The Costa del Sol is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Europeans and in particual us Brits, with thousands of us flying over to Malaga every year to enjoy what the Costa del Sol has to offer. We’ve taken a look at exactly what makes the Costa del Sol such as popular holiday destination…

Great climate
The Costa del Sol is regarded as having one of the worlds finest climates. Average temperatures range between 36°C in July and August and 15°C in January so whether your there for a summer holiday or a winter break you can be sure the weather will be great. The Mediterranean Sea also offers a cool breeze to give the region a pleasant climate all year around.

A unique range of resorts
The Costa del Sol is a large region made up of a great range of towns and villages that have developed into holiday hotspots. There are traditional Spanish towns such as Estepona and quite villages like Pueblo that are ideal for holiday makers looking to relax and escape the rush of everyday life. The Costa del Sol also caters for party animals and offers some of Europe’s most prestigious nightlife in Marbella and Puerto Banus.

Great natural wonders
The Costa del Sol has some lovely areas of natural beauty that offer a refreshing contrast to the urbanised tourist resorts. The Malaga region boasts 23 natural parks including Montes de Malaga and Sierra de las Nieves to name just two. Behind the coastline the region becomes hilly and there are plenty of parks, small forests and lakes where you can enjoy being at one with nature with a fantastic climate.

Costa del Sol, a paradise found in the province of Malaga in Spain, is known for its golden sand, warm seas, and booming tourist district. The long stretch of beaches is dotted with numerous establishments ranging from cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs whilst behind them into the hills lie luxurious villas and apartments that make a holiday in the Costa del Sol a fantastic break from everyday life. However the Costa del Sol is not just about basking in the sun. There are many more attractions that draw tourists to the Costa del Sol. The area is blessed with a rich ecosystem and culture that makes it a perfect holiday destination in Spain.

Here are some facts that you probably never knew about the Mediterranean paradise that is the Costa del Sol…

Recent reports suggest that flights to the Costa del Sol are amongst the cheapest from airfllghts.co.uk. Flights to Malaga are reported by ABTA as being down in price. It is believed that it is fuelled by people visiting the Costa del Sol looking to buy cut price apartments in the region. With great deals to be had such as two bedroom apartments reduced in price by upto 30% its no suprised that the area is again becoming attractive to property investors.

The Press and Journal reports that because exchange rates and mortgage costs have become increasingly favourable buying in both Spain and Portugal has become more competitive and this is backed by research undertaken by the money exchange firm Currency Index Ltd.

When it comes to spotting glamour supercars there aren’t many places that will give Monaco a run for its money, but one place that certainly does is the Costa del Sol and in particular Marbella, the Costa’s hotspot for the rich and famous.

Drenched in glowing sunshine, golden beaches, large luxury hillside villas and an array of attractions it’s no wonder that the Costa del Sol attracts so many cash rich businesspeople, retired sportsmen, musicians and actors. With so much money flying round it’s no wonder that the streets of Marbella are often seen lined with expensive supercars including Lamborghini’s, Ferrari’s, Aston Martin’s, Rolls Royce’s and Bentley’s. Unlike some of the gloomy backstreets of Britain these stunning motors just seem to fit in with the rest of the expensive scenery, as they pull up at the Puerto Banus marina next to million dollar private yachts.

Take a look at some of the fabulous cars that have been snapped in the Costa del Sol…

Great beaches to visit during your Costa del Sol holiday

One of the most renowned holiday destinations in Spain is the Costa del Sol, home to numerous well-kept beaches lying on more than 150 kilometers of golden, powder like sand. The Costa del Sol translates as the ‘Coast of the Sun’ in Spanish and the great beaches around the region is a testament to this name. Tourists flock to the Costa del Sol because of its beautiful beaches and the numerous outdoor activities that can be done here all year round like scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, fishing, and boating.

There’s so much on offer in the Costa del Sol that a two week stay would be highly recommended. On one of the many Costa del Sol beaches, tourists can hire a sun-bed and take advantage of shower facilities. A stay will not be complete without trying chargrilled sardines coupled with cold drinks while admiring the clear Mediterranean waters of Costa del Sol.

The Costa del Sol has recently been nicknamed by many as the California of Europe and that’s not because of it’s year round sunshine and endless stretches of beaches with golden sand but because it’s becoming an increasingly popular place to shoot movies. The beautiful bright sunshine and clear Mediterranean Sea make the Costa an ideal location for filming. The south of Spain has been on the movie-makers map for many years, but in recent times the area has become increasingly popular thanks to investment in new studios and increased exposure of new filming locations such as Marbella.

Historically Puerto Banus was the Costa del Sol’s only location that American and European film makers would consider using for the backdrops of their big screen productions, but with new exposure of locations such as Marbella and better facilities the future looks bright for the Costa del Sol film industry, and here’s a selection of some movies, old and new, that have been set and filmed in the Costa del Sol.

If you’re traveling to Spain this summer why not take a look at our travel resources page for some great tips and recommended suppliers for your holiday extras. We’ve got information on how to find the best cheap flights to Malaga Airport, great value car hire in the Costa del Sol, travel insurance tips and suppliers , and airport taxis to your villa or apartment.

Our travel resources section is designed to offer independent advice on how to get the most out of your holiday in the Costa del Sol by recommending good value and reliable suppliers along with helpful information.

At Costadelvillas.co.uk we’ve recently launched a brand new news service that will help to keep you up to date with everything’s that’s happening in the Costa del Sol right up until your holiday. The service is designed to report short news feature’s on various topical issues in the region and also host in-depth features on various holiday topics.

We started the service with a feature about driving in Spain, a short guide designed to set your mind at ease if your planning on driving in Spain for the first time. You can read the article and check out all the latest Costa del Sol news here: Costa del Sol news and features.

The Western Costa del Sol is receiving further funding to improve public facilities. The region has already been granted 2 million euros to spend on cleaning the coast line including beaches and promenade areas. The news will be gratefully received by local business owners who have seen a drop in tourist numbers due to the economic downtown. The Costa del Sol is already regarded as one of the best holiday destinations thanks to it’s fantastic weather, endless attractions and general tidiness. Small signs are already starting to show that the economy is making a steady recovery and industry experts predict a growth in 2010 visitor numbers – so things are really starting to look bright for the Costa del Sol.

The Duchess of Alba is one of Spain’s richest aristocrat but she could face losing her Costa del Sol home due to the new law which threatens thousands of homes in the region.
The Spanish government are keen to tidy up the countries coast and the new law states that any land within 100m of a shoreline if public property and bans building within the area. The Duchesses Marbella home has fallen victim to this new law enforcement and she now has eight days to prove that a section of her land which leads to Casablanca beach was built with full legal permissions.