Costa del sol

Costa del Sol is Spanish for “Coast of the Sun” and it is located on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. The coast includes the Malaga Province and parts of the Granada and Cadiz provinces. Sometimes the name is used to refer to the Malaga Province only.

Interesting Facts

Major towns in this region are: Malaga, Estepona, Fuengirola, Manilva, Marbella, Mijas, Nerja, Torre del Mar, Torremolinos, Torrox, and Vélez-Málaga.

The climate of Costa del Sol is Mediterranean which means it is temperate all year. Summer temperatures reach up to 30 C and winter temperatures during the day are never below 14 C and never below 10 C at night. Because the area is shielded by high mountains, rainfall is limited and the sun shines over 320 days each year.

The history of this area goes all the way back to the Phoenicians. Since those times, Greeks, Moors, and Romans have lived there. There are influences in the architecture and culture from all of these that is still apparent.

Tourism

Costa del Sol is a favorite tourist destination for many international travelers. Its name was coined to help with tourism.

One interesting area is around the town of Nerja which is 50 km from Malaga. It has the Balcony of Europe which is a promenade at the bottom of a tall cliff. Another attraction of this area is the caves, where you can see ancient paintings and artifacts from 20,000 ago. One large cave has been made into a concert hall where there are performances in the summer. When you tire of exploring the caves or shopping, you might want to visit the Nerja Donkey Sanctuary. They rescue and protect donkeys, horses, and mules.

Because of the mild climate, the sandy beaches and calm waters of Costa del Sol are enjoyed year round. There is a wide selection of water sports and there are more jet skis here per capita than in all of Europe. There are many resorts along the coast and many retain the quaint charm of the area’s past.

Other things to do along Costa del Sol include golfing at world class courses, having fun at theme parks that include water parks and safari parks, and visiting beautiful public gardens. You might also want to see a bullfight or watch a Flamenco show.