Best Hotspots of the Costa del Sol

I was a little familiar with Spain’s Costa del Sol after having read an article about Marbella in a popular travel magazine and to be honest the entire coast sounded a little too popular for my liking.

Anyway, there was no putting off the trip as we were in Spain anyway and thought how can you go to Spain and not visit the Costa del Sol?

I have to say now that I am glad we did as it was nothing like I had imagined with plenty of fascinating things to see and do away from the beaches.  

For my base, I picked the unspoilt seaside town of Nerja as it was just 60 minutes by taxi transfer from Malaga airport and had good road connections to all the places I wanted to visit. Plus I had heard that it was also the setting for a couple of feature films so  I figured it must have been chosen for a good reason.

Nerja

Once a former fishing village, Nerja still has a particular charm after having resisted the building explosion of the ’60s and ’70s. The town remains true to its Andalucian heritage and traditions. The centrepiece of the town is the impressive  Bálcon de Europa, a Belvedere constructed on top of a 13th-century fort with amazing views of the Mediterranean Sea. Nearby you will also find the Nerja Caves an impressive array of underground caverns that contain the world’s largest stalagmite. During the summer months, they hold concerts in the caves that are unlike anything you have ever experienced before. A group of youngsters stumbled on these caves whilst out looking for adventure. Little did they know how famous this discovery would become.

Malaga

Whatever you do while visiting the Costa del Sol don’t miss the opportunity to visit Malaga as the city is absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, the closest most vacationers get to seeing Malaga is the airport and that’s a shame as the city has some of the best museums in Spain including one dedicated to the city’s favourite son, Pablo Picasso. Various civilizations have settled in the area over the centuries, including the Phoenicians, Romans and Moors who all left behind treasures that include an amphitheatre and an imposing fortress high up on a hill overlooking the city below. If you are into fresh seafood, tapas and refreshing local beers, you will love this place. We had a blast at night bar hopping and reckon the atmosphere here could rival both Barcelona and Madrid.

Playa del Cañuelo

While in Nerja we took a day off from our travels and decided to rent a kayak on Burriana beach and paddle off exploring the hidden coves and waterfalls that surround the nearby town of Maro. Hidden under the cliffs you can chill out on Playa del Cañuelo which is often referred to as being one of the best beaches in Spain. The entire area is a nature and marine reserve where fishing is banned making it perfect for snorkelling amongst the fish. A fond memory we will not forget in a while.

Marbella

After all we had heard, there was no way we were going to miss out seeing Marbella, even just as a curious passerby. The place was hyped as being a playground for the rich and famous.

We loved the Old Town and in particular Los Naranjos Plaza (Plaza of the Orange Trees) and the historic buildings that surround it. We wished that we had left ourselves more time to explore the narrow alleyways and cobbled streets, a reminder of its rich history.

Puerto Banus is where you go if you want to do some serious people watching and is the place where the ‘jet set’ moor their mega yachts. Just pausing to absorb the surroundings and all the glitzy designer shops around the marina, is a testament to some serious money floating about.

Pueblos Blancos

Dotted about all over Andalucia are picture postcard white-washed villages awash with geranium and bougainvillea filled flower baskets that together with the white house stand out from the sun-baked hills. The villages in the mountains behind the Costa del Sol resorts are a perfect place to go if you want to escape the crowds. Get there before 2pm though, as they shut down for the traditional Spanish afternoon siesta.

Gibraltar

Great Britain in the sunshine, are you serious? Captured by the British Navy in 1704 during the war of the Spanish Succession the “Rock” as it is known was ceded to the British Crown under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 and has remained a slice of England ever since. From old English red post boxes to Marks and Spencers, an Englishman may be forgiven if he temporarily forgets where he is. The main differences are the beautiful scenery, the currency in Gibraltar, its amazing climate. As long as you’re not paralyzed with a great fear of heights, make sure to take a trip up the cable car.  For very little cost, the ride provides stunning views of North Africa and a selfie with one of Gibraltar’s brazen-faced monkeys.

El Caminito del Rey

Talking of heights, the Caminito del Rey is a must do attraction. Perched high above a river on the side of a gorge the narrow walk is considered to be the most dangerous paths in the world. Originally built so that workers could access a hydroelectric station the pathway was closed for a number of years following a fatality. Now fully repaired, the Kings Walkway is open once more for tourists to enjoy the unforgettable experience and breathtaking scenery.