Often referred to as the Costa del Golf, this area of Southern Spain is heaven for keen golfers. There are plenty of high quality championship courses in the Costa del Sol including Valderrama, ranked as one of the world's best courses. The destination often plays host to events such as the Ryder Cup and the Spanish Open. Plus, you can rely on the weather being great, with over 300 days of sunshine a year!

The Costa del Sol is the place to be for water sports enthusiasts and beginners alike. With over 100 miles of coastline, many of the beaches offer lots of water sport activities for the whole family to enjoy. From jet-skis, kitesurfing, flyboarding, water-skiing, wakeboarding and windsurfing, there is so much for you to try. Scuba divers will love the clear blue waters or, if you prefer not to go too deep, hire a boat or kayak!

The Costa del Sol is an exciting and diverse region, steeped in history and rich in culture that deserves to be explored and enjoyed. Head inland to a rural village or town and you'll soon discover the original Spanish culture of traditional Andalucia. From the charming village of Mijas to the bustling streets of Malaga, Costa Del Sol offers more than just a spectacular coastline!

Foodies are spoilt for choice in the Costa del Sol – from traditional paella and tapas to international favourites such as pizza or Chinese, there really is something for everyone! Most of the coastal resorts offer excellent seafood restaurants and traditional tapas bars all along the promenade, plus plenty of chiringuitos - beach bars – for a relaxed atmosphere. Many restaurants will offer alfresco dining, so you can make the most of the warm summer evenings.

Spain is famous for its traditional horse shows, and there are great examples of this within the Costa del Sol. The Finca Cartujano puts on a weekly unique spectacle showing the visitor the dance and elegance of the pure-blooded Spanish Carthusian horse, with examples of dressage and ballet combined with traditional Spanish costumes and Andalucian music. Or, visit the Ranchito Horse Show in Torremolinos, where the Rhythm on Horse show is a recommended experience for all horse lovers.

Bioparc Fuengirola has created different zones with tropical planting, waterfalls and a river to reflect the natural habitats of the animals you can view there. Watch the Nile crocodiles basking in the sun and chimpanzees playing in the trees as well as Sumatra tigers, leopards, hippos, turtles, kangaroos and much more. In July and August, the zoo stays open until 11PM so you can see the animals who are at their most active at dusk.

Dolphins are frequently seen off the Costa del Sol and nothing can beat watching these endearing creatures dancing and playing alongside the boats in their own natural habitat. You'll find a choice of boat trips available from Fuengirola, Cabopino, Benalmadena and Puerto Banus.

Starting from outside the Tivoli Amusement Park in Benalmadena, you can enjoy the thrill of a 9 minute ride in the cable car to the Calamorra mountain - 724 metres above sea level. Views from the top are breath-taking along the coast and across to Gibraltar and Morocco.

Tivoli World, part show, part amusement park, is an unbeatable treat for the whole family. You are guaranteed unlimited thrills with over 40 exciting rides to try out plus go-karts, bumper cars and Tiny Town for the tiny tots. If you need a break from the rides you’ll also find theme bars and restaurants plus live western, mini discos, magic and flamenco shows. In the summer months the park is open in the evenings, allowing you to avoid the heat of the day.

Parque Acuatico Mijas makes a fantastic day out for the whole family. Try surfing the wave pool or enjoy the twists and turns while speeding through one of the slides and flumes! For young children, you’ll find a jungle themed splash area and a small ride, Lizard Island. There is also mini-golf and a large picnic area to relax.  

Aqualand Torremolinos is the original Costa del Sol waterpark and also the largest. With wave pools, slides, toboggans and rapids, Aqualand is great fun for all ages. For adults there is a cool blue Jacuzzi to relax in and for the youngest members of the family, a children’s park with water slides and attractions in shallow pools.

Selwo is home to over 2000 animals from 5 continents living in their own recreated environment. Explored on foot and by all-terrain trucks, you can cross a wooden bridge and explore the separate routes where different species live in harmony. The Valley route to see lions and tigers, or the Sabana route for rhinoceros, ostrich, elephants, antelopes and zebras. A wonderful day out – so wear strong shoes, find your camera and enjoy.

If you’re looking to cool off from the sun, why not take a visit to Sea Life in Benalmadena? This aquarium offers an interactive and educational experience for the whole family. Discover the wide variety of different sea creatures, including sharks, rays, turtles and exotic fish. Be sure to check the website before you go so you can see the feedings!  

Tucked into a small bay, the Atalaya beach is great for all ages including families and, due to the close proximity of the hotel, there is a variety of watersports available. There are also various beach bars along this stretch, which, in season, offer typical beach type food varying from snacks or a choice of fish and salads, to full “paella” lunches.

Benamara beach is located on the eastern outskirts of Estepona just 2 miles west of San Pedro de Alcantara close to the established residential area of El Pilar. The beach is easily reached by taking the pedestrian footbridge located across from the Benavista shopping centre. The beach has sunbeds for hire and a beach bar/restautant ideall for snacks and meals alike with paellas and seafood the specialities.

Bil Bil Beach is the main beach on Benalmadena Costa, situated just west of Benalmadena port. Close by is the Bil Bil Castle, an attractive terracotta coloured replica Moorish Castle built on the promenade which houses a restaurant and bar and is the choice venue for many local weddings. The beach is well equipped with bars and restaurants, sunbed and umbrella hire, pedaloes and surfing. The main road behind is lined with apartments, shops, bars and restaurants and the attractive promenade provides a pleasant stroll or place to sit and watch the world go by.

Carvajal is a pleasant and reasonably quiet beach area at the far eastern end of Fuengirola. The locals make a beeline for it at weekends, and tend to arrive early! However, it is wide, clean and safe with plenty of restaurants and bars close at hand.

The Castillo (El Ejido) beach is located below the old Moorish castle on the western side of Fuengirola. The river separates it from the Santa Amalia beach, Fuengirola’s longest stretch of sand. The estuary of the river is popular and children swim in the small shallow lake before it reaches the open sea. Nets and posts are on site for various ball games enjoyed by the locals, also sunbed and umbrella hire from the various bars. There are plenty of beach bars and restaurants nearby.

Located just east of Estepona, El Padron beach is a popular stretch of sandy beach with several beach bars and restaurants and facilities such as sun bed and umbrella hire. The luxury Hotel Kempinski overlooks the beach and offers many water sports and activities, such as boating, diving and snorkelling, wind surfing and pedalos.

Playa Fontanilla is a very popular beach lying west of the sporting marina and connecting with the Playa Casablanca, together they stretch almost to the western side of Marbella town. A lovely promenade overlooks this extensive stretch of coast, which offers clean safe bathing and excellent facilities. You'll find plenty of restaurants and bars with toilets, showers and the usual sunbed and umbrella hire. Water sports such as speed boat and jet ski hire are available from the marina but windsurfing and pedalo hire centres are located at various centres along the beach.

Funny Beach, advertised by a giant sized Coca Cola can on the beach side just east of Marbella town has a variety of water sports available such as jet ski hire, canoe and pedalo hire and wind surfing. For children and adults they also have go karting, trampolines, and many other amusements. The beach itself (Playa del Pinillo) is quite narrow, but safe and clean with toilet, restaurant and bar facilities.

Marbella's Golden Mile is without doubt the place to be seen with its beaches, world famous hotels (including Puente Romano Hotel) and designer shops. The golden mile coastline is made up from many different beaches between Marbella and Puerto Banus and is flanked by a recently built promenade with is many beach bars dotted along the way. These beaches have held the Blue Flag since 1992. If you feel like treating yourself, why not spend a day relaxing in the Marbella Club Beach Club.

This lovely beach is overlooked by the fabulous Guadalmina Golf Course and Hotel on the western outskirts of San Pedro de Alcantara. You'll find excellent facilities and a clean safe beach with many restaurants and bars close at hand. There is the usual sun bed and umbrella hire and varied water sports and activities available from the hotel such as windsurfing, jet skiing, speed boats and pedalos.

Situated east of Estepona, Hacienda Beach is close to the luxury Las Dunas Hotel which has all manner of water sports and leisure activities on offer. The beach is clean, safe and well equipped with a variety of restaurants and bars, toilets, sun bed and umbrella hire and beach showers.

Marbesa beach is a long narrow stretch sand popular with local residents. There is no promenade here but the rather quality residential area of Marbesa overlooks it, with plenty of parking. A good choice of restaurants and bars some having sunbeds and umbrellas for hire. Popular with the locals for jogging and walking.

Mijas Costa is the long stretch of coast between Fuengirola and Marbella. The majority of the beaches are sandy but fairly narrow. The urbanisations of Riviera del Sol and Calahonda all have access to reasonable beaches where a beach bar or restaurant is never far away and they will all have toilets and sunbed and umbrella hire.

Nueva Andalucia beach is situated a 15 minute stroll west of Puerto Banus and is sandy and well equipped. Several beach clubs overlook the beach, including the Moosh Moosh at Villamarina and although not a formal promenade, it is an easy walk into Puerto Banus to enjoy the nightlife and shopping. A good choice of beach restaurants and bars with toilets, showers and sunbed and umbrella hire. Windsurfing and pedalo hire available and jet ski and speed boat hire from the marina itself.

The Rio Real beach is located in front of the Rio Real Golf course, stretching down to the sea at the Torre Real exit just east of Marbella. At the bottom there is plenty of parking and access to the beach. The beach boasts a first class restaurant and bar, with pool and gardens and from where you can hire sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach. Pedalo hire and windsurfing are available.

Playa Puerto Banus is another very popular beach and without doubt the place to be seen! Protected to the west by the marina jetty, it stretches along to the east and is overlooked by the Marbella Club. Spend a day at the beach club and rub shoulders with the rich and famous. If not, then be prepared for a crowded beach. You'll find Lots of bars and restaurants close at hand and the usual facilities.

Royal Beach is on Mijas Costa in the Sitio de Calahonda area. A flight of steps lead down to a fairly narrow beach with a restaurant and bar and sun bed and umbrella hire. This beach can be very popular at weekends.

San Pedro beach is one of a series of long clean sandy beaches running from Puerto Banus to Guadalmina. Beaches near San Pedro Alcantara have long wide tree-shaded promenades, children’s playgrounds and plenty of beach bars and fish restaurants. The promenade and beach areas are attractive with good safe bathing and sports facilities.

Sotogrande at the far western end of the Costa del Sol and close to Gibraltar, is a top venue for golf and polo. It also boasts a fabulous marina with wildlife marshland and is a luxury beach resort. The fine beach club backs on to the wide sandy beach which is safe and clean for bathing and taking the sun. At the beach club there are many water sports and activities available, including pedalos, jet skis, speed boats, windsurfing, childens games and competitions, tennis and golf. Also on site are excellent restaurant and bar facilities.

Torreblanca and the adjoining resort of Los Boliches, both located on the eastern side of Fuengirola were awarded the Blue Flag for their beaches in 2002. Wide expanses of sand stretching several miles from Fuengirola along to Carvajal attract holiday makers and locals alike and the facilities are first class. Plenty of beach bars and restaurants offering wonderful fish dishes and fresh char grilled sardines, sun bed and umbrella hire, toilets and beach showers. Water sports on offers include pedaloes and windsurfing with several locations for 5 a side football.

The sandy beach is not huge but is clean, safe and well equipped with sunbed and umbrella hire, pedaloes, toilets and showers. Parking on beach side is limited in high season but spaces available on other side of the road, with underpass access.

Another popular beach on Benalmadena Costa is at Torrequebrada. The beach has a couple of restaurants and bars with toilets and showers and all the usual facilities such as sunbed and umbrella hire, pedaloes and surfing. Parking is a little difficult in high season.

One of Marbella’s fine beaches, Venus Beach is located to the east of the sporting marina. A pleasant promenade overlooks the beach, and houses many popular restaurants and bars that are full to bursting point during the high season months. The beach is clean and safe with excellent facilities including toilets and showers, sunbed and umbrella hire, jet-ski and speed boat hire close by from the marina, pedalos and wind surfing.