Getting around the Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol public transport is excellent and is used by tourists and locals alike. Here are some of the options available to you:

Local Services:

• Buses are very frequent and you can get buses to Mijas, Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Malaga. From Malaga there are excellent connections to all of the Costa del Sol.

• There is a fantastic local train service from Benalmadena (Arroyo de la Miel) to Fuengirola in one direction or Malaga in the other. It runs from 7am – 11pm at least depending on season and there is a train every 30 minutes.

Use the Renfe website for timetable information. Under the origin and destino headings choose the stations you wish to travel between and click on itinerario.

• Public taxis Benalmadena Tel: 952 244 15 45
• Airport information Malaga. Tel: 952 0484 84/952 0488 38

International Services:

Many airlines fly into Malaga airport – here are a selection and their websites.

• www.easyjet.com

• www.thomsonfly.com

• www.bmibaby.com

• www.monarchscheduled.com

• www.ba.com

• www.jet2.com

• www.flybe.com

Nerja

Nerja is situated on the coast, at the foothills of the dramatic Sierra Almijaras mountains about forty five kilometres (a 40 minute drive) east of Malaga on the Costa Del Sol.

Although Nerja is a popular tourist resort it has managed to keep its Spanish character, particularly the old part of town with it’s narrow cobbled streets and Tapas Bars. English is fairly well spoken but it remains a working Spanish town.

All the normal things are here, beaches galore (some very private and others more commercial having restaurants and water sports facilities), supermarkets, chemists, doctors, two weekly markets and loads of bars and restaurants.

The Balcon de Europ is in the centre of the town and is the focal point of Nerja nightlife. During the summer months this promenade teams with entertainers, artists, dancers and stalls of all descriptions.

The town centre with plenty of shops makes good for early evening browsing before settling down in one of the many fine bars and restaurants serving traditional Spanish and international cuisine.

A short drive or cab ride from Nerja there is lots to see and do; the caves at Maro, inland villages and a little further a field, Nerja is only two hours drive from the Sierra Nevada (Europe’s most Southerly Ski resort) Also two hours drive is Granada and the Alhambra Palace.

 

If you are looking for a relaxing quiet time on holiday in Spain, Nerja is the place for you, there are fine restaurants and it is very good for couples looking for a romantic holiday in a picturesque Spanish town.

Marbella & Puerto Banus

Marbella and Puerto Banus

With 27 kilometres of coastline and 24 different beaches to choose from Marbella has something for everyone. Whether you’re into jet-ski-ing, sailing, star-spotting, balloon flights, cable ski-ing or simply enjoying some of the best fresh seafood in the world you’ll find it all at Marbella’s seafront and water sports centres.

Stroll along the famous Golden Mile and dine at some of the most sumptuous (and expensive) restaurants that the Mediterranean has to offer. Or visit one of the many “chiringuitos” – the beach bars that pepper this stretch of coastline, serving much-needed cold drinks and delicious food to summer visitors. If you’re a sucker for seafood try their fresh char-grilled sardines.

Marbella has a distinctly cosmopolitan feel to it, more so than the other main towns on the Costa del Sol, local celebrities include Sean Connery, Melanie Griffith & Antonio Banderas (who originally came from Malaga). It’s not surprising then that it is often compared with the likes of Monaco and Portofino.

If you would like a bit of Hollywood style glitz why not visit Puerto Banus, where you can amble beside the yachts and speedboats of the rich and famous, the king of Spain also moors his yacht in this port from time to time, which is an awe-inspiring sight! Expensive sports and luxury cars litter the area; Puerto Banus is a place that inspires people!

Since its inception some forty years ago, the port has steadily grown and now features a casino, commercial shopping centre, a Corte Ingles department store, marine observatory and a multi cinema with films shown with their original soundtrack.

Benalmadena

What about Benalmadena Spain?

The pueblo itself is a small village, 300 metres above sea-level which maintains its tranquility and its typical whitewashed charm. You can relax and admire the panoramic views within the walled gardens. The church of Santo Domingo is also located here.

Benalmadena Property in demand

Benalmandena is the third most area visited by tourists in Spain. Benalmadena Costa which sits next to Torremolinos. It has 9km of shoreline with beautiful beaches and tiny coves and a fully equipped marina for over 1,000 vessels.

Benalmadena Costa also has it’s own casino, night club and golf course. There is a garden of over 200,000 square metres, overlooking the sea. The La Paloma Park has a large lake, stocked with various water birds.

Property in Benalmadena

Next to the park is the feria ground where the flea market is held.. There is a booming holiday rental business in Benalmadena, so if you are buying a property in Spain the demand for property in Benalmadena in the holiday season is such that a good income can be generated from an apartment here.

The Colomares Castle and its stunning architecture is a tribute to Columbus and incorporates a bird of prey sanctuary. Arroyo de la Miel is the most business orientated area between the pueblo and the coast of Benalmádena- the Casa de la Cultura (cultural centre) and Tivoli World Amusement Park are housed here as well as reataurants, bars and shops galore.

Benalmadena Costa

Benalmádena Costa has become one of the most popular and attractive areas on the coast itself and boasts a sports harbour which won the Best International Marine Port award in 1995. The marina is surrounded by apartments and offers sports such as diving and sailing.

On the main promenade you will find some of the best restaurants in the area including the Bil-Bil Castle in Arabic style. Slightly further inland, La Paloma Park offers 200,000 square metres of gardens overlooking the sea.

Fuengirola

 

Situated on the coast down the hill from Mijas, Fuengirola has five miles of promenade (paseo maritimo) the Rey de Espana, which offers a most pleasant walk along the beach with a number of chiringuitos along the way to enjoy a relaxing drink or sample the wide variety of seafood they have on offer, watch the chef cook your food on a barbecue on the beach!

Fuengirola is central for all the activities available on the Costa del Sol , it is 20mins away from Malaga airport, 20mins from Marbella and Puerto banus, 10mins from Torremolinos/Benalmadena and 1hr from Gibraltar.

There are many excellent places to spend your time in Fuengirola, it has one of the best open air zoos in Europe.There is the Sohail castle which lies at the west end of the promenade with its park and many festivals held within its ancient grounds.

The flea market held on a Saturday at the Feria ground is the largest of its kind in the area and will interest those who like local crafts, leather, jewellery and souvenirs.. There is the aqua park, which is an oasis of fun and of course the 5 miles of sandy beaches! For the gamblers amongst you there is the Hippodromo, the Costa del Sol’s racetrack which has meetings every week and includes lots of entertainment around the course.

Nightlife is very diverse in Fuengirola and it has something for everyone. Eating out is a very important part of the nightlife in Fuengirola with its many different restaurants in the world famous fish alley!. There are also many watering holes along fish alley where you can meet up to relax in the Mediterranean evenings. There are also many late night/early morning bars all over town to enjoy for the young and young at heart.

Why not visit the port which incorporates a working fishing port and marina, there are many restaurants and bars to visit, fish and shellfish are very popular, boat trips, fishing trips and scuba diving are widely available. There is also a market on a Sunday with the local goods available!

Why choose the Costa del Sol?

Trends come and go, fashions come in and go out, some things remain the same, and others evolve.

The Costa del Sol has been a favourite holiday destination for over 40 years and has now evolved into the Number 1 destination for UK expats to start their life abroad.

The fact that the sunshine coast has been so popular for so long means that it has some great benefits to the Brit Abroad:

• Fantastic infrastructure – loads of budget airlines fly into Malaga airport, including 25% of all Easyjet’s flights!
• Great education – dozens of International English speaking schools, and lots of state schools used to teaching British children.
• A wealth of leisure facilities – there are 8 cinemas with English language films within 30 minutes of Benalmadena, a penguinarium, ice rink, and state of the art fitness facilities.
• Great business opportunities – the huge expat community means lots of English speaking clients for your business.

All in all it is a great place to live and work, these are just some of the reasons why Apartsol help over 1000 people a year relocate to the Costa del Sol.

Call us now on 0871 780 1424 or (+34) 952 441388 and Make the Move today!

Torremolinos

Torremolinos 

Anyone who has been travelling to the Costa del Sol for many years knows that Torremolinos was the small fishing village that led the tourist boom in the late fifties and sixties. Now, it has become one of the biggest resorts on the coast and is regarded as the South coast’s equivilent of Benidorm so if you are looking for a cultural experience this is not the place for you.If you like to party then Torremolinos is definately the place for you!! There are not many towns along the Costa del Sol that have more bars, restaurants and nightclubs (including a large gay community) and with 70% of its visitors coming from the UK there is virtually no language barrier. Less than 10 minutes from Malaga Airport it is the most accessible of the resorts along the coast.

There are two main beaches to Torremolinos that are both long and sandy and with the many activities on the beaches including para-gliding, water skiing and banana boats plus plenty of beach bars and restaurants to choose from there is always something to do while you soak up the mediterranean sun. if you fancy getting wet in a different way you can try the aqua park on the outskirts of town.

The heart of the town is the pedestrianised area known as Calle San Miguel which is packed with shops and boutiques selling all kinds of products for all you shop-aholics out there!!! At the height of the season this area is packed with people and is a hive of activity. During the summer, the town hall hosts an unlimited number of events including festivals of music, dance and jazz as well as volleyball and football competitions.

The local council has invested heavily in the area over the last few years including a new seafront promenade which stretches all the way to the neighbouring resort of Benalmadena and more than a thousand species of trees, shrubs and flowers have been planted around the town in public gardens providing a welcome reprieve from the surrounding hustle and bustle of bar and beach life.

Torremolinos is not for the culture seekers, but for beaches, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, shops and a generally fun packed holiday Torremolinos is one of the best spots on the Costa del Sol.

Make the move – we did!

Moving to Spain should be a great experience, a chance to enjoy fabulous weather, a relaxed lifestyle, a fresh start, maybe a new career and to immerse yourself in a new culture.

So you’ve made the decision – what next?

To make the move as smooth as possible I recommend the following Top Five Tips:

1. Take a trip – before you jump in and commit yourself to a new country make a trip and try and look at your destination through the eyes of a local, not a holidaymaker: is it easy to get around?, can I get to and from the UK easily if I need to?, are there suitable schools for my children?, will i enjoy it in the winter as well as the summer? A little bit of research at the beginning goes a long way.
2. Fill in the Family – Tell your family & friends you’re going – a lot of people dream about a new life overseas and never quite make it – once you have decided tell as many people as possible – then there is no going back!
3. Put away some pennies – although the cost of living in Spain is cheap compared to the UK, if you have some funds behind you it will make life all the more pleasant whilst you are looking for work and getting settled in. Like most things in life, moving to a new country takes a bit longer, and costs a bit more than you might think.
4. Boring but beneficial – there are certain things that are essential when moving to Spain and easier sorted out in advance. If you have time it is handy to have a few days in Spain just a couple of weeks before your big move to sort out some essentials: your new home, your Spanish bank account, your NIE number to allow you to get a job and not forgetting your Spanish SIM card so you can give your new number to all your friends back home before you go!
5. Learn the Lingo – well a little bit Although most Spanish people you meet on the Costa del Sol will speak some English a little bit of local knowledge will help enormously – this book is a good start.

Moving to Spain can be the best experience of your life, everyone of us at Apartsol has done it, and we’ve helped hundreds of other people do the same.

If you need any help or advice just drop us a line and benefit from our experience.

Make the move – we did!