A Guide to Cheap Holidays in Costa del Sol

Getting to and around Costa del Sol cheaply

Thanks to the sheer number of airlines serving the major cities of Seville, Granada, Malaga, Gibraltar and Almeria, it has never been cheaper to travel to the Costa del Sol.

Once there, you have plenty of options for getting about. There are cheap car hire options at all the airports and the region's bus service is also cheap and efficient, and you can buy tickets in strips of ten to make it even cheaper. There's also a train service which runs from Malaga to Fuengirola and with stops at Malaga airport and Torremolinos.

Beaches in Costa del Sol

You'll find great beaches (13 of them awarded the prestigious Blue Flag) in all the resorts along the coast including Malaga, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Marbella, Estepona, Sotogrande and even Gibraltar. Most have lots of watersports and plenty of cheap restaurants, bars and cafes should you fancy a drink and a bite to eat.

At the western end of the Costa del Sol, just over 30 miles from Malaga, the more serene resort of Nerja offers a rare respite from the region's crowded seafronts. Flanked by a dramatic mountain range, Nerja's promenade offers sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the small coves and beaches below.

Low-cost sightseeing in Costa del Sol

When you need a break from the beaches, there's plenty to see and do on the Costa del Sol. Marbella's old town (casco antiguo) dates from the 16th century, and it's a lovely place to stroll and has some good markets on Mondays. Malaga is a fantastic place to explore and art-lovers will love the Museo Picasso on San Agustin Street. The world-renowned artist was born in the city and there's a wonderful collection of his work.

One common sight you'll see during your stay is that of a top quality golf course. It's largely thanks to this sport that the area has become a year-round destination and there are over 30 courses, ranging from the ultra-swanky, such as Valderrama, to the cheaper, open-to-all courses like Santa Clara.

Eating cheaply on Holiday in Costa del Sol

You'll basically find cuisine to cater for every taste on the Costa del Sol. If you want to go the traditional Spanish route, you're in the perfect place, as Andalucia is the birthplace of tapas. Take your time and enjoy several dishes over the course of a few hours. Try gambas al ajillo, prawns in hot garlic oil, and patatas bravas, potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce.

If you are pining for some cheap familiar grub, in many resorts you'll find plenty of cafes and restaurants serving traditional English fare (fish and chips, fry-up etc) and a few sports bars where you can enjoy a pint and watch some Premiership football.

There's no shortage of buzzing nightlife on the Costa del Sol. Torremolinos and its neighbour, Benalmadena, are the places to go if you want stomping beats, cheap lager and lots of like-minded revellers. At the other end of the scale, Marbella and nearby Puerto Banus are home to the area's most exclusive nightclubs and bars and you'll probably have to part with a fairly hefty entrance fee.

For a cheaper and more cultural night out, try and catch a flamenco show in the evening. Ana Maria's, in Marbella's Old Town is a good place to see a performance of this passionate dance.

Cheap Shopping in Costa del Sol

If you're on a budget, then the weekly flea markets, held in most resorts, are definitely for you. Head for Fuengirola on a Tuesday and the bullring near yacht-lovers' haven Puerto Banus on a Saturday. At both you'll find some cheap ethnic Moroccan items, Spanish antiques and good-quality local crafts.

For designer labels and swanky boutiques, there's really only one place to go - Puerto Banus. If all you want are a few souvenirs to remind you of your holiday, then there are hundreds of shops in the resorts where you can snap up a cheap t-shirt, stuffed mule or a bottle of vino tinto.

If the family gets bored of shopping or fun and sun on the beach, there's loads of other ways to spend a few hours. Benalmadena has Tivoli World, an amusement park with rides for all ages and flamenco dancing performances. It's also home to the Sea Life aquarium.
There are aqua parks in Torremolinos and Mijas and more active families can enjoy a whole host of sports, from tennis and horse riding to mountain biking and sailing.

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