Costa del Sol travel guide

The Costa del Sol is the 150 km Mediterranean coastline of Málaga province in southern Spain, running from Manilva to Nerja. It covers 15 main towns (the most visited being Málaga, Marbella, Estepona, Fuengirola, Benalmádena, Torremolinos and Nerja) plus inland white villages like Ronda and Frigiliana.

It sits on the southern edge of Andalusia, with Málaga roughly in the middle. The whole strip is reached via Málaga airport (AGP) and connected by the AP-7 motorway. See our interactive map for every town and 4,707 trusted local businesses.

Late April to mid June and mid September to late October are ideal: warm and sunny but quieter and cheaper than peak summer. July and August get hot (32-38°C) and crowded, especially the coastal strip. December to February stays mild but a number of beach businesses close out of season.

Marbella for nightlife and beach clubs, Málaga city for culture and tapas, Nerja for cliffs and quieter beaches, Ronda for the dramatic gorge and bull ring, Frigiliana for a hilltop white village, Fuengirola and Benalmádena for family resorts. Pick by what you want to do, not by which is most famous.