Central Costa del Sol

Central Costa del Sol

Málaga, often overlooked by the many tourists that flock to the Costa del Sol, is an eclectic mix of the old and the new. The ancient Moorish Alcazaba and the Gibalfaro Castle dominate this thriving city and Málaga's huge port is a major destination for many of the world's luxury cruise liners. The birthplace of Picasso, Málaga is rich in culture with many museums and galleries, and the imposing 15th Century cathedral is the centre point of the meandering lanes and plazas that make up the old town. The extensive Jardines de la Concepción and the Parque de Alameda are peaceful retreats in the centre of the city and El Retiro Jardín Botánico-Ornitológico boasts one of the most extensive botanical collections in Europe.

Travel north from Málaga and find yourself in the heart of the Andalusian countryside. Ardales, Álora, the larger town of Alhaurin, El Chorro Gorge and lakes are all perfect places to explore and, for many, to live. The laid back atmosphere that distance from the coast affords and the lower property prices have proved tempting for many buyers and some coastal dwellers are now opting for a new life in the country.

Torremolinos, situated just 6km from Málaga, led the tourism boom of the 50's and 60's and has become the largest of the Costa del Sol's holiday resorts. Its clean sandy beaches and the huge variety of entertainment and activities on offer attract a wide range of visitors of all ages and nationalities. Torremolinos has also promoted itself as a strong business-related tourism centre and proof of this is the Congress and Exhibition Centre. The town itself is a jumble of high-rise apartment buildings and hotels built alongside older parts of the town. Carihuela, the old fishermen's quarter has survived the onslaught of mass tourism and remains in tact with many of the old streets pedestrianised and some of the houses as they were when the town was nothing more than a small fishing village.

Benalmádena, (12km from Málaga), is actually made up of three areas: Benalmádena Pueblo, set away from the coast, and the main tourist centres of Benalmádena Costa and Arroyo de la Miel. Benalmádena's new marina, also home to Sea Life (a fantastic modernistic aquarium), is one of the coast's finest and its architectural design has won internationally recognised awards. The Moors, Romans and Carthaginians have all left their mark in and around Benalmádena with many sites of historical interest and this combined with the beaches, the marina, the cuisine and the thriving nightlife attract tourists and foreign residents alike.

Fuengirola, (24 km from Málaga), has grown into a large tourist centre and attracts many Spanish visitors as well as European tourists. The five miles of sandy beach and the buzzing marina are flanked by a wide promenade lined with palm trees and the old town with its narrow, pedestrianised streets, centred around the picturesque Plaza de la Constitucíon, is the hub of this popular Costa del Sol resort.

A few kilometres north of Fuengirola is the charming white village of Mijas. Of Muslim origin, Mijas is a pretty place with narrow streets and whitewashed houses covered in bougainvillaea and jasmine. The panoramic views of Fuengirola Bay and the coast are simply stunning and Mijas also boasts Spain's smallest bullring. Although packed with tourists in summer, Mijas is a pleasure to visit and many ex-pats have made the surrounding countryside their home.