Costa del Sol Holidays

from £ 182 pp

Costa del Sol holidays will sort you out with just about every holiday must-have – from Blue Flag beaches and golf courses to theme parks and top-notch weather.

A covers-all-corners Costa

Whoever said you can't have it all hasn't been to the Costa del Sol. Skirting Spain's southern coast, it packs in the full spectrum of beach holidays. Take Benalmadena, for example. What families can’t do in here isn’t worth mentioning. The super-sized stretch of sand is the big draw, and then there’s the Sea Life Centre and theme park to think about. There’s no shortage of bars, shops and restaurants, either. And you can go traditional in its cobbled old town, Benalmadena Pueblo.

Traditional taste

You’ve probably heard of the big names on this region’s CV, but the little-known ones deserve a shout-out, too. San Pedro de Alcantara is 10 minutes’ drive from plush-as-anything Puerto Banus, but a totally different ball game. Think Roman ruins, narrow streets and tapas bars. Nearby Estepona’s got cultural clout, too, thanks to a snow-white old town. And they both come with a couple of sandy beaches to boot.

Classic Costas

Torremolinos and Benalmadena are the big personalities around here. Beach-wise, pretty much the whole coast is coloured in with sand. And they work the family-friendly angle, too. Between them, they round up a theme park, a waterpark and a crocodile zoo. Plus, Malaga’s just up the road for even more action.

At a glance

Break the no carbs before Marbs rule in Puerto Banus
Choose a pro-worthy golf course to tee off on
Treat yourself to a daybed on La Carihuela Beach

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BEACHES
SHOPPING
NIGHTLIFE
FOOD & DRINK

Sunshine Coast

With a name that translates as the Sunshine Coast, you can guess that this place does a nice line in beaches. All along the coast, from Nerja in the east to Estepona in the west, you’ll find wide ribbons of sand bordered by palm trees and swimmer-friendly waters.
The Big Beach

If we’re talking popularity contests, Torremolinos’ Playacar Beach would win hands down. Come summer this place is packed with sun-seekers. The slate-coloured sands stretch along the coast for a kilometre, though, so there’s always room to lay out your beach towel. There’s pretty much everything you could need here – sunbeds, showers, watersports, and even a playground for the kids. And when lunchtime rolls around there are shedloads of chiringuitos and beach bars serving up fried fish and ice-cold San Miguels.
The Secret Beach

If you prefer your sand with a bit more of a ‘do-not-disturb’ feel, Nerja’s Playa Carabeillo is a good shout. It’s a small, sand-and-shingle bay fringed by palms and bookended by jagged cliffs. It tends to stay pretty empty, as most holidaymakers settle down at Burriana Beach, Playa Carabeillo’s famous neighbour. You won’t find any noisy beach bars or cafés here, either, although there are a couple at the top of the cliff, so there’s not far to go if you’re peckish.

Bargain Buys

Two of the best markets in the area are at Torremolinos' Recinto Ferial and Estepona's marina. They're held every Sunday and you can pick up souvenirs like handmade jewellery, leather bags and even the odd antique. As with most markets, the prices aren't fixed in these places, so barter for all you’re worth.
Mid-Range Buys

Fuengirola, a 15-minute car ride from Benalmadena, is a great place for high-street buys. Its central square, Plaza de la Constitucion, rolls out big names like Benetton, Pull & Bear and Zara. Over in Benalmadena, Avenida de Consitución and the streets spinning off it are the place to be for on-trend clothes and shoe shops.
Designer Buys

Puerto Banus, a 20-minute drive from Estepona, is the best place in the Costa del Sol for designer shopping. Its streets are lined with the likes of Gucci, Dior, Armani and Bulgari. If your budget allows it, head to the Golden Mile just behind the marina for the pick of top-end shops.

Laid-back evenings

The nightlife doesn't really get going ‘til late on the Costa del Sol, so a quiet evening revolves around dinner and a drink in a bar. Estepona's old town has a good selection of bars that aren't too booming. Elsewhere, the La Carihuela area of Torremolinos still has a quiet, fishing-village vibe about it, with a slew of low-key bars and good restaurants along the prom.
Lively evenings

Although Torremolinos still wears the nightlife crown when most people think of the Costa del Sol, Benalmadena is actually livelier. In both places the clubs start late – they don't open ‘til 11pm – and go on past dawn. In Torremolinos, head to Avda de Palma de Mallorca, and in Benalmadena go for the aptly-named 24 hour Square.

Gazpacho

This rustic, tomato-based soup is packed with raw vegetables, garlic, vinegar and olive oil, and served with crusty bread. It was introduced to region in pre-Roman times and quickly became a favourite throughout the Spanish empire. Farmers used to eat it at lunch to cool off from the midday sun as, famously, it's served cold.
Ajoblanco

Like gazpacho, this soup is served cold, usually as an appetiser with grapes or melon. It's made of bread, crushed almonds, garlic, olive oil, water, and sometimes a splash of vinegar. You’ll find it on menus all over Costa del Sol, with a few interesting variations to keep things interesting. In Granada, for example, they like it with baked potatoes.
Pescaíto frito

This is rumoured to be the inspiration behind British favourite, fish and chips, and apparently it originated in Torremolinos. The secret to its success lies in the batter – the fish is fried in a special mixture that keeps it nice and light. The type of fish may vary from place to place, but you’d be hard pushed to find a menu that doesn’t offer it.
Huevos a la Flamenco

Flamenco eggs, as this is better known, is a big favourite in these parts. Onions, garlic, peppers, and chopped tomatoes are made into a thick sauce and used as a base to poach the eggs in. It goes down well with crusty bread and a hearty red wine.
Tinto de verano

This alcoholic drink is a bit like sangria, but simpler. It contains an even mix of red wine and gaseosa, a low-sugar, lightly flavoured lemonade. There might sometimes be a dash of rum or a slice of lemon added, but the locals love it however it comes, especially on warm summer afternoons.

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Costa del Sol Holidays

A covers-all-corners Costa

Traditional taste

Classic Costas

At a glance

Destinations in Costa Del Sol

Top Destinations

Top things to See and Do in Costa del Sol

Sunshine Coast

The Big Beach

The Secret Beach

Bargain Buys

Mid-Range Buys

Designer Buys

Laid-back evenings

Lively evenings

Gazpacho

Ajoblanco

Pescaíto frito

Huevos a la Flamenco

Tinto de verano

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