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If you are looking for sun, beautiful scenery and a relaxed atmosphere, then Costa del Sol will tick all those boxes! Costa del Sol is a region in the south of Spain which attracts many tourists year in, year out - once you’ve been to one of the popular cities, we are sure you’ll want to visit again. The airport you will fly into is called Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport and here we would recommend you look into car hire Malaga airport - by having a car you have the freedom to explore all of Costa del Sol and not have to rely on public transport or taxis. 

So what to do when you land and want to explore the Costa del Sol? Below we have listed three popular cities in Costa del Sol that you may want to visit on your holiday. 

Malaga 

There are many reasons you should visit Malaga when exploring the Costa del Sol. One, you have its impressive beach which spans over 150 kilometres (this is one of the biggest reasons people visit Malaga). Two, Malaga has plenty of history for you to discover, you can learn about this in one of the 36 museums in the city. Three, there is a popular food scene, with a whole variety of restaurants, showing off different cultures. Malaga is a short journey from the airport, only a 17-minute drive to the centre when the traffic is good, making it a good place to start on your holiday. 

Marbella

Marbella is a beautiful town on the Costa del Sol, where you can enjoy the sun, sand, and the sea. Out at sea, you can go snorkelling, sailing & dolphin watching or go on a catamaran tour amongst other things. On the sand, you can enjoy the views of crystal clear waters (whilst sipping a cocktail - or two - from the local beach club) and a calming walk. And on land, you can dine in some award-winning restaurants, stay in a luxury five-star resort and explore the old town or Puerto Banus Marina. There is so much to see and do in Marbella! We recommend putting a list together of things you want to see and do before visiting, this way you don’t miss out. Some attractions get busy in the summer months, so it’s advisable for you to book them in advance in order to not miss out.  

Benalmadena 

The running theme of this piece is that Costa del Sol has many, wonderful beaches to visit and this doesn’t change when you visit Benalmadena. Whether you are travelling solo, as a couple, with your family or children, there is something for everyone to do - It’s got a lot of visitor attractions, a great nightlife as well as things to do with your kids, such as Selwo Marina. Benalmadena is an affordable destination with a range of accommodation options from entry-level to five-star luxury. 

Are you planning a trip to Costa del Sol and will you be staying in one of the above cities? Have you been to Costa del Sol before and what were your favourite things about it? Is there anything we are missing in our guide that you think we should add? Let us know in the comment box below.