Welcome to Costa de Sol, where the sun, sand and fun beckons.
Costa del Sol is in the southern region of Malaga Province, Spain. It is one of the most popular and important tourist destinations in Spain. The coastline, stretching 150 km of beaches, hotels and apartments, shops, cafes and restaurants, bars and clubs make up 35% of Spain’s tourism income.
The area's sunny climate is the main attraction. The coast comprises of a number of towns, popular with Europeans – especially the British, Germans, Scandinavians and French.
In Benalmadena, where I am holidaying now, it is a 20 minutes from the town center, (where I am staying), to the Benal beach. For the last two Sundays, I have been taking walks on the Costa de Sol. I walked to the left from Benal Beach on one Sunday, and to the right of Benal Beach, the next Sunday.
The Costa del Sol is an amazing place. On one side of the road – on the beach front, there are the beaches, the beach promenade with the eateries – restaurants and cafes, and gift shops, hotels and apartments. On the other side of the road are more hotels, apartments and shops. The scene is the same for as far as the eyes can see.
On the beaches, you see people sunbathing. Sunbeds and straw shade umbrellas are for rent. But, if you prefer to bring your own beach chairs, towels and mats, that’s fine too. You can set up your own space on the beach.
There is always a strong smell of suntan lotion if you walk along the beach. The sunbathers will need them. The sun can be quite merciless, and if you are not careful, you will bake very quickly. It is easy to see who has just arrived and who has been here for a while by the colour of their tan.
Cafes and restaurants on the beach promenade do brisk business. Walking along the beach promenade, you will smell Espeto. These are skewed sardines cooked over charcoal fire. It is a local specialty. Most, if not all restaurants have it on their menu. And, by the smells of it, they seem to be very popular.
Walking along the Costa del Sol, seeing so many holiday makers relaxing, eating and drinking, and generally, having fun, one gets a surreal feeling. It’s a completely different life here.
Cafes on the beach. You don't have to go far for a bite or a drink. Or a break before continuing your sunbathing.
Cafes and restaurants on the beach promenade.
Espetos - skewed sardines grilled over charcoal fire. A local speciality.
A quieter section of the beach promenade.
Ice-cream and drinks stall.
Shops selling souvenirs and beach necessities.
Hotels on the beach promenade.
A common sight on the promenade are hawkers – Africans hawking their wares – usually imitation goods like shoes, bags, wallets, football jerseys and caps, watches, sunglasses....
If the beach is not your thing, or if your hotel doesn’t have access to the beach, you can stay in the compound of your hotel, where there is usually a big pool, for guests to cool down after sunning themselves.
Hotels, apartments, shops, cafeterias and restaurants on the other side of the road.
Tourists’ arrival on the Costa begins in May. Peak periods are from June to August when the European summer holidays and the school holidays begin. By September, tourists will begin to dwindle, when the Summer holidays end and children go back to school. By then it will also be too windy and cold to go into the water.
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