10 Best Towns and Resorts in Costa del Sol

Málaga is perhaps the best known of Costa del Sol’s resort destinations and gives you a unique blend of sun, culture and fun. It's a coastal city in the Andalusia region, with a busy port in the central district, flanked by a number of beaches stretching either side down the coast.

There are tons of things to do in Málaga, whatever type of trip you’re on. The city is watched over by 2 giant Moorish castles that culture vultures can explore – the Alcazaba and Castillo de Gibralfaro. There are lots of beaches with different vibes; some offer a great place to hang out and party, and there are quieter, more family-oriented beaches, too.

Marbella is a popular resort town in the Costa del Sol, in between Málaga and Gibraltar. It's well-known as a destination of the rich and famous, and if you're looking for a swanky trip, you can't do much better than here. The Sierra Blanca mountain range watches over the city, giving a picturesque backdrop wherever you are.

Marbella is beautiful, with quaint whitewashed houses covered in floral displays lining the city’s many public squares. Seafood is a specialty around Marbella, with fresh catches coming from the Med every day. You have to check out Puerto Banús, too. A luxury marina lined with a buzzing nightlife, keep your eyes open for any celebs.

Mijas is a district of the Málaga province that sits between Málaga city and Marbella, in the Costa del Sol region. It has 3 centres: hillside village Mijas Pueblo, seaside resort La Cala de Mijas, and the more commercial suburb of Las Lagunas.

Mijas is a great place to stay if you want to experience 2 different sides to Andalusian life. Mijas Pueblo is an idyllic whitewashed Andalusian village up in the hills, where life rolls by slowly as you get lost down the winding alleys. The views are spectacular down to beachside center of La Cala de Mijas, which is great for those who want a quieter beachside resort in the Costa del Sol.

Nerja is a small region of the Costa del Sol region, about 50 km east along the coast from Málaga. It's stacked full of variety, offering the beautiful beaches you expect in Costa del Sol, but also a range of natural and cultural sights and attractions to enjoy.

The Caves of Nerja are among the major tourist attractions, tunnelling over 5 km into the ground. There are even concerts played in there sometimes, with the caves providing excellent natural acoustics. The Balcony of Europe can’t be missed either, with splendid views over El Salón and Calahonda beaches available for photos or even while you dine.

Torremolinos is an old fishing village that's been transformed into one of Costa del Sol's most-loved resorts. It's a lively vacation town that’s perfectly placed between Málaga and Mijas, letting you make the most of the liveliness of the capital while retaining the more relaxing side of Andalusian life.

Torremolinos is a beautiful place to walk around, with attractions like the Moorish Revival palace Casa de los Navajas, or our personal favorite – the Molino de Inca Botanical Garden, showcasing the region's finest art and floral displays. Torremolinos has a great nightlife as well, with most of the bars being in the Playa del Lido area.

Alhaurín el Grande is an inland town sitting 25 km west of Málaga Airport, on the northern slopes of the Sierra de Mijas mountain range. It's a great place to stay if you want something different from the beach, with lots of outdoor activities and restaurants to choose from.

The air is mountain fresh, and it's a great place for an active vacation, with plenty of treks around the Sierra de Mijas, off road vehicles for hire, and castles to explore. There are great restaurants dotted all over too, with the expat community bringing French, Italian and other European food to Alhaurín el Grande.

Fuengirola is a beachside resort town in the Costa del Sol region that sits just south of Mijas. It's a popular town with great access to Málaga 25 km to the east and Marbella 30 km to the west.

There's lots of history to be explored in Fuengirola, from Roman ruins up to the imposing Castillo Sohail, which watches over the town from the west. In recent years, the castle has even hosted concerts, as well as great views down over the city that have always been there. If history isn't your thing, there's still over 8 km of beach with cafés, restaurants and beach bars to keep you entertained.

Benalmádena Pueblo is the Old Town district of Benalmádena, which is a town west of Málaga on the Costa del Sol. Benalmádena is quite a big town, but the historic charm of Benalmádena Pueblo makes it the most charming area to stay.

Resting on the hillslopes, you can spend time soaking up culture at the art or archeology museums, join with nature at the butterfly park, or gaze up in awe at Europe's biggest Buddhist stupa. You can take a aerial cableway up Calamorro mountain, and on a clear day, you might see Morocco. And if you do want to visit the beach, you’re only a short bus ride away.

Torrox Costa is the beach area of the Torrox municipality, which lies just to the west of Nerja, in Málaga province. It's quieter than your usual Costa del Sol resort but is growing in popularity as a tourist and expat town.

The promenade is a great place to spend the day and there are plenty of restaurants, bars and cafés to enjoy. You should plan to be along there for at least 1 seascape sunset during your trip – it's a good spot for it. You can't miss the lighthouse either, standing proudly in the center of the promenade, above the ruins of an old Roman fort.

Estepona is a resort town on the Costa del Sol in the Málaga province, about half an hour’s drive west of Marbella. If you’re after sun and sand, this is the place for you, with over 20 km of coastline and 325 days of sun per year.

It’s an upmarket resort and generally quieter than most resort towns in Costa del Sol, so Estepona is worth a look for a relaxing trip. True to its fishing roots, Estepona Port and Marina still supplies the local bars and restaurants, with daily auctions for the best catches of the day. Try them out at restaurants in the marina or take a walk down La Rada Beach promenade for an endless choice of tapas.