Costa del Sol

Sierra Tejeda, Almaza y Almijara

This very unique nature park on the Costa del Sol is composed by an impressive mountain chain, whose tops are surrounded by a layer of perennial clouds. More than 40.000 ha are waiting for you to have a very special walk between the diversity of flora and fauna. One thing is for sure, you won’t get bored!

Parque Natural de los Acantilados y Maro-Cerro Gordo

Sierra de las Nieves

The most valuable ecological nature parkof the Costa del Sol protects several animal species threatened by extinction. It will be a visit that you won’t forget.

Montes de Málaga

Montes de Málaga is a magnificent mountainous areaat the Costa del Sol. You’ll find a wide range of flora and fauna, with every once in a while a hidden house.

El Torcal Natural Area

The imaginative rock formations are very impressive, which makes the Costa del Sol the most characteristic landscapeof Europe. Every part is special because of the erosion made by the rain and the wind. Our strongest recommendation is to visit the Torcal Alto. There, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful sights of Malaga’s province and, sometimes, even of the African coast. Do you want to stretch your legs? Follow the “green route” and admire the local fauna and all kinds of vegetation.

Botanical garden “Jardín de la Concepción”

Follow your own route or the recommended one through this amazing botanical garden. At the entrance, you’ll get a map of the park and you’ll be ready to start the exploration of this historical garden. While you do this, you’ll walk between palm trees, vines and many other exotic plants. In another of the areas in the garden, you’ll travel around the 5 continents. This is literally diversity per square meter!

Cueva de Nerja

This isn’t just a regular stalactites cave on the Costa del Sol. Have a walk through the corridors and chambers and feel imposed by the 150.000 m2 of stalactites and cave drawings. During the break, kids will have fun at the playground and you’ll be able to enjoy a picnic. In July, a very special event takes place there: the International Music and Dance Festival.

Benalmádena

In Benalmádena, there’s a typical Andalusian cheerful atmosphere. In Benalmádena Pueblo, there’s an enormous and impressive castle. “Castillo de Colomares” has an exotic fairy tale look and gives the impression to be really old. But appearances are deceptive. This fairy tale castle was built in 1994 as a memorial to Columbus.
The harbour’s area is the ideal place for people who enjoy shopping or going to restaurants with a high standard.Combine Benalmádena with Fuengirola. You’ll find daily boats and ferries (many times a day).

Fuengirola

Animal lovers, come to the Biopark, which is in the middle of Fuengirola. In the authentic Moorish castle “Sohail”, you’ll get into a medieval atmosphere, especially when actors in original clothing play live performances. Also the kilometres long shopping streets and shopping centres are a true pleasure to fanatic shoppers.

Marbella

The heart of the Costa del Sol is the bobo’s world. From the centre of Marbella till Puerto Banus, you’ll find “glitter and glamour” everywhere. The Golden Mile is the Broadway of luxury houses. Before Marbella became famous because of its jet set and yacht harbours, it was a calm and rural village. The rural area of Marbella proves this. There, you’ll find the Moorish defensive walls, small houses at the Plaza de los Naranjosand a maze of small alleys. Dalí lovers, you’ll certainly have to visit the Avenida del Mar, between the park Almeda and the boulevard, because there are several Dalí paintings there.

Mijas

This picturesque white village on the Costa del Sol is formed by 5 city centres: Mijas Pueblo, las Lagunas, la Cala, Riviera and Calahonda. In Mijas Pueblo, it’s as if the time had stopped. And if you want to experience a unique moment in your holiday take the donkey taxi!
Mijas has also innovative and luxurious golf and spa resorts and one of them, by the way, is the biggest golf resort of Europe, “La Cala Golf”.
There are so many high lights to visit. The Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña, a chapel made on the rocks, where there’s a museum of the locals history. The bull fighting arena, which is not as beautiful and big as the one in Ronda, but has amazing sights of Mijas. And, finally, you’ll find another beautiful view from the watch tower Torreón de la Cala.

Nerja

The most centric point of Nerja is not a square or a church, but an emerging rock on the coast. The famous world-over Balcony of Europe is at the end of the promenade. You’ll be surrounded by palm trees, a mountainious landscape behind you and the cliffs and bays. After having a moment to take pictures, you can walk back to the cheerful and small streets. Finally, you can pass through the Cuevas de Nerja or Pago del Castillo Alto.

Torremolinos

It’s thanks to the Moorish tower, Torre de Molinos, from the 14th century, that Torremolinos is on the map today. This place is nowadays very touristic. Next to the 6 km long beach, at the boulevard, you’ll find many bars, snack bars, restaurants and shops. Attention if you like eating fish! At the fisher’s quarters, Carihuela, there are many fish restaurants where you can hang out during the evening. At the Plaza de la Gamba Alegre, you’ll find a tattoo museum.

Antequera

In this area of the Costa del Sol, you’ll find many chapters of history preserved. Antequera will impress you with its beautiful baroque architecture, the rest of the Moorish defence walls and towers. Just outside the village, there are three dolmens, megaliths and the rock of love, “Peña de los Enamorados”.The legend is, by the way, less romantic as it sounds.

Estepona

Estepona has, since the 2nd half of the 20th century, massively grown in tourism. Nevertheless, the old village centre has remained unaffected and the fishing auction at the harbour has been preserved. An important historical heritage is the 18th century church “la Virgen de los Remedios”. Just as the 15th century “Torre del Reloj”, which was completely restored during the 19th century. The old bull fighting arena of Estepona is brilliant. Meanwhile, the bull fighting and matadors have stopped in this arena, but there’s a museum of it in front of the town council.

Granada

The Moorish student city, together with its Alhambra, is a very fascinating holiday destination. The originally Jewish village was, from the 11th century till 1492, occupied by the Arabs. You’ll find remains of this in the Barrio de Albayzin. The Catholicism is represented by Granada’s 16th century cathedral and its jewel the “Capilla Real”. You’ll also find the graves of the King Fernando and the Queen Isabel, next to the ones from the King Felipe and the Queen Juana.

Málaga

The impressive Málaga —the capital of the province named the same on the Costa del Sol— is the place of birth of one of the most influential painters of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso. Málaga is also very popular because it’s one of the most important cities with harbour in Spain. Besides this, Málaga is a modern Mediterranean city that welcomes tourism and it’s an unlimited inspiration source. From the Plaza de la Marina, you can walk from the Calle Larios till the Plaza de la Constitución. This car-free street is decorated with flowers and plants, elegant street lights and all kinds of artistic objects. In the alleyways, you’ll find many shops and places to eat, like for example typical Spanish tapas bars. Málaga’s cathedral and fort are absolutely worth a visit. The cathedral was built on the base of the Mezquita Aljama. Because the building lasted more or less two centuries, you’ll see many different construction styles on it. Spain has suffered many wars during its history. At the foot of the Gibralfaro hill, there’s a 11th Moorish fort called Acazaba. Above it, there’s a beautifully designed garden and the museum of the Gibralfaro castle.

Take a well filled wallet and make sure that you have enough space in your suitcase because it’s shopping time! There are so many clothes, accessories and shoes shops. Start at the Calle Marqués de Larios. Haven’t you found what you’re looking for? Don’t worry, the shopping centre and the big department stores offer you a wide choice.

The Costa del Sol is like a very big open air museum. Some of the most interesting museums of the Costa del Sol are:
CAC Málaga (Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga): architectural museum.
Málaga CF – La Rosaleda: football stadium and museum.
Carmen Thyssen Bornemisza: art museum
Museo Picasso Málaga: art museum
Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo: art works from Tàpies, Miró, Picasso, Chillida and library.
Museo del Vino Málaga: Wine museum.

Ronda

The most important highlights of the Costa del Sol in Ronda are the bull fighting arena and the Puente Nuevo. Ronda’s bull fighting arena is one of the oldest in Spain that’s still work. This architectural arena is used as background decoration during the festivities (in the first week of September). The Río Guadalevín divides Ronda in two parts. You’ll find three bridges that connect the Moorish village “La Ciudad” with the new area called “El Mercadillo”. When we say the second area is new, it’s quite relative because it has existed since the 16th century. Ronda has also been a victim of the Arabs and bandits. The result of this is the 13th century Arabic baths at the Puente Árabe and the Museo del Bandolero. A century later, the Palacio de Mondragón was built, which nowadays you’ll find as the history museum of Ronda.

Torrox

The best climate in Europe is, as they say, in Torrox. Experience it by yourself when you lie on its beach, when you have a walk along the wide boulevard of Torrox Costa or when you visiti Torrox Pueblo. The village centre area is very cheerful and interesting thanks to its 16th century Iglesia de la Encaranción and the Ermita de Nuestras Señoras de las Nieves, which was founded by monks in the 18th century.

Amusement, water and theme parks and zoos

Aquapark – Mijas, water park.
Aqualland – Torremolinos, water park.
Aquavelis – Torre del Mar, water park
Bioparc – Fuengirola, zoo
Costasol Cruceros – Benalmádena, see dolphins from a boat
Crocodile Park – Torremolinos
Funny Beach – Marbella, with a kart track and trampolines.
Lobopark – Antequera, a wolves reserve with a farm for kids.
Mariposario de Benalmádena – Benalmádena, butterfly farm.
Sealife – Benalmádena
Selwo Aventura – Esteponau, zoo and safari park.
Selwo Marina – Benalmádena, dolphinarium
Teleforico – Benalmádena, in 15 minutes by cableway to the top of the mount “Monte Calamorro”.
Tivoliworld– Benalmádena, amusement park.

Wellness & Spa centres on the Costa del Sol

Get spoiled and have a rest in some baths or in a spa & wellness centre on the Costa del Sol. The geothermal baths have different kinds of water temperatures. Don’t forget to ask for information about the different functions of the water. Most of the spa & wellness centres are in Benalmádena, Marbella and Mijas. Do you fancy authentic Moorish baths? Come to the beautiful Sierra Nevada! The best place to go is Granada’s Alhambra; next to the baths, the Arabic al-Kasr al-Hamra has a unique collection of palaces and impressive gardens full of flowers and fountains.

Sports on the Costa del Sol

Get to know the sportive side of the Costa del Sol! The amount of the outdoor activities is enormous. In other words, you can try something different every day. There are several mountainous areas that give you the opportunity to climb. You’ll need some guts, but you’ll get to the most beautiful places, which you wouldn’t see in another way. Have a walk in the mountains, hike through the green paradise of Montes de Málaga or jump on the back of one of the Andalusian horses to have a ride. More suggestions? Train your legs on a mountain bike or hit a ball on a golf course. Especially for water lovers, many coastal villages on the Costa del Sol offer all kinds of water sports. If you want speed and you want to test your stability, try water ski. So, for you and all the others fun is guaranteed. The coastal area of La Herradura (in Almuñécar) and Cabo de Gata are paradisesto divers!

Trips organized around the Costa del Sol

Which is the easiest way to get to the best places on the Costa del Sol? And where can you find this information? In cities as Cadiz, Granada, Málaga and Sevilla, you’ll find Hop-on Hop-off buses. You’ll see the high lights comfortable and fast.

Local travel agencies organize many trips: from active till cultural / historical. Usually, cities like Córdoba, Granada, Málaga, Mijas, Nerja or Sevilla are on the list of excursions, just as the fascinating inland of the Costa de Sol. If you go to this trip, you’ll be visiting different authentic and traditional villages. With many chances to taste the local dishes! It’s not unique, but it’s very special!

Experience a lot of fun as a chocolate freak! And what about the kids? They’ll have a great time, in the small chocolate factory “Mayan Monkey Mijas”. There, you can make your own chocolate bars and taste the most incredible types of chocolate.

You can experience another spectacular day, in the Costa del Sol, if you go on an air balloon trip above Granada or Ronda.

The Costa del Sol is a real discovery! Especially, if you take the buggy, bike, jeep or quad safari. Some of the most beautiful areas are Benahavis and Marbella and some of the many nature reserves or mountainous areas, in which the Costa del Sol is so rich.