Explore and Dine

The coastline stretches for miles, offering everything from lively beach clubs to quiet natural stretches of sand. In areas like Marbella and Estepona, beach days are a way of life rather than just a holiday activity.

You can relax at well-equipped beach clubs with sunbeds, music, and dining service, or head to quieter areas like Playa de Cabopino where natural dunes and pine forests create a more untouched setting. The protected Dunas de Artola offers wooden walkways through sand dunes, giving you a rare sense of nature on the coast.

Beach days here are slow, social, and centred around long lunches, swimming, and sunset walks along the shoreline. A few of our favourite beach clubs:

• Ocean Club Marbella is a large poolside beach club in Puerto Banús famous for champagne service, sunbeds, and lively summer events.
• La Plage Casanis offers an elegant and laid-back beach club with a refined French-inspired concept and beachfront dining.
• Sublim is a chic beachfront restaurant and beach club with a sophisticated, modern vibe, offering elevated dining, cocktails, and relaxed luxury by the sea.
• Azure Beach is a beachfront restaurant and beach club in Estepona, offering Mediterranean cuisine, cocktails, and a relaxed seaside atmosphere.

Marinas are a key part of Costa del Sol life, blending luxury, dining, and leisure in one place.

Puerto Banús is the most famous, known for superyachts, designer boutiques, and vibrant nightlife. It is a place to see and be seen, especially in the evenings when the marina comes alive.

For a quieter experience, Puerto Cabopino offers a small, charming harbour surrounded by waterfront restaurants, ideal for relaxed lunches or sunset dinners. Further west, Sotogrande Marina adds a more exclusive, residential feel with canals and elegant waterfront homes.

The Costa del Sol is known globally as the Costa del Golf thanks to its exceptional year-round playing conditions.

In areas like Nueva Andalucía, golf courses such as Los Naranjos Golf Club are surrounded by luxury villas and apartments, creating entire communities built around the sport.

Golf here is not just a game. It is a social lifestyle. Courses are beautifully maintained, views often include mountains and sea, and clubhouses serve as meeting points for dining and socialising year-round.

Just minutes from the coast, the landscape transforms into mountains, forests, and rivers.

You can hike iconic routes like La Concha above Marbella, or explore the peaceful trails around Benahavís where rivers, valleys, and natural parks create a completely different world. In Ojén and Istán, trails offer panoramic sea views and quiet, uncrowded paths through nature.

Families can enjoy a day out at the Zoo of Estepona or nearby waterparks, while inland areas offer canyoning, mountain biking, climbing, and horse riding. The variety is what makes it special. You can go from beach to mountain in under 20 minutes.

The Costa del Sol is rich in traditional Andalusian culture.

Marbella Old Town is a highlight, with narrow cobbled streets, flower-filled balconies, and the beautiful Plaza de los Naranjos at its centre. It is perfect for slow walks, boutique shopping, and tapas evenings.

Puente Romano is one of the most prestigious luxury destinations in Marbella. Located on the Mediterranean coast, it is renowned for its elegant Andalusian-style architecture, beautiful gardens, and world-class amenities. The resort offers exceptional restaurants, exclusive boutiques, a renowned tennis club, and direct access to the beach, making it a popular destination for visitors seeking luxury, relaxation, and an authentic Mediterranean lifestyle.

Nearby, Málaga offers museums, art galleries, and a more urban cultural scene, while towns like Estepona, Benahavís, and Mijas Pueblo provide authentic whitewashed village charm.

Dining is a core part of life here. You will find everything from beachfront chiringuitos serving fresh seafood to Michelin-starred restaurants in Marbella and Sotogrande.

A few of our favourite restaurants:

Inland, Benahavís is famous for its restaurant scene, offering traditional Spanish cuisine in a mountain village setting. Along the coast, long lunches often turn into evening dinners, especially in summer when dining outdoors becomes part of the daily rhythm. In the beautiful mountain village of Benahavís, dining is a way of life:

• Los Abanicos is a long-established favourite known for traditional Spanish cuisine, high-quality meats, and a warm, authentic atmosphere. A true local institution that people return to again and again.
• El Gamonal is a relaxed and welcoming spot outside the village, offering a varied menu, generous portions, and a great terrace for long, easy lunches or dinners.

San Pedro de Alcántara is a growing hotspot for modern dining with a more relaxed, contemporary feel:

• Tanino is a stylish restaurant offering modern Mediterranean cuisine in a sophisticated but informal setting. Perfect for date nights or relaxed dinners with friends.
• Kala Kalua is a popular, modern venue known for its vibrant atmosphere, fresh dishes, and social dining style. Ideal for long lunches or lively evenings on the beach.
• Bel Mare is a beachfront Mediterranean restaurant known for its fresh Italian food and relaxed atmosphere.

A mix of tradition and authentic local flavour in the heart of the coast:

• Taberna Casa Curro is a classic, no-frills tapas bar offering traditional Andalusian food in a truly local setting in Marbella Pueblo. Perfect for an authentic Marbella experience away from the tourist spots.

One of the fastest-growing food scenes on the coast in the Estepona area:

• Kuvo offers a modern and elegant dining experience focusing on contemporary cuisine, creative presentation, and a refined atmosphere.
• El Carnicero is well known for its excellent selection of meats and lively atmosphere, making it a popular choice for a special night out.

One of the biggest advantages of living here is the variety within driving distance. You can visit the dramatic cliffs of Ronda, explore Gibraltar's unique British-Spanish culture, or discover white villages like Casares, Gaucín, and Mijas Pueblo. Longer trips include Granada's Alhambra or Cádiz's Atlantic coastline.

What makes the Costa del Sol truly special is how naturally everything blends together: beach mornings, golf afternoons, mountain escapes, and long evenings out. It is not about doing one thing, but about having endless options every day of the year.