Do you ever picture yourself unwinding in a place with beautiful landscapes, stunning beaches and enchanting wilderness? I do that quite often. Now, what if I told you that you can experience all of this in a single place. A place that has been one of the most popular tourist destinations across the globe, Costa del Sol.
A coastal haven in the southern region of Spain, Andalucia, Costa del Sol has been a delight for tourists for decades now. Although it’s famous among sun-seekers and beach bums for its stunning beaches, this is not all that you find here. Costa del Sol is home to swathes of stunning coastline, exquisite gastronomy scene and a melting pot of cultural and historical places. There are endless things to see and experience in Costa del Sol.
If you’re wondering about what to do there or how to fill your itinerary, then go through our suggestions of the best things to do in Costa del Sol and cherry-pick the ones you wish to experience.
Here’s a list of best things to do in Costa del Sol:
- Bask in the sun at the stunning beaches of Costa del Sol
- Seek the thrill of water sports
- Play a round of golf at the best courses at Costa del Sol
- Culture in Málaga
- Marbella Old Town
- Bioparc Fuengirola
- Cueva de Nerja or Caves of Nerja
- Benalmádena Cable Car
- Atarazanas Market
1. Bask in the sun at the stunning beaches of Costa del Sol:
All you beach-bums out there looking for a beach destination, you must come to Costa del Sol. Not one or two, but you’ll find close to 22 absolutely stunning beaches in here. Enjoy the warmth of the sun and laze around, go for a swim in the pleasant waters or just stroll around enjoying the scenery around. No matter what you do, you can be sure to have a great time!
Now, if you ask me for the best beaches to visit here, I would suggest the shingle cove at Playa del Cañuelo near Nerja and Torremolinos. For someone who prefers a calm and secluded beach, visit the former and for those of you who are looking for lively beaches, visit the latter.
This is hands down one of the best things you can do when in Costa del Sol.
2. Seek the thrill of water sports:
When in Costa del Sol, it would be impossible for one to resist the urge to go for water sports. The stunning Mediterranean coast welcomes with you a variety of watersports. You can dive, paddle, and surf your hearts out. The best part is, you have water sports centres right next to the beaches, where they’ll give you proper training and the gears required. There’s nothing stopping you from enjoying these thrilling water adventures.
Now, what if you don’t want to do any of these? Not to worry, we’ve got an option for you too! Along the coast, you’ll find tourist ports, where you can take powerboat rides, whale and dolphin watching cruises.
My suggestion would be to go to Torremolinos and Marbella to experience the watersports. And those of you who want to go diving, you’ll even find PADI-licensed centres here.
3. Play a round of golf at the best courses at Costa del Sol:
I know I’d be terrible at golf, but that isn’t going to stop me from trying my hand at it and it shouldn’t stop you either. If you’re a learner or a pro who’d love to play a round of golf, then you must do it at Costa del Sol. Because of the presence of more than 70 golf courses, this place has earned the nickname “Costa del Golf.
If you do have a lot of time to spare, I’d definitely recommend you visit any of these golf courses. You’ll not just enjoy the game, you’ll also enjoy the views of the blue Mediterranean to the south and the littoral mountains to the north.
4. Culture in Málaga
While you may experience breathtaking beaches and mountains in abundance, you won’t be missing out on the cultural and historical aspects. When in Costa del Sol, you must visit spare some time to visit one of Andalusia’s cultural centres, Malaga. You’d definitely need a day or two to explore Malaga. You will find everything from Moorish fortress-palaces, Picasso museums to Automobile and fashion museums in Malaga.
If you’re a history buff, look no further than the Alcazaba and if you’re an art lover, what best place to visit than the museum of Malaga’s famous son – Picasso. So make sure these two attractions are included in your top-things-to-do list.
5. Marbella Old Town
Want a taste of the historical and traditional streets of Spain? Plan a visit to Marbella old town. You’ll know you’re in Marbella Old Town when you see narrow, curvy streets with terracotta-tiled white houses and iron-railed balconies filled with plants. Marbella old town would be a perfect spot if you’re looking to shop, eat and party at a historical place.
You must visit the centre part of the town, where the Plaza de Los Naranjos (Orange Square) is situated. If you’re a fan of history and architecture, then you should visit the oldest church at the Orang square. And if you get hungry, you’ll find plenty of cute and colourful cafes and restaurants to devour. Later in the night, you could also drop in the bars around the town.
6.Bioparc Fuengirola
You must be wondering if there’s something more to this region besides beaches, scenery, and culture. Well let me tell you, there’s so much more than just those. Like for instance, Bioparc Fuengirola, one of the most realistic and ethical zoos is found in Costa del Sol. This zoo replicates the natural environment seen in Equatorial Africa, Indo-Pacific, Madagascar and South-East Asia as closely as possible. As the welfare of the animals is their top priority, you won’t see them in cages. Instead, you’ll find them in a natural setting, with false waterfalls, riverbanks, rocks and even large fake trees.
I’d definitely add this to my list of best things to do in Costa del Sol. Would you?
7. Cueva de Nerja or Caves of Nerja
Let me give you a glimpse of the history of Cueva de Nerja. In 1959, a group of young locals while on the search for bats at night stumbled upon a cave with human skeletons no more than bronze age. And that’s how this massive cathedral-like caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites were found. This is a fun place to visit especially if you like to see the archaeological findings.
The caves are hosts to music and dance festivals like the Opera, Ballet and Flamenco, during the summer months.
8. Benalmádena Cable Car
All this while, we’ve been talking about the breathtaking views you get to see from the ground. Another way to view this stunning region is from the Teleférico Benalmádena. Benalmádena cable car ride is a 15-minute journey to the peak of Monte Calamorro. You get a great view of Costa del Sol during your journey to the top. Once you reach the top, you’ll be able to see the Mediterranean sea, Gibraltar, and the Sierra Nevada mountains on a clear day.
9. Atarazanas Market
I personally love exploring the local areas and feeling like a local. If you feel the same way, then you must add the Atarazanas Market to your itinerary. This vibrant central market is an extremely popular place among the locals for great bargains on local food and produce. If you’re a seafood lover, then you’ll fall in love with the place. Even if you don’t want to eat or explore the market, you should go to see the striking building with colourful stained glass window.
These are some of my personal favourites and also the tourist favourites spots at Costa del Sol. This list of best of things to do in Costa del Sol should help you decide which places you’d like to visit during your stay there.
However, if you still need experts advice, you can reach out to the destination specialists at Pickyourtrail. They’ll help you create your own customised itineraries or you can book your tour package from the variety of Spain packages available on their website.
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