There’s more to southern Spain than Marbella’s beaches and brunches. From historic cities to wild coastlines and mountain villages, Andalucía is full of places worth knowing. Each guide here breaks down where to go, what to see, and how to experience it like a local — not just a tourist.
Marbella
Marbella – Mediterranean style meets old-town charm ⛵
With its cobbled Old Town, sleek beach clubs, and the iconic Golden Mile, Marbella is the Costa del Sol’s main character. It’s where heritage and glamour live side by side — and where many travellers start (or stay). This guide covers the town’s best beaches, neighbourhoods, and local food spots. Read more.
Puerto Banus – Luxury turned up loud 🚤
Puerto Banús is all about the show — superyachts, sports cars, designer stores, and beach clubs with bottle service. It’s flashy, social, and unapologetically high-end. If Marbella is chill, Banús is turned all the way up.
City Breaks
Malaga – Birthplace of Picasso, reborn by culture 🎨
Málaga has reinvented itself as one of Spain’s most creative coastal cities. You’ll find art museums, food markets, historic forts, and stylish rooftop bars — all within walking distance. It’s easy to visit, and even easier to love.
Seville – Where flamenco was born and orange trees bloom 🍊
Seville is intense, beautiful, and full of life. Royal palaces, riverside bars, hidden courtyards, and one of Europe’s biggest cathedrals are just the beginning. Expect heat, colour, and streets that stay busy until midnight.
Granada – History carved into the hillside 🕌
Granada is layered with culture — from the Alhambra to hillside tea houses and graffiti-covered alleyways. Snowy peaks rise in the background, while tapas bars fill the narrow streets below. It’s raw, historic, and full of contrasts.
Cadiz – Europe’s oldest city with an Atlantic breeze 🌊
Cádiz is surrounded by sea, with narrow streets, golden light, and a rhythm that feels slower than the rest of the coast. Expect fish markets, coastal promenades, and a deep local pride. It’s a city that feels lived in, not built for tourists.✅
Jerez de la Frontera – The real home of sherry and flamenco 🎭
Jerez moves at its own pace — a mix of tradition, grit, and elegance. Its streets echo with flamenco, and the sherry comes straight from the source. This is a city to wander, taste, and take in slowly.
Cordoba – Mezquitas, patios, and sizzling heat 🕌
Córdoba is a city of layers — Roman bridges, Islamic arches, Catholic spires, and quiet patios filled with flowers. It’s compact and beautiful, with a timeless energy. Spring is the best time to visit, but the views are worth it year-round.
The Famous Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol isn’t just beaches — it’s a chain of coastal towns, each with its own rhythm. Some are built for families, others for nightlife, and a few still feel like local secrets. This section covers the places worth knowing — from retro boardwalks to new-wave marinas.
Torremolinos – Retro beaches, real energy 🏳️🌈
Once a 1960s party town, Torremolinos has kept its edge while growing up. It’s still home to wild pride parties, beach bars with plastic chairs and perfect views, and some of the coast’s most walkable sands. Expect a mix of old-school charm, LGBTQ+ nightlife, and that classic chiringuito buzz that never really went out of style.
Benalmádena – Cable cars, sea life, and sunset drinks 🎡
Benalmádena does it all — from mountain views to marina nights. Families love the aquariums and butterfly parks, while couples head for rooftop bars and coastal sunsets. The town stretches from beachside buzz to quiet hillside villages, with a little bit of everything packed in between.
Fuengirola – Long beach, loud nights 🌞
Fuengirola is loud, lived-in, and always open — with a huge seafront, buzzing tapas bars, and nightlife that starts early and ends late. It’s a mix of local grit and resort-town comfort, where expats, families, and party crews all overlap. Not subtle, but never boring.
La Cala de Mijas – Easygoing, easy to love 🏖️
La Cala feels like the sweet spot of the Costa del Sol — relaxed, friendly, and just polished enough. You’ve got sandy beaches, a walkable centre, and some of the coast’s best chiringuitos within arm’s reach. It’s the kind of place where a quick stop often turns into the whole afternoon.
Cabopino – Dunes, yachts, and low-key charm 🏝️
Tucked between Fuengirola and Marbella, Cabopino is a small marina with a chilled vibe and one of the prettiest beaches on the coast. Its sand dunes are protected, the chiringuitos are excellent, and the water stays shallow for ages. Great for families, couples, or anyone avoiding the big crowds.
San Pedro de Alcántara – Slower pace, real place 🧃
Just west of Puerto Banús, San Pedro feels more lived-in and less showy — a town with proper cafés, long beach walks, and locals who still go to the plaza every evening. The boulevard is great for kids, the beach is wide and peaceful, and the vibe is low-key in the best way. It’s Marbella without the performance.
Estepona – Flowers, murals, and slow luxury 🌺
Estepona has found its lane — stylish but relaxed, with colourful streets, open-air art, and one of the best seafronts on the coast. You’ll find beach clubs without the noise, boutique hotels without the fuss, and a town centre that’s still full of locals. It’s creative, grown-up, and quietly one of the best places to stay.
Sotogrande – Polo fields, private beaches, and quiet power 🏇
Sotogrande isn’t loud — and that’s exactly the point. This gated community by the sea is all golf courses, clean lines, private clubs, and understated luxury. Think slow marina mornings, long lunches on quiet terraces, and social circles that don’t need to advertise.
Hilltop Pueblos
Ronda – Spain’s most dramatic view 🌉
Built above a deep gorge and linked by a stone bridge that feels impossible, Ronda is one of Andalucía’s most iconic pueblos. It’s steeped in history — from Moorish walls to Hemingway-era bullrings — but still feels alive with cafés, craft shops, and rooftop terraces. Come for the views, stay for the feeling that time moves differently here.
Benahavís – Villas, views, and mountain calm 🏞️
Tucked into the hills behind Marbella, Benahavís is a peaceful village with serious views and serious real estate. It’s popular with golfers, second-home owners, and anyone looking for a slower, greener escape just a short drive from the coast. The centre is small, walkable, and full of whitewashed charm.
Casares – Whitewashed, wild, and clinging to the cliffs 🕊️
Casares is the kind of village that makes you stop the car — stacked white houses climbing the hillside, backed by green valleys and soaring eagles. It feels untouched but not forgotten, with narrow streets, a ruined castle, and views that stretch all the way to the sea. Pure Andalucía, with nothing added.
Istán – Spring water, forest trails, and no fuss 🚶♂️
Just behind Marbella, Istán is a small white village hidden in the folds of the Sierra de las Nieves. It’s known for its natural springs, slow rhythm, and hiking routes that lead straight into the hills. With just a few cafés and no crowds, it’s perfect for a low-key escape into nature.
Ojén – Mountain air with a touch of soul 🚴
Perched just above Marbella, Ojén feels close yet completely different — quieter, greener, and full of small-town character. It’s known for its music roots, artisan past, and laid-back charm. Expect steep streets, white walls, and glimpses of the sea through the trees.
Frigiliana (and Nerja) – Postcard villages and sea-carved cliffs 🪨
Frigiliana is all cobbled lanes, hanging flowers, and sugar-cube houses — one of Spain’s most photographed white villages. Just down the hill, Nerja brings some of Costa del Sol’s best beaches, tapas terraces, and the famous caves carved into the cliffs. Together, they’re the perfect inland-coast duo for a day trip or a slow weekend.
Sierra Nevada – Sun, snow, and ski lifts above the clouds 🎿
Just two hours from the coast, Sierra Nevada is home to Europe’s southernmost ski resort — with over 100km of slopes, modern lifts, and views that stretch to Africa on a clear day. The vibe is casual but high-altitude, with alpine cafés, rental shops, and après spots all packed into a single, walkable village. Ski in the morning, be back at the beach by sundown.
Head West: Costa de la Luz
Tarifa
Conil de la Frontera
Novo Sancti Petri
Vejer de la Frontera
Zahara de los Atunes