Review of Malaga and Costa del Sol in September

Costa del Sol beach

Just to be clear right from the start: This article is written by a habitual resident of the Costa del Sol and therefore completely biased!

This morning I left my house in Fuengirola and with the first rays of the day became patent a long expected reality: September 1!

The avalanche of tourists in high season has withdrawn to their jobs in large cities, and with them they have taken their cars, noise and multiple stresses.

I am not trying to be very objective in this article. Rather, I wonder: If the Costa del Sol enjoys a mild climate throughout the year, why everyone has to come in August and convert all the coastal municipalities in swarms of human bodies in the streets, sea promenades and of course beaches!

I find it very startling, when I’m dodging with my bike a long line of cars looking for parking space under a boiling midday sun, to afterwards find a place for the towel on a crowded beach, queue at the supermarket and stand the noise of neighbors holding a barbecue on the balcony late at night, thinking that everyone else is also on vacation and along the Costa del Sol nobody works in August… I wonder…

It may be a matter of families with school age children, mandatory holidays for large companies, the sweltering heat of the interior of the peninsula, marketing, custom, or a mixture of all this. But as result the typical friendly pace of life in these parts is completely altered during the months of July and August; the entire Costa del Sol bows to the always welcome tourist, as it has specialized in this monoculture of tourism and construction.

My point and repeating an important fact, already mentioned before: The Costa del Sol enjoys a mild climate throughout the year. September 1 and all of a sudden the beaches are empty; while enjoying relaxed afternoons the thermometer is still hovering around 28 degrees. In fact, for me, June and September are the best months to fully enjoy everything offered by the Costa del Sol, but without massive crowds of visitors.

Much the same can be said of May and October. In May, some rainy days can mix with real summer days; the countryside looks lush green, the streets are flooded with the scent of orange blossom and the weather is ideal for enjoying country walks and excursions as well as enjoyable afternoons at the seaside.

In October, we still can enjoy warm temperatures that allow even bathing in the sea; the golden evenings invite to strolls along the seashore now gradually passed into the hands of the walkers who enjoy watching the sunset colors playing in the sky on nearly empty beaches. Doesn´t this sound tempting?

Heading for the beaches in Malaga, Costa del Sol

Image by Andrew Griffith via Flickr

It’s summer! Not only because the calendar says so but we can smell, feel it and breathe it in the air. And the sun and the sea invite you to enjoy long days on the beach.

Yes, it´s summer even though the thermometer says otherwise in most Central European countries with average temperatures of 20 degrees. Understandably, these temperatures do not raise much desire to go for a walk in a short-sleeved shirt at night… as they are more reminiscent of warm spring temperatures than a decent summer…

However, it is summer. And in places like Malaga and the Costa del Sol, we still have many weeks of summer ahead!

At this time, which for many mean thinking about getting back to school and work and the imminent arrival of fall, the beaches of Malaga are filled to overflowing with bathers of all nationalities.

Visitor´s trend at Malaga beaches

1. The first begins in the early morning hours with people jogging along the sea promenade and others taking their dog for a walk. The morning is still enjoyable and fresh. The gentle morning sea breeze and silence are the delights of these hours for early risers to enjoy the empty beaches and fantastic sunsets.
2. The second movement of the day is clearly visible, around 11o´clock, with the first great wave of arrival of bathers on the beach which usually occupy the beachfront to take full advantage of the day by the sea.
3. The second wave arrives on one, ready to go for dip in the sea and refreshments at the closest beach bar.
4. The third wave of bathers arrives in the afternoon after lunch and siesta. It is always great to watch the sunset lying on a towel on the beach.
5. The fourth and last is the nearest to sunset; people who are not so keen on the sun, who want to swim or do some sport.
6. The fifth are the few people who like walking or swiming during the night.

And you, when do you usually enjoy the beach?

Free WIFI, stay connected from the beaches of the Costa del Sol

Image by suttonhoo via Flickr

Over 40% of the beach bars on the Costa del Sol offer free WiFi this summer:

Being connected to the Internet even at the beach this summer is going to be something normal. Due to the popularity of laptops, mini computers and telephones with Internet access nowadays it is becoming a reality the possibility of being connected anywhere and at any time throughout the day. This possibility this summer extends to the Costa del Sol beaches which offer free WiFi.

This summer the beach bars of the Costa del Sol will have a major appeal (besides the cold beer!) with free WIFI connection. Instead of having to find an internet connection in the hotel or going to any net cafe, now you only need to pick up the beach bag and your gadget with application for internet and land on the beaches of Malaga.

Imagine, while you take a refreshing beer in the shade, you instantly send your friends the feeling of wellbeing, a few meters from the shore of the Mediterranean; or you answer some emails while waiting for your serving of fried fish … life is not so bad, right? Also, as another new feature this year is that the beaches of Fuengirola offer play centres and professional massage.

Useful links for those coming to the Costa del Sol:

• Malaga airport information
• Malaga car hire
• Malaga guide

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Attractions and charming villages of Malaga: Benalmadena

Image via Wikipedia

Thanks to an efficient rail network and good roads, you can reach Benalmadena very easily; situated just 15 km from Malaga airport the resort is therefore an ideal destination for a holiday on the Costa del Sol.

The city is particularly popular with British and other European tourists and offers a large number of pubs, restaurants and accommodation. Despite the number of foreign businesses, the old town has maintained its historic fishing village charm, although it is surrounded by modern tourist infrastructure, such as shopping centres, night clubs, bars and cinemas.

The climate in Benalmadena ensures that it has become a popular beach destination. And the area – likewise the whole Costa del Sol – is magnificent with fine sandy beaches, which you can enjoy from a comfortable Costa del Sol beach hotel.

The development of the city ensures a variety of restaurants and bars in the town for all tastes. The famous beach bars of Benalmadena are a particularly appealing attraction. Who would not like to be supplied with freshly caught fish and to drink cool wine or sangria at a beautiful Mediterranean beach?

Benalmadena offers a variety of other tourist activities. The Tivoli amusement park is an ideal destination for a family holiday on the Costa del Sol and the Aquarium and the Selwo Marina give children the opportunity to watch penguins and dolphins. The Jardin de las Aguilas (Eagle’s Garden) is another favorite family destination in the city.

Benalmadena is a town of growing diversity, andalusian charm and leisurely convenience and perhaps also thatfore since years a popular tourist destination of international tourism. If you choose car hire Malaga as your transport option, Benalmadena is a great place to stay as it is close to Fuengirola, Marbella and Malaga city center, we can benefit from closer distances by car.

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