Costa del Sol, Spain

Eating out in Costa del Sol, Spain

Malaga, the gateway to Costa del Sol, is known for its traditional cooking using simple ingredients to create a rich variety of dishes. One native specialty served in most restaurants is the spicy ajo colorao made with flaked cod, olive oil, and cayenne pepper. Pork is a favorite dish with age-old family recipes of endless variety coming from the inland towns. Coastal cuisine is enriched by a bounty of seafood, with favorites like sardines and the Malaga clams. One thoroughly authentic and immensely fun eating experience is to find some local fishermen on the beach cooking freshly caught sardines on skewers over a wood fire and serving them with salad from makeshift kiosks. Exquisite fruits like the Periana peaches, Ronda pears, and Guadalhorce oranges feature highly in most meals, especially at dessert time. Towns with convents get special sweet treats traditionally made by the Holy Sisters, like polvoron cakes, fudge, and date bread. Wine is a way of life, and even the most humble restaurant have a respectable selection, while the finer restaurants have wine cellars that are almost redundantly extraordinary!.

Gourmet

La Meridiana is set in Marbella's airy heights and serves diners in a canopied garden room with an adjacent patio bar. The sumptuous menu features dishes such as swordfish carpaccio, artichokes with foie gras, and seasonal game specialties. Camino de la Cruz, Málaga.

Highly Recommended

Cipriano employs one the most renowned group of chefs in the country. The restaurant specializes in exquisite preparation of the wide variety of seafood brought in fresh daily. The preparation and quality of meat dishes is equally fine, and flavor range from regional influences to international traditions. The salons are richly appointed and there is a wide terrace filled with tropical plants and the scent of the ocean wafting through. Playas del Duque, Marbella.

Local Flair

La Caracola del Puerto is where the Spanish go for their Paella, and there can be no better recommendation than that for this world-famous restaurant at the waters edge! The menu boasts an amazing 40 different rice specialties and 8 types of fiduas. Muelle de Benabola 5, Puerto Banús.

Romantic

El Sultán is hailed by all as a gem of Moroccan cuisine and culture. Some food critics even suggest it might be the best on the coast and only improves with time. The tenderness of the meat, the freshness of the vegetables, and the savory herbs and spices come together as a gift to the senses and palate. The peaceful, sultry decor and the obliging staff lull guests into a state of bliss that is jarred only in the most delightful manner by the alluring belly-dancers! Heroes de Baler, Fuengirola.

Going party in Costa del Sol, Spain

The Costa del Sol is famous for its nightlife, with the glitterati and everyday people partying together till dawn at an enormous amount of bars, pubs and clubs that cater to all. Particularly popular are Benalmádena Costa, Fuengirola, and Puerto Banus. There are 2 casinos on the coast if you want to try your gaming luck, and the rousing flamenco shows get everyone stirred up. If you prefer a more demure night out, you'll be pleased with the quality of theater, opera, and classical concerts not usually associated with a beach resort. Of course, a moonlight stroll along the Mediterranean coast a must!.

Benalmádena.

Bonanza Square, Puerto Deportivo, and 24 Hr Square These 3 entertainment centers should be high on your list of nightspots. They are packed with pubs, bars, and discotheques that buzz until the early hours of the morning.

Fuengirola.

Fuengirola Church Square

A good selection of shops, bars, and cafés make popular meeting grounds to start off the night.

Fuengirola Paseo Marítimo

This sea front strip covers a long stretch of coastline from Carvajal through Torreblanca and Los Boliches, right down to Sohail Castle at the far western end of town. The Paseo entertains people of all types and ages with live music, dancing, karaoke, cocktail bars and, of course, beach bars.

The London Underground

Top DJs spin a jammin' mix to keep the crowd dancing till the wee hours. Happy hour runs from 11pm to 1am, and nightly competitions pump up the party atmosphere.

Puerto Banus/Marbella.

La Comedia

Puerto Banus attracts a younger, trendier crowd than some of the other resort areas. Among its many clubs, bars, and restaurant, La Comedia stands out as one of the best clubs on the coast with a hot crowd and excellent music.

Common events in Costa del Sol, Spain

Fairs range from the smallest of local celebrations to full-fledged carnivals incorporating street parades and fairground rides. Traditional music, dance, and folk dress, food and drink, and an energetic party atmosphere provide the background for the year-round Spanish festivals. Following is a schedule of select Costa del Sol ferias:.

Alhaurín de la Torre

January and June.

Benalmádena

June and August.

Estepona

May and July.

Fuengirola

July and October.

Málaga

August and September.

Marbella/San Pedro

June and October.

Ronda

January and September.

Torremolinos

July and September.

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Most small towns throughout Spain celebrate this most important religious holiday. Processions move to the rhythm of the saeta, a love song to the Virgin or Christ, while floats bear their images through the streets. April.

Corpus Christi

A major holiday on the Spanish calendar, especially in cathedral cities like Seville, Toledo, Málaga, and Granada. Religious fervor is combined with the artistically decorated balconies and facades, and the carpeting of streets with real flowers. June.

Virgen del Carmen

This marine festival is celebrated all along the coast with showy nautical processions in which the Virgin is placed in a boat full of flowers and lights. She sails along the coast near the shore of each town amid songs, acclaim, rockets, and the sound of sirens from the boats escorting her. July 16.

All Saints' Day

The whole country celebrates this holy day, but nowhere as fervently as in Seville. By tradition, the dead are lamented by friends and family who place wreaths on their graves. November.

Dia de los Santos Inocentes

This countrywide holiday is also celebrated with more vigor in Seville than in the rest of the country. Amounting to a Spanish April Fool's Day, people play many practical jokes and goof on each other, which is extra fun for people-watching tourists! December.