The Costa del Sol is the 161km coastline of the province of Malaga which merges in the east with the Costa Tropical of Granada province and in the west with the Costa de la Luz of Cádiz province. The communications hub and capital of the province is Malaga city, neatly dividing the Costa del Sol. The most outstanding feature is the reliably warm and sunny weather. The beaches, towns, hotels, holiday properties, beachbars, campsites, restaurants and golf resorts of the Costa del Sol have also been made popular by cheap flights to Malaga and Gibraltar airport.
Costa del Sol East of Malaga
12 km eastward from Malaga City is Rincón de la Victoria, with Añoreta Golf course, and the resorts of Hacienda Conde, Benajarafe, la Sirena, La Capellania and Almayate nearby. 35 km east is Vélez Malaga, capital of western Axarquia, a bustling market town in a fertile valley. Its coastal urban area covers the popular tourism resorts of Monte Azul, Torre del Mar, the marina of Caleta de Velez and Algarrobo Costa. Torrox 46 km east of Malaga, sits above its coastal resort Torrox Costa a few km from Punta Lara. One of the most important tourist resorts on the Costa del Sol, Nerja, 50 km east of Malaga has scenic beauty ranging from spectacular mountains through fertile orchards to the splendid beaches. Frigiliana, perched on the slopes of the Sierra Almijara, offers spectacular views of the Costa del Sol.
Malaga City
The geographic centre of the province’s coast, has a population of over 750,000 people, making it the fifth biggest in Spain. Malaga City is surrounded by mountains and between two rivers, the Guadalmedina - the historic center is located on its left bank - and the Guadalhorce, which flows west of the city into the Mediterranean. The inner city of Málaga is just behind the harbour. The quarters of El Perchel, La Trinidad and Lagunillas surround this centre. Racy, cosmopolitan and exciting around the city, the outlying areas of Alhaurín de la Torre, Churriana, Torremolinos, La Carihuela and Torre Bermeja are full of established luxury developments, many exotic and lush. Málaga International Airport, one of the busiest airports in Spain, with up to 16 million passengers annually, serves much of Andalusia.
Costa del Sol West of Malaga
This 100km of coastline from Malaga city westward to the border of Cádiz province is known internationally and the most popular tourist destination of mainland Spain. Benalmádena, just south of Torremolinos, has well kept beaches, a thriving marina and aquarium park, Torrequebrada Golf and Benalmadena golf. Fuengirola at a river mouth with a grand valley extending inland to mountains, is quieter. The esplanade is 7 km long with a large marina. Mijas is 27 km west of Malaga city , typically Arabic, surrounded by rolling hills with spectacular views of the coast. There are several golf courses and resorts in the area including Alhaurin, Naranjas Golf, Santana Golf and Country Club and Miraflores. Mijas Costa resort, including the Mijas Water Park, and Calahonda extend west through Artola, Elviria, Costabella, el Rosario and Incasol to Marbella, considered one of the classiest summer resorts in Europe. Backed by the superb Sierra Blanca, from Cabopino to Guadalmina Marbella has a beautiful historic town and 26 km of beautiful coastline with a succession of beaches, modern hotels, residential complexes, shops and restaurants. The beaches of San Pedro de Alcántara, a major population centre less than ten kilometres from Marbella, are an example of the balance struck between nature and tourist development. . There are 3 marinas, plus Puerto Banus, sports clubs and golf courses such as Marbella, Atalaya, Guadalmina and La Quinta Golf and Country clubs, Santa Clara Golf, Las Brisas, Monte Mayor and el Paraiso. From Marbella to Manilva luxury residences line the coast at Linda Vista, Guadalmina and Sol VillaCana and the marina at Estepona, a major tourist centre. Between Estepona and Manilva are more magnificent beaches, golf courses at Valle Romano Golf and resort, Estepona Golf, and La Duquesa Golf resort. Bahia Dorada, Bahia de Casares, the marina of La Duquesa down to Sotogrande all offer, like the rest of the resortos of the Costa el Sol, sunbathing, watersports, golf, horse riding, walking and cultural and historical treats within easy reach of cheap flights to Malaga and Gibraltar airports.

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