The Costa del Sol (sunny coast) is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world: its miles of beautiful, sandy beaches and fantastic weather have kept tourists flocking back year after year to resorts like Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Marbella. The Costa del Sol caters to the young and old alike, offering a host of entertainment choices for both natives and visitors.

The coast boasts one of the highest concentrations of world-class golf courses, (highest conentration is in Malaga Spain) to the extent that it is often dubbed "The Costa del Golf." For families there are theme parks, including water parks, go-karting, safari parks and many beautiful public gardens. For younger visitors the main areas of attraction are Benalmadena's Puerto Marina & '24-hour square' and Puerto Banus Marbella. Both are very trendy and chic, but be warned: the bars and clubs don't get busy until near midnight and stay open 'till dawn.

The area's history dates back to the Phoenicians and has since been inhabited by Greeks, Romans and Moors, all of whom have left their mark on the area's architecture and culture. Perhaps less well-known is the coastal culture, often in the shadow of neighbouring Seville. The Costa and the Malaga province are home to some of the finest Flamenco shows, bull fighting & tapas restaurants, tipical attractions in Spain.

The area's infrastructure is well organized with the new Autopista del Sol providing access from Malaga to Estepona and beyond to Gibraltar. The old N-340 coastal road (now also called the A-7) is a little slower but offers some lovely sea views as it winds its way along the coast. Links between Granada, Seville and Cordoba are easily accessible for those wishing to venture further inland. The International airport has regular flights to most major cities, and is located just 10 minutes from Malaga City centre and within 30 minutes by car from most other popular resorts on the coast.

TORREMOLINOS

Torremolinos is the largest of the resorts of the Costa del Sol and probably the most famous. During tourist season, different nationalities come together in Torremolinos for a little "fun in the sun." During the day the 9 km of beach are packed with bodies taking advantage of the summer sun. Temperatures often hover around 30° and 40° C (from 85° to over 100° F). There are plentiful beachfront cafés (called chiringuitos) selling fried fish, snacks and soft drinks, which are as good as the ride back from the main beach to the centre of town - uphill all the way.

When the sun sets, the town is still full of life. Restaurants provide almost all possible flavours, so you won't feel like you're only trying typical Andalusian food. Bars are in abundance which claim their heritage from one nationality or another: Irish, British, Dutch and German. Name it and Torremolinos probably has it. Crowded nightclubs pump out the latest music and remain open until dawn, or even later. There's no mistaking: Torremolinos is a place to have fun, so if you're looking for calm and relaxation do it elsewhere!

After the peak of summer's high season, Torremolinos becomes a quiet place. The 'party hearty' atmosphere decreases and travelers come to stay during the calm winters. The beach promenade is packed with Spanish families who go out for lunch and stroll the beach on Sunday. The mixture in Torremolinos of sun, fun and value for your money has caused people to come back year after year.

FUENGIROLA

Fuengirola is probably most famous for its five miles of sandy beaches, with high-rise hotels and apartments offering magnificent views of the Mediterranean and the coastline. With a new wider promenade with plenty of palm trees interspersed with colourful flower beds and bench seating, Fuengirola sea front is a favourite place for tourists and local families alike. The beaches along Fuengirola, Los Boliches - Gaviotas and Torreblanca hold a European blue flag. Over the years with these and other developments it has replaced Torremolinos and is now probably the most popular tourist resort on the Costa del Sol.

There are special areas designated for windsurfing, beach volleyball and other water sports. The marina is home to some impressive yachts and leisure craft; while not of the same scale as Puerto Banus in Marbella, it is a relaxing stroll were you can enjoy seeing the fishing boats going out to sea.

Fuengirola is particularly popular with tourists with a wide variety of entertainment and restaurants to choose from. Andalucian traditional tapas (snacks bars) to local fish restaurants to the British Fry-up's all make Fuengirola a popular choice for going out to eat. There is no shortage of things to do for holidaymakers in Fuengirola, ranging from such family fun activities as the Aqua Park, a trip to the zoo, a ride around town on "the little train" or on a horse-drawn carriage, right through to a host of water sports.

MIJAS

One of the finest examples of the "white villages," it still has much of its charm with its little whitewashed houses perched on the hillside. The village has also managed to retain some of its quaint traditions, one of the most unusual being the donkey-taxis which line the central plaza. Mijas is a typical Andalucian village, perched high above Fuengirola and Mijas Costa with spectacular views of the coast and surrounding heavily wooded mountains. Mijas is a web of narrow cobbled streets complete with terraces overflowing with geraniums, red tile roofs, archways and of course, the occasional chirping canary. Like Ronda just over the mountaintop, the village dates back to distant times and there are two Mudejar churches here to prove it, as well as the sanctuary of the patron saint of Mijas, from the year 850.

There is a thriving arts and crafts movement in Mijas, particularly linen and wicker items, and the locally made bread and honey is definitely worth trying.

One of the most interesting buildings in Mijas is the hermitage of El Puerto which can be spied just about everywhere in the village! Keep looking and you may just catch a glimpse of a hang glider wafting over the peak. Mijas has one of the country's few oval bullrings (it's also small) and some interesting churches and other monuments giving insight to its past: Roman, Moorish and Spanish. The journey along the old road between Mijas and Benalmadena, among the pines and little chalets that mark the route, is like a continuous balcony which overlooks the sea. During high season the village can be crowded with tourists visiting from along the coast. Higher in the town the streets turn into flights of steps and the higher you climb the quieter it becomes, and the cheaper the cafés, restaurants and bars are. Also look out for the mineral water spring at the entrance to the village.

MARBELLA

Marbella is the choice of the rich and famous. The resort is large and stylish, with around 28 km of beaches. Set against the stunning backdrop of the "La Concha" mountain Marbella is a mixture of old and new, with stylish apartments lining the seafront while typical Andalusian houses are to be found along the picturesque alleys of Marbella's Old Town. A favourite area to visit is the beautiful Plaza de los Naranjos in the Old Quarter, meaning "Orange Plaza." It is aptly named and especially beautiful when the orange blossoms are in bloom, and is also surrounded by restaurants and cafés making it a perfect place to unwind and watch the world go by.

Marbella's main boulevard is home to many stylish boutiques and shops, while the gardens at "Parque de la Alameda" make a nice place to sit and relax. Dedicated to the artist Salvador Dali, there are copies of his sculptures along its length and leading down to the promenade. The Parque de la Constitución has its own little amphitheatre which is the venue for outdoor productions during the summer months.

Leaving downtown Marbella heading west, one travels along the famous "Golden Mile," so-called for the palatial beachfront villas that contribute to the area having some of the most expensive real estate in Europe. The "Golden Mile" is also home to the Marbella Club Hotel, founded in the 1950's. The five star luxury hotel founded Marbella's reputation as a playground for the rich and famous. Nowadays celebrities and dignities include the likes of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, who has a summer palace and mosque on the Golden Mile.

PUERTO BANUS

When José Banús gave his name to the now-famous port, it was unlikely he envisaged it becoming one of the most famous marinas in Europe. Puerto Banús is synonymous with wealth, fashion, glamorous parties and the 'highlife & nightlife'. Its reputation is high-class and high-price-tag. The "place to be and to be seen", this is where the elite classes and would-be-famous are to be found.

The area is lined with designer boutiques and restaurants, including well-known venues such as Trader Vic's and Salduba while other illustrious venues such as the Marbella Club Hotel and Oliviá Valère's nightclub are just down the road. The marina is home to large, expensive yachts and smaller pleasure craft alike — King Fahd's boat Shaf is moored near the old tower and is a popular point of reference.

The marina is home to a plethora of restaurants and cafés, catering for all tastes from fine dining to burgers and fries. The marina's increased popularity has led to international chains such as TGI Friday's opening up, making it within the reach of most people to eat in Puerto Banús. In terms of leisure activities Puerto Banús is home to an Aquarium and a multi-screen cinema showing films in English.

Apart from drinking a coffee while watching the coming and going of Ferrari's and Bentley's, the most popular pastime in Puerto Banús is probably shopping. It is definitely the "in" place to shop for designer labels with stores from Gianni Versace, Hermes, Ralph Lauren and DKNY. Many of the boutiques also stock several designers under one roof such as Mic Mac - Armani, Cerruti, Kenzo; Royal House - Valentino, Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin; and Exseption - Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabanna.

If your budget doesn't stretch to haute couture, there are plenty of other interesting shops including Neck & Neck and Jacardi (great kids' clothes). The large 4-floor El Corte Ingles department store sells just about everything – a variety of designer names, its own clothing lines, sports gear, shoes, home decor, you name it. The new Marina Banús shopping centre is home to high-street names such as Zara and Mango (both Spanish companies), which make a good bargain for tourists, their ranges being decidedly cheaper than in most other European countries.

BENALMADENA

Benalmadena is located to the west of Malaga and Torremolinos, although due to the expansion of both Benalmadena Costa and Torremolinos there is little distinction in terms of distance between the two. Benalmadena's tourist explosion occurred later than Torremolinos' and it has managed to avoid some of the uglier large concrete developments of the 1970's. Make no mistake though: this is still the heart of tourist country with crowded beaches, an abundance of British bars and restaurants to cater for most tastes.

Benalmadena Puerto MarinaPuerto Marina has given Benalmadena Costa a new focal point. Popular with locals and tourists alike, the place has a distinctly international feel to it. Acting as a centre where families can spend time during the day with several shops, cafes and restaurants, while at night transforming itself into the place to go for young "party goers." The area is crammed with a variety of nightclubs and bars playing the latest music and staying open until sunrise (or later). Prices are more expensive than those in Malaga city centre, however most visitors should find them in line with prices from their home countries or similar tourist resorts.

The once famous Plaza Sol y Mar – better known as the 24-hour square (due to the bars and clubs staying open all night) – has now been completely rebuilt as a commercial centre with shops and cafes. The town also boasts a sea life centre in Puerto Marina, and the Tivoli theme park in the conjoined village of Arroyo de la Miel (see theme parks page for more details). The Torrequebrada hotel to the west of the town is one of the finest in the area, with a golf course, casino, restaurants and an international show.

NERJA

Once a small fishing village, Nerja is now the biggest resort to the east of Malaga, and has managed to avoid the worst effects of unrestrained expansion and high-rise hotels. There are still plenty of bars and nightclubs for those wanting to party the night away; however, the old town centre has retained some of its original charm. The Balcón de Europa is a cliff that juts out to sea and is enclosed by two sheltered beaches. It is a favourite spot for many visitors with a beautiful view of the Mediterranean.

Nerja is probably most famous for its caves, which lie some 6 km inland. The entrance to this huge system of limestone caverns was discovered in 1959 by some boys chasing bats. The caves are protected and have been well preserved with many parts still closed to the public including areas with prehistoric paintings of animals and human figures. It is estimated that the caves were inhabited between 20,000 BC and 1,800 BC. Visitors are treated to a series of well-lit chambers and displays of archaeological finds. Of interest are the Hall of Bethlehem, full of stalactites and stalagmites; the Hall of the Waterfall, the scene for the Festival of the Caves held in July; the Hall of the Cataclysm, whose fallen rocks indicate an earthquake long ago; and the centrepiece, the central column in the Hall of Cataclysm, formed when a stalactite and stalagmite met and joined after thousands of years of growth. It is the tallest of its kind in the world at some 32 metres.

PUERTO DE LA DUQUESA really is the Costa del Sols best-kept secret.

Although within easy reach of the airports of Malaga (40 minutes) and Gibraltar (30 minutes), La Duquesa seems like a thousand miles away from the throng of the holiday resorts and offers an unparalleled quality of life in Southern Spain.
Among the many attractions, too numerous to list fully, including:
La Duquesa sport marina, miles of beautiful uncrowded beaches, promenades with bars, restaurants, cafés and services, championship 18 hole golf course, the natural marvels of Andalusia, shopping and bustling nightlife minutes away, easy airport access and excellent transports.

La Duquesa enjoys an advantageous location to the west of Marbella, sometimes called "the Other Costa del Sol". The essence in this distinction is that the area retains a vast amount of unspoilt natural scenery and authentic local character - while sharing the fantastic climate and all the excellent services and infrastructure of the rest of the Costa del Sol. This is primarily due to a limited and well-managed development. The result: an ideal balance of relaxed living with easy access to every imaginable amenity. In other terms, quality of life.
The beautiful port La Duquesa offers full marina services for boating enthusiasts as well as a myriad of attractions for those with no aspirations to take to the water. The attractive promenades encircling the port offer a variety of restaurants, intimate bars and cafés in which to while away the days. The vast choice of eating and drinking options include French, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Thai and, of course, Spanish with its fresh, local fish. Numerous services and grocers are also on hand. Two nights a week the port hosts a unique Crafts Market, popular with the local residents as well as visitors.

La Duquesa Golf and Country Club boasts an 18 holes course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., a technical masterpiece with wonderful sea and mountain views. In addition to golf, the club offers many facilities including tennis, squash, and a fully equipped gym with a qualified resident trainer. Membership is available. Further golfing challenges are close at hand: Alcaidesa, a Links course overlooking the Rock of Gibraltar; Valderrama, host of the Ryder Cup and World Championship, only ten minutes from La Duquesa; Sotogrande, a parkland course; and La Cañada, a wonderful golf challenge where the fairways are as thick and lush as carpet. San Roque, host to the qualifying schools, is also only a few minutes away. And if this is not enough, there are another 40-odd courses within an hours drive.

Beaches and Mountains: Whether its miles of pristine beaches (many earning the European Blue Flag for cleanliness) or rugged mountains with their wildlife, the La Duquesa area offers every type of terrain. Rising virtually from the beaches, the mountains hide their medieval towns like little jewels  the famed White Villages. Every type of nature recreation is at hand including even winter and spring skiing only two hours away in Granada.
Cosmopolitan Life can be found only twenty minutes away in the "jet-set" city of Marbella with its hustle and bustle. Shopping experiences of every kind are available ranging from the upscale El Corte Inglés, Spains premier department store, to the sprawling La Cañada mall just outside Marbella, to the infinite variety of small shops and boutiques lining the cobble-stoned streets of Old Marbella. Just before Marbella, approaching from La Duquesa, is the international resort of Puerto Banus with its millionaire playground of floating palaces and luxury cars. In addition to the yachts, the port is chock full of all the appropriate designer names such as Versace, Armani, and Donna Karen ¬ for the most discerning shoppers.

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