There are absolutely hundreds of places to eat in the Torremolinos and Benalmadena areas of the Costa Del Sol and even the most fussy of eaters will find something that they like. The one thing that does seem to be hard to come by, especially…Read More

There are absolutely hundreds of places to eat in the Torremolinos and Benalmadena areas of the Costa Del Sol and even the most fussy of eaters will find something that they like. The one thing that does seem to be hard to come by, especially down on the sea front, is genuine good Spanish food which is a shame.

The most traditional food to be found is in the many beach bars that line the promenade between the beach and the hotel strip. Their main focus is, as you may expect, fish and they have mouth watering displays of the freshest catches laid behind glass cabinets or in old wooden fishing boats. I always enjoy eating in these bars as the menus are great and full of fresh ingredients and the views from them are excellent, thanks to their beach front location.

There are lots of other choices though, if seafood isn't your thing. You'll find everything from Chinese to Indian and from Mexican to Italian. The Puerto Marina is a thriving harbour that is full of restaurants and bars. If you like Italian, try Pacinos which offers an nice choice of pizzas and pasta dishes in a good location. For steaks try the Argentinian Grill which is pricey but good. For a fun filled atmoshphere head to Jacks which offers an imressive menu of Tex-Mex food and a good selection of cocktails in friendly but loud surroundings.

If fast food is your thing, there is no shortage of choice in the area with all the favourites, including Burger King, McDonalds and KFC all represented. There are also a selection of kebab shops and sandwich stalls for a light bite.

So whatever you want, you'll find it in this area - you are actually spoiled for choice.   Close

Enjoying the sun, sea, sand and sangria is what Torremolinos and the Costa del Sol is famous for, but if you want something more from your trip to Spain, there are plenty of places nearby that can offer you something a little bit different.Head into…Read More

Enjoying the sun, sea, sand and sangria is what Torremolinos and the Costa del Sol is famous for, but if you want something more from your trip to Spain, there are plenty of places nearby that can offer you something a little bit different.

Head into the Rhonda Valley for stunning views and exsquisite surroundings. This is Spain at its more traditional with tiny villages that centre around a square of shops and restaurants and plenty of opportunities for country walks in the warm summer breeze.

For glitz and glamour that will rival San Tropez and Cannes, a trip to Puerto Banus is an absolute must. This harbour showcases the height of wealth and beauty, with price tags to match. Some of the biggest and most resplendant yachts in the world can be found moored up here and it really is more like an exclusive sales room than anything else. The stunning and extremely well-maintained surrounding harbour has is lined with designer shops and restaurants with prices that will make your eyes water. Even if you don't fancy taking out a second mortgage to visit, it makes for an eye-opening and surprisingly pleasant window shopping experience.

Many tourists to the region, choose a trip to Gibraltar and with good reason. The rock that played a significant part in the UK's strategic efforts during the world wars makes for an extremely interesting trip for all the family. Historians will be intrigued by the caves within the rock that were used as shelters and even a hospital during the wars. Children will be entertained by the Barbary Apes that inhabit the rock and are more than a little inquisitive (make sure you keep your food well hidden!). Shopaholics will love Gibraltar's duty free status that means that cigarettes, perfumes and spirits (amongst other things) can be found here at rock bottom prices. A trip to Gibraltar can be organised quite cheaply from local tourist shops in Torremolinos and Benalmadena and you can choose the type of trip wou want to do beforehand (just a bus there, a bus and shopping or a tour of the rock).

These are just a few of the things that you can do in the surrounding area of Torremolinos. There are others though - so whilst it is tempting to just sit by the sea with a cocktail in hand, make sure you do get around and see a bit of what this lovely part of Spain has to offer!   Close

The Costa del Sol has a wealth of yacht marinas and harbours, many with over 1,000 berths, including Benalmadena and Puerto Banus. The latter, located just beyond Marbella is Spain's answer to St. Tropez where some of the most spectacular gin palaces and luxury yachts…Read More

The Costa del Sol has a wealth of yacht marinas and harbours, many with over 1,000 berths, including Benalmadena and Puerto Banus. The latter, located just beyond Marbella is Spain's answer to St. Tropez where some of the most spectacular gin palaces and luxury yachts are moored. There are numerous sailing clubs located at the Costa del Sol's larger harbours, all of which offer tuition and classes. Both crewed and un-crewed yachts can be rented, although you need a skipper's certificate or a helmsman's overseas certificate to rent an un-crewed yacht.

Most marinas on Costa del Sol are internationally renowned. Many of them have Blue Flags fluttering from their masts, an award given by the European Union in recognition of their quality and service, and Benalmádena’s marina has received two awards that distinguish it as the Best Marina in the World. It is certainly spectacular and is a tourist attraction in its own right even for those (like me) not particularly interested in boats.

The Benalmadena Marina was the brainchild of architect Eduardo Oria. The marina took nearly ten years to complete and it opened its doors in 1982. Combining the water and boat moorings with commercial buildings and residential property built on islands, the effect created is that of a whole community, unlike many other marinas where a sharp definition between landlubbers and 'yachties' seems to exist.

The architecture of Benalmadena Marina is a mix of Indian, Arabic and Andalucían and is surprisingly harmonious. Several little bridges span the water giving access to the innovative residential islands where blocks of luxury apartments are built. Cars are parked unobtrusively under awnings supported by huge carved pillars and small leafy gardens hide amongst the buildings. Mosaic walls depict the sea's waves while whichever way you look you are surrounded by water.

Shops abound with big names mingling with smaller boutiques and leatherwear outlets. There are many restaurants with American, Spanish, Mexican, Italian and Argentinean cuisine tastefully vying for your custom. If these seem too expensive spend a lazy hour in one of the many waterside cafés dotted all around the marina. The port is also home to Sea Life, a modern aquarium with over 30 displays including a tunnel where you walk seemingly submerged in the ocean whilst sharks cruise above you. Sea Life is open all year round from 10am.

On the Costa del Sol, it is said that Marbella is the reference point. It is here that the jet set lives. These are the actors, artists, multimillionaires, celebrities; the "beautiful people", who make this place the principal focus of their exotic parties and the most extravagant social occasions every summer. It is no surprise to find Puerto Jose Banus here.

Puerto Jose Banus was inaugurated in 1970. It has berths for 915 boats, including those of the King of Saudi Arabia and several of the world's wealthiest individuals. Behind the harbour lie streets filled with bars, boutiques and nightclubs.
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Just behind our hotel was the village of Torromolinos. This was packed with tantalising shops, and it thronging with people at times but was quiet on others. the main artery of the town is the pedestrian only Calle San Miguel,. This smartly paved pedestrianised street…Read More

Just behind our hotel was the village of Torromolinos. This was packed with tantalising shops, and it thronging with people at times but was quiet on others. the main artery of the town is the pedestrian only Calle San Miguel,. This smartly paved pedestrianised street is lined with boutiques and shops with a great variety of goods on offer, attracting a constant flow of people. The Cuesta del Tajo, at the end of San Miguel, leads down a steep flight of steps through the old fishing district of El Bajondillo. This is a popular, picturesque area lined with restaurants and market-style kiosks, selling souvenirs. Down at the bottom is the beach of El Bajondillo.

This is not the place for serious shoppers but it is great to brose around. Some of the more interesting things are the local leather goods or perhaps a woven beach hat would be useful. Things are a bit pushy in the souvenir shops but the staff in the smaller boutiques and family-run business are very friendly and helpful. Look around as you climb the steep streets because there are some great views.

The Costa del Sol being so international, doesn’t particularly feature typical Andalusian fare however the Carihuela district of Torremolinos has some good bets. Pescaito frito, small fried fish, is the most typical dish. Fish from fresh sardines to besugo, sea bream, take pride of place in many places. Málaga wine, made in the municipality of Málaga from grapes grown all around the province, is a dessert wine, but you might want to try a white wine from the adjacent province of Cádiz which are light and dry and goes well with anything except dessert. The local beer is San Miguel, usually served very cold indeed.

There are many restaurants and cafes along the waterfront including Yauco which offered a coffee, orange juice and croissant for 3 Euros. It was fun to sit there at a table right next to the promenade and watch people go by. The coffee was excellent, the orange juice freshly squeezed and the croissant tasty.

Another restaurant hub is Avenida del Lido which runs inland from the plaza de Las Comunidades Autonomas and the information office. There are several cafes here with both indoor and outdoor seating which are great for a light lunch. If you want something much more upmarket you could try either of the following restaurants.

Cetus. Many locals say that this seafront-bordering restaurant is the finest choice within the bustling heart of Torremolinos. This elegant house has been decorated with wooden furnishings and creamy colors, providing an inviting spot for dining. Try to reserve a table on the terrace overlooking the sea. One of the highlights on the menu is the creamy red lobster dish served with rice. The kitchen also offers a number of delightful meat dishes. Try the lamb ribs sweetened with honey and flavored with fresh spices.

Casa Juan. In a modern-looking building in La Carihuela, this seafood restaurant is about 1.6km (1 mile) west of Torremolinos's center but you can still walk here. Menu items include selections from a lavish display of fish and shellfish. Of special note is lubina a la sal -- sea bass packed in layers of roughly textured salt, broken open at your table, and deboned in front of you.
The area of El Calvario is less known to the average tourist. Located to the north of the main road which cuts through Torremolinos, it offers a quieter area of small streets of bars, with an appeal to those who prefer to be away from the bustle of the centre.
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Mijas Pueblo stands high up the mountain above the coastal resorts and is a popular ½ day excursion from the Costa del Sol. This is how we visited here. It is one of the most visited tourist traps on the Costa del Sol. Despite this,…Read More

Mijas Pueblo stands high up the mountain above the coastal resorts and is a popular ½ day excursion from the Costa del Sol. This is how we visited here. It is one of the most visited tourist traps on the Costa del Sol. Despite this, and the racks of postcards and souvenirs and the festively dressed-out donkeys, it turned out to be one of the most attractive places we visited in the south of Spain.

The village is promoted as an Andalusian ‘white village’ and it pretty much lives up to this reputation. It has spectacular views over the Costa del Sol but it is the village itself that most appealed to us.

The village conserves its essentially Arabic mediaeval layout and so has a somewhat exotic feel about it that visitors enjoy. It was 'discovered' in the sixties and is apparently now home to people of nearly sixty nationalities. It has undoubtedly been changed since then but if you go in a non-peak period you will find that it is not completely spoiled.

Mijas is perhaps most famous for its burro-taxis, donkey taxis, which are to be found all round the central plaza, and which you will see everywhere. They seem to be irresistibly photogenic to tourists and are more practical than you would think. Although Mijas is small, its narrow, winding streets are on steep slopes and simply getting from one end of the town to the other can be quite tiring. I would advise against using one, however, as they have a very strong odour that can be almost overpowering. You can smell it for hours afterwards.

Wandering the streets is the thing to do although Mijas has a few minor sights. The Carromato de Max museum is open every day in summer from 10.00 to 22.00, and winter 10.00 to 19.00.This is a small but very varied personal collection of miniatures, including a shrunken head from the world-famous hypnotist Juan Miranda. The Shrine of the Virgin of the Rock holds an image of the Virgin de la pena which was apparently hidden for five centuries before being found in 1586. The small Plaza de la Constitution with its fountain and marble benches is a great place to explore or to rest the feet. There is also a small oval shaped bullfighting ring and bullfighting museum.

The parish church is worth seeing. A parish church has existed from 1492 but the present building was built in the mid 1500s on the site of the ruins of the ancient Moorish castle. One of the castles towers was used as a bell tower for the church. It is a stone building with three naves supported by marble pillars. Close-by you can see the remaining walls of the fortress that protected the village. The view from here is probably the best along the coast.
The most important local festival is the Romería de San Antón, on the first Sunday in May, with carriages and horsemen. There are a few hotels and pensions in the village itself, but most people stay on the coast. The Tourism Office in Plaza Virgen de la Peña can help with local information.

Most Costa del Sol hotels offer bus trips to or including Mijas. Otherwise, public buses connect it with most places nearby. Although Mijas is only 8 kilometres up in the hills from Fuengirola, it is a most enjoyable climb.

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Costa del Sol is the most developed part of the southern Spanish coast. The Mediterranean water is warm and safe and for northern Europeans delightfully warm. Many towns have recently modernised their "paseo maritimos" (promenades) making the beach more accessible and attractive for more people.…Read More

Costa del Sol is the most developed part of the southern Spanish coast. The Mediterranean water is warm and safe and for northern Europeans delightfully warm. Many towns have recently modernised their "paseo maritimos" (promenades) making the beach more accessible and attractive for more people. There is much to do and it is claimed that there are more jet skis per capita here than anywhere else in Europe. Sand tends to be grey and coarse-grained and the resultant beaches are not great by some standards.

The Costa del Sol's hundred-and-sixty-something kilometres of coastline are mostly beach, and most of its hotels are on or close to the beach, so the beach is the centre around which life revolves. Most are not wilderness beaches, but are carefully maintained, regularly cleaned, and generally kept spick-and-span, with lifeguards, beach bars, showers, disabled access and all amenities.

We stayed at Torremolinos which is located 7km west of Málaga airport. It was the first Costa del Sol resort to be developed back in the early sixties when it was little more than a sleepy village. Fortunately, still today the town reflects its heritage with several of the original fresh fish bars located right in the shopping centre, incongruously flanked by exclusive boutiques and gift shops. In general, however, the wave of tourists who descended on the town in the fifties and sixties changed the face of Torremolinos forever.

The change has not necessarily been all bad. Over the years, Torremolinos has evolved as an attractive and appealing resort, noted for its clean sandy beaches, wide choice of hotels and restaurants and unparalleled variety of entertainment, activities and nightlife available. At the height of summer, the resort has a great appeal for the younger set, with a reputation for its hectic nightlife. Out of season, however, it takes on a different character. Now practically a suburb of Málaga, the atmosphere is much more Spanish, especially at weekends.

The beach area, with its massive hotels, apartment blocks, bars and restaurants, is packed during the summer. To the east, the Playa de Bajondillo gives way to the beaches of Playamar and Los Alamos. To the west, beyond the Castillo de Santa Clara, lie the beach areas of La Carihuela and Montemar.

The seafront promenade, Paseo Maritimo, extends east to Playamar and west as far as Benalmádena Marina. The walk to La Carihuela offers pleasant sea views and some dramatic rock formations, before entering the old fishing village of La Carihuela which is a delightful area of picturesque simple houses and bougainvillea clad patios where old men play dominoes and drink anis. Many of the original cottages still exist and not all have been turned into bars or shops. Some have stood still in time. This is the area also known for its excellent seafood restaurants and chiringuitos (beach bars).

Personally, I don’t like this kind of strictly regulated beach but it is what many Europeans expect and it admirably meets this criteria.   Close

My friend and I stayed at Club Playa Real in Malaga, Spain, for 1 week. The hotel sat on the beach and had a lovely pool (though in April it was too cold to use). At one of the two hotel restaurants, you could…Read More

My friend and I stayed at Club Playa Real in Malaga, Spain, for 1 week. The hotel sat on the beach and had a lovely pool (though in April it was too cold to use). At one of the two hotel restaurants, you could rent a beach chair for 4€, which we thought unreasonable. As guests, we should be able to get a chair for free! Our room was wonderful: two bedrooms, two baths, two balconies, a clean area, and fully stocked with fresh towels delivered every day.

Costa Del Sol is also known as the British Riviera, and this is right on the money. We hardly met any Spaniards; many of the businesses were geared to English-speaking clients; and, quite frankly, we felt as if we did not really visit Spain. The area is overrun with new construction, from apartments to hotels to golf courses.

You will absolutely need a car to get around and visit the "mini cities" of Marbella, Malaga City, and especially Puerto Banus. We spent much of our time in this last city for the clubs, the food, the boats, and the people-watching, which never disappointed.

We took our first trip to Europe in October, 2000, and fulfilled my life-long dream of visiting "The Alhambra" in Granada, Spain. This was also the start of our project, bringing nieces and nephews along as their graduation present. We hope this gesture would provide…Read More

We took our first trip to Europe in October, 2000, and fulfilled my life-long dream of visiting "The Alhambra" in Granada, Spain. This was also the start of our project, bringing nieces and nephews along as their graduation present. We hope this gesture would provide an incentive for them to do well in school, as well as provide opportunities to see historical places and experience world cultures.

We stayed at the beautiful Matchroom Country Club in Mijas-Costa, and had day trips to Granada, Sevilla, Marbella, Malaga, and other towns along Costa del Sol. We also drove to Gibraltar, and took the ferry across to Tangiers, Morocco.

I knew there would be a very sharp contrast in lifestyles between the towns along the hotel-lined coast of southern Spain and Moslem Tangiers, and wanted to show this to our niece as part of her educational experience. We walked through the narrow streets of the kasbah, and relived ancient times in the medina. We also had fun riding camels!

We loved Andalucia, especially the spontaneity and friendliness of its people. I danced with flamenco dancers during a feria in Fuengirola, took pictures of them in their fantastic costumes, and couldn't get enough of their patas and paellas! The whole place exploded in color!

Sevilla was more subdued - we visited its exquisite cathedral, with the funeral monument to Christopher Columbus; as well as the Plaza de Espana, where the 48 states are represented in beautiful mosaics.

The highlight of the trip was The Alhambra, in Granada. It was just as I imagined it to be - magnificent in its simple but classic beauty. From its well-kept gardens, and the use of water in its over-all architectural design, to the graceful arches, it spoke of the Moorish influence in southern Spain. The Patio de los Leones simply took my breath away!

Memories of this trip will linger on, and I'll never forget Andalucian hospitality. We were so impressed.

I had just been made redundant and had two and a half month "Garden Leave," so, I looked on the web and on the Air Tours auction site put a bid in for two flight tickets to Malaga at UKP 19 each. The next day,…Read More

I had just been made redundant and had two and a half month "Garden Leave," so, I looked on the web and on the Air Tours auction site put a bid in for two flight tickets to Malaga at UKP 19 each. The next day, I got an email to say I had won the tickets and I would be flying two days later.

Imagine the scene. My wife comes home and I say, "I'm going to Spain tomorrow for a week, do you want to come?" After denial--"you cant do that!"--comes rejection, "you're leaving me for a week!" Anyhow, she got the time off work. In the mean time, I called RCI and asked what they had in the Malaga region for 1 week from the date specified. We ended up at Benalmdina, in the Sunset Beach Club (#1469), which is both a standard and Resort of International Distinction.

The hotel was right at the end of the promenade, and was ok. The only disadvantage was that the restaurants were right down the other end of the beach, a good 30 minutes walk.

We hired a car and explored a lot of areas inland, well worthwhile, and found a lot of nice local resturants with very good and interesting food.

Of course the week ended too quickly, but it was only a week more and then we went to Bali, but that's another story.

The capital of Costa del Sol, Malaga is a big tourist town with lots to see and do. There is an electric train that you can take around the town. Picasso was born here, and there is an area in town where several of his works…Read More

The capital of Costa del Sol, Malaga is a big tourist town with lots to see and do. There is an electric train that you can take around the town. Picasso was born here, and there is an area in town where several of his works of arts are displayed in an outside area. Places that are a musts include the Cathedral, the Castillo de Gibralfaro, and definitely Centro's (the heart of Malaga) narrow roads, many of them for pedestrians only. There are lots of restaurants (tapas bars) shops and lots of walking.   Close