you’ll find shops, bars, restaurants and live events happening regularly.
Málaga’s culinary scene is not just about fried fish (Pescaito Frito Malagyeño) and tapas, you’ll find an excellent selection of international cuisine and Michelin-star eateries.
And of course, Malaga is a city on the beach, so you can combine culture, cuisine and cooling down on one of the city’s beaches, such as La Malagueta, La Misericordia (Mercy) beach and head east to Baños del Carmen and Pedregalejo. When the sun goes down here, the beach bars provide an ideal spot for a sundowner.
If you are holidaying on the Costa del Sol with kids, Fuengirola is a great town to visit with two of the best attractions for kids on the coast right here.
Around town, you’ll find one of the longest promenades in Spain, which backs eight kilometres of Blue Flag beaches.
Fuengirola is a vibrant hub for leisure and gastronomy, and a popular holiday destination for all ages. Head away from the beach through the cobbled old town to find mouthwatering tapas bars and local boutiques selling fashion, crafts and lots of artisan ice cream shops!
It also has one of the best shopping centre on the Costa del Sol: the Parque Miramar Shopping centre with over 140 stores, restaurants, a cinema complex and go-karting on the top floor.
And of course, no kid’s holiday on the Costa del Sol would be complete without a day trip to AquaMijas water park in Fuengirola with its crazy water slides, wave pools, river rides, body slides and a Jacuzzi. It’s highly recommended to get there early, as the queue to get in grows quickly during the summer months.
Five minutes down the road from AquaMijas is Fuengirola’s Bioparc. A wildlife park that has recreated some of the world’s most spectacular rainforests where the animals can develop in a recreation of their natural habitat. You’ll find tigers, leopards, pandas, gorillas, crocodiles and a whole more to discover.
Fuengirola is also home to plenty of green spaces and parks, perfect for kids to play and as a shady respite from the sun.
And the best thing about Fuengirola? It’s on the train line that takes you along the coast to Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Malaga City and onto the airport. So no need to hire a car when you stay in Fuengirola. Check out our villas in Fuengirola and book now.
Perched on the slopes of the Sierra de Mijas mountain range, pretty Mijas Pueblo has a wide range of things to see and do. From discovering the charming cobbled streets filled with souvenir and boutique shops, to indulging in the spectacular views, and sampling the local cuisine at one of the many restaurants around town.
Take a stroll through the whitewashed streets with bougainvillaea climbing up to the balconies which are adorned with colourful geraniums. A unique array of shops sell everything from jewellery to clothing, to natural skin care, to traditional gastronomy treats. And of course, Mijas is famous for its traditional handcrafted gifts, souvenir donkeys and leatherware.
Pop into Exposición Artesanía de España for a stunning and diverse display of colourful ceramics.
Plaza Virgen de la Peña is a large open space surrounded by various restaurants and cafeterias, and where you'll find a small chocolate factory, Mayan Monkey Mijas. Learn about the history and origins of chocolate, while your children make their very own chocolate to take home. If it makes it home!
The views from the pueblo are quite spectacular, with numerous viewpoints dotted around the village from where you can admire the Mediterranean coastline, nearby villages, and, on a clear day, the Rock of Gibraltar.
Located next to the viewpoint Mirador del Compás, that offers the most spectacular views over the town, is the Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña, a tiny centuries old hilltop chapel carved into rock that dates back to 1520 and is dedicated to the patron saint of Mijas, “Virgen de la Peña”. It's a beautiful and spiritual spot to sit, light a candle and reflect.
Mijas Pueblo is located above the coastal town of Fuengirola and links to its coastal town of La Cala de Mijas and Mijas Costa. It’s one of the most easily accessible historical villages in the area, being less than a 15-minute drive from Fuengirola (a bus route heads up and down from village to coast).Stay in our villas in Mijas and discover more about this beautiful village.
Elviria is known for having the best beaches in the district of Marbella as well as a great choice of excellent beach restaurants where you can unwind with a refreshing drink while dining on wonderful Spanish cuisine.
You’ll also find the five star hotel Don Carlos and the well-known beach club, Nikki Beach. Nearby, Artola beach is a natural paradise with a breathtaking landscape and protected sand dunes that shelter the harbour of Cabopino.
Elviria's beaches provide a lot of fun and enjoyment for all the family. If you love to surf or just fancy giving it a go, Sun & Surf, located on the beach across from The Beach House Restaurant, offers one-on-one or group lessons, and has all the surf equipment available for hire if you prefer to self-surf.
Elviria is also home to the largest adventure park in the region, Aventura Amazonia, where you can spend the day zip-lining, and participating in outdoor sports and adventure games. A great way to spend an afternoon for adults and kids alike!
Elviria is also home to an excellent selection of private villas, townhouses and apartments for holiday renting and there are good amenities in the area with several supermarket and plenty of bars and restaurants.
Stay in our villas in Elviria and discover more about this beautiful village.
Marbella, the crown jewel of the Costa del Sol, is one of Spain's most popular tourist destinations. Renowned as a playground for the rich and famous, the fashionable town of Marbella nestles along a beautiful stretch of the Costa del Sol with the Sierra Blanca mountain range as its backdrop.
Exclusive beach clubs, prestigious golf courses, and a luxurious marina filled with high-end yachts cater to the affluent clientele, while locals and visitors alike enjoy leisurely strolls along palm-lined promenades. Underneath the glitz and glamour, however, there is much more to Marbella than meets the eye.
Marbella's charming Old Town (Casco del Antiguo) is a beautiful maze of cobblestone streets and traditional white-washed buildings with balconies draped in bougainvillaea. As you wander through the narrow alleys of your old town, you’ll find boutiques, shoe and jewellery stores, and little tapas bars.
At the heart of the town, the Plaza de Naranjos ( Orange Square) is a delightful area bordered by fragrant orange trees and a variety of restaurants. There are numerous backstreet tapas bars and bodegas located off the square, and a "tapas crawl" is a must on a trip to Marbella.
To keep your energy levels up, try some churros dipped in hot chocolate sauce! Churreria Generalife and Churreria Parquesol, both within a 5-minute walk of Plaza de Naranjos and Alameda Park, are two of our favourites.
The Alameda Park, which is located between the Old Town and the seafront, is a great place to unwind. Take a moment to relax on the traditional tiled benches that surround the historic fountain and enjoy the shade of tropical palms and banana trees. This 18th century park makes a refreshing oasis on hot summer days, and the walkway to the beachfront, Avenida del Mar, features a collection of bronze sculptures by Salvador Dalli.
Get inspired and take a look at our Marbella villas for your next holiday. We’ll see you here soon!
One of Marbella's many attractions is a stroll down its magnificent palm-fringed promenade. A popular activity for locals and visitors alike, the Marbella "Paseo Marítimo" stretches from the eastern to western outskirts of Marbella town and passes through the renowned marina of Puerto Banus.
This coastal promenade currently connects more than 17 kilometres of shoreline, providing the ideal setting for a short, leisurely stroll or a long walking workout. Take in the fresh sea air and breathtaking views across the Mediterranean to Morocco's Rif Mountain range.
Along the way, you’ll spot some of the most expensive and luxurious seafront properties that sit along the renowned strip known as The Golden Mile, one of the most prestigious areas in Marbella and home to the iconic five-star hotels, Marbella Club, Puente Romano, and Nobu; each with its own seafront beach club.
Combine your walk with an outbound or return trip by catamaran. You can board the Fly Blue catamaran from the port of Marbella (Puerto Deportivo) or the Puerto Banus marina. The journey takes around 20 minutes and provides spectacular views of the coastline from the sea.
Puerto Banus, located a short 10-km from the Old Town, is lined with high-end boutiques, stylish restaurants, swanky bars, and a backdrop of super-yachts. “Puerto de Banús” is a great place to sit harbour-side and people-watch or admire the collection of yachts. You might even get to see the Saudi Royal family's 65-metre luxury yacht, Lady Haya. While you peruse designer stores, you’ll see many of the super-cars parked port side, or cruising through the frontline.
You can’t leave the region without experiencing its opulent nightlife, so join the well-heeled crowds and head for luxurious Puerto Banus, one of Spain’s most luxurious resort areas and party hub.
Here, the party is basically non-stop; the DJ sets begin around lunch time and rarely stop before the sun makes its way up over the horizon. In a similar vein to Fance’s St. Tropez, Puerto Banus is an ultra- luxurious party destination; think champagne bottle service and chic beach clubs enjoyed by those who appreciate the finer things in life.
The Costa del Sol has long been a favourite destination for golf breaks and it’s no wonder it’s Europe’s premier golf destination with over 70 golf courses along the 200 km coastline and an all year round warm climate.
Iit doesn’t matter where you are staying along the Costa del Sol there is bound to be a course close by. The coast is home to some of the World’s most renowned courses, such as Valderrama, Finca Cortesin and Royal Las Brisas.
However, whatever level, budget or experience you’re looking for, you’ll find a course to match on the Costa del Sol. Check out this great list of Costa del Sol golf courses based on where you’re staying.
Stay in one of our wonderful villas in Spain and discover all that Costa del Sol has to offer.