Costa del Sol Travel Guide

History

It is believed that Neanderthal man inhabited the area of the Costa Del Sol. Evidence of this has been uncovered at the mouths of the rivers in Axarquia and in many caves in Malaga. Just like today, the scenery and fantastic climate attracted ancient settlers to the region. It was the Phoenicians who founded the city of Malaga.

The Romans invaded the area soon after and ruled over a united Iberia, which now forms the basis of modern Spain. Malaga grew over the years and became a major colony. The surrounding area grew with it. Roman forts, temples, aqueducts and bath houses can be found throughout the region as a reminder of Roman rule. It is thought that Julius Caesar, who was once himself a governor of the Hispanic Interior, enjoyed holidaying in and around the Costa Del Sol.

During 476 AD, the Roman Empire was crumbling and the area was subjected to repeated raids by Germanic forces and the Mongols. The Visigoths completed a total conquest of the Iberian Peninsular in 476 AD. After many years of rule, the Muslim Moors invaded Spain and Malaga became the main port of the Kingdom of Grenada. The near 500 years of Islamic rule brought about many changes in the area including changes to architecture, government and cuisine. Palm trees, oranges, rice and major advances in agriculture were also imported and helped the area to grow steadily. However, by 1492 the growing Christian population had forcibly expelled the last remaining Moors or converted them to Catholicism. The new Spanish state has remained since, although there have been several uprisings, revolutions and a civil war in the following years. During the 1950s the area became a popular location with the rich and famous and in 1962 the first flights flew into Malaga. The tourist industry started to flourish and the region has never looked back.

Population

The population of the Costa Del Sol area has exploded in recent years. The area has a permanent population of over 1.6 million – an increase of a quarter of a million in the last two years. The increase is attributed to the recent explosion in tourism and construction. Benalmadena has been especially popular with nearly 30,000 new residents in the last decade – increasing the total population to 61,000. The city of Malaga has experienced an increase of 36,000 during the past 10 years. Torremolinos, Marbella and Fuengirola have all also experienced high numbers of new permanent residents.

Places to Visit

Las Murallas del Castillo – This is an historical castle with many years of history to explore, situated in Marbella.

La Carihuela – A beautiful, historic neighbourhood that used to be a typical Spanish fishing village, located in Torremolinos

Alcazaba – Completed in 1063, this fortification was of huge importance during the reign of the Moorish in Hispania. There is also a museum with local ancient artefacts and detailed information on the castle

Casco Antiguo – The old quarter of Marbella, this typically Spanish neighbourhood is blessed with narrow, winding roads, cobblestone streets and ancient Spanish cottages.

The Home of Pablo Picasso Museum – Situated just 5 minutes from Pablo Picasso lived, in Plaza de la Merced. The museum is home to many of the famous artist’s works.

Paseo Maritimo – The beautiful boardwalk in Marbella is lined with restaurants, cafes and shops. There are also markets to browse, selling genuine Spanish merchandise.

Calle San Miguel – Located in the town of Torremolinos, this is a popular place to meet, eat and shop. There are also two very vibrant markets here.

Aquapark – The biggest water park on the Costa Del Sol is situated in Torremolinos. There are many white knuckle water rides here as well as the chance to see dolphins and other sea-based wildlife.

Cuisine

The Costa Del Sol is one of the largest tourist destinations in the world and draws in tourists from all over Europe. As a result, there are several international cuisines represented in the resorts of the Costa Del Sol. There are British cafe, pubs and restaurants in most resorts, serving traditional British fayre. There are also a number of French, Moroccan, Chinese and Italian restaurants to be found. However, no visit to Spain would be complete without sampling some of the local Spanish dishes.

The local Andalucian cuisine has been formed over many centuries and has its origins in the complicated history of the area. The Moorish influence is combined with Spanish flavours to create something truly unique. A very popular local dish is gazpacho as well as huevos a la flamenco. Another popular dish in the area is pescaito frito, a dish of mixed fried fish. Fish plays a huge role in the cuisine of the coastal towns and villages, but the mountainous areas inland, use more meat and game. As with all Spain, the use of garlic and olive oil is widespread, as is the use of fresh, locally grown vegetables.

Accommodation

The Costa Del Sol is famous for its vibrant nightlife and exciting coastal resorts. There are thousands of places to stay in the area with the resorts of Torremolinos and Malaga offering a staggering amount of hotels and apartments to stay in. There are also many villas dotted around the region, although usually situated just outside the main towns and resorts.

The Costa Del Sol is also home to various campsites and caravan parks meaning there are accommodation options for everyone. The resorts of Marbella and Malaga are generally the most expensive of all the major resorts to stay in, however, the resorts of Torremolinos and Fuengirola offer many more value options. The sheer scale of the development in the area means that rooms, apartments and villas are available all year round.

Weather

The ‘Sunny Coast’ lives up to its name with 300 sunny days every year. This is one of the most reliable climates anywhere in the world with hot summers and relatively mild winters. Average daytime temperatures in the winter months range from 12C to 16C. There can be some rainy days but they are generally few and far between. Even through the winter, there are lots of clear blue skies to enjoy. The average temperature in the summer months is around 30C but, at times, it can get nearer 40C. Rain is extremely rare and is usually in the form of sharp thunder storms which are heavy but don’t last too long. There are always blue skies close behind. The summer sun in the Costa Del Sol can be deceptively strong. The coastal breezes tend to mask the intensity of the heat and people are more susceptible to burning.

Transport

Driving around the Costa Del Sol is extremely easy as the national motorway, the N-350, connects the region from one end of the coast to the other. The road is generally clear apart from the rush hours during peak season. The bus services in the main Costa Del Sol resorts are excellent and run regularly and efficiently. There are also a number of inter-resort buses that generally operate between the larger towns. There are several fee trips to the mountain areas of the region, however, these are often run by local businesses and there is usually some form of sales pitch to listen to.

Although the service will vary from town to town, Spanish taxis are usually very reasonable and are everywhere in the larger resorts. Some of the smaller towns actually have a taxi shortage so there may be long waits in the summer months. Taxis are regulated by individual town governments, however the vast majority must use meters and the tariff should be clearly displayed in the taxi window. Taxi drivers should never negotiate a fare. Most of the resorts now have cycle lanes, especially along the promenades. Foreign tourists are advised not to cycle on the main roads due to a recent spate of accidents.

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Spanish Cities

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