Ontdek de Costa del Sol

We all know that there is only one sun…but in the Costa del Sol, the sun shines a little brighter. The name Costa del Sol, means “coast of the sun”. And it definitely suits this area, because there are more than 330 sunny days a year! As the name already reveals, the climate is fantastic. For this reason a lot of tourists love to visit this area. Not only the perfect weather, is one of the plus sides of The Costa del Sol, but also it’s great food, lovely beaches, golf courses (which counts more than 70) and authentic white villages. Food that you definitely need to try is fresh seafood and tapas!

Leisure

But for those who think, that the Costa del Sol is only for ‘sun lovers’ is wrong. There is so much more to see and do! Like visiting Málaga, Ronda or Nerja. Hiking or cycling through the lovely mountains, or walking the “kings path”, Caminito del Rey. If you love sight seeing and are into culture, you should visit Málaga, which is the biggest city in the Costa del Sol. It has a lot of museums, architecture and history. While being there you most definitely need to shop and eat in Malaga center. There are a lot of typical small Spanish streets, with good tapas bars and really nice shops. Because the Costa del Sol is so huge, we have made a top five of must sees!

The top five sights of the Costa del Sol

1. Granada

When you say Granada, you say Alhambra. In Granada you can find one of the biggest attractions of Spain, the majestic Alhambra palace! This attraction is so special that it is listed on the World UNESCO heritage site. The Alhambra has some really lovely gardens, in particular the garden with the beautiful Parador of Granada. Wondering what a Parador is?  A Parador is a historical piece of heritage that has been converted into a state hotel, such as old castles and monasteries. In the oldest part of Granada, ‘Albayzin’ you will truly feel the Andalusian coziness.

2. Ronda

This well-known city has three famous bridges that cross the river Guadaleví and the deep gorge El Tajo. The famous bridges are: the Puente Romano also known as Puente San Miguel, the Puente Viejo also known as Puente Arabe and the Puente Nuevo, New Bridge. Because Ronda is one of the oldest cities in Spain, the city has a lot of culture and history. Famous caves such as 'Cueva de la Pileta' and archaeological findings and museums such as the municipal museum can be found in abundance. But also churches, temples and of course a bullfighting arena.

3. Malaga

We already mentioned some highlights about Málaga but did you know that this city is located about a hundred kilometers from the State of Gibraltar. Málaga has plenty to offer to tourists. You will find more than enough museums, historic buildings, parks and shops. What you should definitely not miss is the Arab Fort 'Alcázaba'. This beautiful defensive fortress of Málaga is a bit higher than the city, so you have a beautiful view. An archaeological museum is located inside the fortress. The cathedral of Málaga, the lively harbor and Jardin de la Conceptión are a list of must-see highlights. Museo Picasso, Museo de Artes y Tradiciones (Museum of Popular Traditions) and Museo Municipal de Málaga are museums that stand out to be visited. With a visit to this cozy city, you will notice that it has a lot more to offer.

4. Marbella

One of the most famous places of this coast is Marbella, where you can find the most exclusive luxury European houses. Marbella is famous for its marina, Puerto Banús. The rich and famous love to spend their time there. It has a lot of good beach- and night clubs and the best beaches of this coast are located here. If you visit Marbella you surely need to make a stop at the old town, “Casco Histórico”. Which has really nice boutiques, lovely small Spanish streets and typical Spanish restaurants. But also for lovers of sports you have multiple options. The golf courses of Aloha Golf, Rio Golf, Santa Clara Golf and Santa Maria Golf & Country Club are particularly beautiful. Or if you are into padel, you should visit the Real Club Padel Marbella.

5. Gibraltar

As you might know, Gibraltar if officially a state and not part of the Costa del Sol. But because it is close by, we feel like it belongs in this top five. With the famous 'Rock of Gibraltar', Gibraltar is strategically located at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea; the 'Street of Gibraltar. This Rock is very famous for a few attractions like: the monkeys, the cabel car, and the St. Micheals cave. While visiting Gibraltar you also need to make a stop at Europe point. This is the southernmost part of Gibraltar and of the entire Iberian Peninsula. And if you are looking for fun and food you can go to Grand Casemates Square, which is the biggest square in the center, with lots of shops, restaurants and bars. Also good to know: In Gibraltar you enjoy an attractive tax advantage. So if you're looking for liquor, take your chance.