The Costa del Sol began its tourism boost in the early 1950’s – at the time when a few wealthy people arrived on its shores in search of something different. Soon, the fishing and farming-based rural community soon began to change as a result of mass tourism.

Torremolinos was the first established tourist resort on the Costa del Sol and grew dramatically within a few years of its third hotel, the Pez Espada Hotel opening in 1959. By the end of the sixties and beginning of the seventies, the surrounding towns of Benalmádena, Mijas and Fuengirola had also grown to accommodate tourists. All are just as popular resorts today with the main reason being the sun!

The 160km of ‘Sun Coast’ is blessed by a Mediterranean climate with an average temperature of 25ºC during the summer, guaranteeing visitors nearly three thousand hours of sun per year. Beaches are cleaned everyday and facilities are second to none, with some of the finest restaurants only a stone’s throw away.

Just down the coast from Torremolinos, a different class of tourism was being made. Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe founded the Marbella Club in 1954 and with his worldwide contacts managed to attract high class jet-setters from aristocrats to film stars – thus placing Marbella well and truly on the quality tourism map. José Banús then began work on the great marina and property project that takes the shape of the prestigious Puerto Banús.

Along came the golf courses, nightclubs and casinos, theme parks and shopping centres to cater for the growing needs of high-spending tourists. Building soon started in the west of the province at Serranía de Ronda and to the east at the Axarquía and then into the Antequera ad Guadalhorce Valley areas.

In fact, the discovery of the famous caves of Nerja in 1959 stimulated the tourism in Axarquía, although growth was not as fast as on the other side of Malaga city. This is now the very charm of the region – with beautiful mountain villages and towns that managed to escape the impact of international tourism.

The Costa del Sol landscape changes dramatically from place to place and with 23 protected spaces in the province of Malaga, there is plenty for nature lovers to choose from. Maro-Cerro Gordo, in the municipality of Nerja is made up of rock formations rising high out of the water, being part of the same geological formation of the nearby Tejeda and Almijara mountain range. The result is small, deep caves, excellent for underwater diving in the crystal-clear waters.

With eleven marinas, the Costa del Sol is ahead of the rest of Andalusia in sailing and watersports facilities. Golf is also a big deal, with the western Costa del Sol area having the highest concentration of golf courses in all of continental Europe – many are used for international championships such as the Ryder Cup and the Spanish Open.

Tennis, paddle tennis, badminton and squash are popular sports, as is horse-riding with wonderful riding routes through mountain and forest regions and two exceptional equestrian centres.

The Costa del Sol has the highest number of restaurants in all of Andalusia ranging from Michellin Star-awarded establishments like the El Tragabuches in Ronda, the Cáfe de Paris in Malaga City and the Las Dunas in Estepona, to the more middle of the range restaurants. Malaga is famous for its fried fish but in fact, each of the 101 municipalities of the province has its own local speciality.

The Costa del Sol is not just a summer destination. In fact, the number of landing and take-off permits requested by airlines operating out of Malaga airport between the months of October and March grows each year. This is a great time for avoiding the seasonal nature of tourist traffic and low season temperatures rarely drop below 14 degrees during the day.

Local firms have adapted their products and services to the winter demand and accommodation including hotels, apartments and rural houses remain open during the low season and adapt their programmes and activities to the time of year.

When most of Europe’s golf courses close for the winter – Malaga’s numerous golf courses are thriving and an active calendar of events and celebrations of all kinds is an attractive draw for visitors at all times of the year – including folk festivals to traditional dance, artistic or cultural displays.

Of course, there is always the spa – a welcoming ingredient to any holiday, whatever time of year so recharge your batteries with some therapy at one of the many health resorts and thalassotherapy centres located on the Costa del Sol.

The Costa del Sol has been a success for many years due to its ability to adapt to the growing needs of its visitors. With facilities consistently growing and improving, a holiday to the ‘Sun Coast’ can be as you always like it or it can be a completely different experience every time.