Tourist - guide

Starting a travel blog was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve been blogging since 2017, and it’s given me more opportunities than I could ever imagine, including six figures in passive income. Back then, I never thought I’d travel to 45 countries by age 27 and quit my corporate job to pursue my lifetime passion. It’s truly a privilege.

From fairytale towns and medieval castles to waterfront villas and delicious cuisine, Europe is one of the coolest continents on Earth. Hop on a short flight or train ride and you’ll be transported to a different country with its own unique heritage, language, identity, and gastronomical scene

In Europe, you have a lot of everything: quaint villages, historic architecture, tasty food, and epic landscapes to name a few. Stay in an igloo as you gaze at the Aurora Borealis in Iceland, Sweden, Finland, or Norway. Get lost exploring the mega cities of London and Paris. Indulge in the local pasta and wine in a coastal Italian town. No matter the time of year, there’s plenty of unique things to do in Europe that will lure you back again and again.

BEST THINGS TO DO ON THE COSTA DEL SOL
Part 6
Looking to experience the best that Spain has to offer? Look no further than the Costa del Sol. Located in Andalusia, this region is home to some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. It’s where Old Towns meet luxury beach resorts; and sprawling cities like Marbella meet historic fishing villages. There are so many things to do in Costa del Sol, but which are the best? Read below to find out!
With perfect weather year-round, it’s no wonder that this stretch of coastline translates to “sun coast” in English. There are parts that are urban and developed and other parts that are more rustic and historic – offering a unique juxtaposition to this top holiday destination in Europe.
Wondering what to do on Spain’s Costa del Sol? Sure, the beaches and golf courses are second to none. But this region also has no shortage of unique sights, activities, delicacies, and more. With some of these highlights and hidden gems you can make the most out of any trip!

BEST THINGS TO DO ON THE COSTA DEL SOL
Part 5
Costa del Sol things to do for tourists today!
Starting with the now upscale Marbella, and the more pedestrian Torremolinos, rebranding took hold and tourism exploded. Thanks to visitors including princes, the Rolling Stones, sheiks and world leaders, the Costa del Sol has become a top choice among Europeans (especially Brits) for relocation and sunny holidays.
For many of these, a mantra of “no hablo español” is the only ticket they need to have fun. And nowadays, most of the kidnapping is done by timeshare resorts. Hoping to sell weeks of accommodation, they target unsuspecting families wandering about: ’punters,’ as they are known in the U.K.

BEST THINGS TO DO ON THE COSTA DEL SOL
Part 4
Food and drink of the Costa del Sol
With so much to see and do along the Costa del Sol, you’re sure to be hungry for some local delicacies. Here you’ll ‘see food’ all day, much of it local seafood. Vegan and vegetarian travelers will have the best luck buying their ingredients at local vendor markets. While there has been a lack of good vegetarian restaurants, many are popping up. Terra Sana in Marbella is an old standby. Some dishes to note include ajoblanco (cold white garlic soup) and gazpacho (chilled tomato puree with olive oil and breadcrumbs).

BEST THINGS TO DO ON THE COSTA DEL SOL
Part 3
Art to See on the Costa del Sol
Art runs deep in the soul of Spain. Some of man’s oldest cave drawings come from the caves of Altamira up north. And to the south, the last outposts of the Neanderthal boast art from nearby Gorham’s Cave in Gibraltar.
When you want to take a break from feeding your stomach you can feast your eyes on amazing works of art. Some of the best stops (which offer free entry some times/days) include the Carmen Thyssen, the Pablo Picasso, and the Centre Pompidou.
The Carmen Thyssen is my favorite. It whisks you away to the days of old in Andalusia with vibrant colors and highly-detailed portrayals of life long ago. Here you can drink in all the culture that runs as deep as the Med through its artwork. You can be blown-away by paintings so old and so detailed they seem like selfies and group shots – from the same local culture, but of another age.
Finally, there is the wonderful the CAC, the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga. As a former regular of this modern art museum, I highly recommend it. It is always free and serves as a great shelter from the summer heat. Here, you can gawk at ultramodern works and ask yourself “¿Qué quiso decir?” (“what did they mean?”).

BEST THINGS TO DO ON THE COSTA DEL SOL
Part 2
The old city centers
The Costa is littered with structures from its ancient past. This includes remnants of the groups such as Phoenicians, Visigoths, Romans, and Moors that once called this area home. Málaga was founded by Phoenicians, while Marbella and Fuengirola have Moorish castles and outposts. Exploring as many of these sites as you can is one of the best things to do in Málaga, Marbella, or anywhere else on the Costa del Sol!
Until the ’Catholic Kings’ Ferdinand and Isabella battled their way to the Costa during the Reconquista in 1492, the area changed hands often. The Moorish presence is obvious by the narrow cobblestone alleys between whitewashed houses, which shelter passerby from the intense summer sun.
Marbella’s Puente Romano (Roman bridge), Fuengirola’s Sohail Castle, and Malaga’s Alcazaba, Gibralfaro, and Teatro Romano (Roman theatre) are monuments to these days of old. Called Casco Antiguos (old city quarters), you can find these old downtown areas in almost every city. Another excellent sight from these times of antiquity is the hillside town of Mijas.
My favorite town in the whole area is picturesque Casares. It was built into the side of a mountain so that pirates couldn’t see it. This hidden gem is one of the best places to see on any Costa del Sol trip! You can easily reach Casares in a 45 minute drive from Marbella or an hour and a half from Malaga

BEST THINGS TO DO ON THE COSTA DEL SOL
Part 1
Marbella, Puerto Banus, and nightlife.
Marbella is known as the ‘Beverly Hills of Spain’. Though now an enclave for both down-home Andalusians and Europe and Spain’s super-wealthy, it started as a small fishing village. In the ‘60s and ‘70s it began to evolve into the home of the ‘jet-set,’ and now is a great place to see the best of the Costa del Sol!
A push of tourism that included an iconic hotel and a self-promoting mayor, Jesus Gil y Gil (who also owned the Atlético Madrid football team) jump-started the city’s popularity. Noteworthy figures from King Fahd of Saudi Arabia to Sean Connery and Prince, have visited or lived here. And now you can do the same!
Even now, super-upscale gated communities like La Zagaleta boast some of the world’s richest and most famous residents. Along with the rich, corruption arrived and affected local politics. In fact, mayors including Jesus Gil y Gil were investigated or even arrested for various scandals.
Furthermore, the real estate boom of the early 2000s eventually popped, leaving empty houses and skeletons of never-finished resorts. All this aside, it still retains its small-town feel. That spirit, plus a seafront boardwalk, make a destination that Spaniards and Europeans flock to in the summer for all of the best warm weather sights and activities.
Puerto Banus is an over-the-top port with supercars, flashy stores, oversized yachts, and dapper visitors. So it’s no shock that this hub attracts tourists and looky-loos alike. Also not surprisingly, its nightlife is legendary – Spain’s as a whole is incredible, but here it’s on another level.