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La Zambra Resort in the Unbound Collection by Hyat, Costa del Sol

Things to do guide

The best things to do on the Costa del Sol

Updated 1 October 2026 · 17 things to do

Pictured: La Zambra Resort in the Unbound Collection by Hyat

Most people arrive for the beach and stay for everything else. Yes, this is a coast of long, sandy promenades, grilled sardines and sunsets that take their time. But behind the apartment blocks sit whitewashed villages, a mountain gorge with a walkway stuck to its walls, and Moorish palaces a morning's drive away.

The trick is to pick a resort you like and treat the rest of the coast as a menu. Málaga is the hub for the Alcazaba and the big museums, Nerja anchors the quiet east, Marbella and Estepona carry the glamour and the flowers, and the mountains of Andalucía sit just behind them all.

Don't miss

  1. 1Mijas Pueblo
  2. 2Balcón de Europa
  3. 3The Caminito del Rey
  4. 4Ronda
  5. 5Espetos de sardinas

Villages and old towns

Whitewash, geraniums and a sea view, usually with a café attached.

  1. Mijas Pueblo

    Neighbourhood

    A whitewashed lane in Mijas Pueblo, with flowers on the walls
    Photo: Olaf Tausch, CC BY 3.0

    The archetypal Andalusian white village clings to the mountainside above Fuengirola, with flower-hung balconies, narrow lanes and a view that runs all the way down to the Mediterranean. It's busy by midday, but still lovely, with a little bullring, a hilltop chapel and shops selling ceramics.

    Tip: Come in the early evening, when the day-trippers have left and the lanes turn gold.

  2. Balcón de Europa

    Landmark

    The view from the Balcón de Europa headland in Nerja
    Photo: Tuxyso, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Nerja's headland promenade juts out over the sea between two coves, with palms, a bronze statue of King Alfonso XII and a long view along the coast. It's the heart of an easygoing town of whitewashed streets, and the best place to be at sunset with a drink.

  3. Estepona old town

    Neighbourhood

    Estepona has quietly become one of the prettiest towns on the coast. The old centre is a web of pedestrian lanes, flower-filled plazas and painted murals, with tapas bars tucked into every corner. It feels far more Spanish than the resorts either side.

  4. Plaza de los Naranjos

    Neighbourhood

    The orange-tree square at the centre of Marbella's old town is a little Renaissance-era plaza with a town hall, a chapel and terraces under the trees. Wander the whitewashed lanes around it, then settle in for tapas.

Beaches

  1. La Carihuela

    Beach

    The sandy beach of La Carihuela in Torremolinos
    Photo: Jl FilpoC, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The old fishermen's quarter of Torremolinos has a broad sandy beach and a promenade of seafood restaurants, still full of grilled fish and fried anchovies. It's a classic Costa del Sol day: a long lunch, a stroll to the water, repeat.

  2. Playa Burriana

    Beach

    Nerja's best-known beach is a wide curve of sand below the old town, lined with chiringuitos that serve paella cooked over wood. It's family-friendly and the water is generally calm. The nearby coves are quieter if you don't mind a short walk.

Gorges, caves and mountains

The coast is only half the story.

  1. The Caminito del Rey

    Nature

    The walkway of the Caminito del Rey clinging to the gorge wall
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A walkway of boards bolted to the sheer wall of the El Chorro gorge, once called the most dangerous path in the world, now safe and spectacular. It runs through the narrow Gaitanes gorge high above the Guadalhorce river, in the hills inland from Málaga.

    Tip: Tickets are timed and limited, so book ahead rather than turn up. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water.

  2. Cuevas de Nerja

    Nature

    The vast chambers inside the Nerja caves
    Photo: Fernando, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A vast cave system just outside Nerja, with enormous chambers of stalactites and stalagmites and prehistoric paintings. It's cool and dramatic on a hot day, and easy to combine with a morning in town.

  3. Alcazaba of Málaga

    Landmark

    The Moorish Alcazaba fortress above Málaga
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The Moorish fortress above Málaga's port is a maze of courtyards, fountains and horseshoe arches, with the older Roman theatre at its foot. Walk up through the gardens for harbour views, then head down into the old centre for the cathedral and the Picasso Museum.

  4. Ronda

    Day trip

    The Puente Nuevo bridge spanning the gorge at Ronda
    Photo: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but please, CC BY-SA 3.0

    One of Andalucía's great sights: a town on a cliff, split by a deep gorge and joined by the Puente Nuevo bridge. It also has one of Spain's oldest bullrings and a maze of whitewashed lanes. Drive up from the coast in an hour or two, or take an organised tour.

  5. The Alhambra

    Day trip

    The Charles V Palace within the Alhambra at dawn
    Photo: Jebulon, CC0

    Granada's palace-fortress of the Nasrid sultans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with carved stucco, tiled courtyards and the Generalife gardens, set against the Sierra Nevada. It's a long day from the coast, so book a tour or stay a night.

    Tip: Entry is limited and sells out well ahead in high season, so book in advance.

With the kids

  1. Teleférico Benalmádena

    Activity

    The Benalmádena cable car descending from Monte Calamorro
    Photo: Miwipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A cable car climbs from Benalmádena towards the summit of Monte Calamorro, with views over the whole coast. At the top there are walking trails and a viewing terrace.

  2. Benalmádena Stupa

    Landmark

    The white Buddhist stupa above Benalmádena
    Photo: Brian Milnes, CC BY-SA 3.0

    An unexpected sight above the town: a tall white Buddhist stupa set in a quiet garden, with views over the sea. It's a peaceful change from the beachfront.

  3. Bioparc Fuengirola

    Wildlife

    A modern zoo designed around naturalistic habitats, with lemurs, gorillas and big cats, and a real focus on conservation. It's a calm, shady half-day for families in Fuengirola.

  4. Aqualand Torremolinos

    Water park

    Slides, pools and a lazy river make this the coast's classic family water park, right in Torremolinos. Go early on hot days.

Eat and drink

  1. Espetos de sardinas

    Food

    A plate of sardines grilled on skewers, espeto style
    Photo: Leon Brocard from London, UK, CC BY 2.0

    The Málaga coast's signature dish: fresh sardines skewered on a cane and grilled over an open fire, usually in an old fishing boat filled with sand and embers right on the beach. Eat them with your fingers, with a cold beer and a plate of tomato salad.

    Tip: Look for a chiringuito with a smoking fire in a half boat. That is the real thing.

  2. Pescaíto frito

    Food

    Andalucía's fried fish tradition is at its best in Málaga province: tiny anchovies, squid and baby fish dusted in flour and fried in olive oil, served on a paper cone or a platter to share. La Carihuela is a classic spot for it.

Where to stay in Costa del Sol

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay on the Costa del Sol →

Getting around

A suburban train links Málaga airport, Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola, and buses run along the coast. For Ronda, the Caminito del Rey and the villages, hire a car or join an organised excursion. A hire car also makes the quiet beaches easy.

When to go

Spring and autumn are ideal for walking and sightseeing, and the sea stays warm into autumn. High summer is hot, so plan villages and gorges for the morning and leave the beach for the afternoon. Winters are mild, with sunshine most days.

Questions about visiting Costa del Sol

What is the Costa del Sol best known for?
Sunny beaches, resorts such as Marbella and Torremolinos, grilled sardines, and whitewashed villages like Mijas, with the Alhambra and Ronda within day-trip distance.
What is there to do on the Costa del Sol with kids?
Sandy beaches, the Aqualand water park in Torremolinos, Bioparc in Fuengirola and the cable car in Benalmádena. Nerja caves are also a hit with older children.
Is the Caminito del Rey worth doing?
Yes, if you have a head for heights. The walk is well maintained and the views of the gorge are spectacular, but you need to book a timed ticket in advance.
Do you need a car on the Costa del Sol?
Not for the main resorts, which are linked by train and bus. A car helps for villages, Ronda and the Caminito del Rey, though organised tours cover them all.

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