Your Guide to Last Minute Holidays in Costa del Sol

Getting There and Around Costa del Sol

Don’t let travelling put you off your late deal! With so many airlines offering last minute flights to all sorts of destinations Costa del Sol is definitely covered for, as there are already a large number of airlines serving the major cities of Seville, Granada, Malaga, Gibraltar and Almeria.

Your late deal won’t disrupt your transportation once in your destination as there are plenty of options for getting about. There are car hire options at all the airports and the region's bus service is also 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

Why hesitate, book your late deal now and you could find yourself on one of the best beaches in Europe within a matter of days. There’s nothing better than a spontaneous trip, and Costa del Sol is certainly the place to end up, its warm waters and sandy beaches are certainly going to have you at ease as you relax in the Spanish sunshine.

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 water sports and plenty of cheap restaurants, bars and cafes should you fancy a drink and a bite to eat. The best of the beaches is to be found surrounding the south Spanish harbour of Cabopino near Marbella, it includes a romantic marina and free parking for your hired car! It also provides a little bit of culture as it is overlooked by an ancient Moorish watch tower.

Sightseeing in Costa del Sol

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.

For those into their sights why not take in Nerja on your late deal holiday. The famous Balcón de Europais is a must see, it gives you a stunning panoramic view of Nerja and the inviting turquoise sea stretching out onto the horizon. It was built on the sight of a fortress that was destroyed in 1812 during the War of Independence.

Málaga is also worth a visit, the Gibralfaro Castle gives you a brilliant view of the city. A tour of the walls is only going to cost you around four euros and the view is worth every penny. This fortress was built in the fourteenth century and was erected to defend the Alcazaba.

Eating and Nightlife in Costa del Sol

Your late deal could have you tucking in to some of the finest food and wine
in Europe in just a few days. As you'd imagine, the seafood in the area is superb and can be enjoyed whatever your budget. Splash out at a top Andalucian restaurant or, at the port in Marbella, try freshly-caught sardines cooked on a spit. 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.

For nightlife you have certainly picked the right destination. All the main resorts along the Costa del Sol provide a buzzing nightlife. The nightlife here is also very diverse, for the swanky clubs a visit to Marbella is a must. Or you can just go out to one of the many bars and restaurants that this destination has to offer. Torremolinos and its neighbour, Benalmadena, are the places to go if you want beats, lager and lots of like-minded revellers.

For a 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.

Shopping and Family Attractions

There’s nothing better than a bit of shopping on a late deal to bring home surprise gifts to friends and family. The weekly flea markets offer cheap but wonderful goods. 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.

If you fancy seeing the animals in their natural habitat, then you can organise whale and dolphin-spotting trips in Gibraltar. This takes you on a trip out to sea, where you can view a huge part of the Costa del Sol coastline and enjoy looking out for Whales and Dolphins in the warm Spanish sun.

Why not end your late deal with a bang by visiting Benalmadena which 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.

<< Back to Costa del Sol Holiday Guide