THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN

INTRODUCTION: DISCOVER THE COSTA DEL SOL
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN: Are you planning a trip to the Mediterranean Coast? Are you thinking about the Costa del Sol but you’re just not sure and you need more information? This is what I usually ask at the start of my travel posts because often I’m talking about places most people outside of Spain or Europe, have never heard of. But Costa Del Sol, come on! Who hasn’t heard of this vacation hotspot? Still, if you started to read this post, then it’s likely you want to find out more. Then, look no further.
This post will outline the main points about Costa del Sol and help you make an informed decision for your next vacation to the coast of Spain. As someone who has lived in the area for over a decade, I’m happy to share my inside tips and knowledge of this highly sought-after beach holiday destination.
Location
The Costa del Sol is located on the southern Mediterranean coast of Spain in the autonomous community of Andalusia. It begins roughly northeast of Gibraltar and extends up to Nerja. This coastline runs approximately approximately 150km and the region benefits from the Mediterranean climate getting more than 320 days of sun a year. The region was originally made up of several small fishing communities but over the last several decades it has been transformed into one of the most important tourist areas in Spain and one of the more famous vacation destinations in the world.
The Costa del Sol includes the city of Malaga, and the towns of Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella, San Pedro de Alcantara, Estepona, Manilva, Casares, Rincon de la Victoria, Velez-Malaga, Nerja, Frigiliana and Torrox, all of which are directly on the Mediterranean coast. The region has successfully marketed itself as not only an incredible beach vacation destination but they have ensured the development of a vibrant nightlife scene to keep visitors entertained and wanting more.
(To find out more about this region see our Guide to the Mediterranean Coast of Spain and our Guide to The Mediterranean Coast Lifestyle and Travel )

WHAT ARE THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN COSTA DEL SOL?
Beaches
The coastline on the Costa del Sol is a mixture of sand beaches, cliffs, bays, and dunes. There are approximately 125 beaches ranging from long sandy stretches of shoreline to small secluded coves. Some of the more famous beaches are:
- Playa de la Malagueta, Málaga
- Playa de Burriana, Nerja
- Playa de Torremolinos, Torremolinos
- Playa de la Carihuela, Torremolinos
- Playa de Marbella, Marbella
- Playa de Calahonda, Mijas
- Playa El Bajondillo, Torremolinos
- Playa de Fuengirola, Fuengirola
- Playa del Cristo, Estepona
- Playa de Cabopino, Marbella
- Playa de San Pedro de Alcántara, Marbella
- Playa de la Rada, Estepona
- Playa de Sabinillas, Manilva
- Playa de Benalmádena, Benalmádena
- Playa El Bombo, Mijas Costa

Top Theme Parks
- Tivoli World, Benalmádena
- Aqualand Torremolinos
- Bioparc Fuengirola
- Selwo Marina, Benalmádena
- Selwo Aventura, Estepona
- Aquamijas, Mijas
- Crocodile Park, Torremolinos
- Parque Acuático Mijas, Mijas
- Butterfly Park, Benalmádena
- Sea Life Benalmádena
Hiking/Walking
Here’s a list of the top 10 hiking trails in the Costa del Sol, with their difficulty level and distance:
- Caminito del Rey Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 7.7 km (4.8 miles)
- El Torcal de Antequera Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Distance: Various routes, 1.5 km to 4 km (0.9 to 2.5 miles)
- Ruta de los Cahorros, Monachil Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
- Sierra de Mijas Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Distance: Various routes, 6 km to 15 km (3.7 to 9.3 miles)
- Pico de la Concha, Marbella Difficulty: Difficult Distance: 16 km (10 miles) round trip
- Ruta del Rio Chillar, Nerja Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 16 km (10 miles) round trip
- Los Cahorros de Maro, Nerja Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles)
- Sendero Sulayr, Sierra Nevada Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Distance: 300 km total, but can be done in sections
- Pinsapar de Grazalema Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
- Tajo de Ronda Difficulty: Easy Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)

Water Sports and Activities
With so much coastline and excellent weather, it should come as no surprise that water sports and water activities play an important role in the Costa Del Sol. The conditions here are great for swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, windsurfing, kite surfing, wakeboarding, Jet skiing, parasailing, scuba diving, and kayaking. In addition to this, there are several marinas along the coast and multiple companies offering boat tours on the Mediterranean ranging from less than an hour to the whole day. You can also book sailing tours or fishing excursions.

Golf
There are a total of 70 golf courses in the Costa del Sol. There is a wide range of courses available to suit both amateurs and pros. Below is a list of the top 10 golf courses:
- Valderrama Golf Club: Located 2 km from Sotogrande.
- Finca Cortesin Golf Club: Located 8 km from Casares.
- La Reserva Golf Club: Located 3 km from Sotogrande.
- Real Club de Golf Sotogrande: Located 4 km from Sotogrande.
- San Roque Golf Club: Located 9 km from San Roque.
- Marbella Club Golf Resort: Located 12 km from Marbella.
- Los Naranjos Golf Club: Located 6 km from Marbella.
- La Quinta Golf & Country Club: Located 5 km from Benahavís.
- Guadalmina Golf Club: Located 2 km from San Pedro de Alcántara.
- Aloha Golf Club: Located 6 km from Marbella.
Food and Nightlife
Traditional Andalusian cuisine
When visiting the area make sure you try these Andalusian favorites: Gazpacho which is a cold soup made of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, garlic, bread, olive oil, wine vinegar, and salt. This is a standard meal in this region, in particular during the hot summers.
Tapas
One of the traditions in this area is to go on a tapas tour or “Ir de Tapas” which involves visiting several bars and restaurants and sampling different foods and drinks.
Seafood
Being on the coast, you will find that fresh seafood (caught daily)features quite high on most menus. This is a great opportunity to try different seafood dishes such as paella and pescaito frito which are normally small fish (anchovies, sardines, or baby squid) dipped in batter and deep fried until golden and crispy.

Nightlife on the Costa Del Sol
The Costa del Sol is not just known for its relaxing beach culture but is also known for its nightlife. There are a large number of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs spread out along the coast and you will find every form of entertainment. In particular, during the summer high season, you’ll find that there is a party state of mind and you’ll find lots of places to go out for a drink, go out dancing, catch a live show, or watch a concert.
Day Trips in the Costa del Sol
Granada and the Alhambra
Visit Granada, the capital city of the province, which has a rich history, with traces of human occupation in the area dating back to 5500 BC. Several cultures have lived in this area over the last thousands of years and you can see traces of this in various locations in the city. The most famous in Granada is the Alhambra, a fortress representing one of the best examples of Islamic architecture in the world with construction beginning in 1238.
Ronda
A great day trip option is to visit the town of Ronda which is home to its iconic bridge, “Puente Nuevo” or new bridge, built back in the 18th century over the El Tajo Gorge. Another main attraction is the old town of Ronda, which is a maze of cobble-stoned streets and white-washed houses. Take the time to walk around and explore this town and make sure to try one of the locally produced wines.

Gibraltar
A piece of England right in Spain. Gibraltar, with its iconic “Rock of Gibraltar, is an excellent day trip option. It has a rich military history, an incredible natural park (with monkeys, come on!), an English-speaking community and market, and on a clear day a view of Northern Africa.

Best Time to Visit and Travel Tips
Peak Tourist Season
The peak tourist season is during July and August when most regions of Europe have their school breaks. And of course, this is when the weather is at its hottest. The end result is that millions of Europeans end up heading to the coast all at the same time.
Tip: If you are looking for a less hectic experience, you might want to consider traveling in May/June or in Sept/October. The weather is still exceptionally nice and you can escape the large crowds.
Transportation options
Flying
There are a few airport options that will take you to Costa del Sol: the airport in Malaga is the main airport servicing this region. It has major connections throughout Europe. The next Spanish airport is in Granada (about 125km away from the coast) which is smaller than Malaga but still services several European destinations and domestic flights. The third option is the airport in Gibraltar which serves several key destinations in the UK.
Driving
You can reach the Costa Del Sol by using the A-7 highway that runs through the region or the old national highway, NM-340.
Train
You can reach Malaga from Madrid by train in just under 3 hours.
Accommodations
The main industry in the Costa del Sol is tourism so there is no shortage of hotel accommodations in the area. However, as mentioned above, summer is the busiest time in the area so I recommend that you book well in advance. There are hotels and Air BnBs in all of the different locations on the Costa del Sol and in the surrounding towns. Your best bet is to check online for available places and book as soon as you can. Check out the link below for places available right now.
(To find out about other locations on the Costa Del Sol see related posts: Best Things to do in Estepona, Nerja and Malaga.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN COSTA DEL SOL
The Costa del Sol is a great tourist destination for those seeking a beach vacation with a large selection of water sports, various theme parks, 70 golf courses, hiking trails, boat tours, day trip options, and a large selection of nightly entertainment to choose from. With excellent Mediterranean weather, beautiful sand beaches with crystal clear waters, and its diverse selection of activities, the Costa del Sol is an excellent beach holiday location.
“Don’t Just Dream It! Do it!”
How about experiencing the Mediterranean firsthand? Use the map below to inspire you and plan your next Mediterranean vacation right now!
Reg Auge
Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.