Firstly you can find many roman ruins, the Roman theatre rest are near Plaza de la Merced. The Costa del Sol best known Castles are El Castillo de Gibralfaro and La Alcazaba fortress, they are both in the main city, next to the Roman theatre. The castles were built by the Moors that like in the Peninsula for more than 900 years. The Catholic Monarchs reconquered nearly the whole territory of Spain during the XV Century. If you visit Malaga , you certainly have to visit them. Bullfighting culture is also relevant in Malaga. In the center of Malaga you will find one but we recommend you Ronda Bullfighting arena, it is smaller than Malaga but has more historical value and a corrida museum.

The city has many other cultural attractions, too , such as its museums. The most popular one is also in the center, Picasso Museum, an abstract art exposition that is located in the center of Malaga, very near La Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle.

If you are interested in nature and you are coming with your children, we recommend to visit El Torcal de Antequera except in summer months. It has astonishing panoramic views of the countryside. In Selwo Marina and Selwo aventura there is a wide range of animals that can be seen in open field. Tivoli world theme park and several Water Parks are advised to be visited in Summer instead of the countryside.

La Axarquia region is next to Granada coast, it can be visited the whole year. During Spring, Autumn and Winter, you can visit many white villages such as Frigiliana, Iznate, Cutar and Alcaucin. You can leave for summer the coastal places such as Nerja, Rincon de la Victoria and Torre del Mar. The will offer you fantastic beaches and good shellfood and fish restaurants.

Finally , on the eastern coast we recomment Marbella, Mijas and Torremolinos. Marbella is a good place to enjoy nightlife, gastronomy and good accomodations, Mijas is the best place for white villages sightseeing and Torremolinos for family holidays.

In Malaga and its villages , you will find different local celebrations and festivities that are common to all villages such as semana santa, and the feria.

Velez Malaga beaches

Beginning from the coast of Torre del Mar and Caleta de Velez , a typical destiny for German visitors, you will fine a nice port if you are arriving in your yatch or just want to practice fishing. Torre del Mar is famous for its Pescaito restaurants and its long walks beside the sea until Playa Almayate in Velez Malaga. Next near Malaga city center you will find El Palo’s fine sand and fish restaurants.

Malaga beaches

La Playa del Palo is located next to El Candado marina, it is quite busy during the summer months because it has parking and pescaito restaurants. It offers a good walk trough the Paseo Maritimo.

Next we will find the beaches in from of the center of Malaga, the main beach is La Malagueta. It is accesible by bus and has many restaurants , bars and other facilities

Like in the rest of the Costa del Sol, for nearly the whole year, Torremolinos is the place in which tourists have the chance to enjoy warm climate of Malaga, and going shopping or just going along the beach.

Marbella and Estepona beaches

It is of great relevance the quantity of great beaches along the Costa Del Sol, from Puerto Banus to resorts in Marbella that will amaze golfers, and which not only have beachfront access but two holes playing along the Mediterranean. Please do not forget to visit Cabopino and San Pedro de Alcantara!  These beachfront restaurants are specialized in fresh seafood and and tapas bars.

A variety of cruises include Malaga in their voyages. Puerto Banus is famous for its brand name designer boutiques which are greatly welcome by well-to-do tourists. Marbella’s downtown owns small shops and El Corte Ingles , where visitor can find anything that they are looking for.

The beaches in Estepona are more than 21 km long. The offer 12 sandy beaches such as La Playa del Cristo or La Playa de la Rada which is located near the center. Costa Natura beach is one of the nudist beachs from Malaga, visited by all naturalists in Europe.

To begin with, if you are visiting the center of Malaga, the main places to be discovered are the restaurants and clubs that start from the end of Calle Larios , La Plaza de la Merced, Calle Granada and Calle Alcazabilla.  In these streets you will find numerous tapas bars and restaurants. We recommend you El Pimpi where you can taste typical Malaga’s moscatel wine and serrano ham. From Parador del Castillo de Gibralfaro you can obtain fantastic views of the city at night. Next to Malaga, you can easily get in bus to El Palo and Pedregalejo, those places are famous for the seafood served in “chiringuitos” next to the beach.

On the East, you will find Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Marbella. Puerto marina in Benalmadena is a good place for shopping, the shops are open nearly all night. The Disco Kiu, Beer Keller and Mango’s are the best known discos. The last one is especially visited by the British.  In Puerto Banus in Marbella you will find Dreamer’s disco. Its shop are also open at night, you will see luxury cars, shops, yatchs and restaurants. If you need more information, you can ask in any of malaga’s tourist information offices.

Ryanair (0871-246 0000, ryanair.com) flies from Birmingham, Bournemouth, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and Stansted.

Thomsonfly (0871 231 4787, flights.thomson.co.uk ) offers flghts from Newcastle, Birmingham, Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Machester, Leeds , Southhampton, Exeter, Glasgow and Liverpool.

EasyJet (0871-750 0100, easyjet.com) flies from Bristol, East Midlands, Glasgow, Liverpool, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle and the British Airways (0844-493 0787, ba.com) flies to Malaga from Heathrow and Gatwick.

Iberia is a good option (0034 807 11 70 11,iberia.com) if you are arriving from any Spanish destination: Madrid, Barcelone, Mallorca, Santander, etc.

Jet2 (0871-226 1737; jet2.com) flies from Blackpool, Leeds-Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle. Monarch (08700 405040, flymonarch.com) flies from Birmingham, Gatwick, Luton and Manchester. 

Holidays to Malaga can be easy to book and cheap!

You can find 3,700 car parking spaces although there are also some private car parking companies which have the same service than the parking of the airport but with more economic prices. These is also lavatories, special access and parking spaces for the disabled passengers all though the airport, they even can offer you extra assistance if you request it in advance. VIP rooms are set in the airport for those business travellers with telephone, fax and meeting rooms.

If you want to go shopping, Malaga airport offers you many options, and most are tax-free goods with bargains: clothing stores, book shops, souvenir shops, pharmacy, bank, gift shop, National Geographic store ,… The new T3 Terminal has got the biggest duty free shop in Spain and the third one in the world. When you head for restaurants, you will find many different options. Starbucks café, pubs, Burger King, Caffe Ritazza, and other airport cofee shops where you can buy hot drinks, refreshments, cakes, fast food and baguettes.

Many travellers opt to rent a car in Malaga airport, although airport transfers, train, bus and taxis are available. The best way to hire a car is not when you have arrived in Malaga but using car hire comparison engines on the Internet. As you may now in the airport of Malaga you will find a large number of car rentals, this would be the best way to find cheaps flights or bargain cars. Car hire is the best option if you want to visit the numerous Malaga villages although the airport is well connected with the rest of transports.

If you need a taxi instead, the taxi rank is outside the arrivals of the airport building in a long queue waiting for their customers.  If you prefer taking a bus , it will stop in the same place as the taxis, in arrivals.

Malaga aiport adress: Avda. García Morato 29004 Málaga. Telephone 0034 902 404 704

We recommend Malaga weather BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/198 , it has 5 day forecast, wind direction, maximun and minimun temperatures included in case you are coming to visit Malaga during your holidays. This information will also be available in Malaga airport.

The average temperature in Malaga is 18.6 °C. altough temperatures in Winter and Summer are completely different from minimun 30ºC in August to 9ºC in Winter months. The warmer months are June, July and August and the coolest November, December and January. If you think of Malaga for your summer holidays to spend some time on the beach or swimming pool, it is advisable to go in June as it is not so crowded as in the rest of the year although you should bring a sweater for the windy days. If you cannot avoid peak season in August, temperatures are the highest but the sea breezes makes temperatures softer. During high season do not forget clother that make you feel cool.

The rest of the year (from October to April) the weather tends to be unpredictable, you can find hot days in Winter and the next day it can become cooler with some sporadic rain and humidity.

You can find a map of Malaga down town and Torremolinos on the following link where you will find also information of the city landmarks.  http://www.map-of-spain.co.uk/large_map_of_malaga.htm 

Antequera’s landmarks are the Arab castle, the bull-fighting arena, Arco de los Gigantes, Santa Maria la Mayor Chuch, and Menga Caves.  http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=antequera%20spain&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl 

Benalmadena village is well-known for the nightlife in Puerto Marina although it also represents the typical white Andalusian village with its flowers on the balconies and its splendid views of the coast. You can also visit La Paloma Park which is very near the beach. You have the map in this link: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=es&q=benalmadena&lr=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Mijas is only 30 kilometers from Malaga capital, The village is spread in the Sierra de Mijas mountain range. It has amazing views of the sea, Fuengirola, Benalmadena and the mountains that can be more easily explored on foot. You can find there the typical donkey Taxi too, popularised in the 60s. http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=es&q=mijas&lr=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Frigiliana is easily reached by bus from Nerja. Its streets are long with endless whitewashed houses and flowers, all with arab esence! This is a map of the city: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=es&q=frigiliana&lr=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

You can visit Ronda taking a bus from Marbella. It has everything that you can be looking for! It has a famous bullfighting ring “Real Maestranza de Ronda”, the astonishing views of El Puente Nuevo, Iglesia Mayor and Salvatierra Palace.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=es&q=ronda&lr=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

We can include other relevant courses such as Baviera Golf. Although this is a challenging course even for the most experienced golfers, it has been designed with five tees at each hole.

Or if you are thinking about countryside environment, book a tee-time at Alhaurin Golf 15km outside the city in the impressive surroundings of the Sierra de Mijas Mountain.

 Golf courses in Malaga.

Now let us have into account further Andalusian golf courses ,there are more than 50 courses to choose from along the Costa del Sol, the oldest of which is nearest to the airport is the Parador Hotel Malaga golf course, very near Malaga center, next to Torremolinos. This 18-hole course comes with a Parador hotel attached as it brings accomodations.

Golf packages.

A number of companies specialise in arranging golf packages, the largest of which is Golf breaks.com (0800 279 7988). It offers regional ready-packaged trips in a wide range of mainland coastal destinations .

They can also organise the holidays that best fits to your interests, although flights must be booked separately. Prices vary according to the needs, but among the this company most recent offers is a three-night excursion at La Cala, on the Costa del Sol , available in Spring and Summer.

 Golf lessons and golf academies.

If this is your case, combining some lessons with a trip to Spain could be the answer to your needs.
The Moncur Golf Academy (00 34 952 813999; moncur golfacademy.com) is based at the Santa Clara Golf Club in Marbella, and offers group courses of two days, costing €180, or five days, costing €380, you can also book it individually and starting lessons. They look the hotels for you if you require so.

We offer you also the services by Greatgolfholidays.com (01462 437611) it can set together the best known golf courses on Malaga coast; the requests must be sent by e-mail to them who will then propose a taylor-made visit to the Costa del Sol.

NH Malaga Hotel is located near the Corte Ingles department store and a short walk from the historic centre of the city. This hotel is modern and has a discreet atmosphere. It is an escape to the city noise.

If you’re staying at the Hotel Andalucia Plaza Hotel, you’re near the heart of Puerto Banus – where a strip of bars, clubs and restaurants stay open late. Marbella Old Town: Few historical city squares are as quaint and charming as Marbella’s “Orange Square,” which dates back to the 15th century and is filled with flowers and orange trees.

Molina Lario Hotel is located in the centre of Malaga , this hotel is housed in a 19th century building. It is very modern and decorated Art deco style. It has parking available and a roof top terrace which is only open in summer but if you ask you may be allowed up out of season - its magnificient sightviews are worthy.

 
Malaga Centro Hotel is quite near the centre at a 5 to 10 minute walking. The shopping area is over there. If you are looking for calm and peace, this part of Malaga is your place . Staff are very friendly and helpful. They have a small swimming pool and a minirestaurant with fresh drinks.
 
AC Malaga Palacio Hotel offers magnificent views of the harbour, the park and the cathedral.  The restaurant offers international and Spanish food. The hotel also has a fitness centre with sauna , gym, and a steam room. 

Hotels in Torremolinos

Appart from beach oriented holiday makers, Torremolinos is considered as a world famous cosmopolitan city witha big hotel infrastructure of 3 – 4 stars. The hotels represent 40% of the total accomodations appart from 500 seats for camping. Las Palomas Hotel is a 3 stars located in La Carihuela, it has swimming pool, restaurant and is placed in an area which is very near the sea.

El Pinar Hotel EH El Pinar hotel in Torremolinos is located in a leafy pine wood. Most of the rooms have sea or mountain views. Torremolinos is your place if you need to find a destination which is near to the airport.

Hotels in Marbella

Now moving on to Marbella, The Don Carlos hotel is an elegant five star which is very close to Marbella. We are offering you this hotel because of its fantastic beach, one of Marbella’s best, with its excellent facilities. Within the hotel are three excellent restaurants.

Grand Hotel Guadalpin and Spa Marbella is located only 400 metres from the beach and very near the city center, you will enjoy both the spa and its culinary variety.
 
 

If you are arriving by flight to Malaga, you can directly hire a car at Malaga Airport or even the train station if you prefer. The best known companies for Malaga car hire are Avis, Europcar and Sixt, they offer you a high quality service and very competitive prices although the cheapest car hire you can find are Aurigacrown, Record and Easycar. It is our advice to choose from a car hire company which has the conditions that best suits to you as not all of them have the same rental conditions. For example, there are some car hire companies that accept unlimited kilometres whereas other of them will offer you to return full tank of fuel.

If you prefer book a car hire in advance on the Internet, it will give some opportunity to examine contracts, agreements and procedures before committing money, it will provide you some chance of getting to grips if a contract goes wrong. Otherwise, using a credit card, where there may be some support for a rip-off. Besides, if you arrange the car hire reservation on the internet you have the possibility to translate easily the contracts on your own language. 

Particularly at summer season when Malaga  car rental desks are hectic, are too often vulnerable to the potential for hire firms to accidentally or deliberately overcharge so please prepare your car hire bookings with enough advance.

Compared to last summer some car hire companies have already raised their prices as much as 40% in Malaga aiport or Malaga train station for the most popular models during the high season months and it is expected that there may be more increases even for dates which are traditionally considered as relatively slow periods, like the months of May, June or October. That’s why we recommend you to shop around and compare the prices, but without leaving the final decision of the car rental to the last minute.