My Holidays From Dublin Travel Guide – Costa Del Sol
[wp_geo_map]It’s no wonder Costa del Sol translates into “Sunshine Coast”… With over 300 days of sunshine a year this region is a real holiday hot spot… Stretching from Nerja in the east to Gibraltar in the west the resorts of Puerto Banus, Benalmadena, Fuengirola & Torremolinos are all hugely popular with Irish tourists.
Getting There
Malaga International Airport welcomes about 2,000,000 tourists every year and is well equipped to do so. The Airport is very well served by both charter and scheduled flights. Several low cost airlines operate out of Malaga so if you’re not going down the package holiday route finding a flight shouldnt be an issue. If you havent booked a package holiday that includes transfers, and dont plan on hiring a car, taxis can be found outisde the main terminal. Care should be taken to agree a price in advance…
Where to Sleep
The four main resorts mentioned above are all well equipped to handle the annual influx of tourists. The south-western part of the Costa has been highly developed since the 60s and geared totally towards international tourism. The eastern Costa, while developed to a point and in no way lacking facilites, will facilitate a quieter and more scenic holiday. If you’re staying outside the main tourist centres of the costa you’ll find serviced apartment rental the accomidation of choice for most people, thankfully high rise hotels dont feature in these areas.
Where to Eat
Another region of Southern Spain where huge levels of tourism has resulted in most culinary tastes being well catered for. Tapas are extremely popular, which many streets in Puerto Banus and the other regions lined with Tapas Bars.
Paella again is a firm favourite in most beach bars and can be ordered with fish or meat or even a combination of the two. Paella is the epitome of all things Spanish and usually washed down with a jug or three of sangria.
Pill Pill is a prawn dish, also reccomended for those with a taste for seafood. Fresh prawns in sizzling garlic olive oil.
Where to Drink
The Costa is a large region and where you are in the region will dictate the pace and price of the nightlife. There are pubs and bars no matter which resort you find yourself in but the highlights are as follows,
- Malaga – Malaga is largely a quiet experience with many locals preferring the ambience of the Tapas bars for their low key night out. There are Irish pubs to be found here along with student disco-pubs so its not guaranteed to be a bed before 12 affair.
- Marbella – Home of the Jet Set junkies Marbella will attract everything from the glitterati to the wannabes. Marbella boasts top clubbing at top prices. You’ll be mingling with the beautiful people but you’ll be paying for the privilege. If you do find yourself in Puerto Banus “the strip” is lined with both Irish and English bars that will be heaving with people during the summer months.
- Torremolinos – Wild parties and wild people Torre boasts large scale clubbing at its finest. You’ll be lost in a sea of tourists here all with the same insatiable thirst for alcohol
Usefull Links
Official Costa Del Sol Tourist Information | Mallorca Travel Guide from WikiTravel | Mallorca from Wikipedia