COSTA DEL SOL

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Boasting large sandy beaches and a colourful array of sights, this beautiful region of Andalucia offers a diversity of resorts, ranging from the lively and cosmopolitan to the peaceful and traditional.

Explore Costa del Sol

Most visitors come for the weather and the large sandy beaches, and are not disappointed. This is the gateway to 'must see' places like Granada with the fabulous Moorish Palace of the Alhambra, and old mountain towns like Ronda. It's an area of enormous choice with old British favourites like Torremolinos and Benalmadena, and more hidden typical Spanish towns like Nerja and San Pedro.

Getting Around
Local trains and public buses are chap and regular and clean, and a great way of seeing the area up close. Taxis are also reliable though they are not metered, so you should agree the fare before the journey begins.

Eating and Drinking
Fish is a local speciality, and can be eaten fried as 'pescaito frito' or 'a la plancha' which means grilled. Don't miss gazpacho, a chilled soup continent olive oil, tomatoes, cucumber, garlic and vinegar. Try paella, a combination of rice with meat or seafood and for dessert, check out the caramel flavoured 'tortas de aceite' of Torremolinos.

Local interest and culture
Visit the old town of Mijas Pueblo to see the only square bull ring in Spain. See the 17th century castle of Ermita de las Augustias and the whitewashed old town in Nerja. Roman ruins are visible at San Pedro, and the city cultural centre in Torremolinos houses local artefacts.

Beaches
Long stretches of golden sand at Fuengirola, Benalmadena and Torremolinos. The beach at the far side of Benalmadena consists of short stretches of sand with a few rocky outcrops. There are several small coves at Nerja and one large beach. Estepona has a gently shelving shingle beach. Blue Flag beaches are recognised as having high environmental, sanitary and safety standards. For full details of Blue Flag beaches in Costa Del Sol refer to the Blue Flag website www.blueflag.org.

Fun for the Children
Benalmadena offers 'Selwo Marina' with Dolphin shows or the underwater sea life centre where you can see sharks and other unusual fish. The Tivoli World funfair next to the cable car and the Fuengirola Zoo are also well worth a visit.

Highlights

Five must sees: The Alhambra in Granada, the marina at Benalmadena, the Aquapark in Torremolinos, the Balcon de Europa in Nerja, and the Tuesday market at Fuengirola.

Great Views: Torremolinos beach, with a backdrop of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Memorable Moments: It's hard to beat the cable car ride at Benalmadena or the view of moored yachts at Benalmadena marine and Puerto Banus.

Destination Treasures: Carihuela, the original fishing village in Torremolinos, the marine at Benalmadena, the caves at Nerja and the castle at San Pedro.

Travel Tips: Take a train, it's an inexpensive and exciting way to see many places in the Costa del Sol.

Practicalities

Cost of Living: A meal in a restaurant costs 15 to 20 Euros, a bottle of wine in a restaurant 12 Euros, a bottle of wine in a supermarket 6 Euros, a pint of beer 3 Euros, ice-cream 1.50 Euros. A litre of petrol costs 57 cents. Prices are approximate and may change.

Spanish Tourist Office: 22-23 Manchester Square, London, W1M 5AP. Tel: 09063 640630 (Brochure line 60p/min). Website: www.tourspain.co.uk

Events
The Festival of San Anton held in Mijas Pueblo on January 17 which includes a pilgrimage to the San Anton shrine. Dia de los Tres Reyes (Day of the three kings) on January 6th is the traditional day for giving presents and there are processions of the three kings during the evening in most towns, giving sweets and gifts to the children. Semana Santa (Holy Week) is the week running up to Easter Sunday featuring a number of religious processions all week by day and night.

Activities
Serious golfers won't need telling that there are any number of great courses along this coastline, some of which are quite testing, whilst others are more suitable for the weekend player. Water sports are generally good with Benalmadena setting the standard. The Spanish have a great love of horses and riding is readily available and a great way of seeing the hills behind the coast. Tennis is also widely available.

Recommended Reading

• Costa Del Sol (Insight Guides)

• Globetrotter Travel Guide: Costa Del Sol by Sue Bryant
• Ventas: 55 Great places to eat in the country within a short drive of the Costa Del Sol by Bob Carrick
• Mediterranean Span: Costa Del Sol and Blanca by Robin Brandon

Your Resorts

Please click for further information on the following Costa-Del-Sol resorts:

	Special Offers in Costa Del Sol     Puerto Banus Half Board Holiday £35 pp per night     The fantastic 4* H10 Andalucia Plaza Hotel in the heart of Puerto Banus only 450 Metres from the beach and world famous marina. A great price of just £35 per person per night for Half Board including an excellent buffet breakfast with the chef on hand to cook your omelets or eggs just the way you like them and a superb evening meals with an excellent choice of both Spanish and International dishes includinf fish, meat and vegetarian. More about this offer »       Nerja 5* Villa 26th August £350 per Villa     This superb 2 bedroom privatly owned Villa is situated on a private garden sytle development surrounded by well kept lawned areas.The on site facilities include a large Swimming Pool, Bar,Restaurant,Snack bar,Supermarket,Tennis Courts. Was £540,now only £350 per Villa per Week for for upto 6 persons for Sunday arrivals on 26th August. More about this offer »       Benalmadena 2 Bed Apartment Deal £350 per wk     A superb 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment just 50 metres from the sea in Benalmadena Costa. Now just £350 per apartment per week for July dates, any arrival day upto last return date of 03rd August. More about this offer »     Click here to search for all Costa Del Sol accommodation.

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