Costa del Sol is a world famous travel destination visited by millions of people every year.
It has all the advantages of the Mediterranean area: an impeccable climate, a great variety of typical foods of southern Spain, large and clean beaches with clear blue waters… There is a lot to visit, from small fishing villages to more cosmopolitan cities.
In this post I will show you the 5 main cities to visit in Costa del Sol with all the details you need to make an unforgettable experience from your trip!
Costa del Sol : Sunshine Coast
1. MALAGA
"Calle Larios - Larios Street"
"Castillo de Gibralfaro - Gibralfaro's Castle"
Malaga is the gateway to the Costa del Sol. The miles of beaches, the incredible food, the picturesque landscapes, the typical white houses with flowery streets…
This part of Andalucia has a unique charm, and Malaga being its capital has that mix of big city and coastal energy that makes it irresistible.
From the Gibralfaro Castle, the Alcazaba, the Roman Forum, the port with the renovated Muelle 1, the famous Calle Larios and all the surrounding streets with the typical architecture, the Great Cathedral, the Pompidou Centre, the house-museum of Picasso (Yes! He was born here!) to the incredible beaches or the newly opened canyon route Caminito de Rey.
Malaga is a mandatory stop from which you can start your route along the Costa del Sol and I warn you…once you are here, you will never want to leave!
2. MARBELLA
"Calle Ancha"
"Puerto Banus"
Marbella is one of the world’s leading and best known luxury destinations.
Numerous people with great purchasing power visit this destination either on vacation or as one of their places of residence, but apart from the luxury, it still retains that traditional Andalusian essence so dear to all.
Marbella is divided into 6 zones:
- Golden Mile
- Puerto Banus
- Nueva Andalucía
- Benahavís
- Marbella West
- Marbella East
Puerto Banus is the famous port with large yachts, luxury stores and the latest models of the most exclusive cars on the market walking along its roads. If you are looking for shopping and relax, this is the perfect place to find the most exclusive collections of the moment.
The Golden Mile is one of the main millionaire areas of the Mediterranean with a large number of luxury properties, hotels and entertainment areas.
Strolling through the streets of downtown Marbella is something you have to do if you want to discover both sides of a city as unique and exclusive as it is traditional and picturesque.
3. RONDA
"Streets in Ronda"
"Puente Nuevo - National Geographic"
Ronda is one of those villages that leave everyone who visits it open-mouthed. Perched on a steep rocky plateau over a gorge, it is linked by the famous and much photographed Puente Nuevo, which is part of numerous postcards and is the first image that comes to mind when we talk about this magical place.
Apart from the bridge, you can not miss the famous Mirador from which to admire the landscape over which Ronda rises, the Arab baths where you can relax and feel an authentic Arab experience in the heart of Andalusia, and you can not forget to get lost in the streets of the city, full of history, culture and beauty.
4. NERJA
"Cuevas de Nerja - Nerja's Caves"
"Balcon de Europa"
Nerja is a destination known above all for its caves, where in 1959 cave paintings dating from 2000 to 14000 BC were discovered for the first time. For Sanchidrián the pictorial manifestations range from the Solutrense (14,000 B.C.) to the Chalcolithic (2,000 B.C.). This characteristic makes Nerja one of the most important sites in the Western Mediterranean due to its chronological extension.
Besides, the balcony of Nerja offers a spectacular panoramic view of the entire coast. With its many restaurants located along the cliffs, you can enjoy a dinner with unparalleled views of the sunset over the sea.
5. BENALMADENA
«Santa Ana’s Beach»
Benalmadena is a beautiful coastal village located right in the center of the Costa del Sol.
It’s divided into three areas: Benalmadena Costa, Arroyo de la Miel, and Benalmadena Pueblo.
Benalmadena’s typical Andalusian architecture, its delicious gastronomy, its Mediterranean climate, its beautiful port (with a new panoramic Ferris wheel since this year!) and its more than 20km of beaches, make it have a very special essence that you will love and certainly can not miss on your trip to the south of Spain.
