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Holidays - Costa del Sol
Costa del Sol property - Villas & Apartments
There is a TV advertisement for polyurethane varnish that could be ready made for Spain’s Costa del Sol region.
The ad’s slogan is: “It does what it says on the label.” In Spanish Costa del Sol means “sun coast” and sun is exactly what you get – lots of it.
Given that is what many millions of Britons have travelled to Spain for five decades, it is hardly surprising that Spain’s southern coastline is a firm favourite.
Who would not adore it with its 3,200 hours of sunshine a year and warm temperatures – even in winter?
As with all the Spanish coastal regions, the “costa” label is a marketing term rather than a geographical definition but the Costa del Sol spans approximately 350 kilometres of the Andalucian coast of Spain.
A holiday here means variety for those prepared to rent a car and explore a vast region.
They will find busy holiday towns of high-rise hotels and apartment blocks, “posh resorts” and even quiet bays. But they will all share two major assets, excellent sandy beaches and the blue waters of the Mediterranean. The range of accommodation is wide including beachside hotels, villas and apartments.
Holidaymakers do not have to stay in the busy resorts amid exuberant crowds around the bars, clubs, restaurants and amusement arcades. They can head for the hills.
Many families now rent away from the more-crowded resorts and take villas, apartments and converted farmhouses that lie in the hinterland, some in beautiful mountain landscapes.
Baking on the beach with the occasional swim or watersports session is not the only holiday activity because inland Andalucia offers much more – even skiing.
Without driving arduous distances, families on a day out can discover spectacular mountain scenery, national parks and historic towns.
With sunshine almost guaranteed year-round, golf is a major holiday activity. The Costa del Sol has scores of courses and some of Spain’s finest facilities for the game.
The eastern coast has less of the big-name resorts than the western end of the Costa del Sol.
Self catering holidays Almunecar
An untypical landscape of bays and headlands, the town lies in an area called the Costa Tropical. Attractions include a bird park and botanical gardens. Trace the past at the archeological and history museums, the San Miguel Castle and an intact Roman aqueduct.
Holiday villas in Nerja
Has thankfully avoided the continuous tower-block image of many places on the Costa del Sol and has mainly villas. Nerja’s old town looks over a rocky coastline and nearby are caves where visitors can find the world's longest stalactite reaching down from a height of 63 metres.
Apartment rental Malaga
The arrival point for many visitors flying into the Costa del Sol has recently undergone city-wide sprucing up. Malaga has succeeded in retaining its Spanish-ness, especially in its pretty Old Quarter. The newest attraction is the Picasso Museum where dozens the painter’s works are displayed in honour of the city’s most famous son.
The western coast has many of the Costa del Sol names that are familiar for not only Britons but many other European visitors.
Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Estepona and Benalmadena – form a 70-kilometre stretch of the most well-known of Costa del Sol resorts. They all share excellent – if sometimes very busy – beaches and the facilities for a good sunshine holiday.
Holiday villas Marbella
With nearby upscale Puerto Banus, the town has become synonymous with the jet set but it is a resort area for all. It has good beaches and facilities; the Myass water park; and the Funny Beach theme park.
Villas & Apartments Gibraltar
With a history more of interest to Brits, the Rock retains its Britishness and British naval history. Tax-free shopping makes it very popular, too.
Holiday villas Tarifa
Arguably the start of the Costa de la Luz to the west of Gibraltar, Tarifa attracts a largely young and hip crowd. Lapped by the Atlantic rather than the Mediterranean, sea conditions make it one of Europe’s top windsurfing destinations.
Inland
Accommodation to rent Granada
An attractive mix of modern and historic, Granada’s greatest attraction is the spectacular Alhambra Palace. Beautifully preserved from the time of Spain’s Moorish occupation, it is so popular that pre-booking a time slot is advised.
Sierra Nevada National Park
A dramatic and rugged mountain range and the highest in Europe after the Alps. The protected area encompasses spectacular rivers, sheer-sided gorges, glacial lakes and snow-capped summits. It also has a number of ski venues.
Antequera
Two hours’ drive into the Andalucia interior from the coast, the former Roman town is famous for its impressive architecture, Moorish castle and pre-historic caves.
Ronda
Lying 90 minutes’ drive into the hills from Marbella, Ronda is split by a massive and spectacular gorge. Those with a head for heights can negotiate the 365-steps to the gorge floor.
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