The world-famous Costa del Sol, stretches for 150 kilometres from Manilva, close to Gibraltar’s frontier, to Nerja to the east of Málaga City. The coastline hums with busy coastal cities and towns, beautiful neighbourhoods and of course spectacular sun-drenched Blue Flag beaches. It is also known for is premium standard accommodation, like Las Dunas Grand Luxury Hotel, one of the most long-established and much-loved Estepona hotel and spa resort.
If you have booked a wellness break and want to indulge in some well-deserved pampering at Las Dunas Grand Luxury Hotel, but you are unfamiliar with the stunning corner of southern Spain, you may feel a little bedazzled and unsure about the best places to visit and what to see and how to stay safe.
To help you get the most out of your visit, we have put together our 10 top tips to ensure your first trip to the Costa del Sol and visit to Las Dunas Grand Luxury Hotel will be exciting, relaxing and above all safe, and that it will prove to be the first of many amazing adventures you will enjoy in this part of the world.
1. Relaxation and wellness
Although in southern Spain, the Costa del Sol has a very cosmopolitan vibe and a reputation as a party destination. This mix of cultures offers access to some incredible experiences and treatments designed to help you relax, unwind and unclutter your mind. Las Dunas Grand Luxury Hotel offers a wide choice of beauty or Spa treatments in harmonious surroundings. There are also other options to be explored too, such as Meditation sessions or a Tibetan Sound Bowls massage.
2. Discover Málaga City
Most people arrive at Málaga’s international airport and turn right to start enjoying their holiday in one of the more well-known coastal resorts, such as Estepona or Marbella, forgetting that Málaga is a majestic historic city which is definitely worth exploring. It is difficult to list all of the areas of interest, but let’s start with Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle, which are not only historically interested but offer superb city views. You can visit the Picasso Museum in the artist’s childhood home, the newly developed marina ‘Muelle Uno’ with its promenade, shops and cafes, markets, botanical gardens and parks, and splash some cash in the main shopping area of Calle Larios, and of course enjoy the superb beaches.
3. Sample the local cuisine
The Costa del Sol overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, an area renowned for its beauty and for its tasty, fresh food and the much-vaunted health-giving properties of the Mediterranean Diet. So, what better way to kick start your visit than planning a culinary journey along the coast. There is a cornucopia of different types of cuisines, restaurants and many high-esteemed chefs, some with multiple Michelin stars, like Málaga-born culinary star Dani Garica, who has multiple award-winning restaurants in the region.
4. Explore the white villages and coastal towns
Why not discover a different side to the Costa del Sol, by heading slightly inland to explore some of the charming traditional white villages. You’ll find that life goes by at a slower pace and there is less of the hubbub associated with the beach resorts on the coast. They come in all different shapes and sizes, from Malaga to Manilva, each town along the Costa del Sol offers its own charm and unique attractions. Take your time to explore and enjoy the coastal beauty.
5. Take a history tour
Spain has a rich culture and history and there are many historic sites dotted along the Costa del Sol, such as the Alcazaba fortress, that tell the story of the Moors and the Christians, who fought to control this important region. A trip to Ronda, located 1.5 hours inland from the coast will reveal the iconic Puente Nuevo, connecting both sides of the gorge and one of the oldest and most famous bullrings in Spain. In virtually every village and corner of the Costa del Sol, there is a fascinating relic that tells a story, from Mijas bullring, to the remains of Roman baths and hot springs. For more information visit TripAdvisor. Although, Tarifa is located on the neighbouring Costa de la Luz, there are plenty of historic landmarks that are worth visiting, such as the gateway to the quaint old town – the Puerto de Jerez and the Castillo Santa Catalina.
6. Do some serious shopping
If you enjoy shopping for designer clothes, art, jewellery, super cars or just the latest fashion from trendy Spanish brands, you can find it all on the Costa del Sol. Puerto Banús is synonymous with the luxury brands and designer boutiques, ranging from Gucci to Hermes. Then after you have given your credit card a workout, you can relax over a leisurely meal over the looking the yachts in the marina. You can also find several branches of Spain’s favourite department store, El Corte Ingles, in various locations, including Puerto Banús, Mijas and Málaga, where you can find everything from electrical goods to designer shoes. More stores can be found in the shopping malls in Fuengirola, La Cañada (Marbella) and Málaga, and there are plenty of shopping opportunities in Málaga’s smart new port Muelle Uno.
7. Enjoy the great outdoors
Hiking, cycling, swimming, sailing, jet skiing, stand-up paddle boarding or even taking a ride on an inflatable banana, are all popular activities on the Costa del Sol. The all-year-round temperate weather makes it possible to make the most of the wonderful beaches, Blue Flag beaches, National Parks and countryside. Whether you prefer a steady hike in the Sierra de las Nieves or crave the adrenalin of water sports and speed boats, there are plenty of opportunities along the Coast. Las Dunas Grand Luxury hotel’s concierge can apprise you of the best locations and assist with booking any organised tours, and we can even provide bicycle hire.
8. Marbella Old Town
One of the most iconic images of the Costa del Sol must be Marbella’s quaint, cobbled street old town. Where whitewashed houses shops and restaurants adorned with colourful flowers line the winding narrow streets. There Moorish fortress wall is still standing and can be seen from the beautiful Plaza de Las Naranjos, where you can sit in one of the many restaurants shaded by the orange trees and the Town Hall. Across the road in nearby Avenida del Mar, you can walk through a display of Dali sculptures and tapas bars as you head towards the beach.
Gastronomy is a big deal in Marbella, and there are plenty of opportunities for fine dining, including the Michelin starred Restaurante Skina, as well as enjoying a more economical bite at one of the many tapas bars. It is possible to book a tapas tour of the Old Town to help you get a local perspective as you discover the delights it has to offer.
9. Take a trip
You may not realise that the Costa de Sol is on the southernmost tip of Spain, which means Gibraltar is virtually on the doorstep and Morocco is just across the Gibraltar Strait This means you can explore Gibraltar’s unique culture and brave meeting the famous Barbary apes or hop on a ferry to Tangiers on an organised trip, where you can explore the city, watch snake charmers, enjoy a camel ride and still be back in Spain in time for dinner. Other popular trips are to Granada, Cordoba, Tarifa, Jerez and Ronda.
10. Sun and heat protection
Finally, on a serious note; it is important to remember that summers can be extremely hot on the Costa del Sol, so it would be a good idea to adopt Australia’s long-running “Slip, Slop, Slap” safety campaign. This refers to, slipping on a top, slopping on sun cream and slapping on a hat to protect yourself against sunburn and skin cancer. A hat will also help to protect you from overheating and suffering from sunstroke. Stay hydrated: During Spain’s hot summers it essential to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. It is also advisable not to indulge in too many alcoholic drinks during the heat of the day.
These are only a few examples of how you can make sure you have a great time on your first visit to the Costa del Sol. If you would like to know more about the sun-drenched beaches in Estepona and the wide range of attractions offered at Las Dunas Grand Luxury Hotel, visit our website www.lasdunascostadelsol.com for more information or call us on 951 082 090 or email: reservas@lasdunascostadelsol.com.
