"From the fine sands of exuberant Torremolinos to the chic allure of exclusive Marbella, the Costa del Sol is a vibrant mix of sun, sea and spectacular sights."

Andalucia embodies all that is typically Spanish...sun-soaked beaches, passionate flamenco dancers, Moorish castles, orange groves, proud matadors and sleepy whitewashed towns perched on dramatic hillsides. The Costa del Sol is the perfect gateway to this quintessential picture of Spain and offers so much more besides.

Beaches
Averaging 300 days' sunshine a year, it's little wonder that the Costa del Sol is widely acknowledged as the playground of Europe. The coastline is famed for its miles of wide, sandy beaches lapped by the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean. Most offer a wide range of watersports if you're feeling energetic and sunbeds and parasols if you prefer to while away your days simply lazing in the sun. Torremolinos has a 7km stretch of unbroken sandy shoreline while Nerja is known for its pretty coves tucked under cliffs - perfect if you're looking for a little more seclusion.

Shopping From small souvenir shops to smart boutiques, the Costa del Sol overflows with shops of all shapes and sizes. Marbella is the place to head if you're after classy designer wear while Malaga is home to a large shopping mall and a number of department stores. Fuengirola, meanwhile, stages a weekly street market every Tuesday. Leather goods are particularly good value, as is the ubiquitous Andalucian blue and white coloured pottery. Do remember to haggle with the street traders though in order to pick up some real bargains to take home as presents or momentos.

Nightlife
If you like to relax by day and party by night, you'll love the cheerful exuberance of Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola. The streets are lined with an abundance of lively bars, discos and clubs where you can dance the night away, take to the stage in a karaoke contest or laugh at a comedian on the cabaret circuit. In contrast, evenings in Estepona, Nerja and Marbella are more low key. Visitors often prefer to enjoy the buzz of local tapas bars, the romantic allure of waterfront restaurants or the beguiling draw of a flamenco show where you can experience the compelling rhythm of a Spanish guitarist and the flashing moves of a dazzling dancer.

From the cosmopolitan marinas of Marbella to the top class golf courses of Fuengirola, from the glittering sands of Torremolinos to the lively tapas bars of Nerja, the resorts that make up Spain's 'sunshine coast' offer all ages a fascinating spectrum of sights and activities by day and night.

Local Specialities
Southern Spain is the birthplace of tapas bars. Sometimes called 'pinchos', tapas are small bar snacks that are usually served as an accompaniment to a glass of sherry, wine or beer. Even the smallest of villages in Andalucia play host to at least one tapas bar where locals head in the evenings to enjoy a drink, a bite to eat and of course a chat with friends. Whet your appetite with 'jamon serrano', salt-cured ham that's dried out in the mountain air, or 'tortilla espanola', Spanish omelette made from potato and onions bound with eggs. Other tempting dishes include 'calamares fritos', deep fried squid rings drizzled with lemon juice, 'albondigas', meatballs served in a rich tomato sauce, and 'queso manchego', a mature sheep's cheese. Tapas are normally eaten standing rather than sitting down which adds to the vibrant atmosphere experienced in the bar.

highlights
Gibraltar: Gibraltar is a definite 'must see'! The famous Rock can be visited on an optional tour during a daytrip to this British colony situated at the southernmost tip of Spain. A duty free paradise, it also makes for some excellent bargain hunting! Complete the day with a trip round the harbour where dolphins are a daily sighting.

Tangiers - Discover a different world just across the Strait of Gibraltar. Tangiers delights the senses with exotic sounds, sights and smells. A great chance to sample Arab culture in just one day - are you ready for the adventure?

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Thomson Holidays have over 100 package holiday resorts around the world. We have provided details of the most popular locations. However, you can use the search facility at the top of this page to search for a holiday in any of Thomson Holiday's package holiday resorts.

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