The Costa del Sol

Reasons to visit the Costa del Sol

Surely the most famous part of Spain is the Costa del Sol. The main resorts lie to the west of the city of Málaga which is where the best beaches are found. Here there are the upmarket resorts of Marbella, Puerto Banús and Sotogrande. The beautiful Andalucian city of Malaga, capital of the province, is often overlooked by visitors on their way to and from the airport, which is a shame because it has much to offer. One of its claims to fame is having been the birthplace of Pablo Picasso whose house has recently been converted into a museum celebrating his life and works.

East of Málaga the coastline becomes rockier and the beaches tend to be more shingle and pebbles. Small isolated coves and beaches abound, perfect for those who want a little more isolation on their holiday. The charming resort town of Nerja is along this bit of the coast, but has the advantage of a lovely sandy beach. Its focal point is the famous 'Balcón De Europa', a spectacular promenade which projects out from the top of a cliff, offering wonderful views along the coastline. On the outskirts of the town are the 'Cuevas de Nerja', apparently the 3rd most visited attraction in Spain, and where one of the caverns has been turned into a concert hall which stages performances during the summer. A few miles inland is the small white-washed mountain village of Frigiliana with cobbled streets and lovely views to the coast.