With the terrific news of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine bolstering sentiment yesterday that 2021 holiday is looking more and more likely, so today we will argue the case for a week in our favourite Spanish Costa, the Costa del Sol, once holidays recommence.

Lots of us Brits have already been to the Costa del Sol, either with our own families or as kids with our parents. The Costa del Sol was a hugely popular package holiday destination for Brits back in Franco’s Spain in the 1960’s and continued to be a popular destination until the late 1990s. In the noughties however fashions changed with holidays to Greece, Turkey and Cyprus tempting away the traditional Costa del Sol holidaymaker, but with the TOWIE series and the popularity of Marbella over the last decade it’s safe to say the Costa 

del Sol is back as top choice holiday destination, for a new generation.

There are a wealth of cities along the Costa del Sol and in Andalucía generally whereby you could easily spend a month in this Spanish province and still not see all the area has to offer. Andalucía has some real touristic gems to her credit. Cities like Granada, Seville and Malaga are among some of the most popular city breaks in Andalucía for the UK holidaymaker and beach towns like Marbella, Fuengirola, Estepona, Puerto Banus, Cadiz, Benalmadena, Nerja and Torremolinos are full of attractions for holidaying families from golden beaches to sprawling waterparks.

The beaches along the Costa del Sol offer golden sands and calm waters, the strips offer great family dining and late night partying and inland you can find scores of whitewashed Andalusian villages, towns and villages like Ronda, the dramatic clifftop town famed for its bullring and magnificent vistas. There’s something on the Costa del Sol for everyone and with 320 sunny days per year, you’ll never be short of a tan.

So where do we suggest you take your 2021 Costa del Sol, today we’re looking at Marbella and Malaga, two cities within an hours drive with wildly different appeal.

Make it a Marbella Holiday for 2021?

With her whitewashed old town, miles of golden sands and iconic mountain in the background, you could drop many a British holidaymaker in the centre of Marbella and they’d know exactly where they were. Marbella is one of Britain’s favourite holidays.

Since the 1980’s the fortunes of Marbella only continue to rise and so do the prices, whilst cheaper than a Majorca holiday in most cases, a beachfront 4* hotel in Marbella is not one of the cheapest options for a Spanish holiday but… you get what you pay for in this life! 

With daytrips from Marbella to Puerto Banus, Estepona, Malaga and Ronda available, this town sits in the heart of a magic triangle and provides plenty of access to explore the local region. Although a large town, Marbella, contrasting to Malaga is certainly quieter and prettier than her touristic rival with whitewashed old town and fishing village neighbours all offering an Andalusian charm.

We have a fabulous deal for 2021 in Marbella and recommend the 4* beachfront Fuerte Hotel Marbella which is available for April 2021 departures from just £372 per person per week (room only).

“This charming 4-star resort is designed to provide guests with a perfect sun-filled holiday in the resort of Marbella. Guests will find themselves at the heart of the action and just a short distance from the beach, making this an ideal location for all. The hotel provides an excellent standard of accommodation while guests will be suitably impressed with the wide range of restaurants on-site. There are outdoor swimming pools, activities and an amazing sun terrace that offers sensational views over the ocean.”

Or Maybe Malaga 2021?

Picasso’s birthplace, home to Antonio Banderas, it’s perhaps this swarthy, earthy city, more than any other, that gives Spanish men their reputation for amor! The city of Malaga, a working, vibrant city full of markets, nightlife and top notch restaurants, offers a rich look into the regions nautical past as well as forward looking as one of Spain’s most vibrant cities.

Tourists often arrive into Malaga airport and promptly catch their buses, trains or hire cars and ride out of town along the coast to holiday away from the city but Malaga itself offers a dynamic combination of city break and resort holiday with it’s own beaches, buzzing with great bars and restaurants throughout the day and night.

The best beach in Malaga is the lively La Malagueta, which is buzzing with activity both day and night. We recommend the Monte Malaga hotel in the heart of the city with both the old town and La Malagueta within walking distance. A week here can be had for just £225 per person per week.

Compared to Marbella, Malaga has everything a modern city can offer, more shopping, nightclub and museum options than Marbs. In general, we recommend Malaga to singletons and couples, and Marbella as a great resort to take the kids.

Teletext offer a low deposit (£25 per person) and a free amendment policy during the Coronavirus pandemic meaning that if your 2021 date gets interrupted we can move your holiday to later in the year for free.