Highlights
Marbella
Celebrities flock to Marbella in large numbers due to its upmarket designer emporia, beautiful sun-drenched beaches and luxurious hotels and resorts. The cosmopolitan atmosphere, mild climate and world-class nightlife also makes Marbella one of Spain’s favourite destination for travellers worldwide. Marbella’s charming Old Town creates a glimpse into the towns past with its gorgeous flower-filled plazas and narrow cobbled streets, and Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Tree Square) is replete with delightful shops and art galleries.
Puerto Banus
Just 7km from the centre of Marbella is the famous superyacht-filled marina of Puerto Banus, often referred to as Spain's equivalent of St. Tropez or Monaco. If you’re after a dose of glamour, spend your days perusing designer boutiques, from Christian Dior to Versace and Louis Vuitton to Cartier, relaxing at glamourous beach clubs and sampling unparalleled gastronomy. Away from the water’s edge, explore charming narrow streets and market stalls in Plaza Antonio Banderas, named after the famous actor, and in the evening, stroll around the marina which comes to life with its lively bars and nightclubs.
Málaga's Sights
Totally different from the adjoining Costa del Sol, Málaga is a cultural and historical delight. Málaga’s restored historic centre is a wonderful sight to behold: the Gothic Catedral de Málaga is the centrepiece, you can also climb its tower and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city and the coast. The cathedral is surrounded by narrow streets, flanked by traditional and contemporary bars, and shops. Looming over the wonderful red tiled roofs and lofty apartment buildings is the iconic 11th-century Gibralfaro castle, a remnant of Málaga’s Islamic past which was built by Ad bar-Rahman I.
Málaga's Art Galleries
Discover the wealth of art that is on offer in Málaga, especially the Museo Picasso which has an enviable collection of 204 works and includes beautiful painting of the family, including the heartfelt Paulo con gorro blanco (Paulo with a white cap), a portrait of Picasso’s eldest son that was painted in the 1920s. Another brilliant space to discover fantastic pieces is the Centre Pompidou Málaga, a derivative of the Paris Pompidou Centre and is housed in a modern building with a playful multicoloured cube on top. Unearth Kader Attia’s extraordinary Ghost and other modern masters including Francis Bacon, Frida Kahlo and Antoni Tapies.
Cueva de Nerja
Take a marvellous trip away from the fabulous beaches for an unforgettable trip to the Cuerva de Nerja. The gigantic 4km-long cave complex in Nerja was hollowed out by water around five million years ago and once inhabited by Stone Age hunters, this cave complex offers extraordinary rock formations, colours and stalagmites and stalactites. During the summer months the caves offer brilliant ballet and flamenco performances inside this vast cavernous space.
Golf
If golf is your passion, Costa del Sol is the best region in Spain to tee-off. Nicknamed Costa del Golf, thanks to over 60 golf courses stretching from Malaga to Sotogrande, famous courses in the heart of ‘golf valley’ include Real Club Valderrama and La Quinta, both consistently ranked amongst the world’s best. The exclusive Marbella Club Golf Resort is also home to contoured fairways, beautiful waterfalls, lakes, strategically placed bunkers and protected greens, created by world-renowned designer Dave Thomas, and the 7,500ft-long Cabell Robinson-designed course at Finca Cortesin is one of the longest to play in Europe.