Costa del SolA G U I D E T 0 T H E

With 325 days of sunshine a year, 126 sandy beaches (many Blue Flag), a clutch of lively

seaside resorts and a vast choice of hotels, including both luxury and all-inclusive options, the Costa del Sol is a justifiably popular year-round destination within just a couple of hours’ flight time of the UK.

One of Europe’s best-known holiday hotspots, as well as the home to a large expat community, the 160km ‘Coast of the Sun’ – part of the Andalucía region – includes the province of Málaga, the city of Málaga and famous seaside resorts including Benalmádena, Torremolinos and Marbella.

Climate

With the most reliable weather in mainland Spain, the Costa del Sol enjoys hot summers (highs of around 28–31°C and 11 hours of sunshine daily) along with very pleasant spring and autumn days (temperatures

of around 20–24°C). Even in winter it’s much warmer here than in the rest of northern Europe, with temperatures around 14°C and 5–7 hours of sunshine a day. There’s very little rain.

IntroducingtheCosta del Sol

The whole Costa del Sol area is ideal for short breaks, given that most UK regional airports

have regular flights to Málaga. But there is so much more to the Costa del Sol, and you can

easily spend much longer here.

Margaret, Travel Counsellor

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC

17 17.8 19.5 21.8 24.6 28.4 30.8 31.3 28.1 24.1 20.1 17.5

TorremolinosMarbella

AVERAGE DAILY MAX (°C)

Population Around 2 million

Main town/city Málaga

Currency Euro

Official language Spanish

Flight time from London Around 3 hours

Costa del Sol Statistics

City of MálagaBenalmadena

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Though the region’s tourist boom started in the 1970s, its earliest resorts date back to the 1950s

and were frequented by Hollywood stars including Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando, European aristocrats, international tycoons and Saudi royals.

The Costa del Sol’s first settlers are though to have been the Phoenicians around 2,800 years ago, followed by Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, Vandals and Moors – all of whom left their cultural and architectural legacy.

As well as stunning churches and cathedrals, the Costa del Sol’s religious venues include Moslem mosques, Jewish synagogues and a Buddhist shrine.

Malaga was the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and has one of the few museums displaying work from all seven of his artistic periods. Today the Costa del Sol continues to be popular with Spanish and foreign artists for its light.

The Costa del Sol has eight Michelin-starred restaurants, four of them in Marbella, as well as the foodie pilgrimage site of Benahavís village.

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Interesting facts

TastePorra antequerana

Porra antequerana

A thick gazpacho soup often served as a tapas dish.

Ajoblanco

Ajoblanco

A cold soup made with bread, crushed almonds, garlic and olive, often served with grapes or melon slices.

Ensalada Malagueña

Ensalada Malagueña

A traditional potato salad with salt cod, oranges and onion.

Espetos de Sardinas Pescaíto fritoEspetos de Sardinas

Skewered sardines cooked over hot coals to produce a Costa del Sol classic.

Pescaíto frito

Small battered fish, deep fried in olive oil.

After a busy day of exploring Málaga city, it was time to sample the rich local and international gastronomy in one of the many establishments found in the old quarter of Málaga. Fried fish,

gazpacho, Málaga salad… all accompanied by the delicious wines Spain produces. On Plaza de la Constitutión you will find many bars,

tapas bars, restaurants and cafés buzzing with activity.

Noreen, Travel Counsellor

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The Costa del Sol’s charming ‘white towns’, including Mijas, Nerja, Frigiliana, Casares and Ronda — the latter described by Ernest Hemingway as ‘the most romantic town in Spain’.

The gorgeous countryside around Málaga, with its mountains, fruit groves and olive trees. Head for Antequera, the Axarquia or the Serrania de Ronda.

Málaga itself, with its hilltop Moorish citadels, Roman amphitheatre, soaring Renaissance cathedral, botanical gardens and Picasso Museum.

El Torcal Nature Reserve with is surreal ancient rock formations, its archaeological sites, its hiking routes, its observatory, and wildlife including ibex, golden eagles and griffins.

Benalmádena’s Castillo de Colomares, a modern-built monument to Christopher Colombus, combining Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and Mudéjar influences. Carved with representations of the explorer’s discoveries, It also features the world’s smallest church.

Malaga

Frigiliana

El Torcal Nature Reserve

AntequeraBenalmadena

A visit to Mijas is not to be missed or indeed any of the other typical white

villages such as Casares or Coin.

Annette, Travel Counsellor

Our 5 Favourite Sights

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Take a look at some of our Travel Counsellors’ insider recommendations for the Costa del

Sol. To share your own special holiday memories, upload your images to your social media account using the hashtag #TCexperience.

If you want somewhere to relax and watch the world go by, Estepona is perfect. I would say this is my favourite and a must-see, even if you decide not to stay there. Some of the surrounding smaller towns are also well worth going along to for relaxing in a marina-side bar while people-watching

and soaking up some wonderful sun.

Ronda is great for hiking, and being an inland, mountaintop city, has some amazing views. In Ronda and the

surrounding villages there are many beautiful buildings and culture to immerse yourself in. From cobbled streets to

vineyards, you will not be bored.”

Michelle, Travel Counsellor

A visit to Mijas is not to be missed, or indeed very typical white villages such as Casares or Coín. Although we didn’t visit Granada or Ronda this time, they are within very easy reach and well worth the trip. Also. Gibraltar isn’t that far

away, for a few duty-free items and a visit to the rock to see the baboons and the caves. The kids love this!

If you fancy a bit of people-watching, you won’t be disappointed at Puerto Banús – my word, there are some

fantastic yachts and cars there!

Annette, Travel Counsellor

I go to this area as much as possible as it’s a short flight and transfer. I like to stay on the outskirts of Fuengirola in the little town of Los Boliches, as it still retains much of its charm. There is a lovely long promenade here that leads

into the centre of town […] The beach is wide and sandy and stretches for miles […] Dig deep and you will find countless

tapas places as well as some fantastic restaurants and bars. There is a market on a Tuesday on the fairground too.

A place to visit about 30 minutes away is the hillside town of Mijas with its great views and lots of charm. Again, it has

many tapas places and is good for shopping. This area is popular with artists, too.

Sandra, Travel Counsellor

Travel Counsellors Recommend...

Ronda

Estepona

Puerto Banus

Fuengirola

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Chat with the LocalsCan’t speak Spanish? Never fear! We’ve collated some useful phrases for

you to practise before you go. You might not pronounce the words like a local but you’ll be able to feel like one when you order a glass of wine and some tapas in Spanish!

LET’S GET A BITE TO EAT

Two coffees, please. Dos cafés, por favor.

I’d like … please. Me gustaría…, por favor.

It’s delicious! ¡Qué rico! (¡Qué rica! if the food starts with ‘la’)

A table for two, please. Una mesa para dos, por favor.

Do you have vegetarian dishes? ¿Tiene platos vegetarianos?

What are your specialities?¿Cuáles son los platos de la casa?

Where is the toilet? ¿Dónde está el baño?

The bill, please. La cuenta, por favor.

HELLO THERE!

Hello! Hola!

Good morning! Buenos días!

Good evening!Buenas noches!

See you soon!Hasta pronto!

Goodbye.Adiós.

Please.Por favor.

Thank you.Gracias.

Thank you very much.Muchas gracias.

Pardon me.Perdón

I don’t speak Spanish.No hablo español

Do you speak English?¿Hablas inglés?

LET’S EXPLORE

A map of the city, please. Un mapa de la ciudad, por favor.

Excuse me, where is…?¿Disculpa, dónde está…?

Can you show me on the map?¿Me puedes mostrar en el mapa?

Take me to this address, please.¿Me puedes llevar a esta dirección, por favor?

May I take photos? ¿Puedo tomar fotos?

No flash. Sin flash.

I’m lost. Estoy perdido.

How much does it cost? ¿Cuánto cuesta?

I would like to book a guided tour of… Quisiera reservar una visita guiada de

Two tickets please.Dos entradas, por favor

When does the… open?¿Cuándo se abre…?

When does the… close?¿Cuándo se cierra…?

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Playa de Algarrobo Costa: A stunning palm-lined beach east of Málaga, within a short stroll of the old town centre with its whitewashed Arabic buildings.

Artola, Guadalmina, El Cable, Casablanca and El Faro: Five Blue Flag beaches in the famous resort of Marbella, which is also known for its restaurants, nightlife and shopping.

Playa Ancha: A gorgeous stretch of golden sand in Casares, overlooked by a 16th-century watchtower and perfect for snorkelling.

Torrevigia, Fuente de la Salud and Torrebermeja-Santa Ana: Three Blue Flag beaches in the resort of Benalmádena.

El Cristo, El Padrón and El Saladillo: Three Blue Flag beaches in the pretty town of Estepona, with its marina-side restaurant and its golf courses.

Boliches-Gaviota, Carvajal and Fuengirola: Three Blue Flag beaches in the town of Fuengirola with its 8km promenade and 10th-century castle.

La Cala, Del Bombo and Calahonda: Three tranquil Blue Flag beaches on the outskirts of whitewashed Mijas, blessed with calm waters.

Artola Casares

Benalmádena Estepona

Carvajal Calahonda

Costa del Sol’s

Best Beaches

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The Costa del Sol won the 2019 IAGTO Award for Best Golf Destination in Europe. It is home to more than 60 golf courses where you can play in the sunshine, on undulating landscapes, complete with Mediterranean views.

Torrequebrada Golf: This emblematic course was founded in 1976 and designed by José Gancedo.

Valderrama Golf Club: A Robert Trent Jones Senior venue widely held to be one of the top golf courses in Europe.

Río Real Golf: With 18 holes and more than 6,000m in length, the Royal Spanish Golf Federation consider it to be one of the best courses in Spain.

La Cala Golf Resort: A venue with three championship courses, the best known of which is Campo America.

Los Naranjos Golf: A club famed for not only its tremendous course, but also its very popular social events.

La Reserva: One of Andalucía’s top courses, with spectacular Mediterranean views from its elevated setting.

Costa del Sol’s

Best Golf Courses

The Costa del Sol is a popular choice for golfers of any ability and has been so since the 1970s. With a great

choice of courses and accommodation that won’t break the bank, it’s a great choice for someone who wants to

give it a go, as well as the most experienced golfers.

Mandy, Travel Counsellor

La Cala

Valderrama

Río Real

Torrequebrada

Los Naranjos La Reserva9

Airport Taxi €70 Bottled Water €1Imported Beer €2.70

Wondering how much spending money you’ll need for your travels? Here’s a rough guide to the price of some things you might buy or do

on your holiday in the Costa del Sol:

A taxi from Málaga airport to Marbella €70

A bottle of imported beer (0.33 litres) €2.70

A three-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant

€30

€1.00A bottle of water (0.33 litres) A regular Cappuccino €1.50

A local draught beer (0.5 litres) €2.00

€60-90A round of golf on an 18-hole course

Spending Money

Meal for two €30 Draught Beer €2 Golf €60-90Cappucino €1.50

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Try something a little different

Walk the King’s Pathway: Not for vertigo-sufferers or the faint-hearted, El Caminito del Rey is a wooden boardwalk attached to the sheer walls of a narrow gorge in El Chorro, north-west of Málaga. Almost 8km long, it takes 2-3 hours to complete.

Learn To Dance the Flamenco: Many venues along the Costa del Sol host flamenco shows, but if you feel like truly getting into the swing of it, you can pick up this sensual, classically Spanish dance yourself at lessons in Málaga or elsewhere in the region.

Go Caving in Nerja: Stretching for almost 5km and home to the world’s largest stalagmite, this is a great alternative to a day on the beach. You can even attend one of the regular concerts hosted here, within a chamber forming a natural amphitheatre.

Stunning, picturesque Nerja. A taste of the real Spain. I loved this area so much that I’ve booked again with my

two best mates for another weekend this September.

Suzanne, Travel Counsellor

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Go Caving in Nerja: Stretching for almost 5km and home to the world’s largest stalagmite, this is a great alternative to a day on the beach. You can even attend one of the regular concerts hosted here, within a chamber forming a natural amphitheatre.

The Costa del Sol lends itself to so many different types of travel experience, from Málaga city breaks to fly-and-flop holidays in Nerja or Marbella. Marbella and Puerto Banús are known for their luxury properties,

while Torremolinos, Mijas Costa and Fuengirola tend to appeal to those on a tighter budget. For families, Nerja, Mijas Costa, Benalmadena and Estepona are all popular, while nightlife-lovers flock to Nerja, Torremolinos, Marbella and central Málaga.

Where to Stay

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Kempinski Hotel Bahía, Estepona

This beachfront hotel lures luxury-lovers and families with its superb spa, exciting culinary experiences, eco-friendly water sports, and kids’ club. Nestled in subtropical gardens, it has sophisticated rooms and suites, all with balconies, patios or verandahs and many with views over the Mediterranean.

Eat and drink at Baltazár (Spanish gastronomy), Spiler Beach Club (Argentine fare beside the sea) and trendy cocktail spot Black Rose The Bar. There’s also the Spiler Pool Bar including an adults-only area with Balinese beds.

Vincci Selección Estrella del Mar, Marbella

With its own adults-only beach club on the best stretch of sand on this part of the coast, this elegant option offers exceptional service and just 137 chic, pale-hued rooms and suites in a contemporary building with Arabic inflections. A spa, restaurants serving wonderful seafood and fresh Mediterranean cuisine, and a seasonal kids’ club means that all ages are kept happy.

4* Meliá Marbella Banús

Located next to the luxurious Puerto Banús marina and just 50 metres from the beach, the Meliá Marbella Banús offers something for families and couples alike with the Kids&CO programme keeping younger guests entertained while adults can enjoy access to the private Level Lounge with personalised service and additional food and drink options. Relax in the onsite wellness centre and be cosseted by the excellent selection of health and beauty treatments.

Marbella Club, Golf Resort & Spa, between Marbella and Puerto Banús

Oozing old-school charm and offering both a sense of space and wholesome Mediterranean dining, this long-established, fairly intimate resort within lush jasmine-scented gardens has 121 inviting rooms, a beach club with water sports, an 18-hole golf course and an extensive kids’ club. The on-site Thalasso Spa harnesses the natural healing powers of seawater with state-of-the-art facilities including a thalassotherapy pool.