El Puerto de Santa María
What El Puerto de Santa María is really like — sherry bodegas, Bay of Cádiz beaches, the San Marcos castle and seafood on the Ribera del Marisco.
Cadaqués: Dalí’s White Village on Cap de Creus
Guide to Cadaqués — the white fishing village Dalí called home: Portlligat, Cap de Creus, slate coves, art history and how to get over the mountain road.
Tossa de Mar: Vila Vella Walls, Els Ametllers Roman Villa and Coastal Paths
Walled medieval Vila Vella beside the sea, a Roman villa, coastal paths of 3 km and 6.6 km, coarse-sand beaches, and the bus links from Girona and Barcelona.
Jerez de la Frontera
Sherry bodegas, the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and one of flamenco’s home towns, an hour inland from the Costa de la Luz beaches.
Granada: Alhambra Slots, Albaicín Views and Tapas With Your Drink
Inland city about 50 km from the Costa Tropical coast: Alhambra timed slots, the Albaicín hillside, tapas with your drink, and how to plan a day trip.
Mijas: a hill village, the La Cala coast and 11 km between them
Municipality of 95,104 residents (INE, 2025): a whitewashed hill village and, about 11 km away in a straight line, the La Cala coast. Which half to choose.
Estepona: Old Town, Murals and a 2,630 m Town Beach on the Costa del Sol
Town of about 79,600 on the western Costa del Sol: renovated old town, murals, seven watchtowers and the 2,630 m Playa de la Rada. Málaga airport is about 64 km away.
Fuengirola: Beaches, Sohail Castle and the 34-Minute Airport Train
Fuengirola guide: which area suits you, the beaches, Sohail Castle, Bioparc, the Tuesday market and the C1 train from Málaga airport.
Marbella: Old Town, 24 Beaches and the Puerto Banús Marina
Town of about 159,800 on the western Costa del Sol: old town, 24 beaches along 27.9 km of coast, Puerto Banús and the Sierra Blanca. Málaga airport is about 40 minutes by car.
Elche: Palm Groves, Shoes & the Misteri
Inland city near Alicante airport: UNESCO palm grove, Huerto del Cura, the Misteri d’Elx on 14 and 15 August, Spain’s shoe capital. Beaches by bus.