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Torremolinos and La Carihuela
This is where it all began: what was once a tiny fishing village has become one of the largest - and most popular - of all the Costa del Sol holiday resorts. And it's not hard to see why. For sheer choice of hotels, bars, discos and beaches, good old 'Torrie' is quite simply hard to beat. The Aqua park near the Palacio de Congresos has Europe's largest water-slide, wave machines, the Cresta Run water mountain - plus plenty more besides. The fascinating Crocodile Park just outside Torremolinos is one of the area's most popular attractions. To the east of the town are two main beaches of Playamar and Bajondillo. there are parasols and sun loungers 'a go-go' to rent here - not to mention every kind of cafe and restaurant imaginable. Beach volleyball and soccer are also on the agenda in high season, with water sports on offer at the neighboring Benalmadena marina. There are plenty of beach front cafes (called Chiringuitos) selling fried fish, snacks and refreshments, which is just as well as the walk back from the main beach into the town centre is uphill all the way. The number one street for shopping is Calle San Miguel where you can find any manner of goods. There are bars in abundance proclaiming their heritage to one nationality of another; Irish, English, Dutch,German you name it Torremolinos is likely to have it. The busy nightclubs pump out the latest music and stay open until dawn or even later. Make no mistakes, Torremolinos is about having fun
Marbella
Marbella is a stylish, cosmopolitan resort that has long attracted the rich and famous, alongside thousands of ordinary holidaymakers seduced by its beautiful landscaping and un-spoilt hidden corners. Along with the long sandy beach its main focus is the Old Town (the Casco Antiguo) where the bougainvillaea floods the whitewashed buildings in dazzling colour. Check out the Plaza de Los Naranjos for some Old Marbella atmosphere- home to the 16th century town hall and a handy tourist information office, not to mention bars and bistros. Avda Ricardo de Soviano, with its designer boutiques meanwhile, is the epicentre of modern Marbella. One of the prettiest places is the fabled 'Orange Square', which is located just off the main street in the older district and also home to the 16th century town hall, and tourist office where you can pick up a detailed map and any additional information. The plaza is lined with stately buildings, small shops, art galleries, bars and bistros and is a hub of activity day and night. Depending on the time of year, of course, the colours here are truly dramatic and vibrant with the trees and exotic plants set against a backdrop of dazzling white buildings and a deep blue sky. You can take your pick from more than 26km of clean, well maintained beaches as well as water sports such as Jet-skiing in Marbella and sailing at Puerto Banus. For an action-packed time, visit Funny Beach - there's as much going on out of the water as on it, here, including jet-skis, water-slides, go-karting, paintball shooting and giant Scalextric. Just off Marbella's promenade is a large family beach with lots of activities. Playa del Duque near Puerto Banus offers a quieter beachside experience.
Fuengirola
Lively, popular and always buzzing - the resort of Fuengirola has come a long way from its days as a simple Spanish fishing villaga. Today it's a fascinating mix of local Spanish residents and international visitors, many of whom have made their permanent home in the urbanization housing complexes that stretch up into the hills. Lying to the east of Marbella it is a bustling little town during the height of the tourist season. The town is full of bars and nightclubs, offering something for most tastes. The castle has become the town's symbol; situated outside the town on a hill it commands an impressive view over Fuengirola and the sea. Although the castle may be the town's symbol it is probably better known for its beaches. Fuengirola's amazing beach is overlooked by one of the longest promenades in the Mediterranean and takes just a little over 2hrs to walk from one end to the other. From the walkways gently swaying palm trees it's only a short stroll to one of the resort's oldest areas, the Santa Fe quarter where fishermen once worked and lived. Today this is an attractive alternative to Fuengirola's modern face, a maze of white washed buildings and narrow streets, where the restaurants are some of the best in town. Try some of those surrounding the Plaza de la Constitucion or the Calle Moncayo and soak in the atmosphere. There's literally tons of watery fun on offer at the spectacular Parque Aquatico Mijas waterpark- easy to reach from Fuengirola bus station via a 10 minute shuttle bus service. Open daily from May-September. Parklandia at Puerto Deportivo, Paseo Maritimo means you can stay on dry land while the kids take their pick from countless swings, slides, frames. There's even a bouncy castle and mini-karting. There are excellent views from Fuengirola's castle, perched high on a hill to the west side of town.
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Mijas
At first sight Mijas is the Andaluz pueblo blanco par excellence - it's ancient white-washed houses clinging to the hillside surrounded by some of the best coastal views in Spain. In fact its beauty- and easy access from the coast- has made it a 'mini resort' in its own right with some 90% of the population now of foreign origin. Since the sixties many artists and other crafts people have made their home here and the town now boasts a wide range of bars, cafe's and restaurants for the visitors coming here on a day trip basis- as well as those staying in villas nearby. There is a thriving arts and crafts movement in Mijas, particularlly linen and wicker items and the locally made bread and honey is definitely worth trying. Still on a culinary note, the traditional local fare includes gazpachuelo (an egg soup) and for those with a sweeter tooth, there are the typical cakes made with almonds, called bunuelos and homazos. One of the most interesting buildings in Mijas is the hermitage of El Puerto which can be spied, just about everywhere in the village, appropriately enough, halfway up a mountain! Keep looking and you may just catch a glimpse of a hand glider wafting over the peak. Mijas is also well positioned for some of the area's championship golf courses-including Los Lagos and Los Olivos- and the panoramic views really are superb!
Puerto Banus
Puerto Banus is the ultimate playground for the international jet set where the gleaming yachts are some of the largest and most luxurious you'll see anywhere. Literally teeming with nightlife, eating and designer shopping opportunities. Puerto Banus is located just west of Marbella, before you reach the small town of San Pedro de Alcantara. Built by Don Jose Banus in 1970, it was the Costa del Sol's first pleasure harbour, and its impact has been so great that it is no longer simply a marina, having become a residential area for high-class tourism. The harbour is not only a berthing place for some of the world's most spectacular yachts and sailing ships, it is also home to some of Marbella's premier tourist establishments, including the Casino. The Nightlife in Puerto Banus is excellent, with your choice of cafe's piano bars,restaurants and disco's, while during the day this is a window shopper's dream with several of the worlds renowned fashion houses featured here, in addition to small , interesting shops and boutiques. The beach is at the north of the town and is called Playa Lavante. It is long and wide and very clean.There are over 100 restaurants, beautiful shops, designer boutiques as well as a casino, night-clubs and a 7 screen cinema complex all in Puerto Banus.
Benalmadena
Benalmadena is an Andalucian mountain village, which perches on top of a rocky outcrop of the coastal range in Malaga Province. From here it commands the Mediterranean shore between Torremolinos and Fuengirola, the modern municipality which bears its name forming one of the most important focal points of the Costa del Sol. The mountains that form a backdrop protect the whole area from any encroachment of northern European weather.This picturesque village and its coastline are eminently suitable for tourism, with a population of over 60,000 people at the height of the season. Make no mistake though; this is still the heart of tourist country with crowded beaches, an abundance of British bars and restaurants to cater for most tastes. The new Puerto Marina is the place to go for young "party goers". Popular with locals and tourists alike the place has a distinctly international feel to it. The area is crammed with a variety of nightclubs and bars playing the latest music and staying open until sunrise.
 Arroyo de la Miel
Arroyo de la Miel, whose name means "river of honey" is the populated area between the mountains and the coast in the region of Benalmadena. This is where most of the area's population and businesses are located and it has a wide range of attractions including a sports complex, bilingual library and the world famous theme park Tivoli World. It is also where the cable car to the mountain peak starts from. Arroyo offers a wide selection of caf'e bars, restaurants, supermarkets, banks and a health clinic. Arroyo de la Miel is only 15 minutes by train from Malaga International Airport or a 10 minute journey by taxi.
The train from here runs from Malaga centre to Fuengirola via the airport. It stops at Arroyo on the hour and half hour. Fuengirola is just 7 minutes away and Torremolinos only 5 minutes away by train. There is a regular bus service to Benalmadena Pueblo, Mijas, Fuengirola, Malaga and Marbella.
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the major coastal city of Andalucia and is a genuine and typical Andaluz city with a gritty individualism untouched by tourism and the passage of time. The Moors occupied the city until the mid fifteenth century, after which it grew to become one of the foremost merchant centers in the entire Iberian Peninsula. This illustrious past has left its imprint on the historic center, particularly around La Alcazaba, a fortress that dates back to 1065 and is now a fascinating archaeological museum. Malaga's old town is charming, with narrow streets that still have a Moorish air, Baroque facades and little squares, and the hidden corners that preserve a nineteenth century air. There is plenty to see in both the old part of the city and in its more populated neighborhoods, next to the port or the beach at El Palo. Garden lovers won't be disappointed in Malaga either. In the center of the city is the beautiful Alameda Gardens, and just outside on the way to Antequera one finds the extensive Jardines de la Concepción. Málaga airport is of course one of the major airports in Spain due to the number of tourist arrivals on charter flights from Northern Europe using Malaga airport as a gateway to the Costa del Sol.