The Costa del Sol is the coast of the province of Malaga. Its evocative name means 'coast of the sun' and this popular tourist destination certainly lives up to its name, providing more than 300 days of sunshine in a year. Thousands of people visit the Costa del Sol to enjoy the magnificent beaches, wonderful climate and exhilarating sports activities and tourist attractions. The sheltered coast of the Costa Del Sol shows to advantage its lengthy beaches, small bays nestled beneath its cliffs, harbours and fishing wharfs. Clusters of bougainvillaea and hibiscus, palm and cypress trees all thrive in this semi-tropical climate and the Mediterranean landscape and culture is the reason people flock to this coastal gem.
Costa del Sol Accommodation
Costa del Sol offers a variety of accommodation that satisfies every tourist and fits every budget. The Costa del Sol's enchanting small towns have developed to accept visitors with a range of high-rise hotels, resorts and facilities. For the traveller seeking peace and quiet, there are rural houses, spacious rural estates, rural inns and boutique hotels. For the sun and sand enthusiasts there are beach hotels, villas and houses, which offer stunning views of the beach area. The business traveller will be pleased with the excellent accommodation and conference facilities in the hotels. The Costa del Sol is also a haven for budget travellers and has many rural apartments and houses for rent.
Parks and The Great Outdoors
Tivoli World in Benalmadena is the biggest theme park on the Costa del Sol area and offers plenty of good fun for everyone with its 20 rides, restaurants, gardens, children's shows and Flamenco shows. Another great site in Benalmadena is Sea Life with over 5,000 marine species from the Mediterranean, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, including sea creatures found only in the Red Sea. Visitors get the chance to hold a crocodile in the Crocodile Park in Torremolinos, and the Selwo Marina dazzles guest with delightful dolphins, sea lions and penguins. The Selwo Adventure Park offers outdoor adventure, allowing guests to witness big animals up close. Open-sided lorries drive guests to the animal enclosures where there are bears, hippos and elephants. Fuengirola Zoo has many animal shows throughout the day. Monkeys, flamingos, crocodiles and tigers laze in their habitats, offering great photo opportunities.
Arts and Entertainment
The Andalusian culture is still evident in the many lively and popular celebrations, fiestas, parades and the infamous bull runs, here you will experience the real Spain and local lifestyle. Music is a vital part of the Andalusian culture and there are many cultural and musical festivals in the Costa del Sol. The Malaga Carnival is held yearly, one week before lent. The whole town comes alive with colour and music, the highlight being a carnival float parade. Street bands and choirs are among the main features of the parade on Carnival Sunday. San Barnabe Day is celebrated in June in honour of Marbella's patron saint. There is one week of music and dancing, kicked off with a firework display. In July, there's the Flamenco Festival of Mijas. August is highlighted by the Festival Flamenco de lo Rancio in Ronda and another Flamenco Festival in Ojen gives tourists a chance to enjoy this rich Spanish tradition. The ferias present a rich display of the wonderful, lively array of colours and sounds of Andalusian culture. August showcases the Feria of Malaga, a very special cultural event in Costa del Sol and Europe's second most significant fair. There is a week of processions, music and Flamenco shows during Feria of Malaga.
Further afield
The diverse geography of Costa del Sol and its surroundings has resulted in a spectacular display of beautiful natural landscapes and rustic villages. The most popular resort town on this coast is Torremolinos and it is packed with people and activities. Costa Del Sol is not all sea, sand and nightlife. The historical city of Ronda is the birthplace of modern bullfighting and is perched on the edge of a precipice. The town has retained its historic charm and is famous all over the world for its escarpments, views and the deep El Tajo gorge. The fishing port of Estepona is also one of the more popular resorts in this part of Spain. Its magnificent beaches, imposing landmarks and monuments are certainly worth a visit. Axarquia has a pleasant sub-tropical climate and is ensconced between the blue waters of the Mediterranean and magnificent mountain ranges. Its coastal villages and the unspoilt countryside are its best tourist attractions. The most easterly resort area in Costa del Sol is Nerja, with several interesting tourist destinations.
Eating Out
Shy away from the international cuisine and opt for traditional fried fish sampled at a local restaurant and delicious country wine; simple but unforgettable. Eating and drinking are important aspects of social events in Costa del Sol. There are several eating-places that are unique to this area of the country. The Chiringuitos are the restaurants and bars and are permanent structures, while the Merenderos are taken down at the end of the June to September season. Chiringuitos and Merenderos specialize in fried and grilled fish as well as espetos, fish threaded on bamboo splits cooked on a fire from olive and almond wood. There are areas of Costa del Sol that are famous for their Chiringuitos and Merenderos. Benhavis is aptly called the 'Dining room of Costa del Sol' because its village centre is literally full of restaurants, serving mostly Spanish cuisine. Nerja offers a wide array of restaurants, bodegas and Chiringuitos. Beach lovers delight in the Chiringuitos lunch of the traditional paella, right on the beach front. In the evenings, the narrow streets of Nerja offer a variety of choices. The Axarquia region is famous for its variety of natural foods and invites everyone to sample their natural fare.
Top Costa del Sol Attractions
Alameda Principal
The Alameda Principal is an 18th century thoroughfare along the sea, with gardens exhibiting exotic, rare and tropical plants. It is the main street and runs from the Plaza de la Marina to the Tetuan Bridge.
Gibralfaro Castle
This magnificent castle was built in the 10th century and provides a magnificent view of the city amid ramparts laden with bougainvillea. The castle was once a Moorish fortress.
Alcazaba
Once the official residence of the Arab Emirs of Malaga, this Muslim fortress-palace dominates the city centre and features an archaeological museum, stucco work, and 12th to 13th century pottery. It is the most important landmark in Malaga, and one of two Moorish fortresses in the city. It is the best preserved Moorish fortress palace in Spain.
Picasso Museum (Museo Picasso)
Located in a 16th century building, the Picasso Museum showcases a large collection of paintings of the Malaga-born painter, Pablo Picasso.
Malaga Cathedral
This Cathedral is a fine example of 16th century Spanish architecture, and took more than two centuries to build. Among its outstanding features are the 17th century hand-carved wooden choir stalls.