The Costa del Sol (literally "Coast of the Sun" or "Sun Coast") is a region in the south of Spain in the autonomous community of Andalusia, comprising the coastal towns and communities along the coastline of the Province of Málaga and the eastern part of Campo de Gibraltar in Cádiz. Formerly made up only of a series of small fishing settlements, today the region is a world-renowned tourist destination. The Costa del Sol is situated between two lesser known coastal regions, the Costa de la Luz and the Costa Tropical.

In 2016 22 of the Costa del Sol’s beaches were awarded the Blue Flag. This is the gold standard for hygiene and public facilities, so wherever you go you’ll always be close to a first-class beach. The climate helps too, as the Costa del Sol has the longest beach season in Iberian Spain, with consistent warmth from as early as April through to late-October. Even in the low season it’s normally sunny, and daily highs will graze the high-teens. As for the very best ones? If you’d like peace and seclusion, then the shingle cove at Playa del Cañuelo near Nerja is for you. If you need a bit more life then Torremolinos is just as good today as it was when the first tourists started arriving in the 50s.

Many holidaymakers find it impossible to resist the call of the Mediterranean and need to get out and paddle, windsurf and dive to their hearts’ content. Fortunately there’s a water sports centre next to the beach at every resort in the Costa del Sol. They’ll give you tuition and kit you out with all the gear for anything from jet skiing to parasailing. There are also tourist ports dotted along the coast, the launch pad for white-knuckle powerboat rides or unforgettable whale and dolphin-spotting cruises. Divers aren’t neglected either, with PADI-licensed centres in Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Marbella.