Spain's golden coast - more than just 320 hours of sunshine a year!

The Spanish Costa del Sol (Gold Coast) is a very special travel destination in Europe with its 320 hours of sunshine a year. But the coast not only offers sun and beaches, but also a diverse culture, extraordinary landscapes, white villages and unique food culture.

We rented a car for 10 days and discovered the interior and the coast. The first stop was Málaga, where we stayed at the royal boutique hotel Palacio Solecio. Málaga is one of the oldest cities in Spain and is located in the Andalusia region on the Mediterranean Sea. It has a rich history dating back to Roman times.

The luxury Hotel Palacio Solecio is housed in a renovated but faithfully restored 18th-century palace in the historic center of the city. It is in the perfect location for exploring the city while providing a quiet and relaxing retreat. The hotel also offers its guests an excellent restaurant, the "Balausta". At the helm of the restaurant are Michelin-starred chef José Carlos García and executive chef, Sergio Solano.

Within a few minutes walk you can reach the Picasso Museum, the Cathedral, the Alcazaba, the Roman Theater and many other sights are within a 2km radius! The beach promenade can also be reached within a few minutes. If you leave the hotel in the evening and walk just 200m to the right, you can already hear the flamenco music from the surrounding bars. The nightlife is raging here and yet we had grandma with us and she thought it was great - by the way 😉

The best way to discover the Costa del Sol is by car, as the distances from village to village have never lasted more than 1 hour but mostly only 30 minutes.

After a excellent dinner and beautiful flamenco music by the guitarist from the Balausta Restaurant, the second day set off for the golfer's paradise and probably the most famous white village of Mijas. We spent 4 nights at the La Zambra Hotel and I can assure you - this hotel is truly one of a kind in the area! The pictures show what I mean.

Not only do we think so, but also one or another celebrity. And by that I don't mean the Rolling Stones, Julio Iglesias or the Princess Diana b.... flash scandal, before the reinvention of the hotel...

The iconic hotel was known as the Byblos in the 80's and 90's. The 197 rooms all have a terrace and are decorated with soft colors and natural materials. The atmosphere is just soothing. The hotel offers a 2500 sqm Mood Spa with five different wellness journeys. The spa is never crowded as each guest books a 2-hour time slot and there are dedicated family times. The various restaurants offer everything from tapas to unusual experimental cuisine - everything you would like to eat in Spain. The breakfast couldn't be better.

While Mijas is known for its quaint whitewashed villages and steep streets, Fuengirola is prized for its long sandy beaches and lively promenade. Fuengirola is one of the liveliest cities on the Costa del Sol and 127 different nationalities live there. The international “Feria internacional de los pueblos” emerged from this harmony of cultures.

We found out about it by accident and made our way there in the evening. More than 30 countries were represented and accordingly there was a lot to eat & drink but above all it was about the music and dancing! These components bring people together from all over the world and although it was veeery crowded, we had so much fun that we went again the next day! Each nationality had its own traditional program, so it's difficult to decide where to go first.

During the day we visited the picturesque village of Mijas and met up with old friends for some tapas and cerveza. Here you can stroll through the alleys, enjoy great views and take beautiful pictures. The prices in the tapas bar in the middle of the square were actually not as expensive as you might think.

By the way, the beach of Mijas "La Cala de Mijas" is a particularly peaceful beach, perfect for those who want to read a book in silence or just relax. Very close to it is the beach "Playa de los Álamos", which is less known to tourists, where we didn't see any Álamos "poplars" but palm trees like in the Caribbean. The beach is 1km long and 60m wide and has clear water, gentle waves and you will meet many locals here. Here we ate smoked sardines in a chringuito for only €2.50/skewer.

We continued to Marbella. Here at the port "Puerto Banus" is the hotspot of the "rich and beautiful". Only the sports cars painted bright green or shiny gold lined up along the promenade. All around there are many small stretches of beach which are great for a long walk or a jog. But Marbella also has a wonderful old town! Since we had some appointments, we could only visit it by night. The walk through Marbella's old town was really one of the most beautiful. The streets are so romantic and there is something to discover around every corner!

Our last stop on the sunny Coast was the beautiful village of Nerja! With crystal clear turquoise waters and huge rocks dotting the coast, Nerja has by far the most beautiful beaches. The beach is impressive and there was a street party here, too. Actually there was a street festival in almost every place within the 10 days.

We were not only on the Costa del Sol for the holiday, but also had a number of business appointments with various hotels. I also looked for my wedding location there and found it! Yes, I've always been in love with Andalusia. That's why we didn't have time to visit some must-see places that we've already got to know from previous trips and would like to recommend to you:

Ronda: Ronda is one of the oldest cities in Spain and is located about 100 kilometers west of Malaga. The city is famous for its stunning cliff-top location and impressive bridge that connects the two parts of the city. Here you can stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, admire the Moorish architecture and enjoy the breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. Ronda is only 1.5 hours away by car.

Caminito del Rey “narrow king's path”: For the adventurous, the Caminito del Rey is an absolute must. This spectacular hiking trail leads along a gorge and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding nature. The trail has recently been renovated and is now safe to walk on. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture the impressive rock formations and waterfalls.

Granada: Granada, a city in southern Spain, is a real treasure of Andalusia. Known for its fascinating Moorish architecture, rich history and vibrant culture, Granada is an absolute must for anyone wishing to discover the beauty of Spain. Granada is only about 2.5 hours away by car, so it's great for a day trip!

Whether you want to explore Andalusian villages, beautiful beaches or an exciting culture, the Costa del Sol will delight you with its beauty and cultural richness. Immerse yourself in the history of Spain and get excited by the breathtaking nature. So just pack your bags, hit the road and let yourself be enchanted by these fascinating travel destinations!