Holidays in Costa del Sol (Spain): map and description of resorts. Features of holidays on the Costa del Sol. Resort for independent and wealthy Neskuchny resort Costa del Sol
We remember Torremolinos for walks along the long Maritimo promenade along the coast - a light breeze bringing the smell of the sea, a lively, festive atmosphere, a local specialty - grilled sardines, which are cooked here on a grill made from an old fishing boat filled with sand.
Availability
The most convenient way to get to Torremolinos is from Malaga - 16 km from the center and only 7 km from the airport, you can take a taxi or go by bus. The town itself has an excellent transport network: several railway stations, bus connections to the nearest Mijas, Marbella and Estepona, as well as Granada, Seville, Cadiz - in principle, even without a car you can easily get to know Andalusia better.
Beach
In fact, the entire 6-kilometer coastline from Malaga in the north to Benalmadena in the south is one huge beach. The central beaches of Torremolinos, Bajondillo and Carihuela, flow into one another and are separated only by a picturesque cliff protruding into the sea. Above Bajondillo are Playamar with its surfing spots and then Los Alamos, which is more party-heavy at night, and south of Carihuela is the calm, family-friendly Montemar.
In general, they form a long promenade along which are lined countless hotels, cafes, chiringuitos, shops, and if you wish, you can stroll with interest from Malaga to Benalmadena on foot in a couple of hours, but we lived in the center, so in the evenings we made small forays here and there. then in the other direction.
The town itself is located on a mountain, so we had to go up and down the stairs several times a day, of which there are many and varied - from gentle to very steep. If you are really lazy, you can also take the elevator, but it worked according to a schedule and generally had a fee.
All the beaches are clean, very well maintained, covered here and there with palm groves, where we periodically escaped the heat.
Beach Sizes
The main beaches, which are easily accessible on foot from the town center, are about 3 km away, the beach strip is quite wide - about 40 meters, there is enough space and even a feeling of spaciousness.
Shore
I wasn’t impressed by the local sand - it’s kind of dirty-dark, coarse-grained, heats up quickly, and walking on it under the scorching August sun barefoot is a dubious pleasure, but it’s great for architectural creations. The entrance to the sea varied, mostly quite flat, but there were also places with a sharp cliff, and in some places there were accumulations of large stones on the shore.
Infrastructure
All beaches are equipped: showers, toilets, playgrounds; you can rent excellent sun loungers with a mattress and umbrellas (4.5 euros). Along the entire beach line there is a multicolored and multilingual series of various bars, restaurants, chiringuitos, and souvenir shops. Life is in full swing!
Night life
The evenings continue both on the beaches, where all establishments are open, music is playing, lights are shining and vacationers are strolling along the promenade, and in the center of Torremolinos, especially on the tourist Caia San Miguel. Here and there, in restaurants, Spanish songs are sung and street musicians are lively - we were lucky to meet the Indians.
After midnight, those who wish go to clubs for every taste - there are Latin or European music, gay bars, small romantic bars with disco and huge ones with a swimming pool, like El Palladium. But it’s not a party place at all, and the most notorious playmakers visit the hot spots of neighboring Benalmadena.
Water activities
Here again it’s standard: water skis, bananas, catamarans.
Hotels
A huge number of hotels along the entire coast, almost all within walking distance from the beaches, many literally across the road from the sea. Mostly hotels are without pretensions, the largest are 4-room hotels, apartments are popular.
Prices
A resort for Spain in the middle price category - renting an apartment cost 50 euros for two, a good dinner was at least 40 euros for two.
Sport
Diving and windsurfing are practiced on the beaches, and a sailing regatta traditionally takes place here in September.
People
Torremolinos is a mid-range resort, mainly for families, elderly and middle-aged couples. Advantages: it’s easy to get here, there are suitable beaches for children and the elderly, there is plenty of entertainment for children and adults - all this attracts vacationers from various countries, it’s even difficult to distinguish who predominates here, and in more or less large restaurants the staff says, -I think, in all the languages of the world.
On weekends, it’s interesting to watch Spanish family picnics – noisy, lots of food and various tourist bells and whistles.
The town has a large water park and next to it a crocodile park with handsome Paco, a five-meter alligator. In the Carihuela area there is a very nice snow-white church of St. Carmen in Carihuela, and in Bajondillo a local landmark is the Casa de las Navajas, a beautiful city administration building.
The name of the city - Torro de los Molinos - was given by a 12-meter medieval tower, although now it is called Pimentel. In the heat, you can escape in the botanical garden and the charming La Bateria park.
Places to visit in the surrounding area
It is attractive because you can spend your entire vacation here and see a considerable part of the region - go to the beaches of Fuengirola, Marbella and Estepona, explore the picturesque Mijas or the rich architecture of Cordoba, or even visit large, ancient cities - the capital of Andalusia, Seville, Granada.
Both trains and buses go to many destinations, and the distance is available for a one-day trip - up to 200 km.
Benalmadena
What is the resort like?
While vacationing in Torremolinos, we couldn’t help but visit neighboring Benalmadena, knowing about its reputation as an entertainment resort. The town is spread out on two hills and rises up in steps from the shore: first there are beaches with a promenade and hotels, then a town with second-line hotels and at the very top – the white-stone old town of Benalmadena Pueblo.
There is an abundance of varied entertainment for both families with children and active youth, many beaches for every taste - from super-equipped and crowded to secluded and wild.
Availability
As with Torremolinos, Benalmadena can be easily reached by bus or taxi from Malaga Airport, where planes land from Moscow - just 10 km. From Malaga to the resort it takes half an hour by bus or train, and Benalmadena is also connected by bus to neighboring Torremolinos and Fuengirola.
Beach
If you go from Torremolinos from the north, going around the Marina port, you can get to the beaches of Benalmadena. There are many of them here (more than 10 for sure), but the border between them is not always noticeable, although the landscape and infrastructure are changing greatly.
The beaches of Malapesquera and Torre Bermeja go from the port itself and essentially constitute one well-equipped beach.
Next to them is Arroyo de la Miel - a nudist beach, and behind the rock is small and cozy Torrevijia, here the pebbles already begin. There are few vacationers here, and it is poorly equipped.
The farthest Las Yucas and Viborilla are wild pebble beaches, suitable for diving, snorkeling, fishing, and closer to Fuengirola there is a secluded Benalnatura beach, also nudist, as the name implies.
Dimensions
Benalmadena has an extensive coastline - about 9 km, the beaches flow into one another, in some places separated by beautiful bays and cliffs, especially near Fuengirola. The beach strip on the central beaches is wide - up to 50 m, and on remote wild ones - in some places it is quite narrow.
Shore
I repeat, you can find different beaches here: on the central ones (Malapesquera, Santa Anna) there is quite fine gray sand, where the entrance to the water is mostly flat, good for children, and starting from Bil-Bil Beach and further the beaches are natural, so coarse-grained The sand here turns into pebbles and even stones; there the entrance to the sea can be steep.
Infrastructure
The main beaches are well equipped: umbrellas, sun loungers, showers, toilets, rental of all kinds of equipment and a huge number of chiringuitos and restaurants, hotels are very close or right on the shore. The Maritimo promenade, which began in neighboring Torremolinos, continues here - a picturesque paved path along the sea.
Night life
The entire nightlife of Benalmadena, for which young people come here and even vacationers from neighboring Torremolinos and Fuengirola make raids, revolves around the Marina port. There is a whole alley of various large and small clubs and disco bars to choose from, and noisy groups of drunken people wander from one to another until the very morning.
From here you can also go on a night boat trip with free champagne. We liked the format of the beach party on Santa Anna beach on Saturday - a fun, colorful party of different ages, fireworks, music.
Water activities
The beaches starting from the port provide all possible entertainment: bananas, parachutes, water skis, our favorite catamarans with a slide, canoes. You can learn how to sail a yacht, ride on all kinds of sea transport, rent diving and snorkeling equipment. Basically, all such industry is concentrated near the Marina port.
Hotels
There are first-line hotels, some across the road from the beach and promenade, and second-line hotels, but the distances are short, mostly up to 500 meters. The most chic thing, of course, is to live in Puerto Marina, but it is noticeable that the hotels here are quite expensive, there are many private properties.
Prices
If we compare it with neighboring Torremolinos, where we settled, Benalmadena seems more expensive, at least in terms of accommodation: the most budget hostels start from 55 euros, and a decent hotel on the first line starts from 80 euros. Rent of umbrellas and sun loungers - 9 euros, entrance to clubs - 4-6 euros. The cable car ride cost 11 euros, but at the ticket office you can buy a discounted pass for visiting the ski lift, the amusement park, and the Selvo Marina park.
Sport
Not far from the port there are volleyball and football courts, and, of course, there are all water sports: windsurfing, yachting, diving, etc.
People
Mostly English people meet here - for some reason it is very popular with them, and many even purchase a “summer residence” here. In addition, there are a lot of diverse young people and families with children, who come in large numbers on weekends at the expense of the locals.
First of all, the Marina port itself is a never-ending celebration of life against the backdrop of beautiful yachts and water canals, lace bridges, small islands, and luxurious villas. A place for walking at any time of the day or night, for gatherings in bars, shopping, dancing until the morning with a special, carefree atmosphere. There is also a Sea Life Aquarium with an impressive shark tunnel.
From here it is very convenient to start exploring the city: from the port there is an excursion train and a bus with a stop at all the main attractions: Paloma Park, the Selvo Marina Dolphinarium-Penguinarium, an amusement park and the Teleferico cable car, which you must climb up to see the town and its surroundings from above , and you can go down on a donkey for a change.
In the town it is worth visiting the ancient towers, Colomares and Bil-Bil castles.
Places to visit in the surrounding area
It is very conveniently located, and if you don’t have enough local entertainment, you can take a boat trip by tram to neighboring Fuengirola, and you can generally walk from the Marina port, but it’s better to get there by bus - there is an interesting crocodile farm and a large water park.
Just a 45-minute drive to fashionable Marbella, within an hour by bus - Mijas and Estepona, within two hours by car - the unique beaches of Tarifa, and to the major cities of Spain - Seville and - 220 and 140 km respectively, you can take an excursion.
Fuengirola
What is the resort like?
The highlight of Fuengirola is its beaches; perhaps the best we've seen on the Costa del Sol, almost all boasting blue flags. Otherwise, this is an ordinary Spanish resort, which grew up on the site of an ordinary Spanish fishing village.
Availability
Like all resorts on the Coast of the Sun, the easiest way to get to Fuengirola is from Malaga, where you can fly by plane - the distance is about 30 km, you can choose from bus, train and taxi.
Beach
The beaches of Fuengirola begin with the sandy and shell beach of Carvajal, common with Benalmadena, then Torreblanca - these beaches are natural, but at the same time well equipped and very well maintained. Then the open, wide and flat beaches of Los Boliches and Las Gaviotas stretch for more than two kilometers.
On the other side of the port are the central beaches of Fuengirola and Santa Amalia, then on the border of the resort is Castillo beach with a view of the local landmark, the Soail fortress.
On the beaches there is still the same dark sand of the Costa del Sol, burning your feet - on the embankments it is finer and yellower, but perfectly clean and well-groomed, on the outlying, natural beaches - coarse sand with pebbles.
Dimensions
The coastline of Fuengirola is about 8 km. Los Boliches and Las Gaviotas are perhaps the widest beaches on the Costa del Sol - 55 meters, the rest are noticeably narrower, from 20 m.
Shore
Since many of the beaches are artificial, the entrance to the sea here is mostly flat and convenient, but on the outlying beaches there can be a sharp drop-off. The water is clean and transparent, there are moderate waves.
Infrastructure
Almost all beaches are well equipped - showers, toilets, umbrellas and sunbeds (4.5 euros), exercise equipment, rental of all kinds of equipment, playgrounds. The Maritimo pedestrian and entertainment zone stretches along the beaches, originating almost from Malaga. There are festivities, shopping, a huge selection of cafes and bars offering the local specialty - fried sardines.
Night life
It's calmer here than in the party scene of Benalmadena. We enjoyed listening to live music in a jazz cafe and went to dance Latin at the Mai Tai club - they organize various themed parties there and have guest DJs play. And of course, part of the evening and nightlife takes place on Paseo Maritimo, where the fun never stops.
Water activities
On most beaches, entertainment is standard resort: banana boating and water skiing, parasailing, various boat trips, dolphin watching, etc.
Hotels
As in all resorts on the del Sol coast, hotels start from the coastline itself and stretch along it. All hotels are located across the road from the beach, and the second line is within 200-300 meters from the sea.
Prices
The price range is as follows: simple hostels and guest houses - from 40 euros for a double, dinner in a cafe with live music - 50 euros for two, any fast food like pizza or a hamburger with a drink - about 15 euros, 2 sun loungers plus an umbrella - 9 euros.
Sport
In the center of the coast is the sports port of Fuengirola with a yacht club, where you can take boating lessons, and there is a diving center. There is also a golf club, and in winter there are suitable waves for surfing.
People
The English, Germans, and Finns predominate; in general, the crowd is very decent and reserved, with many mature couples.
The undoubted must-do of the resort is to explore the bay and beaches of Fuengirola from the ancient Soail fortress, photograph the funny monument to the “1 peseta” coin and see the silhouette of the Fuengirola bull - an impressive size metal structure - against the background of the sunset.
A number of local entertainment is aimed at children: a very interesting tropical zoo, where people come from all nearby resorts, a biopark and a small water park, which, however, did not impress; Torremolinos is much better.
Lovers of antiquity can visit the archaeological site of El Secretario - the ruins of a Roman settlement.
Places to visit in the surrounding area
Fuengirola is the last stop of the railway line running from Malaga through Torremolinos (water park, crocodile farm) and Benalmadena (large Sea Life aquarium, the center of party life Port Marina) - the latter, by the way, is easier to get to by bus.
You can also take buses to small towns in the area - Mijas (7 km) and the resort Marbella (36 km), as well as to large cities - Granada (150 km), Cadiz (210 km), Seville (240 km). And be sure to visit the white sand beaches of Tarifa for contrast; it is only 136 km away along the coast.
Marbella
What is the resort like?
If you go to the Costa del Sol, then you must visit Marbella, we told ourselves and went. Marbella appeared to us as a glamorous beauty against a luxurious background: luxury hotels, expensive yachts, elite villages where celebrities and the richest people on earth live, and the number of Bentleys and Rolls-Royces per square kilometer is off the charts.
Availability
From the international airport - 59 km, this distance can be covered by taxi or bus, if you do not have your own yacht, of course.
Beach
The sand on the beaches of Marbella varies - from fine yellow sand to the usual dark gray coarse sand mixed with pebbles on the Costa del Sol. There are a huge number of beaches here (more than 20), many were quite busy in August, but all are very well maintained, many have a blue flag.
There are only a few beaches in the city area; we saw the small Faro with a lighthouse and the more spacious Fontanilla - the most popular, but also the most crowded. You can get here on foot from the center of Marbella; the beach is golden sandy and very beautiful. Here is the famous Paseo Maritimo promenade on the Costa del Sol - a popular pedestrian area with many shops and restaurants overlooking the embankment.
We liked Bounty Beach, also known as del Cable, which is not far from the Funny beach amusement park - it has a pleasant atmosphere, relaxed music and prices in chiringuitos, which pleased us, are quite affordable. The coating is fine golden sand.
Most of the beaches are far from the center, the most popular are Los Monteros, Alicate, Puerto Banus and San Pedro de Alcantara with dark, coarse sand.
10 km from Marbella is Artola Beach, which is next to a natural reserve - sand dunes.
From Puerto Banus begins the “golden mile” - fashionable hotels, luxurious restaurants, expensive nightclubs right on the beach.
Dimensions
In total, in “greater Marbella”, which includes suburban areas, there are 26 beaches of various sizes: Faro is only 200 meters long and 30 m wide, Fontanilla stretches for 1 km with a width of 30 m, Banunti - 1300 m and very wide - up to 70 m.
Shore
The coast of Marbella is generally flat, rocky in places, for example, on the Cortijo Blanco beach it is almost impossible to enter the water, but on most other beaches the entrance is either gently sloping sandy or pebble, but comfortable, the water itself is incredibly clear, and there are practically no waves here.
Infrastructure
The closer to the center of Marbella, the better equipped the beaches are and the more services are provided: showers, umbrellas, sun loungers (5 euros), children's play areas, volleyball courts, a huge selection of restaurants and bars, rental of all kinds of equipment.
Night life
In fashionable Marbella, the “golden youth” hang out - in the luxurious Billionaire Club Marbella, the chain beach club Nikki Beach, and the Pangea club. There are also many dance bars and clubs in the Puerto Banes area, and among the luxury ones you can find mid-range establishments, but if you go to the coast specifically for active nightlife, it is better to settle in Benalmadena.
Water activities
All water activities from catamarans to scooters are represented on the beaches of Marbella, and there is even an amusement park right on the Funny beach where you can ride banana boats and sail boats.
Hotels
As one would expect, along the coastline there are mainly luxury hotels and luxurious villas, at least good four stars, but the resort also has affordable three-ruble rent, boarding houses, and apartments, you just need to look, however, the prices will still be higher than the coastal average.
Prices
Marbella is a celebration of life, but accommodation here will cost a pretty penny: the most budget guesthouses start from 50 euros per night, and the prices for entertainment also correspond to the reputation of an expensive resort, for example, riding a map in Funny Beach - 20 euros, a scooter - 50 euros per night 10-15 minutes. To find an affordable place for dinner, sometimes you have to go deeper from the embankment into the nearby neighborhoods. On the beaches you can find chiringuitos with quite reasonable prices: from 9 euros for a pizza plus a drink.
Sport
A large selection of various sports activities: bicycle and Segway rental, a tennis club and many golf clubs, a diving center, beach volleyball.
People
Undoubtedly, the people themselves make the resort fashionable, and kings, actors, business sharks and politicians from all over the world, and simply wealthy people visit it and have real estate there.
What interesting things to see in the resort itself
Marbella is a beautiful ancient city; be sure to explore its center with the towers of the Alcazaba fortress, Orange Square with a fountain and the city hall, as well as parks, a botanical garden with a collection of bonsai trees.
One of the pearls of the city is Avenida del Mar with sculptures of the great Salvador (the originals, by the way).
On one of the beaches there is an amusement park called Funny beach - karting and various water activities.
A few kilometers from the center of Marbella is the port of Puerto Banus - the quintessence of glamor and luxury of the Costa del Sol, a real vanity fair: snow-white yachts, designer shops, expensive restaurants and a fashionable audience.
Places to visit in the surrounding area
In the direction of Malaga, all neighboring resorts of the Costa del Sol are worth a visit: Fuengirola, Estepona, Benalmadena, Torremolinos. Here you can find a lot of interesting and inexpensive entertainment: a cable car, water parks, various flora and fauna parks, a crocodile farm.
The ancient town of Mijas is 34 km away, and the picturesque mountain villages of Antequera and the snow-white sands of Tarifa are within a radius of 100 km.
Conveniently, all the historical centers of Andalusia are within a one-day trip: (180 km), (212 km), (188), Cadiz (180 km), Jerez (171 km).
Estepona
What is the resort like?
After Marbella, we expected another “vanity fair” from Estepona, but it made a completely different impression on us - the atmosphere here is more restrained, and luxury is demonstrated with dignity, rather than being flaunted. But there is stunning scenery in sight, which includes the Sierra Bermeja mountains, rivers, pine forests, secluded rocky beaches and the skyline of Gibraltar in the distance.
Availability
The most convenient way to get to Estepona, as well as to any resort on the Costa del Sol, is from Malaga International Airport (76 km) by bus or taxi.
Beach
All the beaches of Estepona have the familiar dark, coarse-grained gray sand; in the wilder areas, mixed with pebbles, there are rocky shores.
There are 2 beaches within the city limits: within walking distance from the center along the city embankment lies the spacious La Rada Beach, the most popular and crowded. Across the port from it in the bay is Del Cristo, a very green, windless beach, great for children, but not for those who like to swim - very shallow.
To the east of the resort, a territory stretches for 10 km, which has only recently begun to be developed, so the beaches here are calm, quiet, spacious, very picturesque: sometimes hidden between the river and green fields, sometimes covered with pine trees, sometimes lush vegetation, with rocky shores, or, conversely, , covered with grass.
To the west there are also several beaches: Costa Natura, popular with nudists, and wild and incredibly beautiful Bahia Dorada, where people especially come to fish and snorkel or scuba dive.
Dimensions
The coastline of Estepona is 21 km, but within the city the beach strip is only about 4 km, and its width ranges from 30 to 55 m. Among the suburban beaches there are both secluded and spacious.
Shore
The most comfortable shore is on Del Cristo beach; it is not for nothing that families with children and elderly people have chosen it. It is very shallow here, the entrance to the water is sandy and flat, and the water itself is clear and very warm. On La Rada, the entrance to the water is also gentle, but the depth is not so far. On many beaches the coast is steep and rocky, more suitable for divers.
Infrastructure
Changing rooms, showers, toilets, umbrellas and loungers for rent, a small children's playground on Del Cristo (and a huge number of children's play areas on Paseo Maritimo). Rocky beaches are practically not equipped. Not to say that on the beaches, even the central ones, there was a huge selection of chiringuitos compared to neighboring resorts, for example, on the central Del Cristo there are only two or three.
Night life
In general, Estepona seemed to us a more restrained Spanish resort than Marbella. There is, of course, nightlife here, but its degree is probably average along the coast. In the center of the town, salsa and other Latin American dances are performed at Disco Parasela, and the Plato 68 club, where guest DJs play, is popular among young people. And again, the center of nightlife is the port, here it is Puerto Deportivo, where there is no shortage of clubs or music bars.
Water activities
The beaches offer various boat trips, water skiing, flyboarding, snorkeling and diving.
Hotels
In the center, near La Rada beach, hotels are located across the highway and Paseo Maritimo - the resort promenade; in more remote areas there are hotels right on the beach. In the area of the eastern beaches, which began to develop relatively recently, there are not many hotels and they are often located at some distance from each other.
Prices
Despite the reputation of a luxury resort and the abundance of luxury hotels, you can find simpler accommodation, for example, a hostel 50 meters from the beach for 35 euros/double, but the prices for food correspond to the respectability of the resort: a snack in a tapas bar, which mainly serves snacks, 15 -20 euros per person, and dinner at a restaurant cost 60 euros for two. A visit to the Selvo Aventura safari park – 24.5 euros, discounts for children.
Sport
Sports entertainment for the respectable public: many golf clubs, horse riding, sailing, as well as more affordable diving, snorkeling, surfing (including kites).
People
There are traditionally a lot of English and Europeans at the resort, mostly in couples or families; there are few noisy companies. On weekends, the crowd is diluted by local vacationers, and it becomes a bit crowded.
We walked around the old town - a typical charming Andalusian town - in half a day. We saw the Square of Flowers with a large fountain, the clock tower, ancient mansions, and the Remedios Church.
If you take a walk along the Maritimo promenade, you can reach the Punto Donsella lighthouse, a local symbol.
The huge Selvo Aventura safari park is worth a visit, where elephants, giraffes, rhinoceroses, and kangaroos live in natural conditions.
And, of course, the port of Puerto Deportivo: smart holidaymakers, a series of bars, restaurants, shops, starting points for sea excursions.
I liked the fishing port of Puerto Pesquero, where you can buy the freshest seafood.
Places to visit in the surrounding area
In the nearby resorts of the Costa del Sol you can choose entertainment to suit your taste: a water park and crocodile farm in Torremolinos, a marine aquarium and exotic animal park in Benalmadena, a tropical zoo in Fuengirola, an amusement park and Dali sculptures in Marbella - all within a maximum of 75 km from Estepona. At the same distance, only in the other direction, are the snow-white beaches of Tarifa and Gibraltar.
The large ancient cities of Spain that can be visited in one day are (220 km), (240 km), (209 km), Cadiz (150 km), and the picturesque mountain village of Ronda is only 67 km.
The southernmost coast of Spain received a simple, but at the same time accurate name: Sunny Beach, Costa del Sol. Small houses, as if whitewashed by the sun, mountains in a haze trembling from the heat, a fragrant mixture of aromas of pine needles and oranges - this is the shore of the sun, sung by one of the best sons of Andalusia, the poet Federico García Lorca. Celebrities prefer to relax in these parts; holidays with children in the Costa del Sol are no less good. You will find all the useful information about family holidays in Sunny Beach in our review.
Costa del Sol on the map of Spain
Costa del Sol is the coast of the province of Malaga in the autonomous community of Andalusia. It is located in the south of Spain and is washed by the waters of the Alboran Sea (this is the westernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea).
Sunny Beach stretches from Gibraltar in the west to Nerja in the east. The region's main resorts are located west of the provincial capital, the city of Malaga. The distance from Malaga to Torremolinos is 18 km, to Benalmadena - 20 km, to Fuengirola - 33 km, to Marbella - 70 km, to Estepona 92 km.
Where the Costa del Sol is located, it is warm all year round, and many tourists come here in winter for excursions to ancient cities. But Sunny Beach receives the most guests in the summer, when you can sunbathe and swim.
Vacation with children
Traveling to the Costa del Sol is a kind of pursuit of a dream. Hot summers, luxurious beaches, fashionable hotels and crowds of celebrities walking along the shore or enthusiastically playing golf - this is what Sunny Beach looks like in advertising brochures.
The most interesting thing is that all this is true. There are a lot of celebrities here, and the hotels are expensive, and the beaches are wonderful. But this does not prevent the Costa del Sol from remaining a place where you can relax with your child in a serene, happy environment.
You just need to take into account that During peak season, the coastline of Malaga province is flooded with tourists, and there are not many quiet corners left. For a holiday with a baby at this time, it is better to find a small resort without much entertainment, but without crowds on the beaches.
Holidays in the Costa del Sol can be both lazy and eventful. You can simply enjoy the comfort of a five-star hotel or on the beach, or you can travel all over Andalusia to see Moorish palaces, bullfights and flamenco.
Little children won't be bored on Sunny Beach either. The Costa del Sol has a lot of interesting things for children: water parks, animal parks, play centers. Many resorts have good museums, but most of them are concentrated in Malaga.
Only a cold sea can ruin a holiday in the Costa del Sol with children. It doesn’t change from year to year: sometimes the water warms up well, but sometimes the sea remains cold all summer.
When is the best time to go?
The weather on the Andalusian coast is a gift for those who can’t wait to sunbathe on the beach in May and who are not ready to say goodbye to summer in September. The beach season in the Costa del Sol lasts from the beginning of May to the end of October, and at this time there is no room for clouds or rain: the sun is hot in full force.
And at the same time, the choice of when is the best time to go to the Costa del Sol is not so simple. On the one hand, it is undesirable to vacation on this hot coast with a child in July-August, when the air temperature goes through the roof.
On the other hand, only in July does the water in the sea become relatively warm, and therefore it is unprofitable to come here at the beginning of summer. You can get around this weather inconsistency. Firstly, in May-June, that is, at the opening of the season in the Costa del Sol, water parks begin to operate. Secondly, many hotels have swimming pools.
The ideal balance between water and air temperatures is established in September. The heat is subsiding, but the sea remains quite warm.
For excursions to Seville and Granada, it is also better to choose spring, early summer or autumn. This is due to the fact that it is always hotter away from the coast: for example, when on the coast the temperature is +30°C, in Seville the air can heat up to +40°C.
The fact that the resorts of the Costa del Sol are good for relaxation not only in the hottest months is also evidenced by the calendar of events. On the first day of May, the city of Mijas organizes the Sardinada festival, dedicated to the opening of the sardine season.
On June 23, bonfires are lit along the entire coast and festivities are held - this is how St. John's Day is celebrated. And in October, carnival processions take place throughout Andalusia as part of the Feria del Rosario. It is celebrated especially magnificently in Fuengirola.
Weather and climate
No matter what time of year you look at meteorological sites, the weather forecast in the Costa del Sol is hung with “clear” icons like oranges.
The climate of the Costa del Sol is generous with sun and warmth. Here the sun shines 300 days a year, with rare gloomy days falling in winter. It rains only in late autumn, winter and early spring, and in summer precipitation is very rare.
Summer comes to Sunny Beach already in May. The daytime temperature at this time is +23°C, and your vacation in the Costa del Sol can be devoted to trips to Granada and Seville or excursions to the African coast of Spain. In addition to a Panama hat and sunglasses, put warm clothes in your suitcase, since the night temperature drops to +13-14°C.
Already in June, the pleasant warmth gives way to heat. At the beginning of summer, as long as the thermometer does not rise above +27°C, you can come to the Costa del Sol with your baby.
But July-August, when the temperature stays at +30-35°C for a long time, is least suitable for holidays with a child. And although the ardor of the African hot sun is cooled by the sea breeze, we recommend going to the beach in the morning, when thermometers show +25-27°C.
Conditions for the best holiday in the Costa del Sol with children develop in the first half of autumn. The heat is subsiding, the air temperature drops to +28°C in September and to +25°C in October. Sometimes it may rain, but it does not bother tourists at all.
The time from November to March is the coldest.
This means that during the day the temperature rises to +15-18°C, and at night it drops to +6-7°C. The weather will take a warming course only in April: the nights will still be very cold, but the daytime temperature will rise to +20°C.
It should be noted that the climate of Marbella and Estepona is slightly different from the rest of the coast: it is a little cooler and there are fewer sunny days.
Sea water temperature
Although summers in the Costa del Sol are very hot, the sea here is never particularly warm. The nearby Atlantic Ocean brings cold currents, and even in summer the water temperature in the Costa del Sol does not rise above +24°C in the summer months.
Such warm water can only be found in August-September; the rest of the time the sea temperature does not exceed +20-21°C. Look how the sea warmed up from May to October (weather observations for three years were used):
- May - 17-20°C;
- June - 19-22°C;
- July - 20-23°C (the record was +26°C);
- August - 23-25°C;
- September - 21-24°C;
- October - 19-21°C.
Nutrition
Three meals a day at the hotel is uncharacteristic for Spain. Often hotels only offer breakfast, and in the Costa del Sol this can be convenient: cafes and restaurants at the resorts open no earlier than 9 am.
As for lunches and dinners, they can be turned not just into a meal, but into an introduction to Andalusian cuisine. This is where the famous soups gazpacho and salmorejo come from, this is where jamon is as revered as the dried tuna “mojama”, this is where sherry and malaga are produced.
Not all Andalusian dishes are suitable for children, but it is easy to find something for the children's table - for example, Malaga salad (ask not to add dried cod to it) or potato tortilla.
Andalusians eat dinner quite late. While lunch in restaurants is served at 13:00-15:00, dinner time begins only at 20:00-21:00.
If you are going to cook yourself, then you can buy all the products at markets or stores. Markets open early, and shops only open at 9 am.
Transport
Public transport in the Costa del Sol is less in demand than bicycles, taxis or rented cars. Most resorts are small towns that are more pleasant to walk around than to drive.
You have to resort to public transport services only in Malaga and partly in Benalmadena and Torremolinos. Travel on a city bus costs about 1.30 euros, on the Malaga light rail - up to 1.50 euros, depending on the type of ticket. There is no discount on tickets for children.
Buses in the Costa del Sol follow a strict schedule. In Malaga they run every 10-15 minutes, in other cities - every 30-40 minutes.
But tourists actively use intercity transport in the Costa del Sol. There is a bus service between all resorts on the coast. Useful routes are No. 110 (Malaga - Torremolinos - Benalmadena) and No. 120 (Torremolinos - Fuengirola). You can also use the train connecting Malaga, Benalmadena and Fuengirola.
To get around the Costa del Sol you can use a taxi. The cost of a trip within the city is about 10 euros. All taxis are equipped with meters. To find out if a car is available, look for the “Libre” sign behind the glass.
If you want to travel a lot during your vacation and not suffer from the heat on the road, it makes sense to rent a car. Car rental companies have offices at Malaga airport and at all resorts.
A nice feature of the Costa del Sol is free parking, including near the beaches. If the free parking lot is full, there are always spaces available in the paid parking lot.
You can order a service for organizing a holiday on the Costa del Sol using the feedback form or by calling +34 603-306-511
Every year, millions of Europeans and our fellow citizens go on vacation to the Costa del Sol, and subsequently often decide to buy real estate here. This place gained similar popularity over other European resorts due to a number of significant features.
The unique climate of the Costa del Sol
In Russian, Costa del Sol sounds like “Sunny Coast”, which is absolutely true for a geographical point where, according to statistics, out of 365 days a year there are more than 320 sunny days. At the same time, the weather is exceptionally mild with moderately hot summers and warm winters, as well as low humidity. The mild climate of the coast with minor temperature fluctuations is formed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean located in close proximity and the chain of Sierra Morena mountains that separates it from the continent. In the summer months, the waters of the Atlantic cool the coastal air, and the mountain range does not let in the hot continental air, providing an average daily temperature of + 28⁰С / + 32⁰С. In winter, the oceanic mass that has warmed up over the summer months serves as a heat accumulator, and the mountains, again, serve as a protective barrier, but from the cold air masses of continental Spain. The daytime temperature in January - February stays at + 15⁰С / + 19⁰С. The average annual temperature is +18⁰С.
Excellent ecology
Low crime rate
The Costa del Sol is one of the safest areas in Spain with a low crime rate. This situation developed here historically several decades ago. Due to the fact that the overwhelming number of residents of Western Europe, when purchasing property in Spain, chose the Costa del Sol, the number of respectable foreigners living here is greater than anywhere else in Spain. Fashionable Marbella and Puerto Banus are especially popular among wealthy foreigners. Local authorities appreciate such a neighborhood and effectively prevent crime by not allowing dubious individuals here.
Best holiday with children
The Costa del Sol is perhaps the best choice for a holiday with children. This is due to the unique mild climate, high degree of personal safety, beautiful clean beaches, many centers for children's entertainment, including water parks, zoos, amusement parks, sports schools and much more.
High life expectancy
Excellent ecology, unique weather conditions, as well as a balanced social policy of the state bring life expectancy on the Costa del Sol to a very high level. According to statistics, the average life expectancy of a Spanish man is 40% higher than the life expectancy of a Russian, and women live in Spain for an average of 87 years, which is the maximum among other European countries.
Centuries-old cultural heritage
The Costa del Sol is not just one of the best places to holiday or live; it boasts a rich cultural heritage. Everyone knows that most great civilizations originated and developed on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The reason for this was the mild climate, abundance of food and the possibility of maritime trade. Traces of many great civilizations remain on the Costa del Sol and Andalusia to this day. An example of this is Cadiz, founded by the Phoenicians more than 3,100 years ago, considered the most ancient city in Western Europe. The Roman Empire also left their mark, as did the Moors, who ruled in Andalusia for almost 800 years and considered the Alhambra architectural complex they created to be a paradise on Earth. Andalusia is literally crammed with outstanding attractions, and many of its cities are considered open-air museums. Moreover, many attractions are classified by UNESCO as the World Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Travel time by car from the coast to such amazing cities as Seville, Cadiz, Cordoba, Alhambra, Jerez de la Frontera, Ronda is only about 2 hours. Thus, while on the Costa del Sol, you will never be faced with the question of what to do.
Sports and active recreation
Nature has generously endowed this southern Spanish coast with a varied landscape and mild climate, which provides almost unlimited opportunities for year-round sports. The weather conditions make it possible to practice football, tennis and golf or cycling outdoors all year round. It is important that today the coast boasts several dozen excellent multi-hole golf courses. It is for this reason that it received a second official name, Costa del Golf, and signs Costa del Sol - Costa del Golf is quite often encountered when driving along the N-340 Mediterranean highway leading from Malaga to Estepona. 
Moving from Malaga towards Tarifa, we quickly find ourselves on the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. The constant winds in the Strait of Gibraltar provide excellent opportunities for windsurfers and kitesurfers, who consider this area of Tarifa one of the best in the world. Diving is available both in the Mediterranean Sea and in the coastal areas of the Atlantic Ocean.
Departing from Malaga towards Granada, in 1.5 hours we will find ourselves at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This international resort has a wide variety of slopes for professional skiers and snowboarders, as well as for beginners and children, and offers first-class services for active holidays in winter.
Of course, we can talk about the Costa del Sol further, mentioning its other advantages, but we tried to indicate the most important of them, influencing the decision to purchase real estate here for the purpose of further residence, or simply to go here on vacation.
(Costa del Sol) is the southernmost coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Spain, which stretches from the city of Malaga to the Strait of Gibraltar. Translated into Russian, the name of this resort region means “shore of the sun.” The resorts of the Costa del Sol are considered the most prestigious and fashionable on the entire Spanish coast. Many celebrities, aristocrats and owners of large companies have chosen the Costa del Sol as a place for their residences. Here, picturesque and clean beaches stretch for many kilometers, and throughout the entire coastal region you can feel the atmosphere typical of Andalusia, considered one of the richest in culture and history of the autonomies of Spain, which has its own unique flavor due to customs and traditions preserved for centuries.
By visiting any of the Costa del Sol resorts, you can visit many interesting places in various cities of Andalusia. You will feel as if you have rediscovered Spain.
Cities and landmarks
Malaga(Malaga) - the provincial capital and resort city with picturesque natural landscapes, clean, well-equipped beaches and many historical monuments annually attracts many tourists with its rich history, customs and traditions. Lush and vibrant holidays are another reason to visit this unique town. 
Montes de Malaga Park(Montes del Malaga), located just a few kilometers north of Malaga, is one of the most famous nature reserves in Spain. Its territory occupies almost 5 thousand hectares, located in unique places in terms of landscape, rich in hills, valleys and streams. The main value of the park is its rich flora and fauna. Here you can see about 400 species of plants, 27 species of mammals, 90 species of birds, 8 species of amphibians and 19 species of reptiles, among which you can see chameleons, which have become rare in Andalusia.
Parque la Ciera de la Nieve(La Sierra de las Nieves) is another magnificent national park with rich flora and fauna, located near Malaga.
Marbella(Marbella) - a resort located 60 km from Malaga, considered the pearl of the Costa del Sol. This is the most luxurious and fashionable resort not only in Spain, but throughout Europe
Marbella(Marbella) - a resort located 60 km from Malaga, considered the pearl of the Costa del Sol. This is the most luxurious and fashionable resort not only in Spain, but throughout Europe, which amazes with the beauty of its gardens and parks. Along the entire embankment there are sandy beaches of extraordinary beauty, surrounded by palm trees on the city side. It is this beautiful city that attracts the attention of many celebrities, aristocrats and influential businessmen who buy luxury villas here. Among them: members of the royal family, American television stars and even Arab sheikhs.
Marbella, like many resort towns in Spain, is divided into two parts: the old town and the modern city. However, the architecture of modern buildings in Marbella did not at all disrupt, but even harmoniously complemented the ensemble of the ancient part of the city. 
Puerto Banus(Puerto Banus) - an expensive resort near Marbella, where all the hotels are four or five star, super-luxury entertainment complexes, and each villa has its own parking for several yachts
(Torremolinos) is the closest resort town to Malaga, located only 12 km. This city is considered the heart of the Costa del Sol.
The coast of Torremolis is divided into two parts: Carihuela beach(Cariuela) and Bajondillo beach(Bajondillo). These wide, picturesque beaches are separated by a small cliff. 
This city is famous for its abundance of hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants where you can enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine, namely the cuisine of the southern regions of Spain, which is rich in seafood dishes. Nightlife in Torremolinos is distinguished by its brightness and richness, since the abundance of nightclubs and discos is an important factor in attracting young people. Connoisseurs of medieval architecture can get acquainted with the old part of the city, which has been perfectly preserved to this day. But in the central part of the city there is a famous tourist area in Torremolinos - San Miguel Street, where only pedestrians can move. On this street is the famous Pepe Lopez tavern, where visitors can see the traditional Spanish flamenco on the day of St. Michael (or San Miguel) - the patron saint of Torremolinos.
Nightlife in Torremolinos is distinguished by its brightness and richness, since the abundance of nightclubs and discos is an important factor in attracting young people.
This holiday is celebrated on September 29, when on the street you can see many tents with pilgrims, which are brightly decorated with flowers. And after the solemn service, a fair opens in the city, which lasts 3 days, which are some of the most fun of the year: songs, dances, fireworks and treats. During the fair, another holiday is celebrated, which has already become traditional in Torremolinos - Tourist Day, which is accompanied by various sports competitions, a sailing regatta and other spectacular competitions. But each of these fun days is also famous for bullfighting, which many people want to watch and take part in.
Aqualand water park attracts many tourists of all ages every day. Extreme slides and other water attractions can make even the most reserved people glow with delight.
Benalmadena(Benalmadena) is another picturesque coastal town on the Costa del Sol, which is famous for its spacious beaches of gray sand, stretching 9 km along the coast. Being located next to Torremolinos, Benalmadena can be considered part of it, since during the existence of these cities, their borders have almost been erased, which very often happens with nearby resort towns. Benalmadena is divided into three parts: Benalmadena Pueblo, Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmadena Costa.
Benalmadena Pueblo(Benalmádena Pueblo) is a typical Andalusian village located on a hillside. From here you have a magnificent view of the sea and the surrounding picturesque landscapes, as well as historical monuments: the majestic Colomares Castle and its surroundings. In the square in the center of the village there is a fountain “The Girl from Benalmadena”, which is a symbol of the city.
Arroyo de la Miel(Arroyo de la Miel) is a busy commercial and residential area of Benalmadena. There is also a famous amusement park here. Tivoli(Tivoli World).
Benalmadena Costa(Benalmádena Costa) is the coastal part of the city, where there are numerous hotels, bars, restaurants and cafes. Luxurious wide beaches stretch along the coast for almost 5 km, only occasionally intersected by small rocks.
Benalmadena is a small town in terms of the number of attractions, however, in terms of opportunities for a pleasant stay and an unforgettable vacation, this city ranks one of the first places on the Costa del Sol. From almost every hotel you can quickly walk to the sports port Puerto Marina, in which, in addition to sports centers, there are a large number of discos, bars, nightclubs and restaurants. 
Theme park Selvo Marina(Selwo Marina) in Benalmadena, dedicated to the fauna of South America, is another extraordinary place that is worth a visit. The park itself is divided into four zones. In the Las Antillas area - "Antilles" there is a huge glass dolphinarium. And it is home to sea lions, with whom you can swim if you wish. In the La Hondonada area you can see a stunning show of exotic birds, whose habitat is the Amazon River Valley. The Amazonia zone features all kinds of fish and reptiles that inhabit the Amazon. But on the island of Isla de Hielo, penguins live in artificially created cold conditions. Also here you can visit a unique 3D cinema.
Cable car Benalmadena (Telecabina (Teleférico) takes tourists to the top of Monte Calamorro, which offers magnificent views of the coast. In good clear weather, you can even see the coast of Africa and Gibraltar.
Fuengirola(Fuengirola) is no less famous resort than Benalmadena or Torremollinos. It is located 35 km south of Malaga and 25 km from Marbella. There are wide, beautiful beaches along which there are numerous hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. Fuengirola also has a sports port with more than two hundred anchorages.
In addition to a large market, a yacht club and a fishing harbor, Fuengirola has a famous coastline zoo(Zoo Fuengirola). This is a modern zoo, which was built in 2001. In it you can see the flora and fauna of the rainforest. It should be noted that this zoo is the only one of its kind in Europe. It consists of three zones: “Madagascar”, “Equatorial Africa” and “Southeast Asia”, each of which incredibly conveys the atmosphere of those places.
However, the entire tourist infrastructure of Fuengirola is aimed at visitors of somewhat conservative views, so this resort is an ideal holiday destination for people who prefer quiet resorts.
Rhonda Andalusia - stands on the edge of the deep (more than 100 m) Tagus gorge.
Rhonda(Ronda) - one of the most picturesquely located cities in Andalusia - stands on the edge of the deep (more than 100 m) Tagus gorge. The town with a population of 35 thousand inhabitants attracts millions of tourists due to its history and the title of the capital of bullfighting.
Gibraltar, Nerja and Mijas are small resort towns on the Costa del Sol, and an excursion to each of them will take no more than one day. Each city has its own rich history and traditions, which are carefully preserved by local residents.
Booking a boat trip to the Atlantic Ocean at Dolphin World (Giblartar) will help you get an unforgettable experience of watching the graceful inhabitants of the ocean - dolphins and whales.
The Mijas Acuatic Park water park in Mijas can also provide a lot of delight and excitement from visiting the most modern water attractions and slides.
A truly unique resort, by visiting which you can see many interesting and unforgettable places, and most importantly, discover such a different and wonderful place with its fiery dances, cheerful holidays and love for traditions.
When planning your holiday in Spain, many of us often came across information about southern Spanish Costa del Sol... and postponed their vacation there until later, slightly afraid of the less common and difficult to pronounce city names: Malaga, Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella. In addition, the city of Marbella was superficially familiar to many of us from the expensive and fashionable vacations of celebrities, and therefore automatically inaccessible to us, parents with children, and the city of Malaga was associated with the popular football team and the wine brand of the same name.
“What should we, parents with children, do in such places?” - we thought and leafed through the offers of travel agencies, preferring to go to our previously favorite places on the Costa Brava or Costa Dorada. However, the Costa del Sol has to offer wonderful holiday in Spain at reasonable prices, primarily for those people who cannot imagine traveling without children.
Weather on the Costa del Sol
Costa del Sol translates as " shore of the sun" This southern part of Spain can rightfully be called the Sunny Beach: it is in this part that the largest number of sunny days is about 320 per year!
There is no winter here, as such, since even in the coldest months the air temperature does not drop below 20 degrees. This is why the Costa del Sol is such an attractive destination for tourists of all ages at any time of the year. There is no sweltering heat here, and the periodically cool currents of Gibraltar pleasantly cool those swimming in the sea during the hottest months of summer.
You can safely go here with both the youngest children and older children, since the mild pleasant climate is easily tolerated at any age and that terrible word “acclimatization”, which every parent thinks about when choosing a vacation spot, is forgotten in the first days after arrival.
Costa del Sol: map and resorts
The coast itself stretches 50 km along the Mediterranean Sea, and approximately 150 km inland. Here map of Costa del Sol, Spain, click on the image to enlarge (you can also download the map to your computer by right-clicking on it and selecting “Save image as”)
The administrative center of this Spanish province is the main transport hub of the coast. There is also an airport and the oldest port in Spain. Despite the fact that the city is a kind of business center of the coast, it is good for accommodation there with the smallest children, since the developed infrastructure and transport links allow you to get to the desired place in the southern part of Andalusia in a matter of time, and the sea and beaches are the same clean, like on the entire coast.
From Malaga you can get independently to almost any resort town on the Costa del Sol, so if you want to get away from the usual bustle of the city, then welcome to Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Marbella or Estepona.
Torremolinos is the closest beach resort to Malaga, but despite its proximity to the administrative center (about 10 km), the noise from landing planes is not heard here. In addition to its sonorous and difficult to pronounce name, Torremolinos boasts beautiful beaches, delicious fish restaurants, and one of the best. In the west, the city smoothly passes into the borders of its neighbor, Benalmadena, which, in our opinion, is an ideal place for a holiday with children of any age.