Malaga Area Guide

The Western Coast of the province of Malaga is also known as the Costa del Sol. The first resort is Torremolinos which is 12km from Malaga and offers a very lively nightlife, but in the old part of town you will find Carihuela which was formerly a fishermen's district and is now a very traditional area where you can taste some of the best seafood in the area.

Benalmadena is 19km from Malaga and has a large amusement pack and an award winning marina which is full of bars and restaurants.

Fuengirola has a wide promenade and a number of Blue Flag beaches. This is a popular place for golfers with a number of sports bars.

Marbella is an exclusive resort with some fabulous designer boutiques and shops as well as a marina and an Old Town which is a maze of cobbled streets with some excellent tapas bars and more traditional shops.

Next is Puerto Banus which is an exclusive resort with a large El Corte Ingles and a marina with some of the largest yachts you are ever likely to see. It is surrounded by bars and restaurants and some very expensive designer shops. It is a great place to sit and have a drink and watch some of the glitterati pass by.

San Pedro de Alcantara is a Spanish town with some interesting remains of Roman and early Christian epochs with a large church in its centre.

Estepona is a fishing village and resort which is 15km from San Pedro which still retains much its original charm in its centre. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios with its rococo façade is well worth a visit.

If you travel inland from Malaga then the first place to visit is the typical white village of Mijas with its donkey taxis, and moving on towards the mountains you arrive to Ojén which is 65 km from Malaga and almost untouched by tourism. The Mirador de Juanar offers some fantastic views and the orange woods of Valle de los Naranjos are truly picturesque.

Just strolling along the streets in Malaga gives you ample opportunity to admire the fascinating architecture, but be sure to check out the attractions in Malaga. If you look at our guide you will see that we have listed the main ones for you.

 

There is an extensive beach area in Malaga stretching from Misericordia which goes as far as the port area, to the beaches of Peñón del Cuervo near the hamlet of Cala del Moral.In Pedregalejo the coves are protected by natural stone breakwaters, while the beaches of Palo retain the atmosphere of the old fishing villages.

Golf in Malaga is far more popular with visiting tourists than Spanish nationals with a recent survey revealing that a staggering 80% of golfers had visited the Costa to play. Many golf courses have club tournaments running throughout the year so booking in advance is advised. We have provided details of the most popular courses in the Malaga area together with their contact numbers.

Gastronomy in Malaga offers fresh, fried and smoked fish which is really second to none. This coastal city offers a variety of fresh local products from almonds to asparagus, exquisite white wines, the freshest seafood and game. The restaurants in Malaga offer some fabulous Mediterranean cuisine prepared with the freshest produce you are ever likely to sample.

Shopping in Málaga is a fascinating mix of the old and new with economic booms and the increase in tourism resulting in more chic and contemporary shopping options, including international chains and shopping malls as well as the traditional shops. Read our guide on where to shop in Malaga and also our article on markets in Malaga and on the Costa del Sol.

Malaga and the Costa del Sol offer a wide range of activities and excellent amenities for day trips to keep everyone entertained from water parks to zoos to dolphinariums. We have put together some information on the most popular amusement parks in Malaga , together with their contact details.

 

If you are planning to explore the area outside of the city centre and play some golf or go to some of the more out of the way beaches then you might consider hiring a car. There are a number of car hire firms based at Malaga Airport who will be pleased to have a vehicle awaiting your arrival. This also cuts down on transfer costs for you and your family.

We also provide information on other sporting and leisure amenities in Malaga including a Malaga Area Guide which includes the best Shopping Areas in Malaga, Markets in Malaga, Malaga Golf Courses, the different types of Beaches in Malaga, recommended Restaurants in Malaga, details of Malaga Amusement Parks for family days out and Malaga Local Attractions.