An Introduction to the Costa del Sol | Spain
When the summer holidays roll around, Brits and northern Europeans head for the Costa del Sol in large numbers. The area once had a reputation as a haven for British gangsters fleeing the law (as seen in Sexy Beast, The Business and many TV sitcoms) but these days visitors come for a much more mundane purpose – seeking the sun.
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Cayetano
The name means ‘sunny coast’ and it’s those long, sunny days and scorching temperatures (well into the mid-40s Celsius on some days) that provide the attraction for millions of visitors each year. Located along the Mediterranean in Andalusia, this area has been a major tourist draw since the 1950s.
Popular Costa del Sol Destinations
Andalusia enjoys the second largest share of tourist traffic among Spain’s autonomous communities which is no surprise as it’s one of the warmest and sunniest places in Europe. Some of the most popular areas include Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Estepona and Marbella. These – and the many other coastal cities – provide a variety of activities for visitors. Many of the towns are linked by a coastal rail line, making it easy to sample the variety of this coast. Estepona stands out for its 325 days of annual sunshine and two Blue Flag beaches. Torremolinos is the place to go to find the largest number of British expats and the beaches in Fuengirola are so popular that you will have trouble finding a free spot in the height of summer.
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Gert Mewes
What to Do in Andalusia
As well as the usual assortment of restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs, this area offers castles, cathedrals, forts and monasteries. The Alcazaba in Malaga, the Alhambra in Granada and the Giralda and Alcazar in Seville are worth visiting. Andalusia has a wide variety of other attractions. The birthplace of Velasquez and Picasso, it has a number of museums and art collections on show. Of these, one of the most important is the Malaga Museum of Modern Art. It’s also possible to see craft, ceramics and jewellery made by the region’s artisans. Andalusia is also a great place for those interested in architecture, as everything from Moorish/Islamic architecture to Renaissance, Baroque and more modern styles are on display. Walk around Malaga city centre and you will suddenly find yourself on distinctive and beautiful tiles or face to face with a beautiful building. And of course, depending on where you are, a visit to Gibraltar can make a nice day trip.
There’s so much to see and do in this area that its popularity is no surprise. If you have ever visited the Costa del Sol or Andalusia, be sure to share your favourite attractions in the comments.
Marian Jaime enjoys visiting the Costa del Sol. She uses Suntransfers’ Malaga airport taxis to get to her resort.
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