Costa Del Sol

The Costa del Sol is Spain ‘s most southerly and often warmest holiday region. It offers everything you could wish for in a modern holiday resort, yet is only a few kilometers north of Andalucia, land of gypsies and flamenco giving a taste of truly traditional Spain . The widest of interests are catered for whether wish to relax on sandy beaches, enjoy the excitement of water sports, or the lush fairways of championship golf courses.

You might like to visit some of the picturesque hillside towns such as Nerja or Mijas, or perhaps the historic cities of Rhonda, Seville, Cordoba or Granada with its famous Alhambra Palace.

In addition, the resorts of the Costa del Sol offer a host of entertainment from bars and restaurants, to nightclubs and casinos.

Malaga

The second largest city in Andalucia after Seville is still the same busy port that emerged during the times of the Phoenicians, nowadays providing anchorage to the multiple cruise ships that cross the Straits of Gibraltar . The main monuments include the cathedral, built by Diego de Siloé in 1528 and, still incomplete, popularly known as the one-armed lady; the Citadel, constructed between the 18th and 19th century; and the ruins of the Castle of Gibralfaro, a Moorish fortress dating to the 14th century and now housing a Parador. Málaga is famous not so much for its buildings but for having witnessed the birth of Pablo Picasso, to whom the Picasso Museum is dedicated, also for serving the province’s best fish and seafood in the old villages of El Palo and Pedregalejo, which now form part of the capital, and for two of Andalusia’s most famous festivities: the Fiesta, held in the middle of August, and the Easter celebrations, a religious and merry festival which fills the week and streets with processions on different days of the festival week…. El Señor de los Gitanos (Monday), Nuestro Padre Jesús el Rico (Wednesday), and El Cristo de la Buena Muerte and La Esperanza Perchelera (Thursday).

Mijas Costa

Mijas, a tourist town at the foot of the Mijas hills comprises typically Andalusian houses. Its traditional status as a mountain village has been combined harmoniously with a major tourist complex located in the coastal enclave of La Cala, where there are 12 kilometres of beaches. The whitewashed streets of the historic quarter, ‘Arab’ in layout nestling in the mountain landscape, offers buildings of interest, while the surrounding area has many archaeological sites, testimony to the town’s rich prehistoric past. Not forgetting other attractions Mijas offers, such as its gastronomy, inherited from Andalusia ‘s rich culinary tradition and its deep-rooted custom of fiestas and festivals.

Torremolinos

Settled on a hill between the Playamar area and Carihuela, the bright, lively resort of Torremolinos is perhaps the Costa del Sol ‘s most famous resort. Boasting magnificent clean, wide beaches, known as some of Spain ‘s most impressive and providing a fantastic location to laze away the sunny days before enjoying all the lively nightlife the resort has to offer. For the daytime, there is a huge Aquapark, street markets, golf courses, and for the evening, along with the nightlife, you’ll find a wide range of restaurants with all sorts of delicious cuisines. The village of Carihuela, on the coast towards Benalmadena with its fishing port atmosphere, provides an interesting taste of the Old Torremolinos.

Benalmadena

Found in the centre of the Costa del Sol , this coastal resort has beautiful little stretches of sandy beaches and is backed by the Sierra Mijas hills. The resort is centred round a large luxurious marina where water sports facilities are available and is also home to the Sea Life centre and the restored steamboat, the Mississippi Willow . Hidden in the hills beyond is the original Benalmadena Pueblo (Village) with its traditional whitewashed houses and steep, winding, narrow alleys. The resort offers many daytime attractions, with Tivoli Park providing funfair rides and amusements, cosmopolitan restaurants and a varied nightlife.

Fuengirola

Fuengirola situated just twenty minutes from Malaga airport, while the local train station provides easy access to such popular nearby resorts as Torreblanca, Arroyo de la Miel and Torremolinos. The advantage of staying here is that it is a compact seaside resort and town which has an excellent selection of supermarkets and competitively priced shops, as opposed to being restricted to the typical gift shop strip with its imported shells and t-shirts.

Fuengirola is probably most famous for its five miles of sandy beaches, flanked by high-rise hotels and residential blocks of apartments with magnificent views of the Mediterranean and sweeping coastline. A recent landscaping drive by the local municipality has resulted in a wider promenade and plenty of palm trees, interspersed with colourful flower beds and additional seating.

Estepona

Its history involved the Phoenicians, the Romans and the Arabs. The latter, who settled in this region the longest, left us numerous vestiges of which very few have unfortunately been saved (fortifications, watch towers, etc.).

In the strictest historical sense, however, we are obliged to admit that it is not known when the town was founded. This might well fall within the time of the Phoenician settlements, and there are considerate grounds to believe that it might have been during the Roman era. It is therefore assumed that the Estepona of old existed a good deal earlier than the Arab “Estebbuna” and “Alextebuna”.

The town was captured from the Arabs during the hostilities ordered by King Henry IV of Castilla in the year 1456. It is from this moment on that the history of Estepona as it is known today began, with the very same King Henry ordering the reconstruction of the castle at the request of his intimate friend and advisor, Don Fernández Pacheco, the Marquis of Villena.

In the absence of the Catholic Kings, during the reign of Doña Juana La Loca, or “Mad Jane”, the village remained under the jurisdiction of Marbella .

With more than 600 inhabitants, Estepona obtained its complete and unrestrained independence under King PhiIlip V, “In perpetuity and for always without end in all manner of civil and criminal matters of the first instance within the town and its municipal district”, as is recorded literally in the town Charter signed by the King himself in Seville on the 21 April 1729 and which is kept in the town archives.

From this moment on its development began in earnest using its own natural resources, the sea (fishing) and the countryside (crops), until today and the beginning of the tourist phenomenon.

Nerja

Nerja lies approximately 35 miles east of Malaga, just under an hour’s drive. Sheltered by the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains on one side and the Sierra Almijara on the other, Nerja boasts one of the best all year round climates in Europe with tropical plants and flowers forever in bloom.

The town is small and intimate and not over developed, with narrow winding streets and courtyards lined with typical white Andalucian houses, numerous restaurants, tapas bars, and shops catering for your every need. Visitors are made to feel welcome by the ever smiling and friendly locals. From the centre of town the Balcon de Europe juts out to sea from a beautiful palm tree lined plaza, dotted with pavement cafes in the centre of town, and offers beautiful views out to sea and along the coast.

Nerja`s numerous beaches lie the length of the town and can be reached from various points, but perhaps one of the most picturesque ways is by taking the steps down near the Balcon de Europe, where a roped off path takes you through a grotto of gigantic rocks and tropical plants, allowing access to different small coves and beaches along the way, eventually ending up at Burriana Beach, a wide expanse of golden sands which is lined with restaurants specialising in fish dishes and paella.

For clients with cars Nerja is an excellent base from which to explore other nearby towns and villages. The picturesque little mountain villages of Frigiliana and Competa are both just 30 to 40 minutes drive away, with their narrow winding streets forever climbing upwards, village squares with open air cafes, beautiful churches and views over the mountains and rooftops to the sea and beyond. Another hour’s drive further inland takes you to the fabulous old Moorish town of Granada, which we are sure needs no introduction.

Back down to the coast and just 10 minutes from Nerja lies the completely unspoilt little seaside town of Maro , with its superb restaurants and quiet beaches. Opposite Maro are the famous Caves of Nerja which date back to the Palaeolithic Age and are now rated among the biggest and best in Europe .

Along the coast to the West are numerous other small towns and coastal resorts such as Valez Malaga, a typical Spanish market town, Torrox with its narrow streets and river running through it and Algarrobo, famous for its deserted beaches and Chiringuitos (small fish restaurants on the beach). Each town and every village have their own individuality, all with an authentic touch of real Spain.

Marbella

Meaning Beautiful Sea in Spanish, is a world renown destination located in Sunshine Coast, that lives up to both names: long sandy beaches bordering the clear, sparkling blue Mediterranean boasting the best possible sunny weather year-round. Through it’s history it has become a marvellous city offering all that come the true taste of Andalusia: whitewashed buildings bordered by narrow streets, wonderful flower filled plazas and corners, horse drawn carriages lazily taking it’s passengers on a relaxed tour through yesteryear, friendly and open people, quaint churches and exciting nightlife.

Storybook beaches; countless golf courses that challenge any player no matter what their handicap; sports marina’s world renown; an unbeatable natural surrounding on the slopes of the sierra that protects the entire area, offering it an enviable microclimate; world famous hotels; restaurants; shopping centers and boutiques catering to all needs and an exciting and intense nightlife make Marbella the ideal setting for your holidays or business meetings and conventions – even if you mix them together.

Marbella is never far away from the major metropolitan areas and cities imbibed in rich history and tradition as: Málaga, Córdoba, Granada and Seville; or the enticing and mysterious North African destinations, just a ferry ride away from Algeciras – gateway to Africa and it’s also millenary cultures.

What was a sleepy port and fisherman’s village, has now grown up into a vibrating and cosmopolitan city… the perfect blend between tradition and modernity.

Puerto Banus

Puerto Banús, named after its promoter, Mr. José Banús, is located only 5 km from Marbella, and is one of Marbella ‘s most famous attractions. Inaugurated in 1970, it houses 915 moorings between 8 and 50 meters in length attracting some of the most attractive and luxurious boats in the world.

It has received many awards and mentions, outstanding among which are the Center of National Tourism Interest , gold medal to Tourism Merit and the Gold Mercury International. This last award was bestowed in Rome in honor of the development and cooperation by this world famous marina in economical, cultural and social fields.

As night falls, Puerto Banús becomes one of the area’s most attractive night hot spots offering a wide range of choices in meeting all discerning needs: bars, restaurants, outdoor cafés and discotheques fill with internationaly famous faces from all walks of life. Some of the world’s most outstanding names in fashion have a boutique here, bustling with life and sales until 2 in the morning and adding their glamour to this already spectacular destination.