The Costa del Sol is one of the most beautiful and popular places in Spain. Stretching between Gibraltar and Cabo de Gata, the coast is famous for its beautiful beaches, but it also hides many other attractions. What to see during your holidays and what are the most interesting cities of the Sun Coast?
Great communication between the seaside towns makes a holiday on the Costa del Sol a great opportunity to get to know different corners of Andalusia. Travelling is facilitated by a large number of bus and train connections and the possibility of renting a car or a bicycle. What’s worth seeing on the Costa del Sol? Here’s a quick selection of the highlights!
Malaga
The informal capital of the Coast of the Sun is Malaga. This is where we usually start our holidays, landing at the airport, located just 8 km from the city centre. So, before we indulge in blissful laziness on the beach, it is worth spending a few hours exploring the city. Among the most interesting monuments of Málaga are buildings emblematic of the whole of Andalusia. These are, m.in, the Gibralfaro Castle, the Roman Theatre, the Alcazaba and the Cathedral. Be sure to also visit the Picasso Museum, which presents the private collection of the Malaga-born painter’s family.
Marbella
The most famous resort of the Costa del Sol is synonymous with luxury and a favourite resort of celebrities. Wealth is visible here at every step. Just take a stroll along the promenade to the port of Puerto Banús and see the yachts moored there. The streets of the resort are full of signs such as Gucci, Prada or Luis Vitton. In Marbella, m.in, Antonio Banderas and George Clooney have their estates. The city is also famous for its numerous monuments. Most of them are located in the old part of the city called Casco Antiguo. These are, m.in, the remains of the castle and the walls of the Muralla del Castillo and the town hall from the 16th century.
Nerja
The opposite of party Marbella is the small town of Nerja, located about 50 km from Malaga. The former fishing village, despite its growing popularity as a tourist destination, has retained its peace and unique charm. The village is located on a picturesque, rocky coast. Its biggest attraction is a rocky promontory – Balcon de Europa, on which, in the place of a Moorish castle, there is a wide promenade surrounded by palm trees. The rocky coast of Nerja hides many beautiful, hard-to-reach beaches, which can be reached via cliff paths.
Fuengirola
A quiet town nestled between the sea and a visible mountain range is a favourite holiday destination for Spaniards. The long, wide beach invites to swim and walk. The majestic remains of the Arab castle Castillo de Sohail are the site of numerous festivals, concerts and cultural events. An interesting attraction is also Bioparc Fuengirola, recognized by National Geographic as the best zoo in Spain. On an area of 2 hectares, there are more than 140 species of animals, there is also an imitation of a tropical forest and an institution dealing with the reproduction of endangered species.
