Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol holidays

A hit with Brits for years, this is where our love affair with Spain started. Old favourites Torremolinos and Benalmadena promise old-fashioned fun and then some thanks to their miles of sun-drenched sands, oodles of exciting attractions and heaps of bars and eateries. While over in Marbella and Puerto Buenos, things get much more glitzy. Swanky hotels, sleek marinas and celeb-soaked bars make for the perfect party scene. Estepona is great if you’re into golf and whitewashed Nerja slows the pace with buckets of old-school charm. Over winter, the sun’s still going strong and the good times keep on going.

SV Villa Hibiscus

Sotogrande, Costa del Sol

Bedrooms

4
Bathrooms

3
Sleeps

8

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Language

Spanish

Currency

Euro

Time difference

+1hr

Cost of a beer

from €2 a bottle

3 course meal

usually a set menu for around €30.20

Flight times

3-3.5hrs

Beach paradise

There’s 160km of coastline to play around with here. That means beaches of every shape and size, from spacious stretches to quieter coves. And if you want to get active, you’ve got all kinds of wild watersports, from parasailing to wakeboarding and waterskiing. Get ready to make a splash!

Resorts to suit your taste

The three resorts in the centre of the Costa del Sol – Benalmadena, Torremolinos and Fuengirola – offer everything from shimmering marinas linked with canals, to theme parks and buzzing bar-lined streets. Scenic backgrounds tick all the boxes for nature-seekers, while there are club-filled squares ready to steal the night.

Inland treats

It’s worth heading right into the middle of the Costa to fully explore. Discover towns high up in the mountains split by huge gorges and bridges, as well as pretty whitewashed old towns to wander around. You’ll get some magnificent views from all around these divine resorts.

Competa

This surprisingly large town is a sprawl of low-rise, whitewashed buildings spread across an idyllic hillside location.

Estepona

This traditional Spanish town is a gorgeous spot for a seaside getaway, with more beach than you could possibly need right on your doorstep!

Alcaidesa

This relatively new resort along the Costa del Sol is made up of plush villas and townhouses, and really attracts the sun.

Beaches

For sheer fun in the sun, you’ll find plenty of extensive stretches of Blue Flag beach all across the Costa. But if you want to get away from it all, there are cooler, lesser-known shingle patches to sprawl out on, too. Palm-fringed pathways line these gorgeous seaside spots.

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Arroyo Hondo Beach

Benalmadena, Costa del Sol

Set between the beaches of Las Viborillas and Torremuelle, Arroyo Hondo is named after the stream that flows on to the beach. This stretch of sand takes in the area known as the Hotel Costa Azul Beach. It's...

Benalmadena Marina Beach

Benalmadena, Costa del Sol

At the eastern end of the marina, towards Torremolinos, you can hire sunbeds and parasols to relax on the pristine beach. When you're done catching some rays you can take a stroll through the port, do some...

Sights

Castles, chapels, traditional towns and more classic Spanish features dot this coastal region. There are loads of epic sights to see in the resorts, while statues and palaces full of mosaics, hidden courtyards and gently playing fountains make for wonderful day trips, should you prefer to venture further out.

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The Marina

Puerto Banus, Costa del Sol

This millionaire's playground is heaving with luxury yachts, some of them as big as ships. If you want glamour and decadence, this is the place to hang out. The only stores at the marina are designer ones so...

Nikki Beach

Marbella, Costa del Sol

There's only one place to be on a summer Sunday and that's Nikki Beach. The beach club's 'amazing Sundays' attract over 1,000 partygoers, including a few famous faces. DJs get the poolside fun started in the...

Activities

Make sure you save time for water and theme parks! Aqualand in Torremolinos is the biggest around here, with hair-raising slides to suit adrenaline junkies as well as calmer versions for little ones. Botanical gardens are ideal for strolling around, while immaculate golf courses offer an active side for sportspeople.

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Aqualand Torremolinos

Torremolinos, Costa del Sol

Do you dare take on the highest waterslide in Europe? The 22m-tall Kamikaze isn't the only nerve-testing attraction at Aqualand, the biggest waterpark on the Costa del Sol. Plunge down the Black Hole, with over...

Day trip to Granada

Costa del Sol

Revered for the Moorish Alhambra palace, Granada is a popular destination. Explore the narrow streets of the Albayzín and Realejo quarters. Visit the Capilla Real, where Spain’s notorious Catholic Monarchs are...

Eating and drinking

Cool down the Costa del Sol way with refreshing cold soup. You could try some of the white garlic recipe made with almonds, or a typical gazpacho. Seafood and international dishes are real winners too – especially if you fancy tucking in along the harbour or in the usual Brit-friendly pubs.

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Astral Cocktail Bar

Puerto Banus, Costa del Sol

For a taste of the life on the seven seas, head to Astral Cocktail Bar. Shaped like a pirate’s ship, this unmissable bar serves up spectacular concoctions that are the talk of the town. The atmosphere is warm...

Fisherman's District

Torremolinos, Costa del Sol

Savour a seafood platter, traditional Torremolinos fried fish, or paella at one of the many restaurants sitting proudly on the waterfront. The harbour takes deliveries of fresh snapper, whitebait and...

Shopping

You’ll find malls, stores and souvenir shops all around the Costal del Sol, but for chic boutiques, Marbella and Puerto Banús are the places to go. Fuengirola has a brilliant complex housing all of your favourite chains, while local markets are great for buying fresh goods and trying out your haggling.

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Nightlife

Torremolinos wears the Costa del Sol nightlife crown, but you won’t be short of neon-lit joints and pint-pulling pubs wherever you go. Head to the centre of town in Torremolinos for an array of clubs, live acts, discos and bars, or get dolled up for party nights in the glitzier resorts.

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Aqwa Mist

Puerto Banus, Costa del Sol

You’ll make your entrance to Aqwa Mist by passing under a waterfall, and this sets the tone for the rest of your night at this sophisticated club. The décor is all glitz and glam, while the famous DJs and live...

Bars around Puerta Marina

Fuengirola, Costa del Sol

The port area has a real buzzy vibe at night. It's packed with bars, pubs, cafes and discos where you can drink or dance until dawn. Shaggy's music bar has themed nights, live bands and comedians, while...