The Costa del Sol more than lives up to its Spanish name of “Sun Coast.” This 99-mile (160-kilometer) chunk of Andalucian coast welcomes around 320 sunny days a year and boasts a gamut of resorts trailing from fun-packed Benalmádena to jet-set Marbella. Tourists love the sun-burnished beaches and Mediterranean seas, but things to do on Costa del Sol go beyond the sands. Wander gleaming marinas, savor tapas with chilled sherry, take dolphin-spotting cruises, explore Andalucia’s mountains and pueblo blanco villages, and feel yourself succumb to Spain’s buena vida.
The Costa del Sol basks in sunshine (or pleasant weather, at the very least) pretty much year-round. Summer brings peak crowds, with average highs hitting around 88°F (31°C) come July and August. The remaining seasons also entice visitors, thanks to abundant sunshine in the spring and fall and mild (if rainy) winters. February and March see annual Carnival parades weave through many towns, including Marbella and Málaga, while a string of sailing regattas, town fairs, and concerts light up the coast during summer.
Car rental is your best bet if you’re planning to travel around the Costa del Sol. Motorway links are good, with the A-7 tracing the coast and the AP-7 toll road shadowing it inland—although both can get congested. If you’re sticking to the beach, however, you’ll likely find each resort’s buses and taxis enough for getting around. Organized tours, meanwhile, are handy for day trips into Andalucia, and regular trains provide a convenient option between Málaga and Fuengirola.
While the Costa del Sol’s beaches and animated resorts are tourist magnets, plenty of hidden gems await a little way inland. Venture northwest from Estepona to enjoy quiet mountain towns like Gaucín, where old-fashioned tapas bars dot the alleyways and viewpoints reveal cinematic views over the coast. Nearby is Casares, a stunning white gem, where narrow lanes coil up to a ruined Moorish castle and falcons and vultures wheel overhead.
Local Currency Euro (€) | Time Zone CEST (UTC +1) | Country Code +34 | Language(s) Catalan | Attractions 9 | Tours 254 | Reviews 3,555 |
The Costa del Sol is famous for its sandy beaches and estimated 320 days of sunshine a year. It’s also known for its diverse resorts, which attract all types of visitors. Just one mention of the coast conjures visions of Málaga’s boulevards, Marbella’s glitzy marina, Torremolinos’ bars, and Nerja’s Balcony of Europe (Balcón de Europa) promenade.
...MoreThe Costa del Sol’s premier attraction is its sun-drenched sands and clear seas, which beckon cruises and water sports. Other top draws include Málaga’s Alcazaba fortress, Nerja’s caves, Frigiliana’s charming white buildings, and numerous theme and wildlife parks. The region’s laid-back lifestyle and great cuisine, shopping, and nightlife are also well-loved.
...MoreThe Costa del Sol is as kid-friendly as destinations come, with most resorts boasting sandy beaches and clean seas on top of family-friendly boat trips, water sports, wildlife parks, and a multitude of other entertainments. Some of the most popular attractions include Fuengirola’s Bioparc (zoo), Málaga’s ruined Alcazaba, and Nerja’s stalactite- and stalagmite-filled caves.
...MoreIf you plan to stay put in one resort, a week is enough to relax on the beach and sample some local sights, restaurants, and nightlife. For an active stay—including trips to places like Málaga, theme park visits, and outings to Andalucian gems like Ronda and Granada—two weeks is ideal.
...MoreThe best time for visiting the Costa del Sol depends on your preferences. For guaranteed sunshine and maximum entertainment—be it water sports, golf, or nightlife—any month between June and October will deliver. If you’re after a slower pace and fewer crowds (and you don’t mind cooler climes), choose January–May or October–November.
...MoreYes, the Costa del Sol is warmer than Portugal’s Algarve, but only by a small margin. For example, average Algarve summer temperatures are about 84°F (29°C), compared to 88°F (31°C) in Marbella or Málaga. From a broader perspective, the two climates are near-identical: subtropical, with long, hot summers and mild, wet winters.
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