Hotels in Fuengirola

Set in the centre of the Costa del Sol’s sun-splashed coast, Benalmadena is an ideal holiday destination for those travelling with children and the perfect escape for couples looking to spend some quiet, quality downtime together. In addition, the vibrant nightlife makes it something of a hotspot for those who like their nights filled with dancing and music and their days spent relaxing on the beach.

Holidays to Benalmadena are packed with attractions for everyone. Kids will enjoy days out at the Sea Life Aquarium, while if you’ve got an interest in the region’s culture and history you’ll enjoy a trip to the Picasso Museum. With so much to see and do, you can make your Benalmadena holidays exactly what you want them to be!

Things to do

This part of the Sunshine Coast is blessed with more than 10 stunning beaches, from tiny, secluded coves fringed by fragrant pines, to vast, sweeping stretches of golden sand. Benalmadena marina is packed with bobbing boats, many of which are available for hire or offering tours of the coastline. The beachfront restaurants offer an extensive range of cuisine, from quick and easy fast food, to authentic tavernas serving traditional paellas.

There’s family entertainment on tap, so you could take the kids to explore the Butterfly Park for starters. And this town comes alive in the evenings, with a whirlwind of dance clubs, sports pubs and bars in the town centre, plus great places to eat Spanish-style at the marina. 

Excellent beaches

Benalmadena has a huge 10 kilometre stretch of golden sand that’s split into sections, but they all provide a sun-drenched location to relax in. The majority of beaches have excellent amenities such as umbrellas and showers to make the most of your visit. Unwind on sun loungers along the soft sand for spectacular views of the glistening sea.

The Blue Flag Santa Ana Beach is Benalmadena’s water sports hotspot, with everything from banana boats to jet skis and pedalos. It’s really well maintained and close to several seafront restaurants, so spending a whole day at the beach is easily done. Tropical palm trees fringe all the beaches along the resort’s picturesque coast.

Culture

Benalmadena is next door to Torremolinos and is one of Spain’s much loved holiday resorts on the Costa del Sol. You’ll find a mix of contemporary hotel blocks, Spanish cobbled streets and traditional buildings. You can find authentic charm flowing through The Old Village of Benalmadena Pueblo. The popular markets sell everything from leather, art and clothing to homemade souvenirs and trinkets. Holidaymakers flock to Benalmadena for its beaches and vibrant nightlife found along the seafront and the bustling 24 Hour Square.

Vibrant nightlife

The atmosphere transforms from being a laidback sandy resort by day, into a bustling, neon-lit, party hotspot by night. The main nightlife can be found in the famous 24 Hour Square where there’s plenty of choice of entertainment. Enjoy the sports pubs, watch live music and drink delicious cocktails in one of the contemporary bars before heading to dance the night away in the vibrant nightclubs.
For something with a little more tradition, the picturesque marina has a wide selection of Spanish style restaurants and a great range of bars.

More travel guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Andalusia | Balearic Islands | Barcelona | Canary Islands | Costa Almeria | Costa Blanca | Costa Brava | Costa Dorada | Costa del Sol | Fuengirola | Fuerteventura | Gran Canaria | Lanzarote | Marbella | Tenerife | Ibiza | Madrid | Malaga | Majorca | Menorca | Nerja | Torremolinos

Dubbed the Miami of Costa del Sol, holidays to Marbella are perfect for those seeking year-round sunshine, pristine beaches and glitzy nightlife. You can soak up more days of unspoilt sunshine here than you can in the Canaries. And when the sun sets, head down to the world-famous Golden Mile for an evening of high-profile clubbing.

There are plenty of things to do in Marbella with the kids, too, from the thrilling water parks to the beautiful eco reserves. And the region is full of old-world charm, from the pretty village of Mijas to the cobbled streets of Old Town. So if you want guaranteed sunshine, ancient architecture and a heavy dose of glamour, holidays to Marbella are for you!

Beaches 

Marbella holidays are heaven for sun-seekers with over 20km of golden coastline. There are 23 beaches to explore, including six with Blue Flag status. The weather in Marbella is also calmer than its neighbour town, thanks to the towering Sierra Mountains, creating a sun-trap for sunbathers.

Playa de Puerto Banus

A popular choice for families, Playa de Puerto Banus, has soft golden sands and paddle-friendly waters. The shores are calm thanks to the breakwater, while full-time lifeguards monitor the area. Located alongside the famous Puerto Banús Marina, it's also one of the most glamorous beaches in Marbella.

Playa de la Fontanilla

Playa de la Fontanilla is popular among both tourists and locals. This is the place to be to get a real taste of Marbella. You'll find a wide variety of local shops and restaurants along the Paseo Marítimo – or promenade, where you can enjoy delicious regional specialities. This is also an excellent beach for jet-skiing.

Playa del Faro

Playa del Faro boasts a wonderful children's play area. The sea is shallow and sheltered, making it ideal for paddling with your little ones. In a vibrant location, you'll find the marina and lighthouse to the west and plenty of attractions along the promenade. It's a short stroll from exclusive shops, terraces, and restaurants, too.

Playa de Artola

Playa de Artola lies away from the hustle and bustle of the glamorous Marbella shopping zones. Surrounded by sand dunes and lined with ancient watchtowers, it's one of the most remote spots in the city.

Playa de la Vibora

Famous for its stylish club, Nikki Beach Marbella, Playa de La Vibora is a hub for the rich and famous. Splurge on some opulent lunches or Champagne tastings. Or just enjoy some quiet time on the beach. It's remote enough to disconnect from the buzz of the city.

Nightlife

Marbella holidays have been a favourite amongst the rich and famous since the 60s. White villas meet the yacht-filled marina, making it look like something straight out of a James Bond film. Many celebs come simply for the nightlife, which bursts into life after dark on the legendary Golden Mile. Enjoy the glamour of the lavish nightclubs, where the party usually starts after midnight, so be prepared to dance until the sun comes up. 

History & Culture

Marbella has a rich and fascinating history. Long before it attracted jet setters, it was home to civilisations, from the Phoenicians to the Romans, and later the Moors; you'll see architecture that stretches back to the 1st Century AD. Take a trip to Basilica Vega Del Mar to see the 4th-century Roman ruins. Here you can walk among some of the most ancient archaeological findings of early Christianity. Visit the public Guadalmina Thermal Baths and the unique mosaics in Rio Verde.

Shopping

Shoppers can flex their bargain-hunting muscles in Puerto Banus, which is also where you're likely to spot a celebrity or two. For booshy boutiques, head to Marbella Old Town. It's filled with cosmopolitan pavement cafés, vintage shops and Mediterranean restaurants. Order your travel money before you go, and you can practice your haggling skills at the famous Nueva Andalusia Market.

Natural Beauty 

Standing at 1200m, La Concha Mountain in Spain is the highest point in Marbella. There are many viewing points on the way up, so you can make it as challenging as you want. Mirador del Macho has a well-marked path that will take you through the olive groves. If you're going to take on the peak, bring food, water and plenty of charge on your phone. It will take roughly 4 hours, and the views are breathtaking.

Places To Stay

See Hotels in Marbella

More travel guides

We have plenty more travel guides available for all sorts of popular Spanish destinations, including: Andalusia | Balearic Islands | Barcelona | Benalmadena | Canary Islands | Costa Almeria | Costa Blanca | Costa Brava | Costa Dorada | Costa del Sol | Fuengirola | Fuerteventura | Gran Canaria | Lanzarote | Tenerife | Ibiza | Madrid | Malaga | Majorca | Menorca | Nerja | Torremolinos

Once a small fishing village, Nerja has blossomed into one of Spain’s most popular holiday destinations. Blessed with beautiful, sun-kissed beaches and tiny, secluded coves, Nerja holidays are ideal for families and couples who want to spend some quality downtime together.

However, there’s much more to holidays to Nerja than soaking up the sun and splashing about in the sea: a town with a long and fascinating past, there are great sites and hundreds of years of history in between the golden beaches and buzzing plazas. The resort is home to one of Spain’s most visited sites, the vast pre-historic caves known as the Cuevas de Nerja. Along with dozens of bars and restaurants to please foodies, Nerja holidays have a little something for everyone.

Things to do

Despite being famed for its fabulous beaches, Nerja offers plenty of other activities and things to see and do. Its on-your-doorstep caves offer 4km of prehistoric paintings, Stone Age relics and subterranean stalactites and stalagmites. However, if you prefer to be above ground and soaking up the sun, the coast is full of award-winning beaches and secluded bays.

Foodies will find a gastronomic adventure almost everywhere they go, from beachfront tavernas selling traditional paella, to the restaurants in town serving everything from fast-food to authentic Italian meals. For a crafty cocktail, visit one of the bars in the cosmopolitan Plaza Tutti Frutti.

Miles of coastline

Nerja is renowned for its stunning beaches, from long golden stretches to small sandy coves. There’s around nine kilometres of coastline in total so if your ideal holiday is lazing in the sun on a gorgeous beach, then you’ll be spoilt for choice in Nerja, you could spend every day on a different stretch.

Stunning sights

Holidays to Nerja aren’t short of things to see and do. The historic Nerja Caves offers something for everyone. History buffs will love getting to know the story behind the caves from its early inhabitants to its discovery and if you’re not into the history side of things then they’re still a magnificent sight to look at. Speaking of magnificent sights, if you love beautiful views, head to the Balcon de Europa for panoramic views out to the Mediterranean Sea and beyond.

Family fun

Asides from the beautiful beaches and stunning sights, there’s plenty to do for families too. Nerja is close to two waterparks so you could spend a day at each of them if you have a family that loves the thrills of shooting down slides and splashing around in the water. In the evenings you can then head to the lively Plaza Tutti Frutti for a meal with live music playing in the background. If you’re holidaying with older kids then you can grab a drink at one of the many bars afterwards.

More travel guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Andalusia | Balearic Islands | Barcelona | Benalmadena | Canary Islands | Costa Almeria | Costa Blanca | Costa Brava | Costa Dorada | Costa del Sol | Fuengirola | Fuerteventura | Gran Canaria | Lanzarote | Tenerife | Ibiza | Madrid | Malaga | Majorca | Marbella | Menorca | Torremolinos

Take your holidays to Malgrat de Mar, a Catalan town on the popular Costa Brava. If it’s a beach holiday you want, you’ve got it; sun, sea and sand are all on offer here, thanks to a choice of beautiful beaches. You’ll find plenty to explore in the heart of town, too; wander through the cobbled streets and soak up the atmosphere at the local market, before heading up to El Castell for magnificent views out to sea.

Malgrat de Mar holidays are great for kids, too; the little ones will love messing around on the beach, but they’ll also go mad for the nearby Water World and the fun-filled Portaventura Park. You’ll find all this and more just a short hop from Barcelona; the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia is only an hour’s drive away.

Things to do

Start the day right by relaxing on Malgrat de Mar’s beautiful beaches, before taking the kids on a trip to the waterpark. While you’re there, make sure you do a little sightseeing; there’s lots to see in the town itself, like the impressive El Castell that overlooks the town and the bustling weekly market.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Andalusia | Balearic Islands | Barcelona | Calella | Canary Islands | Costa Almeria | Costa Blanca | Costa Brava | Costa Dorada | Costa del Sol | Fuerteventura | Gran Canaria | Lanzarote | Lloret de Mar | Tenerife | Ibiza | Madrid | Malaga | Majorca | Menorca