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Andalusia: Costa del Sol
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The Costa del Sol needs no introduction. Overcrowded seaside resorts such as Torremolinos are very well known by sun worshippers. People sometimes forget that there are also cultural points of interest in this coastal area, such as Ronda and Marbella. The Costa del Sol is also an excellent place to visit if you are a golf enthusiast. It offers everything a golf player could want: a wide range of well-equipped golf courses and 300 days of sunshine a year.
Malaga
The history of this city also goes back well before the Christian era. Now it is a port with more than half a million inhabitants. If you are staying at the Costa del Sol, your visit would not be complete without a visit to Malaga. The public transport links are excellent and there are endless shopping possibilities in this city. As points of interest, you should definitely visit the cathedral and the Alcazaba, which is a former Moorish castle built against a hill and includes an archaeological museum and a ruin of a Roman theatre. If you walk up the hill a bit further, you will also find the ruins of the Castillo de Gibralfaro. If you climb on top of the remains of this castle, you will get a gorgeous view of the port and the city. You can complete your cultural visit with several museums, churches and squares.
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From Torremolinos to Benalmadena
Beach and golfing holidays are the operative words here. If you are allergic to mass tourism, then please stay away. Beautiful beaches, well-equipped golf courses, all types of accommodation, magnificent weather and loads of sports and leisure possibilities are all ingredients for success in this coastal area. The traditional architecture and original Andalusian atmosphere have made way for British pubs, fast food restaurants and high apartment blocks. Paradise to some, a disaster area to others.
Marbella
If you take a walk through the marina just outside of town, you can see that this is the seaside resort of the rich. Marbella is a city of about 100,000 inhabitants and has gorgeous designer shopping streets. The nightlife is varied and exclusive, so expect high prices. The beaches are immaculate and their facilities are among the very best. Golf and other sports abound. There are no real points of interest besides a small museum and a church.
Ronda
Ronda is a spectacular city as it is built on top of a rock to make it easier to defend it from invaders. This architectural feat was achieved by the Moores, who were nevertheless beaten here by the Christians in 1485. Ronda deserves a visit just because of its unusual location. The bridges that take you to the old town offer fabulous views. There are many beautiful buildings to visit, but make sure not to miss the Palacio de Mondragon, which also houses the city museum.
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a famous piece of the UK in Spain. It is not part of Andalusia and is quite different from all the other places in the area. Gibraltar's high rock is of strategic importance to control the nearby Strait, which provides access to the Mediterranean. Many tourists visit the rock, but there aren't many points of interest. There is a museum about the history of the territory, a castle and a nature reserve at the top of the rock with Gibraltar's famous monkeys. You can get to the rock by funicular. If you want to go shopping, go to the high street.
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Photo: © Photographer: Pixbilder | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Text: GVDV/RD - © AT-Europe bvba
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