Going on holiday to the Costa del Sol? See which locations and cities are the best, cheapest and most practical for accommodation on the Costa del Sol.
Where to stay on the Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is a typical summer destination with modern resorts and big cities, but there's also something for lovers of peace and quiet in small villages. On the Costa del Sol you can stay in luxury beach resorts and small homely apartments in historic town centres. What are the best places to live on the Costa del Sol?
Málaga
The largest city on the coast is strategically located roughly in the middle of the Costa del Sol. All the major long-distance bus and train routes meet here and you'll find Málaga International Airport. Málaga is an ideal place to live if you like lively cities and will be making multiple trips up the coast and inland. With lots of competition, Málaga has the cheapest accommodation of any major city on the Costa del Sol.
Major resorts in the west
Love the pulsating life of the big resorts, the many kilometres of beach promenades with dozens of restaurants, tapas bars and discos? The Costa del Sol offers the best resorts with the most beautiful and best-kept urban beaches in Europe.
The biggest resorts are Marbella and Fuengirola, which offer miles of beaches and hundreds of restaurants, bars and shops. In addition, from Marbella you can take trips to the nearby Sierra Blanca mountains.
Popular resorts closer to Málaga are Benalmádena and Torremolinos, which, as well as long beaches, offer several attractions ranging from waterparks, historic town centres and a long cable car ride high into the Sierra de Mijas.
The last of the large resorts on the western Costa del Sol is romantic Estepona, with its large historic centre brimming with narrow streets and typically white Andalusian houses.
Large resorts in the east
The eastern part of the Costa del Sol is slightly quieter, shorter and cheaper. You'll find two main and completely different resorts. The first is Torre del Mar, built on a green field in the second half of the 20th century, with a straight long beach lined with hotels and apartments. It is one of the cheapest resorts on the Costa del Sol.
One of the most popular resorts in the whole of southern Spain is Nerja. The local coastline is very different from the rest of the Costa del Sol. You won't find miles of straight beaches here, but photogenic smaller beaches in small coves and under rocky cliffs that offer beautiful scenery.
Costa del Sol hotel prices
If you're heading to Spain's Sunny Beach in the high summer season, be prepared for cheaper hotel prices from 66 eur per night in a 2-bed room, with beachfront resorts offering a night between 3,500 and 220 eur. Prices drop by up to half in the low season, but on the other hand you should expect a more limited supply. Many apartments or hotels close during the low season.
If you are travelling in the summer, we recommend booking hotels at least a few months in advance.
