Spain’s sunny Costa del Sol is without a doubt one of the most popular holiday destinations for not only the British but their fellow northern Europeans as well.
Blessed with near-perfect weather, glorious beaches, championship golf courses and world-class marinas, the Costa del Sol has everything you need to enjoy a perfect sun and sea holiday.
Whether it is the upmarket resorts of Marbella, Puerto Banus and Sotogrande or the family-friendly towns of Fuengirola, Benalmadena and Torremolinos the Costa del Sol has something to suit all tastes and budgets.
While it is fair to say that the some parts of the coastline are more built up and touristy, there are places to the east of Malaga that still remain unspoilt with barely a tourist in sight.
Getting to the Costa Del Sol
The Costa Del Sol is located in southern spain and the main airport serving the region is Malaga’s AGP airport. There are great transport options available including buses, trains and you can even book transfers from malaga airport to make getting to your destination easy.
Now we know how to reach the Costa Del Sol, lets take a look at its 3 unspoilt gems that you must visit!
Maro
Located just a 13-minute drive up the road from Nerja at the eastern end of the Costa del Sol is the village of Maro. Surrounded by sugar cane fields, Maro has kept its charm thanks to the Larios family’s reluctance to sell their estate to developers.
The beaches around Maro remain off the tourist radar mainly due to their lack of access. Sitting at the bottom of steep cliffs with only the odd local or two to keep you company the walk down from the cliff top is worth the reward at the bottom where you will find crystal clear water teeming with marine life.
Declared a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI), the 12 kilometre stretch of coastline around Maro is the perfect place to go sea kayaking. Caves, massive waterfalls and secret hidden coves are all part of the adventure that lies in wait for the intrepid explorer. Also, don’t forget to bring your mask and snorkel as Maro is the best place on the Costa del Sol to go swimming while being surrounded by fish.
Frigiliana
Often called the prettiest village in all of Spain, the white-washed Moorish village of Frigiliana is unspoilt by tourism despite having amazing views down the valley to the Mediterranean Sea.With narrow winding streets built centuries before the invention of the automobile, it is best to tackle the village on foot.
Almost like stepping into a film set, the entire village looks like it just received a fresh coat of paint and that the local residents go out of their way to ensure flower pots are placed on every available space. As you walk around the village you are reminded of its rich history and turbulent past by a series of picturesque ceramic plaques adorned with Christian and Islamic symbols.
Many of the bars and restaurants in Frigiliana have rooftop terraces where you can stop for a drink and have lunch while enjoying the view.
In recent years Frigiliana has attracted its share of artists and artisan workers all eager to sell you a unique reminder of your visit and while it might seem a little touristy, Frigiliana has lost none of its authentic Spanish feel.
Mijas Pueblo
Tucked high on the side of a mountain not far from Malaga, Mijas Pueblo offers visitors stunning views that stretch all the way from Torremolinos to Gibraltar. Sometimes on a clear day, you can even see the outline of mountains across the sea in Morocco.
Full of history dating back to the Phoenicians, Mijas Pueblo has played host to several civilizations who have all left their mark on this pretty inland town as you will notice in the various architectural styles. It’s a pleasure strolling around this pretty village with its quaint shops selling all sorts of handmade trinkets and authentic leather goods.
One unique feature of Mijas Pueblo that you will find nowhere else is its unique carriage taxis pulled by donkeys. Some feel concerned about the donkeys being used in this way but but there is a strict set of rules to ensure that the donkeys are well cared for to ensure they are not being abused in any way.
While using donkeys to transport people around town may seem very touristy it’s actually how the locals got around and transported their goods for hundreds of years.
