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Costa del Sol Resort reviews |
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 Information  Holidays  Hotels  Flights  Resorts |
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Resort suitability: Couples: Estepona, Fuengirola, Marbella & Nerja. Families: Benalmadena Costa, Estepona, Fuengirola & Torremolinos. Nightlife: Marbella & Torremolinos. |
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Costa del Sol |
| The densely populated coast of Andalusia, stretching from Almeria to Tarifa, is Europe’s all-year-round favoured holiday destination, known as the Costa del Sol. It consists of a string of fine sandy beaches, where the average water temperature is 64ºF (18ºC), and picturesque towns have abundant tourist amenities, resorts and high-rise hotels. Attractions include zoos, bullfights, water parks, casinos and amusement parks, like the renowned Parque de Attractions Tivoli. The most popular resort town on the Costa del Sol is Torremolinos, which retains some elements of traditional Spain, although most main streets are now pedestrianised-thoroughfares filled with souvenir shops and ice-cream parlours. |
If you feel that any of our comments about a particular resort is unfair or needs updating then do please send us an email by clicking here. We also welcome photos of your holiday. |
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Independent Costa del Sol resort reviews |
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Benalmadena Upmarket coastal resort built around a large marina equipped to handle more than 1,000 boats and yachts of all types. Characterised by luxury hotel and apartment complexes, the resort also offers many sports facilities. It is home to the Sea Life Centre and the Mississippi Willow, a restored steamboat. Along the main promenade are a number of Moorish watchtowers and also the Arab-style Castillo del Bil-Bil, used for conferences, concerts and exhibitions. In the hills behind the resort sits the original Benalmadena Pueblo (village) with its steep narrow alleys and whitewashed houses. The daytime fun focuses on the new Moorish-style port area which features several small beaches where you can enjoy your own private space and while away the day. All around, you'll find a good variety of restaurants, shops and cocktail bars where you can tuck into some tasty tapas or enjoy a long, lazy supper before enjoying the town's lively nightspots, bars and casino. Sports-wise, there are plenty of facilities, including a scuba-diving centre with beginner's courses. "Tivoli World" amusement park ensures hours of fun for children, where you'll find funfair rides, amusements and restaurants open till late at night. In high summer, you'll get the chance to join in the festivities of the resort's annual romeria. Journey time from airport: 40 minutes. |
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Fuengirola This well-designed and bubbly resort is absolutely ideal for families and older couples seeking a sun-filled, fun-filled break. It still boasts a large fishing fleet, and has a pleasant sea road, narrow but generally busy, stretching the whole three mile length of the beach, which is one of the best beaches in the area. The promenade is lined with open-air cafes and bars, ideal for a morning coffee or afternoon snack. There's a wealth of shops and sports to get into, a waterpark as well as a Zoo for the kids. The town's weekly Tuesday market is another bustling attraction, and if you want to venture to other resorts, Marbella and Mijas can be reached by bus and Torremolinos by train. Journey time from airport: 45 minutes approx. |
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Malaga Malaga is a bustling little city, the old and the new meet on Marques de Larios, Plaza de la Constitución and Calle de Granada, which form the backbone of the shopping area and the thriving nightlife. The narrow side streets form a confusing maze of alleys crammed with tapas bars and bodegas - old fashioned wine shops brimming with casks including the local sweet wine which is similar to Port. At weekends the area is full of young people going out to enjoy the thriving nightlife in one of the cities many bars, bar de copas (wine bars), or nightclubs. Locals often do not go out until midnight and will continue until morning light, catching some breakfast on there way home. Warning: Parking as in any City is a big problem. There are some lovely suburbs to Malaga and you only need to be about 15 minutes out of the City to enjoy a little of both worlds. |
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Marbella Marbella is the "jet-set" capital of the Costa del Sol, the "in" place with Europe's and America's fast-living pace-setters. The area is a golfer's paradise, boasting several excellent courses. There are several tennis clubs in the resort and horse riding is found at some beaches and some inland stables. 4 miles from the centre is the modern development of Nueva Andalucia, covering several square miles. The old town still has a quaint atmosphere and has retained some of its 16th-century charm. Ideal for a relaxed sunbathing and sociable holiday, Marbella is one of Costa del Sol's most elegant spots. The town's old quarter, laced with narrow alleyways and leafy cafe-Lined plazas is a great place to spend a laid-back morning or afternoon. Elsewhere you'll find excellent restaurants and upmarket boutiques strung out along wide, sophisticated boulevards, just made for strolling. Otherwise, you can simply lounge about on the famous sandy beach. At night, Marbella offers bright lights in abundance, with lots of stylish bars and clubs to keep you entertained. The glamorous marina with its casino and up-market shopping of Puerto Banus is just down the coast. |
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Nerja This picturesque fishing village has much to offer if you want to mix old and new Spanish in one holiday but Nerja isn't the resort fro those who want an active holiday. Gradually becoming a popular tourist spot, the resort is becoming quite built-up. Nerja is typically Andalucian in style, with whitewashed houses climbing up the hillsides to the rocky mountains beyond, it has an unspoilt charm that is simply delightful. Lazy days can be passed on the main sandy/shingle beach or at some of the intimate coves that dot the coast around the resort. Warning. Beaches are poor with gritty sand. Discover Moorish-style architecture and narrow alleyways waiting to be explored, and you are bound to find many tempting restaurants and cafe-bars everywhere you go. There are very few apartments in Nerja and accommodation is mainly hotel based. Journey time from airport: 1 hour 15 minutes approx |
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Puerto Banus This very smart resort has an ultra chic marina bobbing with luxury yachts and fringed with fine beaches, where some hotels can be found strung along the sands. The marina complex is a magnet for the jet-set, so if you like the idea of people-watching, just take a seat at one of the innumerable waterfront cafes. Shopping is on the stylish side too, with an array of tasteful boutiques and gift stores to explore, and when you want something slightly more strenuous, there's a full complement of watersports readily available as well as some magnificent golf courses, Later, as darkness falls, the place livens up even more, with several nightclubs where you can literally dance the night away. Journey time from airport: 45 minutes approx. You could also consider a flight to Gibraltar which is around 30 minutes away. |
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San Pedro de Alcantara Once famous for sugar cane production, today, San Pedro is a refreshingly unspoilt pueblo. its small shops maintain the life and integrity of the town and despite the development progress happening around, local people still conduct their way of life as normal. Strict building regulations ensure that no new buildings can exceed three storeys and much of the surrounding countryside is well protected with Selwo adventure park, the largest game reserve in Europe having recently reopened after enhancements to its visitor attractions and offering over 100 hectares comprising botanical gardens, lake, 'the little farm' aimed at young kids and some 2,500 wild animals. There is a pleasant walk from the centre of town to the beachfront along an attractive wide avenue flanked by palm trees and the modern promenade is ideal for continuing your stroll with several excellent chiringuitos (beachside restaurants) specialising in fish dishes. A little further west along the beach to Guadalmina are the restored remains of the roman baths. Only 55 minutes from Malaga airport. |
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Torremolinos Bright, bold and packed with all the fun under the sun, Torremolinos, the most happening resort on this upbeat stretch of coast, is heaven if you want limitless entertainment on tap. If you can drag yourself away from the sandy beach, there's a wealth of enjoyment just waiting. The town's old El Calvario quarter is well worth a tour and if you want a taste of real Spain. Elsewhere, the town is jam-packed with gift shops, outdoor restaurants and bars, as well as excellent leisure amenities, so you can play tennis, ten-pin bowl or splash out a brilliant Aquapark. And naturally, the whole place is jumping at night, with lively discos, nightspots and British pubs galore. It's easy to get to Gibraltar when you want a breather. Journey time from airport: 25 minutes approx. |
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If you feel that any of our comments about a particular resort is unfair or needs updating then do please send us an email by clicking here. We also welcome photos of your holiday. |
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ABTA & ATOL protection is included on all holidays |
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