Costa del Sol
West of Malaga lays the true Costa del Sol. Here you will find sunshine, beaches, warm sea and plenty of nightlife and entertainment.
Torremolinos
A stroll along Torremolinos main thoroughfare of Calle San Miguel reveals a riot of bars, souvenir shops, amusement arcades, garish illuminated signs and tatty restaurants. Calle San Miguel leads to the beachfront of La Carihuela and Bafondillo. The seafront promenade (Paseo Maritimo) is quite scenic in parts and La Carihuela has a decent beach with a number of good fish restaurants.
Being at the forefront of the package holiday boom of the ’60s this Costa del Sol town is now trying very hard to spruce itself up and attract more discerning tourists.
Benalmadena
Benalmadena is a great seaside resort with 3 main districts, the Coastal area, the old town and the village Arroya de la Miel.
Here you will find over 8km of blue flag beaches, with plenty of activities for the kids.
If nightlife is what you are after on your holiday to Benalmadena you will not be disappointed!
Check out our Benalmadena Hotels page for available bookings in the area.
Fuengirola
20 kilometres down from Torremolinos is the beach resort of Fuengirola which caters for family holidays.
Being a beach resort, most visitors go for the beaches and bars along its promenade, however the restored Castillo de Sohail is worth a visit.
Check out our Fuengirola Hotels page for available bookings in the area.
Mijas
Further west is Mijas, located 8km inland in the hills behind Fuengirola. Originally a humble white village, today it is rather spoilt by the bus tours in search of the real Andalucia. Tacky gift shops and donkey rides!
However, the views are spectacular and a visit just before sunset will not disappoint. By this time the hordes of tourists have left and peace and tranquillity return to this village.
Marbella
The ‘quality resort’ of the Costa del Sol, Marbella has reinvented itself over the years. Spared the worst excesses of the development it is tasteful retaining most of its old town(Casco Antiguo).
Although small, its focal point is La Plaza de los Naranjos, (orange tree square). The main sights are found in the narrow lanes surrounding this Plaza.
Surrounded by restaurants, the Plaza is an open-air dining terrace. Each alley is lined with shops and restaurants, the Moorish houses are well preserved and the 16th century Ayuntamiento building has fine coffered ceilings.
In Marbella the beaches are clean, the sun shines and life is good.
Its nightlife is one of the liveliest on the coast with action centred on Plaza Africa and Plaza Puente de Ronda. In addition the Plaza Deportivo pulses with life, with discos and music bars.
Marbella is a fun place with all types of activities to entertain its visitors.
Puerto Banus
A chic suburb of Marbella, Puerto Banus is on the coastal strip wets of Marbella known as ‘La Milla de Oro‘ (Golden Mile).
Whitewashed condos are grouped around the flashiest marina on the Costa del Sol. Filled with luxury yachts and expensive top of the range cars, celebrity spotting has become a popular past-time for mere mortals.
Estepona
West from Banus is the pleasant town of Estepona. A spanish resort with its identity still intact. It has a seafront promenade overlooking a wide, sandy beach.
Although not as picturesque as Marbella, it retains its enthusiasm and warmth and the older part of town has some charming corners with cobbled alleyways and delightful squares with its focal point being Plaza de las Flores, a pretty square lined with cafes.
Estepona supports a large fishing fleet lined up in the Puerto Pesquero.
The Puerto Deportivo further west near to the bullring is rather quaint with a few bars and discos which are busy only on weekends.
