COSTA DEL SOL
One of the most popular holiday haunts for British tourists is
the coast of Andalucia known as the Costa del Sol that runs from Nerja to
Gibraltar. Resorts boisterous and elegant offer every amenity and facility
imaginable, all within one hour of Malaga Airport. Miles of sandy beaches, rows
of hotels, and over 320 days of sunshine every year.
There is something on offer here for everyone. The coastal resorts of Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Marbella
are amongst the most popular. Further down the coast are quieter areas that are
still developing, such as that of Estepona, a quaint town with a wonderful
seafront and a prosperous future in the holiday marketplace.
Since the 1950's this area has been a popular destination, attracting more and more people each
year. The airport, roads, rail and other facilities have grown in accordance
with demand. The property market is still booming. The attraction to holiday and
live here is still there. The lifestyle is 'ideal' and you can get out of it,
what you put in.
Golfers who wish to play on first class courses in dry, sunny weather will find all that they want on the Costa del Sol. There are in fact
some of the best courses in the world. If sight-seeing is part of your agenda
then this wonderful area has much to offer. Within a short distance are major
cities worth seeing and on the other extreme are tiny white-washed villages
clinging to the mountain sides. Not far from the crowded beaches are true
Spanish villages such as Casares, Ronda, Manilva and Sabinillas, all locked in
time.
Along the coast, tourists of all nationalities are made welcome and there
are few places that do not understand English.
The people of the Costa del Sol
The riches of the coastline have for centuries attracted people from every
corner of the world and the first settlers here were the Phoenician and Greek
colonisers. The Romans made their mark on the area by founding huge cities,
traces of which are still evident everywhere. For several centuries Andalucia
was under Moorish rule. In modern times, since the 1950's, the area has
attracted an international community.
Predominantly in the 50's, the visitors were mostly Spaniards although the English were just discovering this warm,
peaceful corner of the Mediterranean. It was in the 1960's that the tourist boom
first hit and millions of English holiday makers took up the 'package holiday'.
The Spaniards in the area now depend heavily on tourism although they have
retained their Spanish traditions, culture and lifestyle. One doesn't have to go
far from the coast to discover true Spain and in these little havens you could
easily forget that the sea and sand were just a few kilometres away.
White villages
One doesn't have to step back far from the golden sands, into the
foothills to see some of the most beautiful white villages in the world.
Villages such as Casares, Manilva and Mijas sit high on the mountain with houses
standing like little white boxes, glued to the slopes.
This is the Costa del Sol that most tourists miss and these little villages are tiny pieces of paradise
that have been by-passed by the holiday boom. Most have retained their
Andalucian charm and every day passes the same as the last. If one can handle
the summer heat on a short trek into the hills then the views over the towns and
on to the sea are worthy of anyone's photograph album and fully justify the
pain.
Living on the Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is the area in Spain with
the highest concentration of foreign residents. Hundreds of thousands of
foreigners have made this their home or have purchased a holiday home here. This
has enabled the area to develop a perfect multi-national infrastructure,
including international schools and a massive English speaking community.
There is no problem with languages and they will never be far
from people in similar circumstances.
There is a limited amount of work, however, this will largely depend on your skills and having a command of the
Spanish language will certainly help in your quest for work.
Work on the Costa del Sol is largely related to the
tourism industry and the services required by the large number of ex-pats who
live here. Many of the current residents have already established their own
companies; some succeed and some fail.
Brief history of the Costa del Sol
The first official step to promote the Costa del Sol to tourists took place in 1932 when the tourist board
invited som V.I.P people from Madrid, together with international journalists to
report on the benefits of the area. This publicity opened up the Costa and in
1940, the first plane from Iberia landed, starting a regular service to Seville,
Malaga and Melilla. In 1942, the Hotel la Roca opened and full board was offered
at 32 pesetas a day. A parasol on the beach would cost 30ptas a month and a
chair on the beach cost an extra 15ptas a month!
The early 1950's attracted some big names to the coast such as Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Marlon Brando and
members of Royal families and the future of the Costa del Sol was assured. In
1959 the famouse pez Espada Hotel opened and more celebrities flooded in. Sean
Connery, Frank Sinatra, Orson Wells and Julio Iglesias were just a few names. In
1960 the caves were discovered in Nerja and in 1962, four airlines launched
regular services linking European cities. In 1965 the paradores in Nerja and
Malaga were opened and Marbella became the place to be. Marbella began to
attract the rich and famous and the former little fishing village was a thing of
the past.
The new control tower and terminal in Malaga were opened in 1968 and
during that year, 100,000 passengers passed through the airport. The beach bars
suddenly became posh restaurants and the fishermen began to swap their nets for
knives and forks.
The first language school opened in Malaga in 1971 with 400
students and 10 teachers.
Since this time the Costa del Sol has grown at a rapid
rate, and continues to do so.
Marbella
Marbella is probably one of the
best known, most popular and best liked resorts on the Costa del Sol, within
Andalucia. With 3000 hours of sunshine a year, along with a very agreeable
climate, it is difficult to find better conditions anywhere in Europe.
La Concha mountain in the Sierra Blanca towers 1000 metres above the surrounding landscape
and is a famous landmark, protecting the area from the elements. This is just
one point that makes Marbella so attractive to visitors and residents. Despite
its popularity, Marbella has managed to retain some of its charm and Andalucian
character.
Step away from the glamour of the port area and venture into the old
quarter where you will find the popular resting place, the Plaza de los Naranjos
(Orange Square), leading off in every direction with a maze of narow alleys and
streets. The old town is also one of the best places to shop. Here you will find
a multitude of shops selling local wares, alongside the designer label clothing
that Marbella has become known for. Local crafts mingle with European fashion,
cheap leather goods and colourful ceramics.
The two main beaches in Marbella are El Fuerte and El Fontanilla, both having all the facilities you would expect
from a modern resort. Queen Isabella once said 'Que mar tan bella' - 'what a
beautiful sea' and the saying stuck. The Paseo Maritimo is one of the best along
the coast. Walk the marble paseo and rest in one of the many bars or restaurants
or make your way to the centre of town where you will find one of the most
attractive parks, with its water features, statues and beautiful tiled benches.
Marbella also offers a selection of street markets for new and second-hand
goods. Here's where you are sure to find a bargain.
It is the nightlife of Marbella that attracts many thousands of visitors every year, with more than
enough quality restaurants, theatres, cinemas and clubs of every description. It
has a pulsating nightlife, a little more realistic than that of its close
neighbour, Puerto Banus. Many establishments open at midnight and party well
into the next day. If it's something a little more traditional that you want
then head into the old town and try the tapas bars where the local cuisine is
fantastic.
The popularity of Marbella is evident in the number and quality of its hotels and apartments. Although Marbella is busy all year round, during the
summer the hotels swell to capacity. Marbella has long been popular with foreign
residents, relocating to Spain and this can be seen in the price of property in
the area which has increased rapidly in recent years. New developments are still
being built on every available piece of land and are selling faster than they
can be finished. Marbella is well served by the local highway, the N340,
currently undergoing major improvement, the Mediterranean toll road and the
coastal railway. The centre of town can become very conjested at peak times and
within the old quarter it is not advisable to drive. If you arrive by car, head
for one of the many underground car parks and avoid on-street parking.
There are several tourist offices in Marbella who are very helpful, speak several
languages and will supply you with a handful of booklets and a town plan, free
of charge.
If you plan to move to the Costa del Sol to live, Marbella is a good
place to make your base, if you can afford to live here. Jobs are plentiful,
especially seasonal work in the many bars and restaurants or even in one of the
many hotels. One by-product of the areas' new attractions is the employment
available in the property sector. Many of the rich and famous have made Marbella
their home. Set back from the town, beneath the mountains you will find some of
the most beautiful villas on the whole of the coast.
Malaga
Malaga, located
in Andalucia is the capital city of the Costa del Sol and is steeped in over
3,000 years' history. It has been inhabited by the Romans, the Moors and the
Carthaginians all of which have left their mark on this wonderful city. Malaga
serves as both a major port and an industrial centre for the south of Spain.
Having a large international airport, it is also an important gateway to the
rest of the world, Malaga airport is the largest in Spain and during 2001
handled a record 10 million passengers.
Malaga is easy to get to by means of the N340 highway and the coastal railway. Trains will drop you at the Malaga Central
which is located next to the main post office and just a short walk from the
main tourist attractions. As you leave the station, turn right and you will find
the first tourist office who will issue you with a free plan of the city. Carry
on over the bridge down Alameda Principal to find the Cathedral. The Cathedral
is known as La Manquita which means 'the little one armed lady.' The Cathedral
incorporates rennaisance, Baroque and neo-classical styles due to the length of
time it took to construct. The Cathedral has only one tower. There was to be a
second but this was never completed due to lack of money. Inside, one can find a
Gothic altar and a statue of the Virgin Mary. There are fine carvings of saints
in the choir area. Explore the Cathedral from every angle as every facade is
very different.
Five minutes away from the cathedral is the Alcazabar, a 15th
century Moorish fort. It will take you at least an hour to explore the many
parts of the Alcazabar, most of which have been restored. You will see several
good examples of Roman stonework, some of which have clear inscriptions. At the
entrance to the fort lies a first century Roman theatre which is currently being
restored. The Alcazabar is one of the most important in the area. The upper part
has been remodelled to incorporate a museum in the near future. From the top,
wonderful panoramic views of the city and port can be had. The Alcazabar is open
to tourists. Entrance to the Alcazabar is very low and well worth the walk. Next
stop is the Castle. The easiest way to get there is by means of a bus that
leaves from Paseo del Parque although you can walk from the Alcazabar. The
walled corridor that joins the Alcazabar with the castle was built in 1333. It
is clearly visible from the port area. The castle stands on Monte del Faro
(Lighthouse Mountain) which suggests that a lighthouse existed in a previous
period. The current construction has been remodelled many times. All the same it
is very impressive and the views from the top are splendid.
At the foot of the hill, next to the beautiful gardens of Pedro Luis Alonso, you will find the
Ayuntamiento (Council) building. Close to this you will find one of the city's
museums in the Palacio de la Aduana. The city has a wealth of historical
buildings, many of which you will stumble accross such as the Banco Espana
building (right).
One of the best ways to see Malaga is by means of the open-top
tourist bus. The well planned route takes in more than a dozen of the most important sights.
Departure is from the bus station.
Malaga has more than it's fair share of squares and parks. One of the best green areas being the Paseo del Parque that
runs alongside the port area. Exotic trees cover various resting places that
hide statues and water features. In this area you could soon forget that you
were in a big city. The city also offers an explosion of culture with theatres,
cinemas, museums and exhibitions. The Christmas celebrations are among the
biggest in the province with more than a million coloured lightbulbs
illuminating the city streets. Behind the cathedral is the Palacio
Episcopal which has been converted to a large and modern exhibition hall. There
is currently a fantastic exhibition showing 'Malaga under your feet'. There are
numerous rooms containing important Roman artefacts, discovered in the city.
When it comes to fiestas, Malaga does it in style. In the middle of August, shops close and banks reduce their staff to enable as many
people as possible to join in with the August fair. During the ten days the city
swells and comes alive with firework displays and carnivals. During the day the
festivities are on the city centre streets where people dance and sing. By
night, the centre is empty and the party has moved to the outskirts of the city
in Cortijo de Torres. This is a new area that is expanding. Here artists perform
and dances and concerts go on all night. The celebration program includes
something for everyone, regardless of age. Even though there is a modern fair as
we know it, Malaga also offers Flamenco dances and other more traditional
celebrations. Although the fair is on for ten days, celebrations start way
before this and go on right to the end, until the last firework pops.
Unusual you might imagine for a large city, Malaga also offers a long, clean beach. Each
year, hundreds of thousands of holiday-makers arrive to enjoy the clear
mediterranean waters.
Seville
The Andalucian capital and fourth largest city in Spain. It is also the most
populated city in the south of Spain and one of the most visited cities by
foreign tourists. It has over 3,000 years of history and is literally a living
museum. Seville is one of the most beautiful cities in the whole of Spain.
The best place to base yourself is in the old quater, near the cathedral.
From here you can walk to most sights.
The most impressive building in the city has to be the biggest gothic Cathedral
in the world, building began in 1401. In total the cathedral houses over 500
works of art, some of which are the most important in the world. The tallest
tower in Spain stands in Seville, attached to the cathedral, La Giralda (Moorish
Tower), 319 feet high, a symbol of the city's importance. The tower is an
ancient minaret of the Islamic Mosque and was erected in 1184. It's foundations
utilise stones from Roman monuments. The Torre del Oro or Golden Tower
was built between 1221 and 1222 and was one of the last contributions from
the Almohade period in Seville. It formed part of the last wall of defence that
ran from the Alcazar to the river. It is said that it gained it's name from the
sun's reflection on it's gold tiles that once covered the dome. Today it houses
the Naval Museum and all the gold has sadly been stolen.
The Alcazar is a collection of Moorish Palaces on which building began in 931. It has over the
years been the residence of many monarchs. The buildings and gardens are
enclosed by walls and lined with orange trees. The Casa de Pilatos (House of
Pilate), was built at the end of the 15th century and was later extended. The
archaeological gardens house some interesting statues and marble works. The
Monasterio de la Cartuja dates back to the 14th century. The site was ransacked
during the French invasion and the monks were expelled in 1835. Shortly
afterwards it became a ceramics factory.
La Calle Feria (Feria Street) is one of the longest sreets of the city and has always been noted for it's history and
it's charm. he street is lined with shops and workshops and runs from Resolana
Street to San Juan de Palma Square. Once every week the street is the scene of a
traditional market where stalls feature everything from paintings to antiques
and furniture. The public market is also located on this street and is worthy of
a visit.
Some of the important buildings on the street include a Gothic church
and the remains of a palace. Feria Street is a good place to start your tour of
the city if you are short of time. The Plaza de España is a
´must see` with it´s beautiful fountain, surrounded by a large plaza and an
artificial river. Around the plaza stands a monument that forms a vast
semi-circle of 200m diameter, with a tower at each end. Along the front are
benches, covered in colourful tiles, each one dedicated to a province of Spain.
They are placed in alphabetical order. Each province is separated by small
cupboards designed to house a basic library on each province. Inside the
building you can visit the spectacular patio with it´s two floors, arches and
columns.
Near to the plaza is one of the city´s most beautiful places, the
Parque de Maria Luisa. The park covers some 400,000 square metres of woodland,
water features and squares. When visiting Seville, you should spend at least a
couple of hours here. Within the park you will also find the two most important
museums in the city.
Seville also has a wealth of culture to offer the visitor and the city boasts several
important theatres. Museums in Seville also include the Carriage Museum, housing
a unique and very important collection of historical transport and the
Archaeological Museum which is housed in a palace and has 27 rooms containing
artefacts from Iberic, Phoenician, Carthaginian and Roman villages around
seville.
For the Expo '92, Seville underwent massive changes, opening her doors
to the world. The new Golden Gate Bridge became a wonderful attraction and an
Expo complex of huge proportions was constructed on the south side of the Rio
Guadalquivir. It is here that you will find the huge discoveries park, the
Olympic stadium and the theme park. You will also see a little of the old city
walls, still intact.
Seville has it's own airport and well serviced train and
bus stations and is therefore easy to get to. If you get chance, why not take a
trip along the river on one of the several tourist boats or take a tour round
the city on the open top bus or public tram. You can obtain details of these and
many other things from one of the tourist offices. The easiest to find is the
one on Avenida de la Constitucion, 500 metres from the cathedral. Fiestas and
Traditions Massive events in Easter Week (Semana Santa) in March/April. April
Fair (Feria de Abril) and Rocio Monday in May/June. There are many places in
Seville to see Flamenco shows which are very popular. Contact the tourist office
for details.
Climate Seville's weather may be labelled as warm-hot. Long, dry
and hot summers and warm winters. Annual average temperature is 18.2ºc, raising
to 26.6ºc in July and August, although it can reach 40-42ºc. It rarely falls below
2-3ºc even in the winter and rain is scarce.
Whilst in the area of Seville, you may wish to visit the Roman city of Italica. The massive complex of Roman ruins
is one of the most important in Spain and is located about 20 minutes north of
the city. Follow the signs in the direction of Merida, to the little village of
Santiponce.
For approximately 100 years the Tortas de Aceite have been produced in the same
way, made and wrapped by hand. Neither the recipe or any part of the product
have changed in the 100 year history of this product.
Major villages, towns and cities in Costa del Sol
Alcala de Guadeira, Alcala la Real, Almunecar, Alora, Andujar, Antequera, Ardales, Arenas del Rey, Arjona, Baena, Baeza, Bailen, Banos de la Encina, Beas de Seguro,
Belmez, Bujalance, Cabra, Canada Rosal, Canete la Real, Cantillana, Canzala de la Sierra, Cardena, Carmona, Cartama, Castel de Ferro, Castilo de Locubin, Castril,
Cazorla, Chiluevar, Chimencas, Constantina, Cordoba, Cortes de Baza, Dos Hermanas, Durcal, Ecija, El Carpio, El Coronil, El Rubio, El Viso, Elena, Eoss Torres, Espiel,
Estepa Osuria, Fuengirola, Fuente Palmera, Granada, Hornachuelos, Hornos, Huelago, Humilladero, Ibros, Iznaloz, Jaen, Jamilena, Jayena, Jete, Jodar, La Carolina,
La Luisiana, La Peza, La Puebla de los Infantes, La Rinconada, La Roda de Andalucia, La Zubia, LaPinar, Huelago, Las Navas de la Concepcion, Linares, Loja, Lopera,
Lora, Malaga, Marbella, Marmolejo, Martos, Moclin, Molina, Monachil, Montellano, Montemayor, Montilla, Moron de la Frontera, Motril, Nerja, Orgiva, Palma del Rio, Pedrera, Pedro Martinez, Pedroche, Pegalajar, Penaflor, Poeligros, Pozoblanco, Puebla de Don Fabrique, Pueblonuevo, Puente Genil, Puerto Serrano, Quesada, Ronda,
Safar, Santa Eufemia, Santo Torne, Seville, Sorihuela del Guadalimar, Teba, Torremolinos, Torres de Albanchez, Ubeda, Utrera, Valdepenas de Jaen, Velez-Malaga,
Villacarrillo, Villafranca de Cordoba, Villanueva de Cordoba, Villanueva del Arzobispo, Villaratto, Villardompardo, Villargordo, Villaviciosa de Cordoba and Zafarraya.
