Is Costa del Sol worth visiting? Well, when you find a place in the world that literally translates to “Coast of the Sun” it shouldn’t take much convincing! We’ve fallen so in love with the Costa del Sol in Spain we couldn’t help but share. Here are 9 reasons to explore this one of a kind coastline in the south of Spain, and some fun Costa del Sol itinerary ideas for your first visit.
How to Get to the Costa del Sol
The easiest way to get to the Costa del Sol is by flying into Malaga. Check out flights with Skyscanner to find the best deals from other major European cities.
From Malaga, it’s easy enough to rent a car and start your journey along the coast. There are also plenty of bus and train connections from around Spain to the south.
Granada is one of our favorite cities and only about 1.5 hours away. Seville and the medieval city of Ronda are also both within a couple of hours of the Costa del Sol.
9 Reasons to Visit Costa Del Sol in Spain
1. Endless Sunshine
You’ll be happy to hear that the Costa del Sol truly lives up to its name! This region of Spain gets the most sun in the country with over 320 sunny days per year. It provides a warm climate year-round which means it even serves as a holiday destination during the winter in Spain.
2. Fresh Seafood
The Costa del Sol has loads of amazing Spanish food to enjoy. However, it particularly known in particular for its delicious seafood from the Mediterranean Sea.
It’s common to see hungry travelers ordering whole fish plates for lunch and dinner! The smaller fish dishes also make for some of the best tapas in Spain. Whatever the case, you’ll be eating plenty of seafood on the Costa del Sol!
→ Best Tapas in Nerja Spain: Our Ultimate Bar Hopping Route!
3. Beautiful Costa Del Sol Beaches
The biggest draw to the Costa del Sol is its gorgeous sands. From the towns of Sotogrande to Nerja, the beaches stretch over 150 km along the southern coastline of the country.
They range from small sandy coves too long pebbly beaches, with epic cliffs that tower over the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. This diversity makes for some of the most unique beaches in Europe, and some incredible scenery to go with it!
Oh, and did we mention the water is crystal clear? There are literally endless beach towns to add to your Costa del Sol itinerary.
→ 7 Best Beaches in Nerja Spain You Can’t Miss
4. Stunning Mountain Towns
While the beaches on Spain’s Costa del Sol may get all the shine, there are also some hidden gems in the mountains. Here you’ll find white-washed houses and winding side streets so beautiful they can compete with anywhere in Europe.
Some of our favorite days on Costa del Sol were when we took a break from the beach and made our way up into the mountains. Two of our favorites would have to be Frigiliana and Mijas. Yet, there are many amazing mountain towns to find in this part of Spain!
5. Costa del Sol Lifestyle
Spain is known for its laid back and relaxed culture, and there is no place better to do that than on the Costa del Sol.
Enjoy the beach, drinks, and food. After all that, why not a siesta? We promise you’ll truly be living your best life here.
Not only is the Costa del Sol worth visiting, but you may even consider packing your bags to move. In fact, the area is already home to hundreds of thousands of foreign residents that can’t get enough of the sunshine!
6. Outdoor Activities
While you may be heading to Costa del Sol in Spain to relax, know that there is an abundance of outdoor activities, too! The awesome weather is perfect for boating, jet skiing, and other fun water sports.
There is also plenty of hiking, golfing, and more if you’d prefer to stay on land. Honestly, our favorite thing to do is simply walk along the boardwalk and take in the sunshine.
7. Amazing History
We should point out that all of Spain has incredible history to experience. Still, this area is particularly special with its proximity to Africa. You can even see Morocco on a clear day from some beach towns on Costa del Sol!
The south of Spain was under Islamic rule for over 700 years. For this reason, there is still architecture, food, and culture that stands the test of time.
Since the Catholic monarchs took over in 1492, there have been a number of important churches and monasteries constructed. This blend of civilizations makes for an incredible history that every traveler will appreciate.
8. City of Malaga
The Costa del Sol is dotted with epic beach towns, but it does have its own big city to visit. Malaga is a seaside metropolis of over 500,000 people.
It’s definitely worth spending some time in before you take off down the coastline. This is the birthplace of Picasso after all!
Malaga is also home to the regions largest airport. This means you’ll likely be flying in or out of Malaga, which will give you some days to explore the city on your Costa del Sol itinerary.
9. Andalusian Traditions
Make no mistake about it, the Costa del Sol in Spain is touristy. Yet, you will find that the local population still preserves its own traditions and customs.
So even while it attracts many visitors from around the world, the it still has an authentic feel to it. In our opinion, the best way to experience Andalusia is through its food, history, and music.
When you mix that with great weather and beaches, you’re in for a spectacular vacation. So let yourself get lost in the magic of Spain and enjoy every moment!
Is Costa del Sol Worth Visiting?
Yes! This is easily one of our favorite parts of Spain to explore.
Of course, the big draw is the beaches and weather. Just remember that this is a year-round destination!
We would highly recommend visiting outside the busy months of July and August. Aside from the crowds that flock to popular towns like Marbella and Torremolinos, the afternoon temperatures will be absolutely scorching.
This is why we typically plan to visit in May and October, or even during the winter season. The Costa Blanca is just around the corner in southeast Spain, and offers so many beautiful beach towns. Some of our favorites to the north of Alicante include Villajoyosa, Calpe, Javea, and Moraira.
→ 20 European Summer Destinations For An Epic Vacation
Have any questions on this article or want to share your own experience on the Costa del Sol in Spain? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
Costa del sol is for those people who miss corcica.
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Haha that’s a funny take. Corcica looks incredible though!