The Costa del Sol is a sunny stretch of coastline in Southern Spain with glorious beaches and a host of adventures. Enjoy the best the area offers, including historic villages, energizing hikes and tranquil beach bars.

By: Paul Healy | Last Updated: | Comments & Questions

The Costa del Sol, or Coast of the Sun, is a glorious stretch of Mediterranean coastline in southern Spain.

It’s one of Spain’s most visited tourist destinations, with an estimated 325 days of sunshine yearly. For us Brits, that’s a lot of sun.

We love nothing better than lazing on the beaches of the Costa del Sol, but there’s a host of other great things to do when you’ve had enough of soaking up the rays.

It has great cities with art, history, traditional tapas, bars, and charming squares. Despite being a haven for international tourists, traditional Spanish towns remain a delight to explore.

Just off the coast, a glorious mountain range provides a panoramic backdrop to the beaches and great hiking opportunities.

We travel to the Costa del Sol regularly, and this guide includes our pick of the best things to do there.

cruise ship in malaga harbour costa del sol
MÁLAGA, COSTA DEL SOL

WHERE IS THE COSTA DEL SOL?

The Costa del Sol lies along the Mediterranean Coast of Southern Spain.

As a tourism area rather than an official political region, it’s broadly considered to be the 161-kilometre stretch of coastline between the beach resort of Nerja in the east and Manilva in the west.

LAYOUT OF THE COSTA DEL SOL

The eastern section of the Costa del Sol, from Málaga to Nerja, is less developed and attracts fewer tourists. The beaches in this part of the coast are primarily small coves surrounded by rocky formations.   

Most of the beach resorts are located in the western section of the Costa del Sol. Travelling west from Málaga, you’ll find Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, and Marbella, which are the most popular beach resorts on the coast.

estepona on the costa del sol
ESTEPONA, COSTA DEL SOL

COSTA DEL SOL AIRPORT

The main airport is the Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport. Most tourists arrive at Costa del Sol via this airport, which has a wide variety of flights available from many European destinations.

The other major airports nearby are Granada and Seville; however, unless you’re visiting other parts of Spain first, there is probably not much benefit flying into either of them rather than Málaga.

WHEN TO VISIT THE COSTA DEL SOL?

The Costa del Sol has a Mediterranean climate with long, hot summers and mild winters.

The best time to visit is anywhere from May to September, with reliable weather and lots of sunshine. However, August can be very busy, and July is the hottest month.

For us, April is the best time to visit the Costa del Sol. The weather is starting to warm up; it’s a little quieter than in the peak of summer and the beach bars are generally all open for the season.

WHAT TO DO ON COSTA DEL SOL?

1. EXPLORE MÁLAGA

Málaga has a large international airport that is the gateway to the Costa del Sol. But there’s much more to see and experience here than just arriving.

It has a wonderful old town with an interesting mix of Roman, Arab, and Christian influences. There’s also a vibrant art scene, hidden tapas bars to seek out, and world-class museums.

Here are just a few things you could do; for more, read our detailed guide to Málaga, which has attractions, visitor tips, and accommodation recommendations.

  • Visit the Alcazaba, the 11th-century Moorish defensive compound.
  • Take the Málaga Cathedral rooftop tour for a bird’s eye view of the city.
  • Sample the freshest fish at Mercado de Atarazanas.
  • Visit the Picasso Museum for an insight into the Malagueño legend.

2. HIKE CAMINITO DEL REY

The Caminito del Rey is a dramatic 7-kilometre walk along the walls of the 400-metre-high El Chorro Gorge.

An elevated walkway was restored in 2015, making the Caminito del Rey a safe and very achievable walk for anyone with a reasonable fitness level.

The orange-tinted canyon’s sheer walls are breathtaking, and we highly recommend this excellent walk while visiting the Costa del Sol.

It’s popular, so you must book well in advance. Our detailed article about the Caminito del Rey hike has all the details, including how to get there, how to buy tickets and trail descriptions.

3. VISIT MARBELLA OLD TOWN

The charming Old Town of Marbella is a beautiful place to visit on the Costa del Sol. It has interesting architecture, boutiques, and great bars and restaurants.  

Surrounded by parts of the remaining Arab wall, whitewashed buildings adorned with colourful flowers are set along a maze of tiny laneways.

The highlight is the Plaza de la Naranjos, the central square dating back to 1485. It’s surrounded by beautiful buildings, including the town hall, the governor’s house and the Chapel of Santiago

Outside the old town, the Avenida del Mar is a long, narrow plaza dotted with Salvador Dali sculptures.

4. RELAX AT A CHIRINGUITO ON THE BEACH

A chiringuito is a small bar or restaurant on the beach that generally sells tapas, snacks, and drinks. Due to the seaside location, chiringuitos usually specialise in local seafood.

Although they had humble beginnings as beach shacks, chiringuitos have evolved into a variety of offerings, from basic tapas to high-end dining.

We’ve spent a lot of time around Marbella, trying our various beach bars. Some are low-key, family-run establishments where the majority of guests are Spanish. Others have luxury beach vibes with extensive cocktail lists.

Our full list is on our beach bars near Marbella guide, but here are a few of our favourites.

  • Dune Beach – One of the smartest beach resorts near Marbella on a beautiful sandy beach.
  • Chiringuito Las Dunas – A friendly, relaxed family-run café with excellent local food.
  • Paradise Beach Banús – An upmarket chiringuito with great food on a soft sandy beach.
  • Sylt Marbella – A relaxed, multi-level deck built into the sand dunes with an all-day menu.

5.  TAKE A DAY TRIP TO RONDA

Ronda is an interesting historical town at the top of a deep gorge formed by the Guadalevín River.

It’s a great excursion from the Costa del Sol when you’re looking for history, a picturesque setting and an escape in the mountains.

The old town of Ronda dates back to Islamic times, and the influence of its Moorish past can still be seen today.

There’s a hike down to the base of the gorge, which has stunning views of Ronda’s famous bridge, the Puente Nuevo.

Our guide to visiting Ronda on a day trip has a circular walking route that visits the top attractions.

6.  LIVE IT UP IN PUERTO BANÚS

Puerto Banús is often in the news for all the wrong reasons, but don’t let that put you off. Behind the high-end clubs, wealthy lifestyle and expensive yachts, there’s a town that’s worth checking out.

During the day, stroll the marina admiring the super yachts and pop into the designer stores.

For a slightly more affordable shopping trip, head to El Corte Inglés, the largest department store in Europe.

As we mentioned above, we really like Puerto Banús beach. There are some great beach bars, the sand is good quality, and all the town’s facilities are on your doorstep.

At night, Puerto Banús offers a variety of nightlife options.

The Sky Lounge at Benabola Hotel is a rooftop terrace with superb views of the entire Puerto Banús Harbour. We also like the Astral Cocktail Bar, a quirky space with an innovative cocktail menu.

7.  DISCOVER THE ART & FOOD IN GAUCÍN

Gaucín is one of our favourite white villages in Spain.

Located in the Serranía de Ronda mountains, the village consists of narrow medieval streets filled with tall houses sprawled over two hills.

Village life revolves around Plaza de Santo Niño and tiny art galleries are set in charming, whitewashed buildings.

One of the best reasons to go, however, is the high-quality restaurants that have started appearing in town.

Platero & Co use traditional and modern cooking to deliver an innovative weekly menu. We had a delicious beef carpaccio with goat’s cheese, and duck with liquorice jus. The cosy spaces match the friendly service from the hosts.  

Azulete Restaurant serves beautifully presented Mediterranean dishes and has a small, well-selected wine list. The outdoor terrace is a great place for a fancy lunch in this charming mountain village.

Bar Pajuelo has a great corner location serving traditional Andalusian classics. Every time we’ve been, it’s been packed with locals.

8.  HIKE LA CONCHA

La Concha is a glorious mountain peak standing at 1215 metres above sea level on the Costa del Sol.

Close to the beaches of Marbella, it’s a great alternative when you’re feeling more active.

The hike to the top is a strenuous climb that involves some scrambling over large rocks and narrow exposed sections with ropes for support.

But the views extending along the coastline to Gibraltar and across the North African coast are stunning.

The best route starts from Refugio el Juanar. The trail is 13.5 kilometres long, involves 680 metres of ascent, and takes about 5 hours.

9.  SEE THE VULTURES IN CASARES

Casares is a traditional white village perched on a hilltop in the western Costa del Sol with Arab origins.

The stunning location hits you from the moment you arrive at the car park, which has wonderful views of the village arranged down the mountain.

From the car park, it’s a steep-ish walk down to the village.

It has a wonderful 13th-century Arab Castle, a ruined church with a Mudejar bell tower, and an interesting cemetery

We suggest including Casares on your Costa del Sol trip because of the Griffon vultures, which can often be seen circling above the village. These incredible birds have wingspans of up to 2.8 metres.

10. KITE SURF IN TARIFA

Tarifa is technically in Costa del Luz, but it’s just a short drive from the edge of the Costa del Sol. It has some of the best beaches in southern Spain, especially if you’re into kite surfing.

Located on the Atlantic side of the Straights of Gibraltar, the beaches near Tarifa have bigger waves and stronger winds, making the area the kite surfing capital of Spain.

Playa Valdevaqueros is the best beach for kite surfing. It is sheltered, so the water is often much calmer here. Kite surfing pros take advantage of these conditions; by late afternoon, the sky is full of kites.

AddictKiteSchool has a range of courses for beginners.

Even if you’re not interested in Kite Surfing, we recommend considering Tarifa because the beaches are excellent, and the town has a relaxed bohemian feel with strong African roots.  

We have all the information on our guide to the beaches near Tarifa.

11. TAKE A WHITE VILLAGE ROAD TRIP

Visiting the White Villages of Andalucía is a step back in time.

Perched on the hill north of the Costa del Sol, these charming villages have strong Moorish roots in design, with a traditional Spanish culture.

They are both beautiful and fascinating, with whitewashed buildings arranged along tightly packed laneways containing historical museums, art galleries and traditional tapa bars.

We have put together a driving route to the White Villages, allowing you to visit the best of them and see the beautiful scenery of the Costa del Sol away from the coast.

Our driving route includes 5 of the best villages:

  • Ronda – A stunning town located at the top of a deep gorge.
  • Setenil de las Bodegas – A unique white village with houses built into the cliffs. 
  • Olvera – A traditional Spanish town with fewer tourists than many others.
  • Zahara de la Sierra – A stunning hilltop village with commanding views.
  • Grazalema – A dramatically set village with a reputation for arts and crafts.

12. HIT THE BEACHES IN COSTA DEL SOL

The Costa del Sol has 161 kilometres of coastline from Manilva in the East to Nerja in the West, and the beaches are some of the best in Spain.  

The official tourism board claims 320 days of sun a year, which is why it’s a popular destination for Brits looking to escape the gloomy weather.

Here are some of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol.

LOS ÁLAMOS BEACH, TORREMOLINOS 

Los Àlamos is the go-to beach on the Costa del Sol for exciting nightlife, fashionable clubs and a lively festival atmosphere. There are plenty of beach bars, cafes and restaurants, and activities including beach volleyball and paddle surfing.

BIL-BIL BEACH, BENALMÁDENA

This is a local favourite right in the heart of town. The wide sandy beach is backed by a seafront promenade, which is the perfect spot for a late afternoon stroll. You can hire sunchairs and umbrellas from a host of bars along the beach.

PLAYA MALAPESQUERA, BENALMÁDENA

Playa Malapesquera is a great choice if you want to get more active. It has a great surf school, and SUPs, pedalos, and kayaks are available for hire. There is also beach volleyball for families and a grassy area with palm trees for shade.

CABOPINO BEACH, MARBELLA

Set amongst an area of protected sand dunes, Cabopino Beach has few facilities, making it the ideal beach in Costa del Sol for unwinding. One end is a nudist beach, but the rest is very family friendly.

cabopino beach
CABOPINO BEACH

EL CASTILLO BEACH, FUENGIROLA

El Castillo is a peaceful beach that has been awarded the European Union’s Blue Flag for its water quality. It’s a good choice for families, with entertainment and facilities, easy parking, and a dog-friendly area.

EL CRISTO BEACH, ESTEPONA

The dark sand and calm water of the 700-metre-long El Cristo Beach in Estepona is the perfect family day out. It has calm water, a play park and it’s close enough to the city if you need a break from the sun bathing.

CALA DEL MORAL BEACH, RINCÓN DE LA VICTORIA

This vast beach is over 1 kilometre long, and it’s the perfect choice for families. Cala del Moral has entertainment and leisure activities, including a floating water park.

MARO BEACH, NERJA

Maro Beach near Nerja has crystal clear water backed by rugged cliffs. Excellent kayaking routes from the beach explore the caves, cliffs and waterfalls in this beautiful part of the Costa del Sol. It’s considered one of the best beaches in Spain.

cabopino beach
CABOPINO BEACH

13. VISIT MIJAS

Mijas is a fairytale village set high in the mountains. It overlooks the Costa del Sol and offers spectacular views across the Mediterranean.

It’s considered one of the most beautiful white villages in Spain. However, this may be more because it’s an easy day trip from Málaga, whereas the other white villages require a road trip (see above).

Nonetheless, it’s a beautiful village with whitewashed buildings, colourful gardens and plenty of points of interest.

We have a full article on how to visit Mijas on a day trip, but here is a summary of the best things to do:

  • The Virgen de la Peña Hermitage – A beautiful 17th-century chapel carved into the rock.
  • The Fortress of Mijas – The old fortress wall of Mijas now forms part of the Botanical Gardens with stunning views over the Mediterranean.
  • Plaza de la Constitución – Charming central square with a fountain built to commemorate a landslide that destroyed many buildings.
  • San Sebastián Street – The most photographed street in Mijas has whitewashed houses decorated with colourful plant pots.

14. VISIT THE PICASSO MUSEUM

Pablo Picasso was born in Málaga, and there’s no finer tribute to the artist than the Picasso Museum in the city. In a beautiful 16th-century Renaissance building, the gallery contains over 200 works donated by the Picasso family.

Its semi-chronological layout allows you to follow the development of his career through his artwork, which includes not only the familiar abstract paintings but also sculptures, ceramics, and drawings.

The gallery represents a thought-provoking journey through his life’s work.

Picasso Museum Málaga is open every day from 10 am to 7 pm. Book your skip-the-line tickets.

MORE ANDALUCÍA GUIDES

paul mark 1
ANYWHERE WE ROAM IS
READER-SUPPORTED

When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Thanks for your support.

You can also buy us a coffee, and follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

- Paul & Mark.