Costa del Sol holidays

The Costa del Sol’s lengthy coastline naturally lends itself to having lots of beaches, and many of them have Blue Flag status. For a touch of glamour, Puerto Banus is the go-to, while sandcastle-friendly family bays are more of the vibe at Estepona’s Playa del Cristo.

Long and wide sands come as standard here, so expansive Mediterranean sands are a given. Although, as far as reputation goes, Puerto Banus’ east beach takes some topping. It’s number one when it comes to celebrity paparazzi spots – Peter Andre and Simon Cowell are just some of the famous faces to be papped here. As you can imagine, luxury beach clubs are par for the course, while the shallow waters make it a great pick for families.

With over 60 years of tourism behind it, none of the Costa del Sol’s beaches can claim to be undiscovered. That said, some are less busy than others, and El Canuelo falls into this category. It’s part of the Los Acantilado de Maro-Cerro Gordo National Park, and its crystal-clear snorkelling spots are some of the best in southern Spain. Plus, to reach it, you have to park your car and take a shuttle bus.

Street markets are dotted all over the Costa del Sol. In Marbella, Calle Limones is the go-to on Mondays, and boutique finds are commonplace. In nearby Fuengirola, the Boliches market sets out its stalls on Tuesdays, while Saturdays in Puerto Banus mean the Nueva Andalucia Saturday fair comes to town. Keep a look out for traditional Spanish antiques here.

El Corte Ingles has department stores all over the country, and Andalusia’s no exception. Look out for them in Avenida de Andalucía in Malaga and Calle de Ramón Arecesin in Marbella. In Benalmadena, meanwhile, the Puerto Marina Mall steals the spotlight when it comes to shopping. There’s everything from high street Spanish fashion to DIY shops here.

If you’re not watching the budget, Puerto Banus is full of luxury labels, like Bulgari, Prada and Armani. Marbella has its own share of designer boutiques, too, with couture collection shops around its Golden Mile, Calle Muelle de Ribera and Plaza de la Victoria.

Chilled evenings are easy to come by in the Costa del Sol. Marbella’s Golden Mile lines up casinos and cinemas, while the plaza by Benalmadena’s Bonanza Square is home to some of the best cabaret in this part of Spain. Sunset cocktail bars are dotted all along the coast, too.

First-class nightlife’s one of the Costa del Sol’s calling cards, with tonnes of clubs which stay open until the sun rises. Benalmadena’s 24-hour Square is the go-to spot for multi-level nightclubs which stay open ‘til dawn, while clubbing in Torremolinos is focused on Avenida Palma de Mallorca. In Puerto Banus, meanwhile, there are plenty of Champagne bars and open-air terrace clubs around the marina.

Arroz a la marinera is often mistaken for Valencian paella, however there’s one big difference. Only clams, squid and shrimp make the cut in this Andalusian version of seafood rice.

This artisan cheese – known as Queso Valle de los Pedroches in the local language – is made from sheep’s milk, has a buttery texture like Edam, and a slightly spicy flavour. The cheese spends the first seven months of its life in the Pedroches Valley, a two-hour drive north of Benalmadena.

Spain’s famous hallmark chilled tomato soup originates in Andalusia. It’s a classic Mediterranean appetiser, which traditionally uses a mix of stale bread, tomatoes, cucumber, onions and white garlic. It’s been reinvented by some of the more rebellious chefs in the region though, who ditch the tomatoes for avocado-based variations.

These alcohol-soaked sponge cakes are a tradition in Granada. The finished product is made up of two parts – a sticky-glazed pastry and a toasted cream topping.

This red wine and cola mix is served as a cocktail in some of the region’s high-end clubs, and – as unusual as it sounds – makes for a refreshing holiday tipple.