Ultimate 1 Week Costa del Sol Itinerary

Map with the route for your Costa del Sol road trip

Days 1 and 2 – Málaga

Start your trip with a taste of Malaga, the main city on the Costa del Sol.

If you’re wondering how to spend a day in Malaga, there are plenty of fun activities to do and amazing places to see. However, you’ll be happy to hear the main attractions are very close to each other, and you can find many free activities to do in Malaga.

Here are some must-see places in Malaga that you can easily visit in one day.

Calle Larios

It’s Malaga’s main Street, where many events take place throughout the year, such as Christmas lights and Easter parades. So, don’t forget to check the calendar to see what’s going on.

Walk along the main street lined with well-known shops, then get lost exploring the little streets in the area.

You’ll love wandering the beautiful narrow streets, discovering colourful buildings and important monuments such as the Cathedral and getting a feel for the Málaga lifestyle.

Here, you will also find a wide variety of cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite at any time of day.

A popular restaurant you should try is El Pimpi. Relax and enjoy the tasty food on their open terrace, looking at Teatro Romano and Alcazaba. I highly recommend their fritura malagueña (a mix of fried fish). If El Pimpi is too busy, check out Casa Lola near Malaga Cathedral.

However, if you’re after a quick bite, 100 Montaditos is a good option. It’s very affordable and serves delicious mini sandwiches with a variety of toppings, from Serrano ham to Spanish potato omelette.

Alcazaba 

Alcazaba de Málaga is a must-see palace fortress on top of a hill in Malaga’s city centre. Inside this beautiful palace, you can smell the orange trees, see fountains and impressive architectural patterns, and get one of the best views in the city.

You’ll see Malaga Park with pretty flowers and trees from the Alcazaba, the town hall, the port and the bullring. It’s also your place if you would love to immerse yourself in history and learn about the culture.

Alcazaba is one of my favourite castles in Malaga. It’s rich in history, with good views and beautiful gardens. If you only have a few hours in Malaga, this is the number one attraction you shouldn’t miss.

Roman theatre 

Next to the Alcazaba, you’ll find the Roman theatre, built during the reign of Augustus and used until the 3rd century.

It was in 1951 when this buried, hidden gem was discovered. Nowadays, you can see its three parts: the stands, the orchestra pit between the stands and the stage.

Gibralfaro Castle and viewpoint

Castillo de Gibralfaro is located on a high hill overlooking Málaga city and port near the Alcazaba. Interestingly, the hill where the Gibralfaro is situated is part of the Montes de Málaga mountain range.

Even if you don’t visit the castle, you can still enjoy the stunning views from the viewpoint (see photo above).

Muelle Uno

It’s the beautiful and modern port area where you can enjoy the bright and colourful sunsets, delicious fruity ice cream on the outdoor terraces or treat yourself in one of their many shops. 

The port opened in late 2011, and it has hugely improved over the years. Exploring the port is also a way to get to know the city’s cultural life.

There’s always something going on: crafts markets, art exhibitions, concerts, films in the open air in summer, and more.

Here, you can also visit the colourful and famous Centre Pompidou art museum and walk to Playa de la Malagueta and sunbathe. 

Picasso Museum

Museo Picasso Málaga is the most famous museum in the city. You’ll have the opportunity to see the artist’s impressive work in the place where he was born.

There is an admission fee. However, you can get free admission every Sunday during the last two opening hours (up to 30 minutes before closing time), on the Day of Andalusia (28 February), on International Museum Day (18 May), and on World Tourism Day (27 September).

In addition to this museum, I also recommend visiting Museo Casa Natal de Picasso, where he lived part of his childhood.

Day 3 – Torremolinos

Los Álamos Beach

Dreaming of having a refreshing cocktail while sunbathing? You need to visit Los Álamos beach, where you can find a good variety of beach clubs without the Marbella price tag.

La Palapa Beach Jazba Club is one of my favourites. You have plenty of options to choose from (from sushi and burgers to vegetarian meals). The food and the drinks are amazing, and you will love the atmosphere.

If you want a relaxing area, just walk to the left side of the coast. However, if you walk for about 15 minutes, you will come to a nudist beach, which is not very well signposted!

Old Town Centre 

One of the best ways to discover Torremolinos and learn about the locals is by walking around the old town centre.

Here you can find independent restaurants, shops, and monuments that tell the story of this fishing town.

Torremolinos old town isn’t the prettiest compared to Marbella and Estepona; however, it’s good for shopping and has some great events in the summer.

Parque de la Batería 

This isn’t just an ordinary park, and it’s often forgotten in travel guides. Parque de la Bateria is in the top area of Torremolinos, and there are great things to do there.

If you’re travelling by car, there’s a car park inside the park; however, don’t be surprised if it’s full on the weekends.

My favourite things to do are getting a small boat on the lake and going to the top of the tower. As you climb the tower, you will be able to see beautiful views. You’ll see the resorts and the sea background. One of the best views in Torremolinos!

Day 4 – Benalmádena 

Castillo de Colomares

Parque de la Paloma

This is one of my favourite parks in Costa del Sol. It’s located at the bottom of Benalmádena near the beach and next to Selwo Marina.

The park is hilly and has many animals that live freely (chickens, rabbits, peacocks…). It’s a beautiful place to relax and enjoy views of the park’s big lake and the beach.

It’s one of the best free things to do in Benalmadena with kids, as there’s plenty of space for children to play, and the perfect place for a picnic!

Teleférico de Benalmádena 

I remember being absolutely scared before getting in the cable car. I had to think about it twice to decide whether I was going to be brave. 

The cable car goes from Benalmádena to the top of Calamorro Mountain. It can sound terrifying, but you’ll regret it if you don’t get in. The panoramic view you get from the top of the mountain is incredible. 

Day 5 – Mijas Costa y Pueblo 

Mijas Pueblo

Mijas Pueblo is situated on top of a hill. It’s tricky to get by car because the road is very narrow and has many curves. I struggle to get my car there!

One of the times I visited, it was very busy, so I had to park even further and then take the free public bus to get to the village.

Once you are there, you’ll contemplate beautiful white buildings everywhere, and as you wander through the village’s narrow cobbled streets, you’ll understand what has attracted tourists over the years.

The best place to be is the viewpoint! Admire the beautiful coastal view, go inside the little church, grab some traditional almonds, and visit the pottery shop.

Apart from the viewpoint, you must wander around to feel the vibe of this place. It gets lively in the summer, and many people have their late dinner on the outdoor terraces, and kids play in the streets.

Playa de la Butibamba

Butibamba Beach belongs to the municipality of Mijas, and it’s also known as La Cala for its proximity to the Cala del Moral stream.

It’s a beautiful beach for spending the day, with lively nightlife at weekends. During the summer, you’ll find several musical events.

Day 6 – Marbella 

Cabopino

Marbella is home to beautiful beaches, but Cabopino Beach is among my favourites. It’s on the way from Fuengirola to Marbella, so it’s more remote and, therefore, less crowded than the beaches near the centre.

I recommend visiting it at any time of the year. In winter, walk its short and accessible hiking trail, on which you can follow the wooden path, admire the sea views, and see the Artols Dunes Natural Monument. In summer, spend the day at the beach and watch gorgeous sunsets like the one above.

Andy’s Beach Bar is a great spot to get a drink, but there are also other bars in the nearby marina.

Marbella Old Town 

Exploring the old town is one of the best things to do in Marbella. Compared to Puerto Banús, this part of Marbella feels more authentic.

As you explore the Old Quarter, you’ll notice patterns and layouts from the Arabic era, despite the area being conquered by the Christians afterwards. 

Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Square) is where the city hall was built in the sixteenth century and enlarged in the eighteenth. 

Apart from significant historical buildings, the old town is the heart of the town, and it has always been a place where you’ll see many tourists having coffee or dinner in bars and restaurants.

Marbella Historic Centre is worth visiting. I love the narrow cobblestone streets with white-painted buildings, the flowers hanging down the buildings, and the vibrant atmosphere.

Puerto Banús

The most luxurious port in the Costa del Sol that you must visit. You’ll see incredible and expensive buildings around the area, and as you get to the port, you can find expensive and very famous watch and clothing stores.

There is also a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. However, I wouldn’t eat here for three main reasons: it’s too expensive, it’s too touristy, and you don’t find authentic and traditional Spanish food in most of them.

For me, some of the best things to do are enjoy the little bay’s views and go on a boat trip.

Day 7 – Nerja 

Balcón de Europa 

Cuevas de Nerja

Nerja Cave is another must-see attraction. It’s a four-kilometre cave with the world’s longest and largest stalactite.

The truth is, it sometimes gets very busy, so I’d recommend you get your tickets online and show up 10 minutes before the scheduled entry time.

Nerja beaches

There isn’t a visit to Nerja without going to the beach. It’s home to some of the best beaches in Costa del Sol, and four of them were awarded Blue Flags.

The most accessible from the historic centre is Playa Calahonda, located next to Balcón de Europa. It’s a lovely beach, but it gets crowded in summer.

Just outside Nerja, Playa de Maro is another beach worth visiting. It’s perfect for water activities such as kayaking and snorkelling.

Conclusion on this 7-day Costa del Sol itinerary

There are many other places that you can visit during your trip to Costa del Sol, but these are a mixture of main attractions and local places you must see.

Other towns that you could visit are Estepona, known as the Garden of the Costa del Sol, and Ronda, a paradise for nature and wine lovers!

Do you need help with your Costa del Sol itinerary, or would you like something more personalised? Check out my itinerary services. I help other travellers create their dream itineraries to my hometown and its surroundings.

Enjoy your Costa del Sol holidays!

Cristina xx

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