Costa del Sol
Málaga's sunny coast: sandy beaches from Torremolinos to Marbella and Nerja, tapas in Málaga, and day trips to Ronda, Granada and Gibraltar.
The Costa del Sol is the coast of Málaga province in southern Spain: a line of resorts, fishing quarters and white villages between the Mediterranean and the mountains, less than three hours' flight from most of the UK. It's the easy choice for a sunny week, and a good one for more, because Andalucía's great sights are a day trip away.
Why go
You get reliable sunshine, long sandy beaches with seafront promenades, and resorts where the logistics are simple: Málaga airport sits between Málaga city and Torremolinos, and a local train runs along the coast. Then there's more than the beach: Málaga's museums and tapas bars, Marbella's old town, the caves and cliffs of Nerja, and, inland, the gorge walk of the Caminito del Rey, Ronda, Granada's Alhambra and a day in Gibraltar.
When to go
Summer (June to September) is hot, dry and busy, the time for families and beach days. Spring and autumn bring warm days, quieter beaches and the best weather for walking and sightseeing. Winter is mild and sunny enough for golf, long lunches outdoors and winter-sun breaks, although the sea is cool and some beach bars and water parks close.
Getting there from the UK
Direct flights to Málaga–Costa del Sol airport (AGP) leave from London and many regional UK airports, taking roughly 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 20 minutes depending on where you fly from. From the airport, the C1 commuter train serves Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola, and Málaga city centre is minutes away. Marbella and Nerja are best reached by transfer or hire car. Tell us your airport and we'll do the rest.
Where to stay
- Torremolinos – lively, affordable and close to the airport, with the old fishermen's quarter of La Carihuela on its seafront.
- Benalmádena – family-friendly, with a busy marina, beaches and resort hotels along Benalmádena Costa.
- Fuengirola – a long promenade, a proper Spanish town centre and the end of the coastal train line; good for couples and families alike.
- Marbella and Puerto Banús – a whitewashed old town, a smart marina and golf all around.
- Nerja – at the quieter eastern end, with small coves, cliffs and a lookout over the sea.
What to do
Walk the boardwalks of the Caminito del Rey, see the caves of Nerja and the white village of Frigiliana, cross Ronda's Puente Nuevo, or spend a full day at the Alhambra. Closer to the beach, paddle a kayak along the Maro cliffs, spend a day at the Aqualand water park, or join a tapas walk through Málaga's historic centre and its Atarazanas market.
Food
Look for espetos, sardines skewered and grilled over wood fires on the beach, plus pescaíto frito (small fried fish), chilled ajoblanco soup and the region's sweet Málaga wines. Beach bars, called chiringuitos, serve lunch with your toes almost in the sand.
Good to know
- Currency: euro (EUR)
- Time: one hour ahead of the UK all year
- Plugs: type C and F, 230 V. Bring an adaptor
- Language: Spanish; English is widely spoken in the resorts
- Entry rules for UK passport holders change from time to time, so check the latest before you travel
Make it yours: tell us your dates and airport and a SkyRay advisor will match you with the right resort and hotel.
