When a place literally translates to 'Coast of the Sun', do you really need convincing to visit? Made up of long beaches, unspoilt nature and colourful towns and villages, this southern part of Andalusia is the place for a dream vacation. Our travel experts at Plum Guide have spent plenty of time soaking up the sun and sipping on sangria. We could write a whole love letter to this beautiful part of Spain. Here are just a few reasons to visit Costa del Sol.
1. Outdoor activities
Group of hikers walking along the Caminito del Rey hiking trail
If you're the type of person who likes to stay active on holiday, the Costa del Sol is perfect for you. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, why wouldn't you want to spend every moment outside? Take one of the numerous hiking and cycling trails in the Andalusian countryside. We highly recommend the Caminito del Rey, a famous hiking trail known for its narrow walkways and spectacular views. This can be pretty challenging, so for something a little easier, the scenic Senda Litoral is a 160-kilometre path where you can walk or cycle along the coast.
Those keen to tee off can do so at the numerous exclusive golf clubs such as Valderrama Golf Club, consistently ranked among the top courses in Europe, and Real Club de Golf Las Brisas, with its challenging layout and beautiful scenery. If the weather gets too warm, stay cool in the water with a range of exciting watersports. Thrill seekers can ride the waves on jet skis and surfboards or admire the coastline at a more relaxed pace aboard a kayak or a paddleboard.
Blue Blossom, Plum Guide home in Malaga, Spain
2. Mouth-watering food
The patatas bravas baked potatoes with spicy tomato sauce
Gourmands will be in their element here in the Costa del Sol. Many of the traditional dishes include seafood, so you can expect to be dining on a wide variety of fresh fish and shellfish, including anchovies, sardines, squid, prawns and octopus. Pescaito frito, or fried fish, is a staple in many Costa del Sol restaurants, and catches of the day tend to be boquerones (anchovies), cazón (dogfish), and sardinas (sardines), lightly coated in flour before frying in olive oil.
On hot days, cool down with gazpacho, a cold soup made with tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, bread, olive oil and vinegar. Be sure to fit in a tapas bar crawl – Marbella's Old Town is the best place for it – where you can hop from bar to bar trying dishes like bacalao (salt cod in tomato sauce), calamares (fried squid rings) and patatas bravas (fried potatoes served with a spicy sauce). The best part about dining on the Costa del Sol is that there is something to suit all tastes, from casual chiringuitos (beach bars) to Michelin-starred restaurants.
It's Golden Hour, Plum Guide home in Malaga, Spain
3. Sandy beaches
The beach Playa De Maro in Costa del Sol
It wouldn't be a list of reasons to visit Costa del Sol without a mention of its sun-drenched beaches. At over 150 kilometres long, there are countless options to choose from – in fact, you could spend each day of your holiday at a different beach. If you're staying in Malaga city, it's worth checking out our expert guide to the best beaches in Malaga.
Elsewhere along the coast, you'll come across Playa del Cristo in Estepona, a small, sheltered beach with clear waters and golden sand. In Nerja, you have Playa Burriana, a long sandy beach with scenic views of the surrounding mountains. This is an excellent place for a family day out as there are many facilities and activities like watersports. Being such a popular destination, you'd be forgiven for thinking that all the beaches here are teeming with holidaymakers. Not quite. There are a few beautiful stretches of sand that don't see as many visitors. Some of our favourites include Playa de la Viborilla near Benalmadena and Playa de Maro, a natural beach not too far from Nerja.
Mink & Black, Plum Guide home in Malaga, Spain
4. Vibrant cities
Geological formations in the famous Nerja Caves, Malaga
Still undecided on where to base yourself on the Costa del Sol? Luckily for you, this stretch of coastline boasts many vibrant cities, each offering a different experience. Malaga city is the region's capital and the best place to stay if you want to be at the heart of the action. There is so much to do here, from discovering Picasso's roots to dining on traditional Spanish food.
For something a little more lowkey, Nerja is a friendly seaside town with plenty of opportunities to explore nature. Families may want to head to Torremolinos for its range of beaches and amenities or Benalmadena for its attractions, beaches and Old Town. Want to splash out? Glamorous Marbella is the place to be. A favourite destination for the rich and famous, this seaside city is full of trendy beach clubs, golf courses and high-end dining.
5. Quaint villages
Panoramic view of the white houses in Mijas
But it's not just cities you'll find here – the Costa del Sol is also known for its many quaint villages. In fact, these villages are one of the top reasons to visit Costa del Sol. At the foot of the Sierra de Mijas mountains is Mijas Pueblo, a traditional Andalusian village with cobbled alleyways and colourful flowers brightening up the whitewashed buildings. Wander around and admire the incredible views from the many vantage points. Another hilltop village is Frigiliana, known for its honey and hand-painted ceramics. As you stroll through the village, keep an eye out for these beautiful mosaics and ceramics which decorate the buildings – a reminder of Andalusia's Moorish past.
Meanwhile, foodies will want to visit Benahavis, a small but picturesque place famous for its traditional Andalusian restaurants. Not too far away is Ojen, known for its olive oil and almond cake. It's so good that there's even a small museum dedicated to its history and traditions.
A Bubble of White, Plum Guide home in Costa del Sol, Spain
6. Fascinating culture and history
The fortress-palace Alcazaba of Malaga
Wondering what to do on non-beach days? The Costa del Sol has a wealth of cultural and historical attractions to dive into, from ancient ruins and Moorish architecture to interactive museums. One of the must-visits is the impressive Alcazaba of Malaga, a fortress-palace built in the 11th century by the Moors. This is one of Spain's best-preserved examples of Islamic architecture, and the top views are unbeatable.
Artsy folk can visit Picasso's birthplace and the Picasso Museum, while culture vultures can catch a concert at Malaga's Roman theatre. Dating back to the 1st century, the ruins were discovered in the 1950s and have been partially restored. For more historical ruins, head to the outskirts of the pretty town of Antequera. Here lies a great historical site with three prehistoric burial chambers dating back 5,000 years. It's one of the most significant architectural works in European prehistory, where you can get an intriguing insight into people's everyday lives during the Neolithic period and Bronze Age.
7. Excellent vineyards and wineries
Those who enjoy a glass of vino will be happy to hear that the Costa del Sol comprises five wine-producing areas. These vary in climate and terrain, so there are a variety of wines to taste your way through. One of the trendiest wine regions is Serranía de Ronda which has the highest concentration of wineries in Costa del Sol – two of our favourites include Bodega Descalzos Viejos and DV Minima. In Axarquía, you can sip on high-quality wines such as Botani from Bodegas Jorge Ordóñez or Jarel from Bodegas Almijara.
Moving into the mountains, the region of Montes de Málaga offers colder temperatures, higher altitudes and more rainfall. Predominant grape varieties that grow in this part of Malaga are Pedro Ximénez and muscat grapes, with the most well-known winery being Antigua Casa de Guardia, founded in 1840.
In the northern part of Malaga, Fuente de Piedra is home to Bodegas Málaga Virgen, one of the oldest and most famous wineries in Costa del Sol – be sure to try their variety of sweet, dry, calm, flavoured and brandy wines. Last but not least, the west coast region is where you'll find Nilva, which hosts the Viñas de Manilva Interpretation Center (CIVIMA). This wine museum gives you a fascinating insight into the history of winemaking in Manilva.
8. Natural landscapes
A flamingo group in the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra in Malaga
If you look beyond the beaches and high-rise resorts, the Costa del Sol is surrounded by an abundance of stunning natural landscapes. Lace-up your hiking boots or hop on your bike and take on the many trails which lead through the various mountain ranges such as Sierra Blanca and Sierra de Mijas. There are also several nature reserves where you can go walking or birdwatching. In the north, Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park is known for its limestone formations, deep gorges and rivers. To the west is Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park with its diverse flora and fauna. Take a stroll through the largest Pinsapo forest in the world, a type of fir tree found only in this area. To the northwest of Costa del Sol is Laguna de Fuente de Piedra Natural Reserve. Home to a large saltwater lagoon, this is an important breeding ground for pink flamingos – the best time to see them is between February and May.
