What is it about the Costa del Sol that attracts so many people?
Stunning and diverse landscapes The Mediterranean and the mountains surround the Costa del Sol like a huge envelope creating scenery that is truly stunning. Without a doubt, one of the greatest attractions of this coastline is the proximity of such a diverse variety of landscapes - the mountains, the valleys with its vegetable gardens, the sea and of course the views of Gibraltar and also Africa (on a clear day). Each year the Costa del Sol welcomes more than two million people who arrive at Malaga international airport and head to one of the many resorts located along this stretch of coastline from Gibraltar in the west, to Nerja in the east. The most well known resorts lie west of Málaga beginning with Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Mijas Costa. Further along the coast lies Marbella with its famous marina at Puerto Banus, San Pedro, Estepona, Sotogrande and finally Gibraltar.
The beaches of the Costa del Sol Beaches are undoubtedly what most tourists are looking for in the Costa del Sol which boats of some of the best in Europe. The province of Malaga offers 161 kms of coastline with most of its hotels and finest restaurants within shouting distance of the beaches basking beneath one of the best climates in Europe. It is no wonder that the beach means so much to local residents and tourists alike in the Costa del Sol. Most of the beaches tend to be excellent, cleaned everyday and with all the services that only a great Spanish beach can offer (bars, restaurants, showers, umbrellas, beach beds, children's parks, etc.).
And if it's secluded beaches you are after, the Costa del Sol won´t let you down there either, especially the area of Nerja and its natural park, with some of the most beautiful beaches on the entire Costa del Sol.
The Costa del Golf The Costa del Sol offers much more than just beaches however and it may sound like the usual cliché but the Costa del Sol is also known as the Costa del Golf with more than 40 golf courses many of which are located beside residential developments. This makes it the area with the highest concentration of golf courses in all of continental Europe. Of course, this has a lot to do with the climate, more than 300 days of sunshine a year with an average temperature of 18 degrees.
Other sports and activities on the Costa del Sol But not everyone plays Golf in the Costa del Sol and the area has a lot to offer for people seeking all manner of sports and activities. There are lively and colourful regattas with boating, sailing and fishing offered in the numerous marinas and ports that line the Costa del Sol. Other activities include paddle tennis and perhaps it is not such a well known fact that Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe started the practice of paddle tennis in Europe and the Costa del Sol claims to have opened the first paddle tennis club in the continent. You will find that many of the three star hotels also offer these types of facilities alongside the numerous sporting clubs in the Costa del Sol area. Also, due to its diverse and varied geography, the Costa del Sol offers activities such as horseback riding, rambling, cycling, windsurfing, and a great deal more.
The traditions and Spanish culture of the Costa del Sol co-exist with the residential areas, marinas, golf clubs, entertainment centres, nightclubs and many other tourist attractions that have been built around them. The more international Costa del Sol lives with the more peaceful ambience of country villages which have astonishingly preserved their traditional history and ambience. You will have the chance to experience the most genuine and authentic features of the Andalusian culture at first hand. In addition to the folkloric displays in the tourist centres, you can also experience the lively and popular celebrations such as the fiestas, Easter parades, song contests and the bull runs. These, without a doubt, claim first place on the list of recommendations for travellers who want to see beyond what first meets the eye.
Beaches are undoubtedly what most tourists are looking for in the Costa del Sol which boats of some of the best in Europe. The province of Malaga offers 161 kms of coastline with most of its hotels and finest restaurants within shouting distance of the beaches basking beneath one of the best climates in Europe. It is no wonder that the beach means so much to local residents and tourists alike in the Costa del Sol. Most of the beaches tend to be excellent, cleaned everyday and with all the services that only a great Spanish beach can offer (bars, restaurants, showers, umbrellas, beach beds, children's parks, etc.). 
