Costa del Sol
The coast of Andalucia, stretching from Almeria to Tarifan, makes up the ever-popular Costa del Sol. A firm favourite with holiday makers, this region of Spain is home to a vast number of tourists throughout the year and its popularity only seems to rise with time. It is made up of a huge stretch of beautiful, sandy beaches and quaint towns, Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Marbella among the most popular.
The Costa del Sol offers the opportunity to do almost anything you might want to whilst on holiday. Relax on the beach, play a round of golf, browse the local shops or admire the picturesque house in a nearby town, whatever you want to do there is something to keep the most varied of interests occupied. Ideal for some winter sun or a summer break, the Costa del Sol enjoys sunshine for approximately 320 days of the year. There is limited rainfall and temperatures range from 32 degrees Celsius in the peak season and 18 degrees Celsius in the winter months.
Torremolinos is a huge resort area aimed generally at families, ideal if that is your criteria, but not so much if you are looking for a quiet break. Made up of two main beaches, an array of hotels and shops, it is quite easy to holiday here without leaving the town. With so much competition between business prices are low meaning that a low-budget holiday can be had easily. If you are looking for a spot of culture, perhaps Torremolinos is not the destination for you. Very little of the old town remains, instead shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs populate the town replacing all forms of original Spanish culture.
Just as popular is Marbella, with busy hotels and apartments it is still very much a resort town, but has managed to maintain some of its original atmosphere and history. The Old Town is a picturesque place to visit with a maze of small streets and alley ways to be explored. It is also an ideal place for shopping, as are the street markets in which you can pick up a good bargain. Marbella is still just as lively however and its nightlife is probably the biggest crowd-puller of all. With many theatres, bars, cinemas and clubs staying open until the early hours of the morning, Marbella is not the best place to try and have a quiet night in. Hotels and high-rise apartments have now replaced the spots in Fuengirola where quaint Spanish buildings once stood, a sign of the increasing popularity of this town in the Costa del Sol. Despite this, attractions that do not involve the usual lovely mix of entertainment can still be found. Take a trip to the sports marina to marvel at the fishing boats and yachts or perhaps visit the zoo or local water park. The thermal baths of Torreblanca also make for a good day out.
These are just three of the most popular areas of the Costa del Sol and there are of course many other places worth visiting. Estepona for example is ideal if you are looking for somewhere a little less built-up and a bit quieter.
Flying to the Costa del Sol on a budget has never been easier, now that cheap flights to the area are becoming more widely available. Malaga International Airport is used by most airlines traveling into the Costa del Sol and situated just 8km south west of the city centre it is in an ideal location to connect to your chosen resort. To compare prices and look for cheap flights, click here.