Costa del Sol holidays

Deals from £149 per person
Costa del Sol holidays

Costa del Sol package holidays 2026 and 2027 combine your flights and hotel in one booking, with ATOL protection included for extra peace of mind. Booking through Thomas Cook also means you can compare hotels, board basis options and travel dates in one place.
 
Set along Spain's Andalusian coast, the Costa del Sol is known for its year-round sunshine, sandy coastline and seaside resorts that stay lively well beyond the summer months.
 
Whether you're planning a summer beach break or heading away in spring or autumn, you'll find everything from quieter  coastal towns to livelier spots with restaurants, attractions and nightlife.

 

Resorts 

Benalmadena

Benalmádena makes family holidays feel effortless, with beach days, a lively marina and plenty to keep everyone entertained beyond the pool. It's also home to Benalma Hotel Costa del Sol and Holiday Village Costa del Sol, where the family-friendly facilities are never far away.

Torremolinos

Torremolinos has one of the Costa del Sol's busiest promenades, where beach bars, restaurants and shops keep things buzzing long after the sun goes down. And hotels including Hotel Riu Costa del Sol and Ocean House Costa del Sol put you right in the middle of it.

Marbella

Marbella blends beach clubs and smart restaurants with an old town full of cafés, boutiques and leafy squares. If you're after a more upmarket break, it's one of the Costa del Sol's best-known spots for couples and luxury holidays.
 
Fuengirola

Fuengirola holidays combine one of the Costa del Sol's longest promenades with plenty to see and do nearby. It's a good choice if you're travelling with kids or like having everything within walking distance.
 
Estepona and Mijas

If you'd rather swap busier stretches of coast for whitewashed streets and a slower pace, Estepona and Mijas show off a different side of the Costa del Sol. This part of the coast is home to hotels like Pierre & Vacances Terrazas Costa del Sol and Gran Hotel Costa del Sol.
 
Nerja

Nerja is a good choice if you'd rather trade bigger resorts for smaller coves and quieter evenings. Expect clifftop views, tucked-away beaches and waterfront restaurants where long lunches often turn into dinner.

 

Holiday Types

All Inclusive holidays to Costa del Sol

All Inclusive Costa del Sol holidays typically include meals, drinks, snacks and entertainment, so you can settle into holiday mode from the moment you arrive. What’s included can vary by hotel, so it's always worth checking what's covered before you book.
 
Package holidays to Costa del Sol

Package holidays to the Costa del Sol combine your flights and hotel in one ATOL-protected booking. This also means one booking, one confirmation and one point of contact if you need support before you travel.
 
Costa del Sol family holidays

Costa del Sol family holidays often revolve around simple pleasures – calmer waters, beach days and hotels that know how to keep younger guests entertained. In resorts such as Benalmádena, kids' clubs, splash pools and activities for different ages are easy to find.
 
Costa del Sol couples holidays

For couples, Marbella and Torremolinos offer two different sides of the Costa del Sol. Marbella is known for its beach clubs and smart restaurants, while Torremolinos brings a lively atmosphere, with plenty of places to eat and drink along the seafront.
 
Cheap holidays

Cheap holidays to the Costa del Sol are often easiest to find outside the peak summer season. Spring and autumn tend to bring lower prices and fewer crowds, without missing out on the sunshine.
 
Last minute holidays to Costa del Sol

Last-minute holidays to the Costa del Sol are a good option if you can be flexible with when you travel. The Costa del Sol's year-round warmth means beach breaks aren't limited to the summer months, giving you more opportunities to find a last-minute deal.
 
Costa del Sol luxury holidays

Costa del Sol luxury holidays  typically centre around Marbella, where high-end hotels, beach clubs and swanky restaurants attract those looking for a more indulgent break.

 

When to Go

September

Costa del Sol weather in September averages 26 – 28°C, with fewer crowds and incredible value. The sea is still warm from summer, making it a great time to visit if you'd rather avoid the busiest weeks of the season.
 
October

The Costa del Sol is still hot in October, with temperatures of 22 – 24°C and around seven hours of sunshine a day. It's also one of the best-value times to visit, with lower prices and plenty of attractions still open across the coast.
 
November

Costa del Sol weather in November averages 18 – 20°C, making it one of the cheapest months to visit. If you're after a quieter break, it's a good time to explore without the summer crowds.
 
February to March

Temperatures in February and March typically reach 16 – 18°C, offering a welcome escape from the UK winter. It's best to stick to the larger resorts and cities, as smaller resorts can be quieter at this time of year.
 
July to August

July and August bring temperatures of 28 – 32°C, making them the hottest and busiest months to visit. If you're travelling during the school holidays or have a particular hotel in mind, it's worth booking early.
 

Why book with Thomas Cook

Thomas Cook package holidays are ATOL protected, meaning you're financially protected. They're also ABTA backed for added reassurance. Booking your flights and hotel together means everything is organised under one booking, with one confirmation and one point of contact if you need support before you travel. You can choose flights from airports across the UK, including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol. You'll also see prices upfront, making it easier to compare holidays and find an option that fits your budget.

 

 

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations including: Benalmadena | Fuengirola | Marbella | Nerja | Torremolinos

Map of Costa del Sol

world_map
17-31 ℃

While it’s warm and sunny for most of the year, the months between May and September have the highest temperatures.

View live forecast

Roughly two hours 30 minutes
Malaga Airport (AGP) is the region's main airport, which is around 8kms from Malaga City. You can reach most of Spain's coastal resorts in under an hour by car.

Costa del Sol is best for...

Families: The Bioparc zoo at Fuengirola has faithfully recreated a series of environments, so wild animals can live in habitats that are as close to the originals as possible. Take the kids to see a wide variety of exotic beasties.

Golfers: Practice your swing at Valderrama, rated one of the best golf courses in the world.

Celebrity spotters: Be dazzled by the enormous yachts in Puerto Banús near Marbella. Celebs, such as Hugh Grant, Mel Gibson and Eva Longoria have all been spotted in the area.

Fast facts for Costa del Sol

Language: While the official language spoken here is Spanish, the locals have a good command of English. However, an attempt at the basics is always appreciated, so pack your phrasebook or download our useful language app and try out a few simple phrases for yourself.

Currency: You’ll need to exchange your pounds and pence for Euros before heading off on your Costa del Sol holidays.

Local time: Costa del Sol is 1 hour ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Malaga Airport. Transfers to Torremolinos take 30 minutes, to Benalmadena it's 45 minutes, to Nerja and Fuengirola it's 1 hour, and it takes 1 hour 15 minutes to Marbella.

Flight time from UK: The flight time to Costa del Sol is 2.5 hours.

Tourist Information: Further tourist information can be found on Costa del Sol's offical tourism website.

Visa / Health: Before you travel, visit FCDO website for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your holiday to the Costa del Sol.

 

Getting around Costa del Sol

By train/bus: Getting around is simple thanks to a network of trains and buses that connects Málaga with the main resorts.

By taxi: Taxis are plentiful and can be flagged in the street. Just look out for the word “libre” or a green light.

By car hire: The most practical way of seeing the best places here, including the inland villages, is to hire a car.

Events in Costa del Sol

Carnival: With Lent on the horizon, the Andalusians like to cut loose with the biggest party in the country: Carnival! Depending on where you’ve booked your Costa del Sol holidays, the celebrations will last either for a weekend or an entire week! Expect colourful costumes, flamboyant floats and plenty of drinking and dancing.

Semana Santa: Easter’s traditional celebrations during “Semana Santa”, or Holy Week, fill the streets with parades and processions.

Santa's Day: Throughout the year, towns and villages honour their patron saint in typical Andalusian style. Marbella goes wild every June as it celebrates San Bernabe with a week of dancing and entertainment.

Flamenco:  Fireworks herald the start of five days of feasting and flamenco during Málaga Feria every August. In September and October, it’s the turn of Fuengirola and Nerja to join the fiesta frenzy.

Costa del Sol weather

Temperatures: 17°C - 31°C

If you’re planning on hitting the beach and topping up your tan, book your holidays to Costa del Sol between May and September. During these months, the mercury hovers between the high twenties and the low thirties °C, with up to 12 hours of sunshine a day. Spring and autumn offer slightly cooler conditions, with temperatures in the low-to-mid-twenties. Even the winters are warm, with the temperatures only going as low as the mid-teens.

More hotels in Costa del Sol

Popular Costa del Sol holiday resorts

Places similar to Costa del Sol to visit

FAQs

FAQs

1. Is the Costa del Sol hot in October?

Yes, the Costa del Sol is still hot in October, with temperatures of 22 – 24°C and around seven hours of sunshine a day. The sea is often warm enough for swimming, and with fewer crowds than summer, it's also one of the best-value times to visit.
 

2. What’s the best resort in the Costa del Sol for families?

Benalmádena and Torremolinos are two of the best resorts in the Costa del Sol for families. Benalmádena combines calmer waters, a marina and a cable car that climbs into the hills above the resort, while Torremolinos offers long sandy beaches, family-friendly hotels and a lively promenade. Both have direct flights from the UK too. 

3. What’s the best resort in the Costa del Sol for couples?

Marbella, Torremolinos and Nerja each offer something different for couples. Marbella is known for its stylish restaurants and beach clubs, Torremolinos for its lively atmosphere and seafront bars and restaurants, while Nerja promises clifftop views, smaller coves and quieter evenings away from the main resort strip.

4. When’s the best time to visit the Costa del Sol?

September and October are often the best times to visit Costa del Sol, with temperatures of 22 – 28°C, quieter beaches and lower prices. July and August are the hottest months with averages of 28 – 32°C, which means it’s best to book early, while November to March brings milder temperatures of 16 – 20°C and offers a welcome escape from the UK winter.

5. Are Costa del Sol holidays ATOL protected?

Yes, all Thomas Cook package holidays to the Costa del Sol are ATOL protected. This means you’ll get all of your money back if something goes wrong with your booking. Your ATOL certificate will be issued when you book.

6. What’s included in All Inclusive holidays to the Costa del Sol?

All Inclusive holidays to Costa del Sol typically include meals, locally branded drinks, snacks and evening entertainment. Exact inclusions vary by hotel, so check with the hotel before you book to see what's covered.
 

7. Which UK airports fly to the Costa del Sol?

Thomas Cook sell flights to Málaga Airport (AGP) from London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Belfast and Liverpool. The flight time is around 2 hours  and 30 minutes, depending on your departure airport.
 
 

8. What’s the Costa del Sol weather like in November?

Costa del Sol weather in November averages 18 – 20°C, with around six hours of sunshine a day, making it milder than the UK. It's one of the cheapest months to visit and a good choice for couples and anyone looking to avoid the summer crowds.
 

Popular Costa del Sol destinations