See & Do

Costa del Sol, Things To See and Do

Some visitors to Costa del Sol want to do nothing but kick back, soak up the sun and forget the pressures of everyday life. And who can blame them? But if you're after animal adventures, high-octane sporting experiences, or some fascinating history and culture, you've come to the right place.

Festivals

Andalucia has festivals throughout the year, in its myriad towns and villages, from the smallest-scale pilgrimage, to the massive city fairs. The two most important are Semana Santa (Holy Week) and the Ferias - most notably Seville, Cordoba, Jerez, Granada and Malaga.

Flamenco

This mesmerising art form, which encompasses both music and dance, is full of the heat and passion of Andalucia. You can get a taste of the swirling dance and emotion-filled music in most towns and all cities, with venues offering several shows every day - although the spontaneous variety, late at night in a crowded bar, can feel more authentic.

Restaurants

With all the fabulous freshly-caught fish, locally-grown fruit and vegetables and extra virgin olive oil, how could Andalucia's restaurants not be top-league? Tapas bars galore, Michelin-starred restaurants, and countless palate-pleasing experiences await you.

Events

There are hundreds of music and dance events taking place in Andalucia every year, especially in the summer. There are thousands of sporting events at all levels.

Nightlife

Most Andalucians don't even have dinner before 10pm, so after eating it's straight onto copas - spirits with a mixer. In summer, everything moves outside, and often upwards - to roof terrace bars, or beach bars if you're near the sea. Nightclubs offer the latest tunes for those who want to shake their thing.

istock Entertainment

You will never be short of things to do and see in Andalucia - from high-velocity slides in water parks, to whale-watching, wildlife parks and aquariums, or a dose of culture in one of the hundreds of museums or historic castles around the region. Whatever your tastes for holiday entertainment, family or grown-up, you will find something to suit.

Beauty

Spanish women look after themselves, with regular trips to the hair and beauty salon, but mental wellbeing is also big. From sports massage to hot stone, and pregnancy yoga to mindfulness meditation, you will find therapists and centres in tiny mountain villages and big cities alike.

 

Activities

A wonderful opportunity to get close to whales, dolphins and other sea mammals, in their natural habitat in the Straits of Gibraltar. This is the area of sea where where the Atlantic Ocean and… More →

Andalucía is a birdwatcher's paradise and attracts ornithologists throughout the year. The best time of the year, however, is during the spring, as this is when you can see many wintering species… More →

Sailing can be such fun, there is nothing like being out in the fresh air sailing along the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol. Some companies offer luxury yacht and boat hire, a luxury sailing… More →

Markets (mercados) are a common sight in towns and villages throughout Costa del Sol are an essential part of local life largely unaffected by competition from supermarkets and hypermarkets. They… More →

See a selection of excellent excursions from Malaga city, perfect opportunities to see the biggest and best attractions in Andalucia without the hassle of having to organise it yourself.

Looking for adventure? Make a bee line for the Zip lines in Andalucia. They can be found at Alhaurin el Grande, Sanlúcar de Guadiana, Castillo de las Guardas, Comares, Elviria, Marbella and… More →

A wonderful opportunity to get close to whales and dolphins in their natural habitat in the Strait of Gibraltar. This is the area of sea where the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea meet, in the… More →

Andalucia is the perfect destination for many types of marine activities, with its long coastline and endless hours of sunshine promising warm weather and perfect sea conditions. The Costa de Sol… More →

There are many karting circuits in Andalucia where you can have fun. They can be found at Campillos, La Puebla de Cazalla, Cartaya, Torre del Mar.

The landscapes of rural Andalucía are breathtaking and one of the best ways to appreciate their diversity and beauty is on foot. However it is sometimes hard to determine exactly where a path is… More →

Cycling is a popular sport in Andalucia and it is not uncommon to see groups of cyclists out enjoying a weekend morning together as they tour the countryside. Equally in the last few years the… More →

Andalucía is a region with a surprising number and variety of natural caves. Some of these are well-known and open to the public, such as those situated in Nerja, La Pileta and Ardales, but there… More →

Shopping in Andalucia is  a mixture of small, often family-run, independent shops in the narrow charming streets of small towns, resorts and cities. In addition to this there are hyper-markets… More →

The Telecabina takes you on an amazing 15-minute journey in a four-person cable car right up to the highest point on the Málaga coast at an altitude of almost 800m above sea level. From this… More →

Some companies offer luxury yacht and boat hire, a luxury sailing concierge, who can arrange almost everything from sunset cruises with fine dining to trips to Morocco and Portugal. All in all it'… More →

The parks have a variety of zones: high-adrenalin water slides including Kamikaze (very steep, almost vertical) and Black Hole (covered tube); multi-lane slides where you can race against your… More →

Guided tours are an excellent way to see Andalucia. Depending on which tour you choose you can learn more about specific aspects of the flora, fauna, gastronomy, culture, etc... Here we have… More →

If you’re looking for activities to do with your children in Andalucia this summer, and you want a break from the beach, or you’re staying inland and you’re looking for some more ideas for outings… More →

In the up-market areas of Andalucia, a growing trend has evolved for a beach life quite different from the simple pleasures of buckets and spades, cool boxes and fold-away deck chairs. Many simple… More →

Sports

An Andalusian man without his horse is like a matador without a cape. He feels stripped of an essential part of his identity that has been formed over the centuries. It is part of his life, his… More →

Seville Marathon, the third largest in Spain, with 14,000 runners taking part. It is traditionally held on the third Sunday in February. The Seville Marathon is usually very fast due to the flat… More →

Malaga played host to the final stage - seven team meetings in total, featuring the last eight teams - of this men's international competition. The semi-finals took place on 24 and 25 November and… More →

The mild climate also attracts major international competitions to the area, both on the Costa del Sol and in major inland cities. In 2023, the two top global team events in the tennis… More →

Costa del Sol has the ideal combination of climate for outdoor sports. Tennis remains consistently popular and attracts players of all ages. There are numerous tennis clubs on the Costa del Sol.… More →

The Andalucia Rally for cars and motorbikes has taken place in May in Andalucia in 2020 and 2021. The Andalucia Rally is the opening event of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country-Rallies.

Andalucía is a birdwatcher's paradise and attracts ornithologists throughout the year. The best time of the year, however, is during the spring, as this is when you can see many wintering species… More →

Paddleboarding is the water sport where one is supported lying, kneeling or standing on a paddleboard or surfboard in the water, propelling oneself with arms in a swimming-like motion or with a… More →

Canyoning is an increasingly popular outdoor activity, or extreme sport, which involves descending gorges using a combination of walking, climbing, jumping, sliding, abseiling (rappelling), and… More →

Polo originates from ancient Persia from the sixth century BC to the first century AD. During the fifteenth and sixteenth century, the game was eventually passed from Persia to other parts of Asia… More →

Information on the main endurance running and cycling events held each year in Andalucia. Includes the Malaga and Seville Marathons, important triathlons, Iron Man and other established events… More →

The Atlantic and Mediterranean shorelines are ideal for fishing and many of the local marinas provide everything required for a day of open sea fishing. A maritime recreational fishing licence (… More →

There are many karting circuits in Andalucia where you can have fun. They can be found at Campillos, La Puebla de Cazalla, Cartaya, Torre del Mar.

Andalucia is one of Europe’s foremost golfing destinations, with over 100 courses. The climate, with warm temperatures all year round, and endless hours of sunshine, coupled with spectacularly… More →

The landscapes of rural Andalucía are breathtaking and one of the best ways to appreciate their diversity and beauty is on foot. However it is sometimes hard to determine exactly where a path is… More →

Andalucía’s Costa del Sol is not only the Costa del Golf but also provides the ideal combination of climate, coast and countryside forvirtually any other major sport you can think of, ranging from… More →

This relatively new sport has become one of the most popular racquet games in Spain and the craze is spreading across Europe. A paddle (pádel' in Spanish) court is smaller than a tennis court,… More →

Cycling is a popular sport in Andalucia and it is not uncommon to see groups of cyclists out enjoying a weekend morning together as they tour the countryside. Equally in the last few years the… More →

The history of windsurfing is short. Apparently, in 1967 a Californian called Hoyle Schwritzer fixed a sail on his surfboard so he could keep moving when there weren't any waves. Today, there are… More →

Waterskiing is a water-sport that suits all ages. Some other sports, such as wakeboarding and surfing, can sometimes seem a little intimidating to the uninitiated, whereas waterskiing has many… More →

Wakeboarding is said to be the fastest growing water sport in the world. Practiced on lakes or the sea, it's like a combination of snowboarding, waterskiing and skateboarding or a cross between… More →

Although windsurfing tends to be better known on the Costa coastline – most famously in Tarifa - surfboarding is also enjoyed by many, particularly in the Autumn and Spring. On the Costa del Sol,… More →

Snorkelling is something that pretty well anyone who can swim can do, with the minimum of equipment - basically, it's a snorkel, facemask and flippers and away you go. The relatively calm seas and… More →

Kitesurfing is an extreme sport which involves racing over water on a surfboard pulled by a kite. Experts can achieve speeds of 80km per hour and leap into the air to perform somersaults and… More →

There are more gyms and fitness centres in Andalucía than ever before. Whereas in the early 1980s you’d have been pushed to find the odd male-dominated weights room, there are now many centres.… More →

There are only a few quality lawn bowling clubs in Andalucia. Lawn bowling is a popular sport amongst the international community on the Costa del Sol where most of the clubs are situated.

By its very nature, rowing is an inland waterway sport and is immensely popular along the River Guadalquivir, especially in Córdoba and Sevilla, where major international competitions and training… More →

For a country whose border is largely shored up by water, Spain is a relative latecomer to the sport of boating. Particularly in Andalucía, the sea was, to a great extent, the province of working… More →

There can be few better ways to appreciate the sheer beauty of the Andalusian countryside than from a hot air balloon. Combine this bird's eye view with the tranquility and peace derived from… More →

One of the latest trends in adventure sports, or more daring or unusual outdoor activities, is wild swimming (bañarse/nadar en plena naturaleza in Spanish). This means swimming in any water,… More →

Mountain biking and cycling are viewed as both serious sports and a relaxing pastime in Andalucia. It is not unusual to be overtaken by a group of lycra-clad cyclists tackling the steep mountain… More →

The international circuit at Jerez has on ocasions held the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix, at other times is used for testing and practice by the F1 teams. It holds the Spanish Motorbike Grand Prix… More →

If you ever use the main N340 Mediterranean highway on Sundays, you may have noticed the large groups of motorbikers powering past. Andalucia's year-round fine weather makes motorbiking popular at… More →

The three main professional cycle races in the Andalucia cycling calendar are the Tour of Spain, known as La Vuelta; the Tour of Andalucia, also known as the Vuelta a Andalucia or Ruta Ciclista… More →

Attractions

The Senda Litoral de Malaga (Malaga Coastal Path) is a projected 160 km path following the entire coast of Malaga province from Manilva to Nerja. Once completed, this long-distance path will be a… More →

The Caminito del Rey is a cliff-side path hanging 100m above the waters of the river Guadalhorce reservoir, as it runs through the famous beauty spot; El Chorro Gorge, near the villages of El… More →

The name Alhambra comes from an Arabic root which means "red or crimson castle", perhaps due to the hue of the towers and walls that surround the entire hill of La Sabica which by starlight is… More →

Outside Nueva Castella village and on the edge of the La almoraima estate is the Hotel Casa Convento La Almoraima. The woods that lead up the the historic hotel are open to the public and a… More →

Montemayor is the name of a castle ruins and the hill it sits on overlooking the village of Benahavís and the Mediterranean coast

Andalucía is a birdwatcher's paradise and attracts ornithologists throughout the year. The best time of the year, however, is during the spring, as this is when you can see many wintering species… More →

In Andalucia many monuments are important historical, architectural and cultural landmarks. Here is our list of Andalucia top 40 attractions, how many have you visited?

The  La Almoraima estate in Castellar de la Frontera occupies 14.000 hectares and is one of the largest estates in Spain. Agriculture, Forestry, Cork, Hunting, Tourism are main industries in the… More →

The area of wine production known as the Serrania de Ronda forms part of the DO Sierras of Malaga, producing what are popularly known as 'the Ronda Wines'. Here modern bodegas at over 750m… More →

From the outside of the Orquidario, the state of the art building complete with three glass domes is eye catching, and from the inside it is pretty impressive too. There is much to catch your eye… More →

Just outside Antequera you can visit three 5000-year-old dolmens: Menga Dolmen (the largest in Europe) and Viera Dolmen, which are both located just outside the town, while El Romeral Dolmen is a… More →

Castillo del Aguila (Eagle's Castle) in the Moorish hilltown of Gaucin, consists of a series of fortifications built across a rocky ridge above the village. The castle, which is of Roman origin,… More →

Just outside Malaga, "La Concepción Jardín Botánico-Historico de Málaga." is a magnificent botanical garden. There are regular guided tours of the gardens which pass through exotic trees and… More →

The village of Benoajan is rightly famed for the caves which are well signposted around the area. South of the village of Benoaján heading towards Cortes de la Frontera, a side road leads off on… More →

The entrance of this cave can be seen from the railway as it heads north from Benaoján station two kilometres away. It's called the cave of the cat as its entrance is said to look like a cat's… More →

Along the coast of Andalucía there are numerous marinas, ideal for both those with yachts who need a berth, and for those who simply enjoy the atmosphere of a harbour.

Malaga has moved on from being the jumping-off point for holidays in the Costa del Sol. The city’s remarkable renaissance over the past decade has seen its status upped to Andalucia’s cultural… More →

One of the most relaxing traditions of Arab Spain are the baths, or “hammam” as they are called in Arabic. With so many years of moorish rule and culture, the city of Granada was a natural… More →

Malaga's largest park is the Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park, which straddles the Malaga-Granada provincial border and includes the dramatically beautiful mountainous region of… More →

The ruins of this 32 hectare city are located at 1.000m above sea level. This is an urban are that thrived in the first century AD when it had a population of 5.000. It was mentioned in Plini and… More →

The Telecabina takes you on an amazing 15-minute journey in a four-person cable car right up to the highest point on the Málaga coast at an altitude of almost 800m above sea level. From this… More →

Selwo Marina offers a new concept in family entertainment, bringing together sea life and the Amazon in an unusual but happy combination. The Marina is a complement to Selwo Adventure wildlife… More →

Benalmádena's Sea Life Centre is a walk-through underwater park in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol, which takes you on an  stroll along the seabed in a glass tunnel. You pass aquatic species from… More →

Selwo is a fascinating adventure in contact with nature. The park covers 100 hectares and is home to more than 2,000 animals from the five continents. The animals live in liberty, recreating their… More →

In this fabulous zoological garden overlooking the Mediterranean at 250m above sea level, you can see the majestic raptors spread their wings in flight under the supervision of multi-lingual… More →

The park counts over 300 crocs among its inhabitants, including the massive Gran Paco (known as Big Daddy in English), the biggest crocodile in Europe, measuring five metres and weighing over… More →

Tivoli World was the largest family entertainment theme park on the Costa del Sol. It is currenly closed. It is located in the heart of Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena.

Ideal for families with young children who want a gentler up-close-with-nature experience, the Butterfly Park has over 1500 of the colourful little winged insects. The park is inside a Thai… More →

El Teatro Romano is the oldest monument in Málaga City; it is situated in the cultural heart of Málaga city, at the foot of the famous Alcazaba fortress.

El Jardín Del Retiro is a botanical-ornithological garden situated in Churriana, just outside Málaga city centre. The estate is almost 350 years old. It spans a huge 140,000 m2 and contains around… More →

La Alcazaba is Malaga's most important landmark, and overlooks the city from a hilltop inland. It is one of two Moorish fortresses in the city, the other being the Castillo de Gibralfaro, situated… More →

Whether you like wine, archaeology or cars; you’re interested in glass, contemporary art or 19th century painting, you’re sure to find at least one museum which will interest you in the city. Most… More →

The people of Malaga are proud of the fact that Picasso was born here and it was a big day when the King and Queen of Spain inaugurated the Museo Picasso (Picasso Museum) on the 27th October 2003… More →

The magnificent Castillo de Gibralfaro sits on a high hill overlooking Malaga city and port, and dates back to the 10th century. The image of Gibralfaro is well known: you can see it in both… More →

Las Cuevas de Nerja (the Caves of Nerja) are a series of naturally formed caves and caverns in the hills of Maro, 4km North-East of Nerja, some of which have taken up to two million years to form… More →

Zoos aren't what they used to be, fortunately. You won't find miserable animals pacing up and down shoebox cages, clinging to solitary branches or paddling around in sad puddles at Bioparc… More →

Baelo Claudia, near Tarifa, is one of Andalucia´s most significant and well-preserved Roman archeological sites. The extensive ruins are situated on the Costa de la Luz, some 15km north of Tarifa… More →

Explore the beaches of the Costa del Sol from West to East using our comprehensive guide. Costa del Sol is the most developed part of the Coast. The Mediterranean water is warm and safe. Many… More →

Curiosities

A wonderful opportunity to get close to whales, dolphins and other sea mammals, in their natural habitat in the Straits of Gibraltar. This is the area of sea where where the Atlantic Ocean and… More →

The  La Almoraima estate in Castellar de la Frontera occupies 14.000 hectares and is one of the largest estates in Spain. Agriculture, Forestry, Cork, Hunting, Tourism are main industries in the… More →

Inside five small dolmens (standing stones) can be viewed. They are original and date from about 3,000 BC. Also on display are a number of pottery vessels, stone tools, arrowheads, axes, personal… More →

Castillo del Aguila (Eagle's Castle) in the Moorish hilltown of Gaucin, consists of a series of fortifications built across a rocky ridge above the village. The castle, which is of Roman origin,… More →

The village of Benoajan is rightly famed for the caves which are well signposted around the area. South of the village of Benoaján heading towards Cortes de la Frontera, a side road leads off on… More →

The entrance of this cave can be seen from the railway as it heads north from Benaoján station two kilometres away. It's called the cave of the cat as its entrance is said to look like a cat's… More →

The ruins of this 32 hectare city are located at 1.000m above sea level. This is an urban are that thrived in the first century AD when it had a population of 5.000. It was mentioned in Plini and… More →

The Málaga Airport Museum is worth a visit whether you love airplanes, airports, local history or simply getting a glimpse inside a project 100% made-in-Málaga by a group of passionate, "Friends… More →

The Benalmádena stupa was designed to be the largest Buddhist stupa in the western world. The story behind the stupa goes back to 1990 when a Buddhist master came to Spain to give talks to the… More →

When William Mark arrived in Malaga in 1816 to take up his post as British Consul, he was astonished and horrified to learn that in Spain burial in consecrated ground was reserved exclusively for… More →

Sulphur is the ninth most abundant element of the universe and is one of nature´s great jokes on the human race. Known to the ancients as "Brimstone" it is one of the elements essential to life as… More →

Festivities

There is no better way to get to know Andalucia than through their many and fascinating traditional festivals. The local fiesta is the moment when every town and village strives to put on a… More →

Relaxation & Beauty

This five-star luxury hotel offers a wellbeing programme with five meals and only 1300 calories per day, created by two-Michelin-star chef Andoni Luis Aduriz of Mugaritz restaurant. It boasts a 3000… More →

One of the most relaxing traditions of Arab Spain are the baths, or “hammam” as they are called in Arabic. With so many years of moorish rule and culture, the city of Granada was a natural… More →

There are more gyms and fitness centres in Andalucía than ever before. Whereas in the early 1980s you’d have been pushed to find the odd male-dominated weights room, there are now many centres.… More →

Today many four and five-star hotels in Andalucia, especially on the coast, have spas for guests to use, offering hydrotherapy circuit and beauty treatments and therapies for ultimate pampering… More →

Traditional medicinal spas operate across the region, and are generally visited for healing. If you're in good health they can be visited, for rest, relaxation and curiosity but the discerning… More →

 

Book activities on the Costa del Sol

Book activities on the Costa del Sol

Destinations