Imagine opening the shutters of your holiday home in the morning, and the first thing you see is the endless blue shimmer of the Mediterranean Sea. The scent of orange blossom drifts through the air, while in the distance you hear the gentle buzz of a café opening its terrace for the day's first café con leche. Welcome to the Costa del Sol — the sunny coastline of Andalusia that has captivated visitors from across Europe for decades.
Stretching for more than 150 kilometres along the southern coast of Málaga province, the Costa del Sol offers an incredible diversity of experiences. From the charming town of Nerja in the east, through the vibrant city of Málaga and the glamorous resort of Marbella, to the peaceful seaside atmosphere of Estepona in the west, this coastline truly has something for everyone.
Nerja: the authentic jewel of the eastern Costa del Sol
For many visitors, Nerja is the most beautiful town on the entire Costa del Sol. This former fishing village has wonderfully preserved its authentic Andalusian charm: narrow streets lined with colourful flowers wind between whitewashed houses to the famous Balcón de Europa, whose viewpoint offers breathtaking panoramas across the sea. Beneath the town lie the Cuevas de Nerja, a vast cave system of stalactites and prehistoric cave paintings.
Nerja is also the ideal base for exploring La Axarquía, the beautiful inland region of white villages, olive groves and hiking trails, where you discover the authentic Andalusia far from mass tourism.
Torre del Mar & Vélez-Málaga: authentic Spanish coastal life
A little further west lies Torre del Mar, the seaside resort of inland Vélez-Málaga — the Costa del Sol as the Spanish themselves know it: less mass tourism, more local atmosphere, with a wide palm-lined promenade and beachfront chiringuitos. Historic Vélez-Málaga has a Moorish fortress, a lively Thursday market and its famous sweet Moscatel grapes.
Málaga: a vibrant city of culture by the sea
Málaga is far more than the airport most travellers arrive at. The provincial capital is a dynamic, cosmopolitan city, birthplace of Picasso, home to the Museo Picasso, the Moorish Alcazaba and the atmospheric Mercado Central de Atarazanas. In the evening the SoHo district comes alive with bars, pop-up restaurants and flamenco.
Torremolinos & Benalmádena: classic seaside resorts full of character
Torremolinos is the birthplace of coastal tourism, with miles of sandy beach and one of Spain’s liveliest promenades. Neighbouring Benalmádena is more refined, with the modern Puerto Marina, the peaceful hilltop Benalmádena Pueblo and the cable car up Monte Calamorro. Families enjoy Sea Life, water sports and countless attractions.
Fuengirola: the perfect family resort
Fuengirola is one of the most complete resorts on the coast: a beautiful promenade, excellent beaches, a lively centre and one of the largest street markets on the Costa del Sol. Above the town stands the Moorish Castillo Sohail, and Bioparc Fuengirola is an innovative zoo that recreates the animals’ natural habitats.
Marbella: glamour, sunshine and the Golden Mile
No destination evokes luxury quite like Marbella. Beyond the famous Golden Mile and Puerto Banús, the city has a beautiful Casco Antiguo with the Plaza de los Naranjos and more than 70 golf courses nearby. Outside peak season, a holiday here can be surprisingly affordable.
Estepona: the garden of the Costa del Sol
Estepona has undergone an impressive transformation: colourful ceramic-tiled streets, hundreds of murals and flowers everywhere have earned it the name ‘The Garden of the Costa del Sol’. Its attractive marina, wide beach promenade and friendly atmosphere make it a favourite, and it lies less than 30 km from Gibraltar and the ferries to Morocco.
Practical travel information
With an average of 320 sunny days a year, the Costa del Sol enjoys one of Europe’s finest climates. Summers are warm and dry (28–38°C), spring and autumn wonderfully mild, and even winter sees plenty of sunshine. Málaga International Airport (AGP) is the gateway to the region; with a rental car and the A-7 motorway you can explore the whole coast at your own pace.
The cuisine is a paradise for food lovers: espetos (sardines grilled over an open fire on the beach), refreshing gazpacho, croquetas de jamón and fritura de pescado, rounded off with a sweet Moscatel wine.
Your perfect holiday on the Costa del Sol
At Take a Holiday in Spain we know this coastline better than anyone. We live and work here, so we can recommend the perfect home for every traveller — from a romantic apartment within walking distance of the beach to a spacious villa with a private pool for the whole family. Ready to start planning your next holiday?