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English6 reasons to visit the Costa del Sol
- Climate and beaches: the area gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year and an average annual temperature of 19 ºC. Beaches mentioned include Puerto Banús, Burriana, Malagueta, Calahonda, Cabopino and Carihuela, where you can go diving and kayaking.
- Málaga: founded in Phoenician times, the main city has a largely pedestrian centre. Must-sees: the 16th-century cathedral nicknamed “la Manquita”, the Roman theatre and the Alcazaba.
- The villages: Ronda is split in two by the Tajo, a gorge 100 metres deep and 500 metres long, crossed by the 18th-century Puente Nuevo. Antequera has the El Romeral and Menga dolmens and around thirty churches; Mijas and Frigiliana are among the pueblos blancos (white villages).
- Cueva de Nerja: discovered in the late 1950s, it can only be visited on a guided tour and has six paintings of seals, with a marked drop in temperature at the entrance.
- Key point: the Caminito del Rey, named after King Alfonso XIII's visit in 1921, runs through the Gaitanes gorge, with a bridge 105 metres high. The area, nicknamed the Costa del Golf, has more than 70 courses.
Although the name Costa del Sol makes you want to grab your towel and spend hours in the sun, the area actually offers much more than sea and sand. It is full of amazing places to visit, as well as activities to enjoy. From postcard villages such as Casares, where you can wander for hours, to more hidden and impressive places such as the caves of Nerja. The climate, the food, the culture, the sport… A long list that will make you fall in love with the land and its people.
For many years, the Costa del Sol has been an ideal holiday destination for thousands of tourists from all over Europe. Its more than 300 days of sunshine a year are a big draw. But as we said, the beach and the sun are not the only reasons to visit the area.
Its beaches
A coast with an average annual temperature of 19 ºC naturally has stunning beaches to discover. Tourists and locals alike make the most of the warm weather to lie in the sun and swim in the Mediterranean. Some of the most popular beaches, famous for their beauty, are Puerto Banús, Burriana, Malagueta, Calahonda, Cabopino and Carihuela.
On almost every beach on the Costa del Sol you can try different water sports such as diving or kayaking, the best way to enjoy the rich and varied marine life of the Mediterranean.
Málaga
You cannot leave the Costa del Sol without visiting its main city: Málaga. It has a rich cultural heritage shaped by its history. It was founded in Phoenician times and, over the centuries, many civilisations settled there. They left a strong mark on its identity as a city, still visible today in the artistic heritage that has been preserved. Take a stroll through the city centre, which is largely pedestrianised, and stop in some of its many tapas bars for a break. Among the main monuments not to miss are the 16th-century cathedral, nicknamed “la Manquita” (the one-armed lady), the Roman theatre and the Alcazaba.
The villages of the Costa del Sol
If you visit the Costa del Sol, take some time to see a few of the nearby villages. Most of them are easy to reach by road, bus or train.
- Ronda: one of the most visited towns in Andalusia is Ronda, because it has so many interesting places to see. This Andalusian town is split into two parts by the Tajo de Ronda, a gorge 100 metres deep and 500 metres long, carved by the river Guadalevín. The two parts are linked by the Puente Nuevo, an impressive 18th-century bridge. Another must-see is the famous Plaza de Toros.
- Antequera: another of the most visited places in the area is Antequera, a town that dates back to the Bronze Age. You can still visit megalithic monuments from that period, such as the El Romeral dolmen and the Menga dolmen. Antequera is also known for its large number of churches (around 30).
- Mijas: of the “pueblos blancos” (white villages), Mijas is the most visited. Viewpoints, churches and a maze-like old town are some of its main attractions. A curious fact: since the 1960s it has had an unusual way of getting around, the burro-taxi (donkey taxi).
- Frigiliana: like Mijas, Frigiliana is one of the “pueblos blancos” of the Axarquía that deserve a place on your Costa del Sol itinerary. Walking through its narrow streets feels like going back in time.
Hidden gems: the Cueva de Nerja
One of the hidden gems of the area is the Cueva de Nerja, discovered in the late 1950s. Besides being well worth a visit because it is unique, the Cueva de Nerja is also known for its six paintings of seals. Visits to the Cueva de Nerja are always guided. Be ready for a big change in temperature compared with outside!
Its hiking trails: the Caminito del Rey
Don't forget to pack comfortable shoes, because the Costa del Sol has one of the most popular hiking trails around. The Caminito del Rey, named after a visit by King Alfonso XIII in 1921, runs through the Gaitanes gorge. It was long considered one of the most dangerous paths in the world. One of the most dizzying sections of the route is the bridge 105 metres high. After years of closure, it reopened to the public at the end of March 2015 following safety work, and access now requires a ticket.
The Costa del Golf
The Costa del Sol is also known as “the Costa del Golf”, because it has a large number of first-class golf courses. If golf is one of your passions, the Costa del Sol is a great holiday destination, with more than 70 courses.
Our office in Málaga covers the Costa del Sol to find the flat or house that suits you.
Source: Omio
Thomas Rouer is the founder of Alveo Search and the CEO of the Alveo group. Based in Spain for almost ten years, he develops property services designed for the specific needs of foreign buyers.
His expertise covers every aspect of buying property in Spain: understanding the market, searching for and selecting properties, negotiation, financing, paperwork, tax and securing the purchase process.
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