Find out what to do on the Costa del Sol, where to go for the best beaches and what to experience besides swimming.
Beaches and swimming
The main activity that millions of tourists from all over Europe head to the Costa del Sol for is swimming at the local long beaches in several world-famous resorts. The vast majority of beaches on the Costa del Sol are covered in fine, light sand and the entrance to the sea is quite steep. However, the local sea tends to be calm, making it ideal for swimming and water sports.
Where are the cheapest resorts on the Costa del Sol?
The beaches on the Sunshine Coast are exemplary and most of them are literally surrounded by services. Of course there are free toilets and showers, sunbed and umbrella hire (prices per set per day range between 15 eur and 25 eur) and a wide range of water sports.
The most beautiful beaches on the Costa del Sol
- Playa de Burriana in Nerja
- Playa de la Malagueta in Málaga
- Playa de Maro in Nerja
- Playa Puerto Banús in Marbella
- Playa de Nagüeles in Marbella
- Playa de Fuengirola in Fuengirola
- Playa del Bajondillo in Torremolinos
In total, the coastline boasts 125 sandy beaches covering a total length of 160 km.
Nightlife and gastronomy
Spain is renowned for its great cuisine and excellent tapas bars, where you can spend hours of your time and all night long. Of course, the towns and resorts on the Costa del Sol are no exception, where you can enjoy long summer nights.
Whether you spend time in the largest city of Málaga, the big resorts of Marbella or Fuengirola or the smaller towns, you will never be disappointed by the local bars and restaurants.
Golf on the best courses
The Costa del Sol is one of the most popular golf destinations in the world. The reason for this is obvious, according to statistics, there are 325 days of sunny weather a year and temperatures stay at comfortable levels all year round. Even during the winter it rarely drops below 13°C.
In addition, the coast has excellent facilities in the form of a continuous strip of resorts with all the necessary facilities and many luxury resorts. The large Málaga International Airport and excellent motorway access make the whole Costa del Sol perfectly accessible. The Costa del Sol is also favourably rugged, neither too flat nor too hilly.
These factors combine to mean that there are more than 50 golf courses on the coast, literally in every smaller resort, usually several. The Costa del Sol is thus a golfing paradise for the most experienced, but also for beginners.
Typical Andalusian villages
If you get tired of lounging by the sea all day or walking on the golf green, take a trip inland to one of the Andalusian villages with typical white houses. And which villages would we recommend? Take a look at our mini guides to four of the most famous Andalusian villages:
Hiking
Although the Costa del Sol is mainly known as a beach or golf destination, trekking and hiking enthusiasts will also find a place to enjoy. Especially on the west coast, several mountains rise steeply to heights of over 1,200m above sea level along a narrow strip of resorts. Look for the best places for hiking in the Sierra de Mijas and Sierra Blanca.
A trip to Gibraltar
A small peninsula with an iconic majestic rock administered by the UK, a small strip of land that Spain and the UK have been haggling over for decades. This is Gibraltar, located at the very end of the Costa del Sol, which beckons for day trips and multi-day excursions from the Costa del Sol.
Read our guide to Gibraltar.
A trip to Ronda
The inland town of Ronda, standing on two stone mouths connected by the iconic Puente Nuevo Bridge, is another great tip for a day or multi-day trip from the coast. Ronda is connected to Málaga, Marbella and Estepona by direct bus routes.
For detailed information on attractions, sights, transport and accommodation tips, check out our mini guide to Ronda.
