The popular Costa del Sol

Beaches in the Costa del Sol. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The popular Costa del Sol, considered one of the major tourist areas worldwide, is covering 160 kilometres of coastline in Malaga, southern Spain. Malaga city is situated in its centre, serving as the imaginary line between the eastern and the western Costa del Sol.

Bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, on the Costa del Sol the beaches are the main attraction. They are among the best in Europe, being annually awarded with the “Blue Flag” by the European Community. These distinctions are awarded based on environmental conditions, infrastructure, equipment, accessibility, etc. Besides its beaches, on the Costa del Sol the visitor can find many attractions for its monumental and cultural quality or impressive landscapes.

We can visit the province of Malaga at any time of year, but especially the Costa del Sol, which is guarded by a succession of mountains of considerable altitude, positively affecting its meteorology. One of the reasons that have made this stretch of coast a prime tourist destination is the mild Mediterranean climate. As the name suggests, the Costa del Sol is one of the best and sunniest climates in Spain, with over 300 sunny days and mild temperatures throughout the year.

But in addition to its beaches, tourists have more reasons to visit the Costa del Sol. Thanks to the diverse cultures that have passed through this land, every corner has historical and artistic values, archaeological sites, monuments, churches, museums.

In addition, visitors can enjoy an extensive agenda of culture and leisure whatever the time of year you visit the Costa del Sol. In the field of family entertainment can be found an amusement park, several water parks, zoos, aquariums, many sports facilities, hiking trails for outdoor sports, water sports, adventure, etc..

If you are looking for a place with night live, you will have trouble choosing in which area to stay. All coastal towns in this part of Malaga have their own nightlife district, with countless places to have a drink… or two. Boredom is banned in the Costa del Sol.

Costa del Sol Gastronomy

Gazpacho ingredients

Eating on the Costa del Sol is one of the pleasures and attractions of your vacation; the local diet is the foundation of the popular and tasty Mediterranean diet. In its cuisine we highlight fresh fish, fruits and vegetables that are cultivated in these lands, virgin olive oil which is the base of many dishes with Mediterranean flair; the Costa del Sol also boasts an extensive range of international cuisine, from the best Japanese, Indian, Italian or Chinese restaurants to traditional tapas bars.

When visiting the beaches and golf courses on the Costa del Sol you can also enjoy rich local cuisine where are outstandingly popular fried fish (pescaito frito) and grilled sardines which you can enjoy in the beach bars of the province of Malaga; anywhere on this coast you can order grilled sardines (Espeto de Sardinas) prepared over charcoal on the sandy beach and nestled in the traditional fishing boats in order to protect the fire from the wind; a spectacle for your senses and a unique taste.

The gastronomy of the Costa del Sol has dishes like Gazpacho and Ajo Blanco (fresh and tasty vegetable and almond drinks during the hot summer months), grilled, fried or cooked shrimps and plenty of shells, from mussels to clams, not to mention grilled fish with a squeeze of lemon or anchovies, and for dessert a rich Bienmesabe (almond-based dessert) accompanied by local wines like Moscatel.

So be a bit adventurous and try new food and beverages during your holidays on the Costa del Sol, maybe you´ll discover for the first time the delicious taste of sun kissed fruit and vegetables, matured on site.

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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Holiday in Malaga on the Costa del Sol

Image via Wikipedia

The sunniest coast of Spain, the Costa del Sol, is one of the most popular holiday regions. Situated far south, it is the most sun-drenched coast of Spain. The Costa del Sol is THE holiday magnet for all who love the sun, beach and sea.

Long, sandy beaches invite to a relaxing vacation. The many beautiful resorts offer a variety of accommodations, entertainment, or just relax.

The most convenient travel to the Costa del Sol is by plane. Malaga Airport is centrally located on the coast and served by many airlines. From here, most resorts are reached within one hour.

The Costa del Sol stretches from Almeria in the east to the Straits of Gibraltar in the southwest. Tarifa, the southernmost point of Spain, separates the Costa del Sol from the Costa de la Luz and is also the site of Europe, which is closest to Africa.

The most popular resorts on the Costa del Sol are Marbella, Torremolinos, Estepona as well as Nerja, Fuengirola and Benalmadena. But not only the coast is a popular holiday destination, also the hinterland of the Costa del Sol offers many interesting regions.

Those who travel to the Costa del Sol and don´t want to be lying all the time on the beach should book a car hire at Malaga airport. Most companies require a minimum age of 23 years for hire, and a deposit by credit card.

An exception to this rule is Malagacar.com, a renowned car hire company at Malaga airport, where up to the moment you pick up your rental car no credit card information is required from you.

Summer is the high season on the Costa del Sol. Even if temperatures exceed 30 degrees, a fresh wind from the Mediterranean makes the temperatures bearable. For water sports enthusiasts, there are plenty of options; surfing, diving and sailing on the Mediterranean coast is very popular. The Costa del Sol is also known as Costa del Golf as here are situated more than 30 exclusive Golf courses. The glamorous Marbella is known for its jet-set life and has a large marina, Puerto Banus.

As the Costa del Sol is appropriate not just for the beach holiday but also culturally has much to offer, the visitors of this coast are very varied. There are available guided tours, where to explore the historic places in the region or you can explore the area on your own.

Alone the city of Malaga is worth a visit. Historical buildings, ruins of a Roman theatre and the fortress Gibralfaro are some of the interesting attractions of this ancient port city. In addition, from the Alcazaba fortress can be enjoyed a magnificent view over the bay of Malaga. Museum lovers will also be satisfied: The Picasso Museum is just one of more than 20 interesting museums, which houses the town.

Those who leave the beaches of the Costa del Sol and make a trip to the hinterland, drive on picturesque roads into the mountainous interior. Here you can still find small, original villages with traditional pubs and marketplaces where farmers sale their products, as well an unspoiled nature of great beauty.

Particularly interesting, however, are the cities of Ronda and Granada, which should not be missing in a round trip. Ronda is an ancient town in the mountains of Malaga, which is located on an incredibly picturesque rocky plateau, about an hour’s drive from the Costa del Sol.

The beautiful city of Granada, 120 km from Málaga, was during 700 years under Moorish rule which is greatly reflected in the architecture. The outstanding Alhambra, the landmark of the city, belongs to the world cultural heritage.

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Easter holidays in Benalmadena

Image by Terry Wha via Flickr

Soon will come the Easter holidays, and with it a few days to rest from the stress caused especially in large cities. Ideally, our holidays are accompanied by good weather and our moments of rest will allow us to enjoy the wonderful places that southern Spain offers.

Perhaps due to the charm of its people and the pleasant temperature, the Costa del Sol is one of the places that tourists like to travel. The region has a special charm. It’s time to get ready for a trip that will make you get rid of all the fatigue and makes you getting back into the routine after the holidays, with the batteries recharged.

One of the most touristic places of the Costa del Sol is Benalmadena, a coastal town of Malaga, which is not surprising taking into account that this municipality enjoys an average temperature of 18º C (64º F) throughout the year. In addition, it beaches create a great tourist attraction. This site is divided into three towns: Benalmadena Pueblo, Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmadena Costa.

This location is a good destination for a few days to relax enjoying good company and the mild climate. In all the better hotels are normally available Spas providing treatments for health and relaxation, helping you to free yourself from stress.

Leisure and entertainment in Benalmadena

Benalmadena has a large number of facilities regarding sports, leisure and culture. It also has many archaeological sites and monuments. In this mediterranean city is located one of the largest marinas of the Costa del Sol. In the award-winning Puerto Marina is also available a wide range of marine-related recreation (diving, fishing etc.), plus shops and restaurants. Another of the most widely practiced sports in Benalmadena is Golf.

In Benalmadena you will find a wide selection of apartments and hotels. Other attractions are the Tivoli World amusement park, Selwo Marina and Sealife Benalmadena. Furthermore you can enjoy a cable car tour to Mount Calamorro with fantastic views over the Mediterranean Sea.

In Benalmadena you can see furthermore the largest Tibetan Stupa in the west and just next to it, the recently opened Butterfly Park, the largest of its kind in Europe. As you can see, in this popular resort town is available a large leisure offer for the whole family and all ages, apart from the traditional sun and beach offer.

This town is well connected, situated just twenty minutes from Malaga airport and adjacent to the towns of Fuengirola and Torremolinos, other resorts that have great tourism demand. Take advantage of your days off and get to know Benalmadena.

Malaga, the tourist paradise on the Costa del Sol

Marbella overview Costa del Sol

Located at the foot of the Muslim heritage Alcazaba, Malaga on the Costa del Sol welcomes travelers with its newly expanded airport. Malaga is growing rapidly and is becoming a modern city with new transport infrastructure, modern city hotels and an increasing cultural offer, which along with its great location on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by mountains and an almost always blue sky make it an attractive place to visit.

Malaga is synonym for sweet wines, flamenco, Picasso, beaches, golf, tapas and shopping combined with the relaxed attitude of the south. There are many local festivals and the locals love to celebrate. The people of Malaga love their August Fair, a major event in the local calendar.

Easter processions can be thrilling for visitors to the city during this time of year. Find the city life in the cultural town of Malaga or contrast it by experimenting the exclusive the jet-set life in Marbella.

International tourists have chosen the Costa del Sol since the sixties. The beaches and sunny weather made Torremolinos and Benalmadena to become mayor resort areas. Celebrities from around the world began to choose Marbella as the preferred site where buying a second home.

Currently, the contrasts are great between the cities of Marbella, Fuengirola, Benalmádena and Torremolinos and the life in Malaga city. In the same line as Granada, Malaga is a major university town, which is reflected in prices that are lower in than in other tourist areas such as Marbella.

Enter the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the Costa del Sol and don´t be surprised if local people want to start a conversation with you on the bus or on the street.

The cultural city of Malaga offers a wide selection of museums. In the Plaza de la Merced is the birthplace of Picasso. The house is now a museum showing some of the artist’s works. Picasso is also present in another museum, the Picasso Museum and within walking distance of the Plaza de la Merced. The CAC Malaga, in the city center, is the museum of contemporary art.

Granada has the Alhambra, Malaga has its Alcazaba, a fortress of the Muslim era. After visiting the fort, take a coffee or mint tea a bit further down in the Plaza de la Merced. Sit back and enjoy the sunshine on the terraces during the day or come back here and have a drink at night. Also visit the popular Garden of the Conception in the north entrance of the city. This is one of the most beautiful gardens of Spain, famous for its archeological collection.

In Puerto Banus, Marbella you find the glamorous life of the jet-set, shiny yachts and exclusive restaurants. This is the favorite holiday spot for the holidays of celebrities. Marbella has a close relationship with the royal family of Saudi Arabia, which has a palace and a mosque in the “Golden Mile”.

Filled with small bars and cafes, the quality of life in Malaga is very high. Enjoy the summer breeze while taking a coffee in one of the beach bars.

The Mediterranean climate is pleasant and brings the sun to Malaga much of the year. The combination of sea and mountains ensures mild winters and hot dry summers. It is advisable to wear sunglasses and good quality sunscreen with a high SPF when visiting one of the most authentic cities in Andalucia.

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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Attractions and charming villages of Malaga: Marbella

Casa del Corregidor in Marbella (built in 1552), Málaga, Spain. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Marbella is located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, in the region of the Costa del Sol, 60 km from Malaga airport.

It is a major tourist resort at the international level for its beaches, climate and environment. Celebrities from all over the world have chosen Marbella as their summer residence.

Its origin dates back to Roman times, of which there are numerous archaeological remains; also from the Arab period there are preserved still two towers and walls of the Castle, and of the Christian era the Chapel of Incarnation, the Casa del Corregidor and Hospital San Juan de Dios.

Especially surprising is its charming Old Town dating from the 16th century, which presents a magnificent condition preserving ancient whitewashed houses in the vicinity of the City Hall, with streets and squares with a typical Andalusian style, among which is outstanding the Plaza de los Naranjos, a charming square with orange trees and many terraces and cozy bars.

It is interesting to visit the marina of Puerto Banus with its luxury and elitist atmosphere.

Nearby there are interesting villages, as Ojen in the Sierra de Juanar mountain ranges with its beautiful promenade and Benahavis, a typical village with many restaurants.

Benalmádena Cable Car offers guided tours at Mount Calamorro in Malaga

The cable car in Benalmadena / Arroyo de la Miel offers visitors the possibility of great views over the Mediterranean Sea and on clear days even of Sierra Nevada, Gibraltar and the African coast. The recreation and leisure centre at the top of Mount Calamorro offers an eagle centre, falconry show, dressage show and, in summer, an astronomical observation area; furthermore there is a restaurant.

To the offer of great viewpoints and rest areas has now been added a guided, comfortable hiking path among pines and typical mediterranean vegetation, about 800 metres over sea level, for visitors of all ages. The trail is about three kilometres long and has duration of approximately 90 minutes.

Getting to Benalmadena is easy using the public transport or our own vehicle if we opted for Malaga car hire at our arrival to Malaga airport.