With sweeping bays, posh marinas and Moorish palaces – not to mention a name that translates to ‘the Sunshine Coast’ – Spain’s southernmost region wins on all fronts.”
Whoever said you can’t have it all hasn’t been to the Costa del Sol. This sunny region – which gets 320-odd days a year to be precise – has the full spectrum of beach holidays covered. Take Benalmadena, for example. What families can’t do in here isn’t worth mentioning. The super-sized stretch of sand is the big draw, and then there’s the Sea Life Centre and theme park to think about. There’s no shortage of bars, shops and restaurants, either. And you can go traditional in its cobbled old town, Benalmadena Pueblo.
Torremolinos is another classic beach resort. The sandy sweeps are dotted with ‘chiringuito’ bars, and the town is choc-full of shops and restaurants. It’s not all flamenco dolls and fry-ups, though. Head for the old district, El Calvario, for example, and you’ll find the traditional Thursday market and countless tapas bars.
For a taste of rustic Spain, try the seaside town of Estepona. It’s still a pretty big resort, but it’s kept its whitewashed Andalusian charm. Wander its steep cobbled streets and you’ll come across no end of unusual shops, pavement cafés and tapas bars. The original fish market is still going, too – great for a nose at the day’s catches.
