The Costa del Sol is one of Europe's most famous and most frequented holiday destinations. Stretching for around 160 kilometres along the Andalusian coast from Sotogrande to Almeria, the region offers unrivalled beaches, world-class hotel resorts, delectable cuisine and a whole host of activities to suit even the fussiest traveller.
Equally suitable for family getaways or romantic breaks, party-hard holidays or relaxed vacations, the region can cater to most holiday styles. With its easily accessibility by sea, air and land, and a scorching climate all year round, the holiday resorts Costa del Sol has to offer continue to attract tourists from every corner of the globe.
What type of holiday in Costa del Sol are you looking for?
Cheap | All Inclusive | Last Minute | Luxury | Family
This terrific coastal town has everything you could want from a Spanish resort and more. Ten kilometres of coastline offer several great beaches and a large marina area that is packed with cafes, bars and restaurants.
Families will want to spend time at the Tivoli World theme park, the aquarium or the large natural gardens that features delightful wildlife within. The old town is a great area to walk around too with many old buildings still standing amongst the modern hotels.
The 24 Hour Square is where party animals want to visit though with a massive selection of bars and nightclubs to enjoy at any time of day and night.
A classic Spanish resort that remains pleasantly traditional rather than obviously touristy. This versatile resort can offer culture and charm in abundance from the old town to the terrific beaches but then provides fantastic night spots that get the party started.
The attractions in this town keep things calm with botanical gardens to wander through, several museums and ancient relics from Spain's long history.
On an evening though both locals and tourists enjoy a great time between the bars of the Calle Real area and the nightclubs by the marina.
European Blue Flag beaches await you if you choose to experience a holiday in Fuengirola. There is something for everyone here with family attractions, superb marina restaurants and some exciting nightclubs to try.
Explore the jungle temple theme at the Fuengirola Zoo and also meet and greet some of the cutest bids and animals around.
With two weekly markets and a shopping centre that hosts over 160 different stores, Fuengirola is one of Costa Del Sol's best shopping resorts. There is also a wide-ranging, delicious and price varying selection of restaurants on offer.
Costa Del Sol's most famous resort holds a classy, luxurious and upmarket reputation and it is easy to see why. Fortunately you no longer have to break the bank to enjoy a holiday in Marbella with a great selection of hotels to choose from.
There are fun attractions dotted all around the cosmopolitan town and the area outside of the resort is a beautiful forested mountain range that is just waiting to be explored.
Marbella prides itself on offering the best services around and the choice of bars and restaurants are really unrivalled by anywhere else in Costa Del Sol.
A major Costa Del Sol resort that is the epitome of Spain's natural beauty. Watch the sun go down over the ocean and the cliffs from the charming Balcony of Europe before enjoying traditional meals and entertainment in the area.
There are 10 beaches spread across Nerja's 16km coastline. Some are wide spaces for tourists and some are hidden in coves. This rocky region is also home to the Nerja Caves which are delightfully eerie and make for a great tour.
The nightlife is a vibrant selection of bars and nightclubs that stay open until very late. This resort literally has something for everyone.
Torremolinos's development marked the start of Costa Del Sol's tourism boom and this resort is still going strong today.
A town that has been developed so much over the years, Torremolinos has something for everybody. From major and minor attractions for families to the exciting nightlife for young partygoers, this resort caters for all needs and wishes.
Something to be enjoyed by all and the only consistent over the years is the six phenomenal beaches that hug the Torremolinos coastline. This area remains as attractive as ever and is the main draw for bringing tourists back year after year.
For many people taking holidays to Costa del Sol, Malaga will be their gateway due to its convenient airport location. However, the impressive city – which is the second biggest in Andalusia – should not be dismissed as a mere stepping stone to the beach, with many of sights and attractions in its own right. Art lovers will adore the Picasso and contemporary art museums, while the Roman theatre, Gothic-Baroque cathedral and the awe-inspiring Moorish fortress of Alcazaba are great places to explore the city's enthralling history.
Elsewhere along the coast, Marbella represents the most popular and classiest of resort towns – and the most expensive. As well as its obvious beachside attractions, fantastic restaurants, picturesque marina and top-of-the-range accommodation, Marbella is also sheltered by a stunning backdrop of the Sierra Blanca mountain range. It even offers its own quaint insight into the past through its picture-postcard old town.
Meanwhile, Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Benalmadena are also thriving resort towns within easy reach of the airport and at a perfect location right on the beach.
Of course, the Costa del Sol has lots of opportunities to top up your tan, with many pristine beaches studding its glittering coastline. With more than 320 days of sunshine a year, you'll be well placed to take in some of those rays whenever you visit, and with almost 20 Blue Flag beaches in the area and countless more offering very high levels of quality and cleanliness, you'll want to explore them all.
If you feel like getting active, watersports are a popular pastime here, as are snorkelling and scuba-diving – if you're really lucky, you might even spot some whales and dolphins!
Since the tourism boom in the 1950s All Inclusive Costa del Sol holidays have continued to grow in popularity, and the resort has had time to build up an impressive array of leisure amenities and facilities. Examples of other fun-filled attractions on the coast include theme parks, waterparks, safari parks and go-karting tracks, which are ideal for family holidays. Those in search of a more relaxed break can take a walk through any one of the beautiful public gardens and nature reserves that dot the coastline.
The recent arrival of several spas and saunas make the region a great destination if you want to pamper yourself silly too.
Meanwhile, golf enthusiasts might think they've died and gone to heaven. The coast is positively teeming with courses (more than 70 in total), which cater to all abilities and budgets, all the way up to the world-class Valderrama course in Sotogrande, home of the annual Volvo Masters.
Wherever you go along the Andalusian coast you'll be treated to a feast and Costa del Sol is no different. Its seafront location means it has a focus on fish and fruits of the sea, the majority of which are as fresh as possible, sourced locally and cooked to absolute perfection.
The region's diverse heritage – which has played host to Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs over the years – is reflected in its cuisine. Although you'll find tapas and other traditional Spanish dishes still dominate the menu, there's plenty of room for variety. Whether it's a hearty beef stew or a deliciously seasoned seafood platter, you can expect your meal to come packed with plenty of character.
Whilst you're sure to find great food at the All Inclusive hotels Costa del Sol has to offer, it's well worth stepping out to explore authentic local cuisine as well.
The Costa del Sol was once a favourite for British holidaymakers looking to paint the town red. And although the coast has much more to offer than hedonistic pleasures, nightlife is still a big part of any holiday along the coast.
Late holiday deals to Costa del Sol can still place you at the heart of the action, if that's what you're after. From the crowded bistros and bars of Malaga and Torremolinos to the all-night clubs in Benalmadena's Puerto Marina and Puerto Banus, revellers can dance the night away and do it all over again tomorrow. Don't forget to try the local sangria!