Map of Malaga in Spain

Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol , to many is often referred to, as the California of Europe belonging to the Andalucian Provinces of Granada, Malaga and Cadiz. The 150 km coastline boasts some of the best beaches in Europe, yacht harbours, fantastic mountain surroundings, valleys full of orchards, sub-tropical landscapes, more than 40 quality golf courses, exclusive shopping centers, amazing nightlife culture and over 320 days of sunshine a year,– it's no wonder Costa del Sol is one of the most sought after locations in Europe.

The area's mild climate is the root attraction that makes it possible to enjoy the beaches and a wide variety of outdoor activities year round. The whitewashed villages of Costa del Sol are impressive historical monuments in themselves, and their people still live according to age-old traditions, inherited from their Iberian, Roman and Moorish forefathers. Andalucian culture is also still thriving with weekly Fiestas moving from town to town throughout the Region during the summer months, flamenco competitions and bullfights still as frequent and as popular as ever.

Many of the villages near the coast have become fashionable resorts, while still conserving their ancient charm, whereas others, lost in the highlands, remain rural olive-farming towns, with a special appeal for the adventurous travellers. Most towns began as fortresses, and over the centuries, many have developed into thriving agricultural centers producing olive oil, fruit and vegetables and goat milk Not only does it contain a wealth of history and culture but offers many other activities which include; golf, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, whale & dolphin watching, climbing, motoring, tennis, water sports, windsurfing, boating, yachting, skiing and much, much more.

Over the last 20 years the infrastructure on the Costa del Sol has improved dramatically. It now boasts the very best in modern medical services with international hospitals and advanced medical facilities. A wide choice of international schools and colleges are also available, offering an educational standard comparable with any major city. Motorways and provincial roads now link Andalusia's major cities making them easily accessible for those people wanting a break from the hustle and bustle of the coastal towns.

The Eastern Costa del Sol is the 54 km stretch of coast to the east of Malaga city (the capital of Málaga province). Though highly developed from a property point of view, it is not anything like the property development on the western Costa del Sol. From Malaga eastwards there are cliffs of up to 200 meters where the Sierra Almijara joins the sea. This section ends at a place called Mara, on a coastal plain. It has an urban landscape surrounded by traditional agriculture. Nerja is the most important urban center on this end of the coast and has grown rapidly.

Much of the eastern Costa del Sol's accommodation for tourists is found in Nerja, which is surrounded by tourist pueblos. This town also has one of this area's main tourist attractions - the Nerja Caves, a spectacular find that is open to the public and that hosts an annual music and dance festival within its famous caverns. At the foot of Nerja town is a winding footpath which joins several coves and there are some nice beaches to be found in this area.

There are 100 km that stretch westward from Malaga city all the way to the border of Cádiz province. This part of the coast is highly developed in terms of both property and infrastructure and it attracts an important percentage of Spain's international tourism. Communications revolve around Malaga International Airport (8 km west of the city) and the N340 backbone coast highway.

The most important inland connection is the road from San Pedro de Alcantara to the historic town of Ronda. The dramatically positioned town of Ronda on the Tajo gorge has become one of the most popular destinations in Andalucia. There are magnificent views over the wild mountains of the Serranía de Ronda and the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park. The Serranía de Ronda is covered with many enchanting villages such as Montejaque, Arriate, Cuevas del Becerro and Benajoán. 4 km south of Benajoán is the popular Cueva de la Pileta, where you can see some interesting Paleolithic cave paintings. Between Ronda and the mountain village of Gaucín are a string of similarly picturesque places, like Cortes de la Frontera and Alpandeire.

On the fringes of the Sierra de las Nieves are the villages of Tolox, Guaro and Istán. South of Gaucín and less than 20 km inland from Estepona and Manilva are two protected areas: the Sierra Crestellina Natural Area, near the village of Casares, and the Reales de la Sierra Bermeja Natural Area. Although little visited, they offer some superb walks through dense woodland. In the foothills of the Sierra Bermeja is the village of Benahavís, which is perfect for a lunch stop, since it boasts many fine restaurants.

There are aspects of Costa del Sol that cannot be easily listed under tourist attraction categories. These are the friendliness of the people, the ambience of thousands of years of history and the beauty of the landscape. Many cultures have passed through this region over many centuries, and each left something behind for us to enjoy.