Costa del Sol Information

Introducing the Costa del Sol

One of the most popular holiday haunts for British tourists and residents is the coast of Andalucia known as the Costa del Sol and in particular, the area that runs from Nerja to Gibraltar. Resorts boisterous and elegant offer every amenity and facility imaginable, all within one hour of Malaga Airport. Miles of sandy beaches, rows of hotels, and over 320 days of sunshine every year. There is something on offer here for everyone. The coastal resorts of Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Benalmadena and Marbella are amongst the most popular. Further down the coast are quieter areas that are still developing, such as that of Estepona, a quaint town with a wonderful seafront and a prosperous future in the holiday marketplace.

Since the 1950's this area has been a popular destination, attracting more and more people each year. The airport, roads, rail and other facilities have grown in accordance with demand. The property market is still booming. The attraction to holiday and live here is still there. The lifestyle is 'ideal' and you can get out of it, what you put in. Golfers who wish to play on first class courses in dry, sunny weather will find all that they want on the Costa del Sol. There are in fact some of the best courses in the world. If sight-seeing is part of your agenda then this wonderful area has much to offer. Within a short distance are major cities worth seeing and on the other extreme are tiny white-washed villages clinging to the mountain sides. Not far from the crowded beaches are true Spanish villages such as Casares, Ronda, Manilva and Sabinillas, all locked in time and offering 'true Spain'. Along the coast, tourists of all nationalities are made welcome and there are few places that do not understand English.

The Costa del Sol is the favourite place when it comes to English speaking tourists and this opens up a wide variety of options for running a business in Spain.This part of Spain is also the best place to buy a property if you are looking for an investment. House prices continue to rocket and yield returns far higher than any other investment.

Here is a short guide to them major resorts.

Marbella
Marbella has been given the nickname 'playground of the rich'. This is due to the number of celebrities that visit or live in the resort. The resort also encompasses the famous marina of Puerto Banus. The old town of Marbella is a delightful place to visit and has a wide selection of shops, most of which sell high quality designer wear and jewellery. The beaches of Marbella are of a high standard. property prices in Marbella are of the highest on the coast.

For a full description of Marbella, click here

Fuengirola
This has to be one of the friendliest family resorts on the coast. The tourism industry has had a firm hold on the town for many years and a perfect infrastructure has been established. There is a massive foreign resident community in the area and a host of business opportunities. The beaches are long, wide and clean. All the beaches also boast the award of the Blue Flag. There are ample hotels and restaurants of all styles and qualities. Fuengirola is linked to Malaga by rail and the N340 highway runs slightly off the coast. It takes just 15-20 minutes to drive to the airport. Gibraltar is less than an hour away. Fuengirola port is popular and offers watersports, sailing and boat trips.

For a full description of Fuengirola, click here

Torremolinos
This is one of the original Costa del Sol resorts, established in the 60's. It is still a popular destination for the package tour industry. The beaches are of a high quality and there are ample bars, restaurants and hotels. The resort has a thriving nightlife. Torremolinos is just 10-15 minutes from the airport, linked by the N340 highway. The train also passes through on its way from Fuengirola to Malaga. This line is planned for extension to Marbella.

For a full description of Torremolinos, click here

Benalmadena
A classy resort, well known for its award winning marina, pictured left. Located in between Torremolinos and Fuengirola, this resort is popular with families. There is every kind of activity here and ample hotels of varying quality. The beaches are of high quality and safe for children. Malaga airport is within 15 minutes using the N340 or the coastal road. There are many foreign residents here, divided between the three main areas; Benalmadena Pueblo (a quiet village), Benalmadena Costa (the coastal area) and Arroyo de la Miel (an offspring of the coastal town, based higher up the hill). Arroyo is the location for the famous theme park, Tivoli World.

For a full description of Benalmadena, click here

Mijas
Mijas is divided into two main areas; Mijas Pueblo, the hilltop village, still very Andalucian in style yet now a major tourist attraction and Mijas Costa, the coastal area, built up with urbanisations, hotels and typical tourist attractions. Both areas have a foreign resident community which also encompasses the areas in between. Both areas are relatively quiet compared with other resorts along the coast. Pictured right is one of the famous Mijas taxis.

For a full description of Mijas, click here