Places to visit in the Costa del Sol

Located on the southern coast of the Andalucia region of Spain, the Costa del Sol is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe, and in summer or winter there is never a shortage of places to visit. Although the Costa del Sol is renowned as a beach holiday destination, for those who are interested in discovering a bit more about the region, here are some ideas of places to visit, including the major tourist attractions.

Caves of Nerja

The caves of Nerja were accidentally discovered in 1959 by a group of locals searching for bats. Stretching for almost 5km, the caves offer visitors a unique look into some of the finest caves in Europe. There are spectacular stalagmite and stalactite formations which are viewed from "galleries" within the cave network.

Entry to the caves costs around 9 Euros for adults (half price for children and senior citizens), and the caves are open year round except for Jan 1st and May 15th.

Rock of Gibraltar

The Rock of Gibraltar is significant for two reasons, one because it has a deep rich history and plenty of myths and folklore surrounding its actual meaning, and two because the rock is so large that it is hard to really grasp the true effect of it until you actually see it for yourself. In addition, while you are there you can also see the Barbary Macaques that live in the area that will make your stop well worth the time. This visit alone should open your eyes to what native Malaga is really like outside of the tourism spotlight. The Upper area of the rock is also a dedicated nature reserve where there is many unique fauna and flora present that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world making it an excellent hike if you are in great physical condition.

Picasso Museum

The Picasso Museum is unique due to the fact that it is not only home to some of the finest Picasso paintings, but it is also actually located at the home of the former artist within the Plaza de la Merced which adds a bit more intrigue to the artwork. After all, it is one thing to look at a Picasso up close, but it is another thing to know that you are standing right where the artist was when he created it. Many of the objects in the house are from his actual occupation of the home and admission is only one Euro making it worth it to take a few hours out touring house and then for eight Euros the exhibition next door that offers many exclusive exhibitions that change on a revolving basis.

Tivoli World Malaga Theme Park

One of the largest theme parks in Malaga, here you will find daily shows and plenty of amusement park rides that cater to all audiences. With a wide variety of attractions for both teenagers and infants, everyone in your family can enjoy a visit to the theme park although you should plan on spending the entire day at Tivoli to get the most out of the experience. In fact, with regular concerts, shows, flamenco dancing, children's events, dinosaur models, 300 rides, gardens, and more than thirty restaurants you can easily make it a two day adventure as well.

Maritime Museum Museo-Acuario-Aula del Mar

For those who enjoy diving and the harbour, the Maritime Museum is a great stop given the fact that it features an up close look at the history of Spain's naval fleets, its diving history, and showcases the marine life of the area wonderfully. Although the museum is not all that large, it is well worth taking an hour or two out of your sun tanning time to check it out.

La Manquita Cathedral

The Le Manquita cathedral is considered to be the official cathedral of Malaga and is worth a visit for those who like to see historical sites given the fact that it is a stunning cathedral even though it is now missing pieces of its structure due to the bombings during WWII. An interesting fact about the cathedral is that its name literally means 'one-armed woman' when translated into English which is what the locals compare the shape of the structure to now that it does not have an eastern bell tower to help centre it. The cathedral is easy to get to as it stands in the city centre and only costs five euro to visit although beware that it is not open to the public on Sundays.

Alhambra Palace Granada

Within a couple of hours drive of Malaga is the spectacular Alhambra Palace in Granada, built by the Moors in the 14th century. The palace is a very popular tourist attraction and can be very busy in the summer.

Granada is also inland, so the temperature can be hotter than on the coast in the summer months and can also be cold in the middle of winter.

Be prepared to queue or alternatively you can book tickets in advance from the Alhambra Palace website. In addition to the architecture the palace has beautifully maintained gardens with ponds and fruit trees.

Aqualand Torremolinos

As the largest waterpark in the Costa del Sol and the immediate Malaga region for those who want to play in water that is controlled instead of in the beaches, the Aqualand Torremolinos is the best possible solution. One of the nice aspects of heading out to the water park is that there are always lifeguards on duty and you do not have to worry about your children in the ocean. Of course for the kids, the major perk is the fact that it is filled with rides and activity centres making it an easy way to spend a day in Malaga that the kids will ever forget. For the adults that want to stay dry Aqualand also offers a handful of bars and restaurants that allow adults to enjoy themselves while the kids are playing making it a great central attraction for everyone.

Valderama Golf Course

Those who are expert golfers will find the allure of the Valderama Golf Course hard to deny given the fact that it is one of the world championship courses and as such is very notable. However, those who are not quite ready to take on this massive challenge will find that within the Malaga region there are more than 50 golf courses so finding one that fits your budget and your talent should not be too difficult. A word to the wise for those who do want to play on Valderama, the course is very exclusive and busy so it is wise to call at least a few months prior to your holiday to make reservations.

Puerto Banus Harbour

Often referred to as the millionaire's playground, the Puerto Banus is something to see even if you do not have spare millions sitting around in the bank. Here you will see some of the most luxurious yachts on the earth which are almost like mansions that float rather than actual boats. There are also plenty of great cafes, bars, and retail shops spread out around the area and while some may be out of your budget, the shore is a great place to sit and sip a coffee while you celebrity watch because it is quite possible you will see a few.