The Costa del Sol (Sun Coast) is located in the south of Spain between Costa de la Luz and Costa Tropical. Stretching for more than 90 miles, it includes the city of Malaga and the resorts of Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Marbella, Fuengirola and Nerja.

Costa del Sol

Originally made up of fishing villages, the Costa del Sol became a popular tourist destination back in the 1950′s.

The Costa del Sol has something for everyone, including great hotels, beautiful beaches and clear, calm blue Mediterranean waters, restaurants, bars, nightlife, golf courses, theme parks, waterparks, amusement parks, safari parks, zoos, casinos, flamenco shows, history, culture and architecture.

Places to visit and things to do

The following are just a few of the many attractions and places to visit in the Costa del Sol.

Tivoli World – Benalmadena
For a great day out for all the family, Tivoli World is an amusement park with lots of rides, entertainment and an open-air theatre.

Dolphin Watching – Benalmadena
There are many dolphin watching areas in the resort of Benalmadena which will be enjoyed by the whole family.

Crocodile Park – Torremolinos
The park has over 300 crocodiles which can be safely viewed from a distance of under 2 metres. An African museum, small zoo, small cinema, reptile house, kid’s playground and restaurant are also found at the park.

Marbella Beaches
Marbella not only has great nightclubs but it also has over 17 miles of glorious beaches.

Puerto Banus – Marbella
This is a luxury marina and shopping centre which is also home to a very interesting aquarium where you can see lots of different species of mediterranean sealife. There is also a great market here on Saturdays.

The El Pimpi – Malaga
A visit to the the El Pimpi restaurant is worth visiting, not only for it’s good food (which is reasonably priced) and great wine (make sure you ask for it from the barrell, not from the bottle) but most of all for its wonderful atmosphere and decor.

The Picasso Museum – Malaga
The museum, named after Pablo Picasso who was born in Malaga, houses many of the famous artists works.

Alcazaba – Malaga
This well preserved Moorish fortress in the capital Malaga has a the ruins of a 2nd century roman theatre at its entrance and is well worth a visit.

Gibralfaro Castle – Malaga
Perched on a hill overlooking the Alcazaba, Gibralfaro Castle is a fine example of 14th century architecture.

Golf
With more than 30 golf courses, the Costa del Sol is the perfect location to polish up on your golfing skills.

Climate
The Costa del Sol enjoys dry, hot summers and mild winters. The average temperature in May and June is 22-27C which is probably the best time to visit as temperatures soar to an average of 29C until early October when they drop back to an average of 23C.

No matter what your age, one of the cheap package holidays to Spain will be ideal for all the family.

With it’s mild climate and beautiful sandy beaches, the Costa del Sol is a popular last minute holidays tourist destination choice all the year round.

The resort of Benalmadena lies 15kms south west of Malaga airport between between the resorts of Fuengirola and Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol.

Paseo Maritimo

The Paseo Maritimo (promenade) stretches the length of the resort, and with a small break at Benalmadena’s world class Puerto Marina, and continues on to the neighbouring resort of Torremolinos.

The Arabian style Puerto Marina is the resorts centrepiece, housing over one thousand moorings, restaurants, bars, shops and discos.

 
In Avenida Garcia Lorca you will find an indoor swimming pool and the Costa del Sol’s only real ice skating rink.

Malapesquera

BEACHES
Benalmadena has sixteen sandy beaches, Malapesquera, Malapesca, Torre Bermeja, Santa Ana, Bil-Bil, Arroyo de la Miel, Torrevigia, Torrequebrada, Las Yucas, Las Viborillas, Arroyo Hondo, Torremuelle, La Perla, La Morera, Tajo de la Soga and Carvajal These beaches stretch for 9kms from the Puerto Marina to the village of Carvajal.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Benalmadena Sealife Centre
The sealife centre is situated right in the port area. Exhibited here is sea life found in the Mediterranean. There is a walk-through Lost City of Atlantis with sealife swimming all around you. There are over 30 displays and Europes largest collection of sharks. Visitors to the centre also have the opportunity to touch and feed some of the fish. Most of the centre is indoors, with an outside mini golf course.

Paloma Park

Paloma Park
Rabbits, peacocks and other wildlife roam free in Paloma Park, which also has a large lake,childrens playgrounds and cafes. The park is also home to a cactus garden which has species from all over the world.

 
Tivoli World
The Tivoli World amusement park is split into different areas, the main ares being Andalucia with live Spanish music and dance, Western Square with live country music and dance and Tivolilandia with children’s rides. The 3500 seat theatre here features a variety of events throughout the year. There are also restaurants, cafes and bars in the park.

Teleferico

Teleferico (Cable Car)
The lower entrance to the cable car is located opposite the entrance to Tivoli World. The eight minute journey offers wonderful views across Benalmadena and the coast and on a clear day you can see the coast of North Africa. At the top of Monte Callamorro there are birds of prey exhibitions, featuring vultures, eagles, owls and falcons.

 
Benalmadena Stupa
This is a Buddhist temple on the main road from Benalmadena Pubelo to Mijas. This amazing building is lit up at night and can be seen for miles around.

 
Casino
Benalmadena’s casino is located within the five star Torrequebrada Hotel which overlooks the sea, just a few kilometres west of Benalmedena Costa. The hotel has an excellent restaurant which is open in the evenings, and a garden side restarant which is open at lunchtime.

 
Bil-Bil Castle
Concerts and exhibitions are held in this arabian style building which is situated above Bil-Bil beach.

 
Boat Trips
Regular boat trips run from Benalmadena Marina to Fuengirola. The trip takes sixty minutes each way and run all year.

WEATHER
With around 300 days of sunshine and an average annual temperature of 18C, Benalmadena is the perfect all year round destination for those bargain holidays. Temperatures can reach the mid 20′s in January and February and in July and August daytime temperatures often rise above 40C.
The sea temperature from July through to October averages 20C, with the average for the rest of the year 15C.