Costa Del Sol guide

Eat

Amador Restaurant - Malaga
The tantalising dishes created by its talented chef, Amador Fernandez, after whom the restaurant is named, could not have been complemented by a better setting. Between the gorgeous, specially commissioned art work on the walls, and breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside, Amador Restaurant is well deserving of its reputation for excellence.

El Muelle de Arriate - Arriate
This restaurant is well worth peeling yourself away from the coast and heading inland to visit. Situated just north of Ronda right next to the train station, each dish of theirs is a finely crafted mini masterpiece that has spread the fame of El Muelle far and wide. Diners are blown away twice at El Muelle, first by the flavours and then by the value.

Amanhavis - Benahavis
Not far from Marbella or Estepona, this romantic little restaurant forms part of Moorish style boutique hotel, in the picturesque hill-top village of Benahavis. For a truly unforgettable dining experience try and get a seat in the courtyard, near the dipping pool. In this setting anything would taste good, luckily the menu is one of the highest rated on the Costa del Sol.

La Moraga - Puerto Banús
The brainchild of Michelin star Chef Dani Garcia, who already claimed his place among the top tier of Spanish chefs with his other Marbella restaurant, Calima, in the Don Pepe Hotel. The style is contemporary Spanish cuisine with a cutting edge twist. Dishes like cherry gazpacho and ox burger are matched with excellent wines and cavas and served in a minimalist modern setting.

Skina - Marbella
A relative newcomer to the dining scene in Marbella Skina has already got one Michelin star under its belt, and also holds the distinction of being one of the world’s smallest Michelin star restaurants. There is an Andalucian tasting menu or 3 course a la carte menu to choose from.

Fusion Food and Lounge - Nerja
Fusion food offers a pared down menu with an emphasis on flavour and presentation. Fredrik Kullberg, the Swedish chef at the helm, has subtly incorporated some of the ingredients he picked up when living in Thailand and the result is sublime. They also do catering, hold wine tastings, and you can even learn to cook with the master himself.

Jose Carlos Garcia Restaurant - Málaga
Occupying an enviable position right in the Port of Málaga with sea views as well views towards the city and its Cathedral, Jose Carlos Garcia Restaurant consists of a welcoming area with six dining tables where customers taste each dish on the menu, and in summer months the beautiful terrace is opened. This all makes for a uniquely personalised dining experience in one of Malaga’s top restaurants.

La Consula - Malaga
Between Málaga and Benalmádena, near the airport, lies a catering school which is well worth a visit as it houses a restaurant onsite. The restaurant is staffed by trainee chefs meaning that prices are lower than they might otherwise be. But don´t take this to mean that the quality is inferior, these are top quality chefs in the making and the restaurant has won many, many awards.

El Lago – Marbella
The lake which gives this restaurant its name forms part of the Greenlife golf club, over which the restaurant has an open views. Its wine list of over 300 choice Spanish vintages and the excellent Andalucian cuisine combined to win El Lago a Michelin star in 2005. The restaurant and its staff have close connections with La Consula catering school near Málaga.

Shop

Málaga Plaza
Málaga Plaza is the main shopping centre in the centre of Málaga city. It offers a broad range of high street and lesser known brands over 3 levels. Parking is also available and to encourage you to shop for longer, the second hour of parking is free of charge. Child centred activities are also held regularly throughout the year.

Centro Comercial Rincón Larios Centro
Larios Shopping centre is a spacious affair with excellent transport links as it is situated next to major bus and trains stations. With parking for over 1, 500 cars there is no need to worry about being stuck for somewhere to park should you decide to drive. All the usual high street suspects are to be found here plus many more besides.

Atarazanas Market
A perusal around Atarazanas Market is an absolute must when in Málaga. It is the entrepot for fresh goods from all over the region and the Mediterranean Sea. Besides the delectable array of meats, fish, and vegetables on sale, the building itself has a number of unique features, like the Arabesque horseshoe entrance and the colourful stained glass window opposite.

Gómez & Molina – Puerto Banús
Anybody who frequents Puerto Banús knows that all the city is a catwalk and it simply will not do to be seen in anything less than the finest of pearls and diamonds. If you want to keep up with appearances then Gómez & Molina, jewellers to the stars, should be first port of call.

Funny Beach Market – Puerto Banus
f the prices at Gucci, Versace, and Prada are a bit steep for your budget there is a way of styling yourself from head to toe in Puerto Banús without breaking the bank. Every Sunday on Funny Beach there is a market selling second hand clothes and goods as well as trinkets and handicrafts of every kind. Its airy seaside setting and laid back vibe is the perfect antidote to stuffy boutiques in town.

Marina Banús – Puerto Banús
For your everyday retail therapy in Puerto Banús there is Marina Banús shopping centre where you can find the likes of Zara, H&M, Pull And Bear, and Bershka: high street names that won´t cost you an arm and a leg. Its location just a short distance from the beach makes it the perfect place to pop into for some post or pre sunbathing shopping.

Vélez Málaga
Velez is a market town about 40 kilometres east of Málaga city. Surrounded by strawberry farms and vineyards and an important centre for the processing of olive oil and sugar cane, a market is held here every Thursday where these foods can be found alongside ceramics and other handicrafts.

Miramar Shopping Centre
At 119,000sqm Miramar Shopping Centre on the outskirts of Fuengirola is the reference point for shopping on the Costa Brava. Boasting a dozen or more restaurants and eateries and a vast children´s play area with a host of activities, Miramar has just about all you could possibly desire from a shopping centre.

Laguna Beach village - Estepona
Laguna Beach Village is a highly attractive development built around a swimming pool and practically on the beach itself. Its thatched roof and bamboo style architecture all add to the pacific island feel of the place. The shops consist of a variety of unique brands not found elsewhere and there is similar variety in the restaurants on site. A shopping experience with a difference.

Golf

Alhaurin Golf Resort - Fuengirola
Between Málaga and Marbella in the mountains above Fuengirola, this Seve Ballesteros designed course is a picturesque and richly forested addition to the Costa del Sol golfing circuit. It is a highly playable course that really comes into its own on the 6th hole which boasts a spectacular bird´s eye view over the valley.

Aloha Golf Club – Puerto Banús
Having hosted the Andalucian Open Tournament, and the PGA European Tour in 2007, 2008 and 2012 it´s no surprise that Aloha Golf Club is ranked as one of the very best in Europe. It is designed such that amateurs can get around it with the right amount of concentration but also throws up enough surprises to keep professionals on their toes.

Añoreta Golf Club – Rincón de la Victoria
An attractive Andalucian farmhouse-style clubhouse overlooking the first hole, rolling greens, mature palm trees and fragrant flower beds combine to make Añoreta one of the Costa del Sol´s favourite courses among locals. For beginners there is a putting green, driving range, and lessons to avail of.

Atalaya Golf club - Marbella
Atalaya Golf club is a delight for both amateurs and professionals. The former are attracted to its gently sloping fairways, whereas the latter meet a challenge in the fast greens and numerous bunkers. Its plentiful olive, pine, and eucalyptus trees make it one of the more natural courses in the region.

Aymerich Golf Centre – Benalmadena
The 8th hole with its waterfall and sweeping Mediterranean views is what makes this course stand out from the rest. Its smaller size, flood-lit driving range and putting green makes it ideal for novices and those building up their confidence to move on to some of the Costa del Sol´s larger courses.

Baviera Golf Club – Caleta de Vélez
Offering lessons for beginners of between 2-5 hours where they can practice a range of shots under the guidance of a seasoned teacher, and located very nearly on the beach of Caleta de Velez itself, a day´s golfing at Baviera is not soon forgotten. More advanced players will welcome the challenging water features and bunkers.

Cabopino – Marbella
This is considered to be one of the more challenging courses in the region, with numerous hazards and tight stretches at some points. It is also thought to be one of the Costa del Sol´s more picturesque courses too, its clubhouse and restaurant overlooking the white sand dunes of the beach and the pine trees in the forest.

Casares Golf Club – Casares
This is a tricky course whose designer has taken pride in presenting a different scenic experience with each hole. The fairways bring out the best in even the more advance players and the 8th hole is the darling of the course, surrounded as it is by verdant vegetation.

Cerrado del Aguila - Fuengirola
This is a smooth course with medium sized greens and broad fairways making it ideal for beginners or those who haven´t played in a while and are trying to get back into the swing of things. It is less than 10 years old and is currently a 9-hole course with a further 9 under construction.

Sport

Bossaball
Bossaball is new concept in sport that combines volleyball and trampolining. It is played to samba music and incorporates capoeira movements meaning this is a highly dynamic and energetic way to throw your body around in a fun and safe manner. Because it requires a net and a trampoline there are some set-up costs but there is a team who practice in Mijas and it is spreading quickly, so even if you can´t join in just watching it being played is enough to work up a sweat.

Paddle Tennis
Another relatively unknown sport which you can practice on the Costa del Sol is Paddle tennis. The rules and scoring are akin to tennis but played in something like a squash court using an oversized table tennis paddle. It´s very easy to play for people of all ages and provides a great workout. More and more hotels along the Costa del Sol are adding paddle courts as the game increases in popularity.

Caving at Cueva del Tesoro
The landscape of Andalucia is pot holed with incredible caves, with none more incredible than the “treasure cave” near the town of Rincon de la Victoria, 15km east of Malaga. One of the reasons why this cave is so special is because of the legend attached to it. It is said to be the hiding place of a 12th century horde of treasure hidden by an Arab ruler before his death. Even if you don´t find any gold visitors are still presented with amazing natural treasures such as Neolithic cave paintings and incredible stalactite formations.

Horse Riding
The wild mountainous landscape in the interior, and broad sandy beaches of the Costa del Sol both scream out to be explored by horseback. Whether you are a seasoned equestrian or somewhat nervous beginner there is a horse riding package suitable for you. The rugged inland routes are most popular because of the images they bring to mind of the Wild West, which isn´t so far-fetched when you learn that a considerable number of those old Hollywood movies were actually filmed near Almeria.

Sphering
They say a rolling stone gathers no moss, well now you can test that theory out by strapping yourself into a giant inflatable ball and hurtling down a hill at speeds of up to 50 km per hour. This is unadulterated fun that is guaranteed to result in uncontrollable screaming and laughter. If you want to get your adrenaline pumping but value your life too much to go bungee jumping or you just need to get down a hill in a hurry, sphering is the way to go.

Skydiving
Most people have a very rational fear of falling out of a plane from thousands of feet above the ground; others embrace it as a pastime. Wherever you fall on this spectrum it is agreed that there can be few more exhilarating experiences than skydiving.

Mountain biking
The mountainous terrain surrounding the city of Ronda is extremely picturesque to view from one the many look-out points in the city, but if you want to get up close and gritty with the scenery then the best way to do it is by mountain bike. In the nature parks around Ronda there are dedicated biking trails for intermediate and experienced riders.

Hiking
Another way of experiencing the Costa del Sol´s unspoilt interior in a really hands on way is to hike its diverse terrains. Depending on the route you choose there are canyons, gorges, caves, rivers and lakes to be discovered by the intrepid explorer. The most accessible hiking trails from Malaga are just a few kilometres from the city centre in the Montes de Malaga, but if you really want to escape civilisation head further north to Grazalema National Park or towards Ronda.

Footgolf
It´s surprising really that it took so long for this sport to be invented since it involves combining two of the world´s most popular and easy to understand games. Take a course with golf-like holes in the ground and make them big enough to kick a football into and that´s Footgolf, an immensely enjoyable game that´s part walk in the park and part kick about.

Inspire

Whale watching
Not far from the Costa del Sol, in the straits of Gibraltar, it is possible enjoy one of the natural world´s most magnificent sights: whale watching. All year round Minke and Sperm whales can be seen in these waters, and during the summer months they are joined by orca whales hunting for tuna. The tour operators provide a fun and informative running commentary on the behaviour of the animals as you observe them.

Artist retreat
Artists have flocked to Andalucía in their droves over the centuries to take advantage of the quality of the light owing to the brilliant sunshine and vivid colours. The Costa del Sol truly is a painter´s paradise and there are numerous artist retreats catering to practitioners of all levels. If you are a budding artist and the sight of a white-washed country village with sea views doesn´t inspire you then nothing will.

Ballooning
There is something about drifting silently above a landscape that helps to put everything in perspective and inspire a fresh outlook. On the Costa del Sol there is surely no better area over which to take in the views than the historic city of Ronda and the breathtaking countryside that surrounds it.

Flying lessons
Another way of ensuring the best possible view over the natural beauty of the Costa del Sol landscape is to fly over it, and of all the flying contraptions there are the gyrocopter is probably the easiest to get to grips with and the most liberating to fly. A mixture between an airplane and a helicopter, after 3 hrs training you can be at the controls and enjoying a once in a lifetime experience.

The Pompidou Centre - Málaga
This is a new concept in the art world – a pop up museum (in the form of a cube situated in the port of Malaga) that will remain in place for a number years running occasional exhibitions of contemporary cutting edge art. So if you are in Malaga port wander into the cube as you never know what may be awaiting you.

Centre of Contemporary Art - Málaga
Since the CAC opened in 2003 it has rapidly ascended to a position of international relevance, and along with the Picasso museum, has done much to put Malaga on the map artistically. It hosts a steady stream of top names in the contemporary art world making it a must see for any visitor or long-term resident.

Flamenco Art Museum - Malaga
The neighbouring province of Seville is really the birthplace of Flamenco but Andalucía in general is credited with developing this most Spanish of art forms that has gone on to charm and conquer the world. In the Flamenco art museum in Malaga you can see 200 year old guitars and flamenco records, posters, and memorabilia dating back to the 19th century.

Alcazaba
The Alcazaba is Malaga’s most iconic building, and the best preserved Moorish fortress in the whole of Spain. It is an extensive structure that overlooks the city and forms part of the city walls. It was restored in 2011 opening up yet more of it to the public, specifically, the mosque and baths. The Alcazaba should be high up on anyone´s itinerary when visiting Málaga.

Salón Varietes Theatre - Fuengirola
One of the downsides to life as an expat can be the language barrier preventing you from going out to the theatre. For English speaking theatre fans living in Fuengirola, this gap in their cultural life has come to be filled by the all English language Salon Varietés Theatre. They stage musicals, dramas, reviews, and comedies and they have been going strong for 30 years.