The Costa del Sol offers a wide variety of things to see and do, so don’t imagine it’s all about beaches. With some intriguing towns and cities and vast areas of natural beauty to explore, you can put together a varied itinerary.
The city of Marbella is well known for its glamorous, high-end living, and you can certainly experience a taste of it in Puerto Banus. This marina is cool hangout with lots of bars, restaurants and nightlife, along with designer boutiques by the dozen. The nearby La Canada shopping mall is also worth a look if you want to update your wardrobe.
Marbella also hosts regular festivals such as the Starlite Festival where international musicians converge, and the week-long flamenco-fest, Marbella Feria. The charming Old Town area has all sorts of boutiques, bars and galleries in the alleys leading off Plaza de Naranja, as well as countless waterfront restaurants on the Paseo Maritimo. Tapas and seafood are big – you’ll be able to choose from the most casual street food to the highest quality fine dining.
Marbella also has a wide array of museums to discover – there’s international contemporary art at the Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo, for example, while the Museo de Bonsai is indeed all about little trees.
Further down the coast to the west, you will find picturesque spots like Cancelada and Estepona, a name well known in connection with casinos. Not far away is the family-friendly Selwo Aventura, a large zoo and safari park and a selection of large National Parks which are great for nature walks. Keep driving from Estepona, and you will eventually reach Gibraltar – the views from the top of the 426m-high rock are well worth a 45-minute drive.