Overview of the best places to stay on the Costa del Sol

Malaga

Best place for a culture trip

Malaga is the largest city on the coast and, therefore, the gateway to the Costa del Sol. The city provides a unique experience in the region, offering travelers a modern and lively setting for their holidays. Malaga is also great if you’ve got a taste for boutique hotels!

It’s a great place if you’re interested in museums, historical monuments, and want easy access to great Andalusian cities like Seville, Cordoba, or Granada.

Main attractions in Malaga:

• The Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro Castle
• Picasso Museum
• Centre Pompidou
• Mercado Central
• La Malagueta beach
• Roman amphitheatre

Best Beach: Playa La Malagueta

However, it doesn’t have that small-town feel that some people enjoy on the Costa del Sol. But if you’re picking Malaga, it’s probably because you’re not looking for that.

Choose to stay here if:

• You like a big city
• You are interested in culture and history
• You want to see more of Andalusia

Nerja

Best town for pretty landscapes and nature

Nerja, with its stunning mountains in the background, is definitely one of my favorite towns on the Costa del Sol. This coastal village is full of outdoor activities to enjoy and happens to be one of the prettiest options on the Mediterranean coast. There’s lots to do in Nerja besides enjoying its natural beauty. For example, there’s the lovely town of Frigiliana, a favorite day trip destination for those visiting Nerja.

Best Beach: Playa de Maro

Main attractions in Nerja:

• Balcon de Europa
• Cascada de Maro
• Caves of Nerja

However, there’s one downside to Nerja—it lacks good public transportation. To make the most of exploring the area, having a car is essential.

Choose to stay here if:

• You want a pretty resort town
• You like the outdoors
• You want some of the Marbella experience, but less expensive
• You want to see lots of brits
• You don’t mind renting a car

Marbella

Best place on the Costa del Sol for luxury

There’s no doubt about it – Marbella is the place you want to stay on the Costa del Sol. This location not only boasts the best beaches but is also the most glamorous resort on the South Coast of Spain.

Beach Beach : Playa de La Venus (It made the list of the top beaches in Andalusia.)

Main attractions in Marbella:

• The Casco Antiguo (Old Town of Marbella)
• Puerto Banus
• Hiking la Concha

However, the city, renowned for its beach clubs, nightlife, and luxury hotels, is mainly for the very wealthy. The best hotels there are astronomically expensive, but that’s to be expected when you offer some of the most luxurious amenities in all of Europe. It’s not the right place to stay if you’re on a budget to explore Andalusia, but you can still enjoy Marbella renting an apartment or doing some sightseeing.

Choose to stay here if:

• You want the best of the best
• You’d like to sunbath on the best beaches on the Costa del Sol
• You like great restaurants, shopping and nightlife
• You’re not on a budget

Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola

Think of Torremolinos, Benalmádena, and Fuengirola as siblings. These three cities have a lot in common: they’re all super popular with tourists, especially the Brits, and you can easily catch a train to Malaga from any of them.

But here’s the cool part – each city has its own vibe, its own unique personality.

Torremolinos – For the best beaches

Torremolinos is undoubtedly the go-to spot on the Costa del Sol for a family trip. With better beaches than Benalmadena and fantastic hiking trails, the largest resort on the Costa del Sol has all the makings of a perfect family getaway.

Best Beach: Playa de la Carihuela

Main attractions in Torremolinos:

• Playa La Carihuela
• Calle San Miguel
• Casa de los Navajas
• Crocodile Park
• Aqualand Torremolinos

Once just a quaint fishing village, Torremolinos decided to trade a bit of its Andalusian charm to transform into one of the most sought-after holiday destinations on the Costa del Sol.

Choose to stay here if:

• It’s a family vacation.
• You like watersports
• You want to be able to go to Malaga easily

Benalmádena – Best place for the nightlife

Now, when it comes to Benalmadena, it’s all about the nightlife and loads of things to do. This hip resort town is like the king of all-inclusive spots on the Costa del Sol. If you’re up for a quiet afternoon, head to the beautiful Benalmadena Pueblo.

Best Beach: Playa de Carvajal

Main attractions in Benalmadena:

• Castillo de Bil Bil
• Benalmadena Pueblo
• Parque de la Paloma
• Castillo Monumento Colomares
• Butterfly Park of Benalmadena

Choose to stay here if:

• You want to be able to go to Malaga easily
• You like watersports
• You’re going on vacation with friends
• You are a solo traveler and want a thriving nightlife scene
• You don’t mind that it gets a bit noisy

Fuengirola – Best place for foodies

What’s Fuengirola like? Well, the beach is fantastic, and its little marina is pretty charming. You’ve got great restaurants and a lively nightlife scene here! And if you’re into upmarket shopping, nice restaurants, and bars, Fuengirola‘s got you covered. ( Don’t miss out on one of the largest markets in the area—it’s a must-visit!)

Best Beach: Playa de San Francisco

Main attractions in Fuengirola:

• Biopark
• Fuengirola Street Market

Fuengirola is conveniently close to Marbella in case you want a liffle glamour in your vacation. The town’s accommodation options are pretty solid, but be prepared for some noise around the bar areas at night.

Choose to stay here if:

• You’re a foodie and love good tapas.
• You want to be able to go to Malaga easily.
• You plan on going on a shopping spree.

Estepona

The finest you can get, right after Marbella

Estepona, known as the « Garden of the Costa del Sol, » is like a floral paradise all year round. Unlike its loud neighbors Marbella and Puerto Banus, Estepona offers a different vibe. You come here for its Spanish character and to enjoy its charming Old Town, brimming with flowers.

Best Beach: Playa De La Rada

Main attractions in Estepona:

• Centro Historico de Estepona
• Plaza de las Flores
• Playa del Cristo
• Paseo Maritimo de Estepona

This town has long sandy beaches, cute old-town streets, lively bars and super friendly locals. It’s a totally different experience, away from the busy vibe of the rest of the Costa del Sol. But being further away from from everything, you might want to have a car.

Choose to stay here if:

• You’re not on a budget
• You want to stay in one of the prettiest town on the Costa del Sol
• You are not here for the nightlife
• You don’t mind renting a car

Sotogrande

Best place for a quiet luxury resort

It’s like everything gets measured against Marbella. Sotogrande is known for being super exclusive, but it’s also classier and more relaxed. Sotogrande isn’t about being flashy, and that’s why people love it so much. It’s the perfect getaways in the Andalusian countryside!

Best Beach: Playa de Torreguadiaro

Main attractions in Sotogrande:

• Polo Santa Maria
• Golf Courses
• Torreguadiaro Beach

Choose to stay here if:

• You’re on a family holiday
• You want a town on the quieter side
• You’re on the hunt for a luxury resort
• You like high-end amenities

Rincón de la Victoria

Best town for a local spanish vibe

Rincón de la Victoria is quite popular among Spanish families, making it the go-to place on the Costa del Sol if you’re seeking an authentic Spanish vibe. It’s affordable and very close to Malaga, perfect if you want to visit the big city sometimes.

Main attractions in Rincón de la Victoria:

• Cueva del Tesoro

However, it’s not as Instagram-worthy as some other resort towns on the Costa del Sol. Also, since it’s very local, don’t expect everything to be in English.

Choose to stay here if:

• You want to be close to Malaga
• You like a location with a great local vibe
• You are on a budget

Tips and FAQ

Other towns on the Costa del Sol

Here are some towns I didn’t mention in this article because I wouldn’t exactly suggest them as places to stay on the Costa del Sol.

• La Cala de Mijas : A cute inland town North of Marbella. But if you don’t want to stay by the sea, maybe you should consider other destinations in Andalusia.
• Torrox Costa and Torre del Mar: For the same price range, I prefer Rincón de la Victoria, which is much closer to Málaga.
• San Luis de Sabinillas: A small modern fishing village with a very large proportion of British and other Northern European expats.

Getting around the Costa del Sol

You can hop on a train along the coast from Malaga to Fuengirola, including a stop at Malaga Airport. Malaga also has high-speed trains to Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Madrid, and Barcelona.

Now, the main airport for the Costa del Sol is Malaga Airport (AGP), one of Spain’s busiest. Just catch the train I mentioned earlier to get into the city.

When it comes to ferry rides in southern Spain, most go to Algeria and Morocco. For Morocco, your best bet is the ferry from Tarifa (I did a whole post about doing a day trip to Tangier), or you can join organized tours from the Costa del Sol.