Costa del Sol
Sunny beaches, golf courses, hill villages and Málaga city, with a historic centre and the Picasso Museum, on a coast with about 300 sunny days a year.
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The Costa del Sol is the Andalusian coast of southern Spain, running along the Málaga province coast and into the eastern Campo de Gibraltar in Cádiz. The name means “Coast of the Sun,” and the sun shines on about 300 days a year. Málaga is the largest city and the main hub, with a historic centre, parks, beaches and the Picasso Museum. Behind the shore, the Penibaetic ranges, including Sierra de Mijas and Sierra Blanca, rise toward the interior.
Málaga airport is the main gateway, and AVE high-speed trains reach Málaga-María Zambrano station from Madrid in about 2 hours 46 minutes. Marbella is known for nightlife and the Puerto Banús marina, Nerja has the Balcón de Europa viewpoint and the Nerja Caves, and Estepona has a pedestrian old town. A week is enough to base in one town and take a few day trips. Rain falls mostly between November and May, so June to September suits beach days best, when summer temperatures are typically 20 to 30 °C.
Costa del Sol in five
- Fly into Málaga and plan the transferMálaga airport serves the whole coast. Fuengirola and Torremolinos are on the airport train line; Marbella, Estepona and Nerja need a bus or car.Where to stay on the Costa del Sol
- Use the C1 train, then a busThe C1 Cercanías line links Málaga with Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola. West of Fuengirola and east of Málaga you rely on buses or a car.Costa del Sol without a car
- Choose between a resort and a townTorremolinos and Fuengirola are lively and good value, Marbella is smart and costly, Estepona is calmer and Nerja is small and cliffside. Decide before you search hotels.
- Add Córdoba or Granada by trainThe Alhambra and the Mezquita are both a day from Málaga. Córdoba is about an hour by fast train; Granada is longer, and the Alhambra sells timed tickets, so buy before the bus.Day trips from Málaga
- Time your trip for the shoulder monthsApril to June and September to October bring warm sea and thinner crowds. The best-time guide shows where July and August hit hardest.Best time to visit the Costa del Sol
Things to do in Costa del Sol
See all attractions in Costa del Sol
Need to know
- Airport
- Málaga (AGP), a few minutes from Torremolinos
- Getting there
- Flights to Málaga; AVE trains link Madrid and Córdoba
- Getting around
- C1 train to Fuengirola; buses and cars along the coast
- Best base
- Málaga city for sights, a resort town for beach time
- Time needed
- 4 to 7 days; 2 weeks for a full beach holiday
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryMild, quiet
- FebruaryMild, quiet
- MarchSpring warmth
- AprilEaster, warm
- MayWarm, quiet
- JuneBeach season
- JulyHot, busy
- AugustHot, busiest
- SeptemberWarm sea
- OctoberMild, sunny
- NovemberCool
- DecemberMild, festive
Right now in Costa del Sol
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 19°
- Humidity
- 67%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Costa del Sol
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today21°15°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue19°15°15%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Wed20°15°43%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Thu20°14°20%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Fri20°14°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat20°15°11%Saturday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sun21°18°60%Sunday: Rain. High 21°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 60%.
Updated 06:29 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
Before you go to Costa del Sol
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Rules for Costa del Sol, checked
- Caminito del Rey: online tickets only, for a set time (€10, or €18 guided). No children under 8. Closed on most Mondays.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
- Nerja Cave: timed online tickets; 9:15 to 16:30, to 17:30 in June to September; closed 1 and 6 January, 15 May and 25 December.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Costa del Sol FAQ
Where is the best place to stay on the Costa del Sol?
Málaga for sights and no-car trips, Fuengirola or Torremolinos for beach holidays on the train line, Marbella for a polished stay, Estepona for calm and Nerja for cliffs and coves.
Do you need a car on the Costa del Sol?
Not if you stay in Málaga, Torremolinos or Fuengirola and use the C1 train. A car helps for Estepona, Nerja, the inland villages and Ronda.
How many days do you need on the Costa del Sol?
Four days for Málaga plus one resort town, a week for a coast route that adds Marbella and Nerja, and two weeks for a full beach holiday with day trips.
When is the best time to visit the Costa del Sol?
April to June and September to October for warm days and smaller crowds. July and August are the hottest and busiest, though the sea is warm. Winter is mild and quieter.
Is the Costa del Sol good for families?
Yes. The long sandy beaches, calm sea in summer and wide choice of apartments suit families, and Fuengirola and Torremolinos are the easiest resorts to reach by train.