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Costa Del Sol Holidays

Year-round sun and fun

The sun always seems to shine a little more brightly on the Costa del Sol – a beachside paradise located in the south of Spain. The region’s striking beaches have made Costa del Sol holidays famous, but there’s much more on offer beyond its sparkling sky and sea. The port city of Malaga, for instance, offers modernity and a burgeoning cultural scene that attracts artists from around the world as well as their admirers.

Elsewhere, quintessentially Andalucian white villages are scattered across the landscape, and with architecture left behind after the Moorish occupation, holidays to the Costa del Sol can be a feast for the eyes. Boasting a cuisine that is still influenced by Jewish and Arabic traditions, there’s plenty of opportunity to try new things. Being by the sea, freshly-caught seafood is the star ingredient in many dishes and features heavily on most menus. Specialities like ‘pescaito frito’ – small fish breaded and fried in olive oil – and gazpacho, a refreshing cold soup, are popular in the region. So whether you love culture, food and ancient architecture, or just a bucket, a spade and an ice cream on the sand, the Costa del Sol is the perfect holiday destination to soak up the sun and enjoy.

Your Costa del Sol questions, answered

On clear days you can spot the African coastline from some of Costa del Sol’s peaks. So if you go hiking, keep your eyes peeled.
Costa del Sol holidays will leave you spoilt for choice, so there are no wrong answers, but if you pass through Nerja make sure to seek out Maro Beach.
The peak travel season is between June and August, during the summer holidays. This is a fantastic time to visit the Costa del Sol as most of the local attractions will be open and there’s usually plenty of sunshine. Winter can be a wonderful time to visit, too. The Costa del Sol has very mild winters, so it can seem more like spring. It may even be warm enough to enjoy an alfresco lunch, or take a relaxing stroll along the beach. Travelling at this time of year could save you a bit of money, too.
This affordable and compact city is packed with contemporary art, the early works of Picasso and a historic quarter filled with outdoor cafés and tempting boutiques.
The Costa del Sol is part of Spain’s Andalusia region, so the traditional cuisine here is filled with Andalusian flavours. Think lots of cured Spanish meats, fried fish, and Mediterranean vegetables. As the Costa del Sol’s coast is backed by dense forests and hills, there’s a definite seaside-to-mountain trend here with lots of dishes including both meat and fish. But the Costa del Sol’s resort towns cater to pretty much everyone. There’s fast food places, restaurant chains, and cheap and cheerful cafes.
The best place to fly into for a holiday on the Costa del Sol is Malaga Airport. There are direct routes here from Liverpool, Manchester, Belfast, Glasgow, London, and Bristol, so getting to Malaga is straightforward. From Malaga Airport, you can reach Estepona right down at the opposite end of the coast in just over an hour by car, so no matter where you’re staying, transfers aren’t too long.
The Costa del Sol is located on Spain’s southern coast, in the country’s Andalusia region. It’s nestled between the Costa de la Luz and Costa Tropical. The Costa del Sol is separated from the north Moroccan coast by the Mediterranean Sea. And on very clear days, you may even be able to see Africa. You’ll enjoy the best views from a high vantage point, so keep an eye out if you’re hiking up one of the hills. The Costa del Sol really does have a prime location, resting snugly between the Mountains and the Med.
There are lively spots on the Costa del Sol, and quieter spots, so it really depends where you go. In the Costa del Sol’s old towns, where there are lots of family-friendly attractions, you’ll find that the nightlife is more low key, with bars and restaurants catering to everyone from babies to grandparents. In the more purpose-built holiday destinations and beach resorts, there’s more of a ‘sleep by day, party by night’ atmosphere. These places are where you’ll find the iconic Spanish nightlife.
The Costa del Sol is very family-friendly. There’s absolutely loads for families to do here, including water parks, theme parks, zoos, and aquariums. And the flat seafront promenades mean it’s easy to get around with a buggy or pushchair. There’s a huge range of food options, so even picky eaters will be able to find something they like. And the Costa del Sol’s great weather means you won’t have to worry too much about finding rainy day activities. This part of the world has a very dry climate.