Stretching for over 150 kms (94 miles) along the Mediterranean coast from Nerja to Gibaltar is Costa del Sol, Spain, the Sun Coast. The beautiful beaches, rustic mountain countryside, and three hundred and twenty five days of sunshine a year attract visitors all year round. People come to escape the winter and enjoy the variety of amenities that the Costa has to offer.

Frequented by the British, Germans and French, Costa del Sol has a large selection of accommodation available from short stay hotels to long stay apartment hotels and condominiums suitable for all budgets. English is widely spoken and you could easily find yourself sitting in a British style pub watching the BBC while enjoying tapas. Choose from several sea side towns from the city of Malaga, the fifth largest city in Spain, to Marbella, one of Spain’s most cosmopolitan coastal towns.

Costa del Sol is a golfers paradise with nearly 70 golf courses from a nine hole par three course to a 60 hole world class tournament course. Most of the golf courses are 18 holes and due to the mild winters are open all year round.

Getting around the Costa is easy due to a well developed transit system. Buses take you from one town to the other for less than two Euros. The light rail system runs from Malaga to Fuengrola. Rent a car and drive the coastal road or head into the mountains and follow the route of the Pueblos Blancos (white villages).

Day trips are easily arranged to some of the major sights in southern Spain. Visit Rhona and see one of the oldest bullrings in Spain. Take a day trip to Seville and visit the famous Cathedral that is allegedly Christopher Columbus’s final resting place. Spend the afternoon in Granada at the Moorish Castle Alhambra. Take the bus to the sleepy little village of Mijas. Go underground at the Nerja Caves, one of Spains premier show caves. Spend the day in Gibraltar. Visit St. Micheal’s Cave and the great Siege Tunnels. Take the cable car up the top of the rock where you will enjoy a spectacular view of the coast. On a clear day it is rumored that you can see Africa. Or better yet take the high speed ferry to Tangier, Morocco and visit an exotic African city. The options are endless.

If you want to shop, visit one of the weekly markets and choose from a variety of crafts, clothing, art work, and leather goods offered at the markets. You can find anything you might want, including the kitchen sink! The shopping in Marbella rivals that of the French Rivera. Here you will find large shopping malls with designer stores.

International cuisine is available all along the coast. In Torremolinos you can enjoy Spanish food in a restaurant run by a former bull fighter. British style pubs with a Spanish flavor dot the coast. Three course meals are offered at nearly every fine dining establishment. Enjoy fish and seafood fresh from the ocean. There are even fast food outlets to keep the kids happy. You will never go hunger in Costa.

Costa del Sol is an ideal place to spend the winter months. Pleasant temperatures, very little rain, modern accommodations, good transit system and reasonable prices make the Sun Coast a desirable winter destination.


If you would like to visit Costa del Sol, check out the following websites for information, accommodations, things to do and see, etc:
http://www.visitcostadelsol.com/eng/
http://www.andalucia.com/costa_del_sol/home.htm
http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Spain/Regions/Costa+del+Sol
http://www.spain.info/TourSpain/Costas+y+Playas/Costas/0/Costa+del+Sol?Language=en
http://www.costadelsol.st/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g187435-Costa_del_Sol_Andalusia-Vacations.HTML
http://www.freewayspain.com/

Car rentals:
http://www.hispacar.com/

Costa del Sol is easily reached from Europe or the UK via the international airport in Malaga. Check with the major airlines for flight information.