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Spain · Andalusia

Málaga & the Costa del Sol travel guide

Picasso's home city and 300 days of sunshine on the coast

The Alcazaba, Málaga. Photo: Fernando, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2h 30mflight from London
AGPnearest main airport
25° in Augwarmest month
13° in Jancoolest month

Málaga used to be the airport you passed through on the way to the beach. Now it's a destination in its own right, with a Moorish fortress, the Picasso Museum and a buzzing old town.

The Costa del Sol stretches either side: Torremolinos and Benalmádena for classic beach holidays, Marbella for glamour, and Nerja to the east for cliffs and coves.

Good forBeachesWinter sunArtFamily holidays

Top things to do in Málaga & the Costa del Sol

  1. 1

    The Alcazaba and Gibralfaro

    A Moorish fortress and castle on the hill above the port, with views along the coast.

  2. 2

    Picasso Museum

    Over 200 works by the artist, who was born a few streets away.

  3. 3

    Caminito del Rey

    A walkway pinned to the walls of a deep gorge, an hour inland. Book ahead.

  4. 4

    Nerja and its caves

    Cliff-top views from the Balcón de Europa, and a huge cave system nearby.

  5. 5

    Marbella old town

    Whitewashed squares and orange trees, a world away from Puerto Banús's yachts.

  6. 6

    Espetos on the beach

    Sardines grilled on skewers over a fire in an old boat. Try them in Pedregalejo.

Tours and tickets in Málaga

Where to stay in Málaga & the Costa del Sol

  • Málaga centre

    For a city break with beaches nearby.

  • Torremolinos and Benalmádena

    Good-value beach resorts, 15 to 25 minutes from the airport.

  • Marbella and Nerja

    Smarter resorts with prettier old towns, further from the airport.

Find a hotel in Málaga

Best time to visit Málaga & the Costa del Sol

Best value: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. April to June and September to October. It's one of Europe's mildest winter escapes too.

12.9 C13°J12.9 C13°F14.2 C14°M15.7 C16°A18.2 C18°M21.4 C21°J24.1 C24°J24.6 C25°A22.3 C22°S19.6 C20°O15.8 C16°N13.8 C14°D
Best valueBusy and pricierQuietAverage temperature in Málaga & the Costa del Sol, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 2h 30m from London to AGP, and flights from most UK airports.

A train runs from the airport to Málaga centre (12 minutes) and along the coast to Torremolinos and Fuengirola. For Marbella, Nerja and inland villages, a hire car or bus helps.

Search flights to AGP

Day trips from Málaga & the Costa del Sol

  • Ronda

    A cliff-top white town split by a gorge, about 1¾ hours inland.

  • Granada

    The Alhambra, about 1½ hours by bus or car.

  • Frigiliana

    One of Andalusia's prettiest white villages, in the hills above Nerja.

Good to know

  • Book Caminito del Rey tickets well ahead. Under-8s are not allowed.
  • In summer, the coast is busy and hot: find a beach club or go early.
  • Many museums in Málaga are free on Sunday afternoons.
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Málaga & the Costa del Sol FAQ

Is Málaga warm in winter?

It's one of Europe's warmest cities in winter, often 16 to 18°C in the day. Too cool to swim for most, but great for walking.

Which Costa del Sol resort is best for families?

Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola have long beaches, easy transport and plenty to do with children.

More places in Spain

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