Costa del Sol: The Golden Mile of the Mediterranean
What is the Costa del Sol?
🌞 A Mediterranean Paradise with a Name of Its Own
The Costa del Sol is much more than a tourist destination. It is a lifestyle, an enviable climate with over 320 days of sunshine a year and an average annual temperature of 19°C that makes it the perfect place to escape the cold and enjoy the Mediterranean at any time of year.
This coastline in the province of Málaga, stretching more than 150 kilometres from Nerja to Manilva, is a mosaic of contrasts where white villages perched on mountains coexist with vibrant cities full of history and some of the most exclusive marinas in the world.
From THE SUN PLACES, we invite you to discover this Andalusian gem. It is not only about its famous fine‑sand beaches, but also about its rich cultural offering, top‑level gastronomy and luxury infrastructure that have made it the favourite destination of the international jet set and the European capital of golf.
What is the History of the Costa del Sol?
📜 A Journey Through Time: From Phoenicians to the Jet Set
The history of the Costa del Sol is written in its stones and its people. The first to settle were the Phoenicians, founding Malaka (present‑day Málaga) around 770 BC, drawn by its strategic natural harbour. Later, the Romans Romanised the region, turning it into a prosperous commercial and agricultural centre, leaving a legacy of villas and baths that we can still visit today.
But the great tourist take‑off of the area came in the 20th century. In 1928 the first golf course was built in Torremolinos, and in the 1950s, Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe founded the Marbella Club Hotel, attracting European aristocracy and Hollywood stars. Shortly afterwards, the visionary José Banús materialised his dream of a luxury marina: Puerto Banús, inaugurated in 1970 with a legendary party attended by the princes of Spain and Monaco, Roman Polanski and a young Julio Iglesias.
The name "Costa del Sol" became popular thanks to promotional campaigns that sold this paradise of "sun and beach" to tourists from Northern Europe. Today, with more than 1.4 million inhabitants, The Costa del Sol is one of the most important tourist destinations in Spain, receiving millions of visitors every year.
Where is the Costa del Sol?
🏖️ A Tour of its Essential Municipalities
The Costa del Sol offers a wide variety of experiences, each municipality with a unique personality:
- Nerja: Famous for its stunning Balcón de Europa, a cliff‑top viewpoint with views of the Mediterranean, and for the spectacular Caves of Nerja, which house cave paintings and unique geological formations.
- Torremolinos and Benalmádena: Lively destinations with a wide range of leisure activities, urban beaches and the vibrant Puerto Marina in Benalmádena, a luxury complex that is also a tourist attraction in itself. In Benalmádena Pueblo, don't miss the Colomares Castle Monument and the Butterfly Park.
- Fuengirola: With its Arab castle Sohail as a backdrop, it has a long promenade and very family‑friendly beaches.
- Marbella: The heart of luxury on The Costa del Sol. Its Old Town with the Plaza de los Naranjos contrasts with the modern and exclusive Golden Mile and the glamorous Puerto Banús, full of superyachts and designer boutiques.
- Estepona: Known as the "Garden of The Costa del Sol", it has revitalised its old town with flower pots and orchids, offering a more authentic and tranquil experience.
- Sotogrande: An exclusive enclave recognised for its world‑class sports facilities, notably the Valderrama golf course, host of the 1997 Ryder Cup.
🏌️♂️ The Costa del Sol, the European Capital of Golf
For sports lovers, The Costa del Sol is, without a doubt, paradise. With the highest concentration of golf courses in continental Europe (over 70 in the province), it has earned the nickname "Costa del Golf". Designed by renowned architects such as Robert Trent Jones Sr. or the Spaniard Javier Arana, courses like Valderrama, Sotogrande, Los Naranjos and Aloha are a must‑visit for any golfer. A mild climate that allows play 365 days a year completes the perfect experience for this sport.
🍤 A Gastronomic Journey through the Mediterranean
Gastronomy is another of the great pillars of The Costa del Sol. Málaga's cuisine reflects its seafaring history and fertile market gardens.
- The Sardine Espeto: It is the undisputed gastronomic emblem of the area. You can't leave without trying sardines skewered on a wooden cane and grilled over wood at the traditional beach bars (chiringuitos).
- Fried Fish (Pescaíto Frito): Anchovies, squid, sole... all kinds of fresh fish coated in flour and fried in olive oil.
- Traditional Dishes: Gazpacho and ajoblanco are cold soups ideal for hot weather. In the inland villages, hearty dishes like maimones soup or "plato de los montes" (rabbit, chicken and vegetables) are very popular.
- The Chiringuito Culture: More than just a beach restaurant, they are a social institution where you can enjoy Mediterranean food with your feet in the sand in a relaxed and festive atmosphere.
🛥️ Beyond Sun and Sand on the Costa del Sol
Leisure and Culture on The Costa del Sol
The leisure offering goes far beyond "sun and sand". In addition to the golf courses, you will find marinas in every municipality to rent yachts and enjoy water sports. For culture lovers, the city of Málaga has established itself as an artistic reference with the Picasso Museum, the Pompidou Centre Málaga and the Carmen Thyssen Museum.
The city also houses historical treasures such as the Alcazaba (one of the best‑preserved Muslim fortifications in Spain) and the Roman Theatre, witnesses to the city's Roman past.
Where to Stay on the Costa del Sol?
🏡 THE SUN PLACES: Your Luxury Retreat on The Costa del Sol
At THE SUN PLACES, we know that The Costa del Sol is a destination to be experienced in capitals. That is why we offer you our exclusive selection of Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús and the most privileged locations: from the heart of Marbella and the glamour of Puerto Banús to the tranquillity of Estepona.
🌟 Why stay with THE SUN PLACES?
- Privileged Location: Enjoy properties located on the beachfront, in the heart of the Golden Mile or with panoramic views of the best golf courses.
- Absolute Comfort: Our accommodation offers spacious areas, equipped kitchens, private terraces and top‑level services so you feel at home, but with the luxury of a 5‑star hotel.
- Expert Concierge: Our local team will help you book the best golf courses, secure a table at the most exclusive restaurants (such as Skina or Nobu), rent a yacht in Puerto Banús or discover the most authentic corners of the white villages.
- The Perfect Retreat: After a day of golf, shopping or beach, return to a space of tranquility and elegance to disconnect and recharge.
"The Costa del Sol is a symphony of light, sea and mountains. A place where luxury and tradition come together in an eternal embrace. At THE SUN PLACES, we open the doors to this Mediterranean paradise for you to experience it with the comfort and elegance you deserve."
📞 Contact THE SUN PLACES to book your luxury apartment on The Costa del Sol. Sun, sea and the best gastronomy await you on the Mediterranean.