Holiday features on the Costa del Sol. Resort for the independent and wealthy

Atlantic coast of Spain Costa de la Luz spread out in an unusual beautiful place, between the banks of the river Guadiana (province of Huelva) and the city of Tarifa (province of Cadiz). The main feature of this area in comparison with most other Spanish resorts is the strong winds blowing from the Atlantic and lower water temperatures, despite everything, this coast is considered a very popular holiday destination, although, of course, it is inferior in popularity to such resorts as Costa del Sol and .

The history of the Costa de la Luz dates back tens of centuries, when Phoenician ships plowed the Atlantic. Translated from Spanish Costa de la Luz sounds like "coast of light". There are a number of important natural and historical attractions that are visited by many thousands of tourists every year.

Doñana National Park, located at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River, is one such attraction. It is a swampy area consisting of dense forests, salt lakes, floating dunes and thickets of bushes. Every year hundreds of birds come here for wintering. Here you can admire the largest colony of herons in the Mediterranean. The park is home to such rare species of birds as Sultan's hens, pink flamingos and golden eagles, as well as many other representatives of the feathered world. In addition to birds, deer, Spanish lynx and fallow deer live here. To get to the park, you need to go with a tour from any nearby locality. You can enjoy the amazing landscapes of the reserve on foot or on horseback. Recently, due to the development of the surrounding lands, swamps began to dry up here and, as a result, the ecology of the park has already been significantly disturbed.

The main religious attraction of the coast Costa de la Luz- The Franciscan monastery of Santa Maria de La Rabida is located in the city of Palos de la Frontera (province of Huelva). This monastery was erected in 1261 and became the first monastic settlement in the province. It is built in the Gothic style. The area of ​​this temple complex reaches almost 2000 square meters. meters. On its territory lie the ashes of the lieutenant of the army of the famous Cortes - Gonzalo de Sandoval, who participated in the bloody battles for the conquest of Mexico, and Christopher Columbus spent several days within the walls of the holy monastery before his famous journey to overseas lands. The walls of the monastery are painted with artistic frescoes by the outstanding Spanish artist Daniel Vasquez Diaz. These wonderful frescoes symbolize the conquest of America.

No less striking attraction of the resort is the city of Cadiz, one of the oldest in Europe. It was founded a thousand years BC. the Phoenicians. During Roman times, the city was called Gades. In ancient times, it was considered the place where the world's oceans begin and land ends. Despite its venerable age, Cadiz reached its peak only in the middle of the 18th century, when it became the central Spanish port. Today it is a kind of museum open sky washed by the azure waters of the Atlantic. Every year, many thousands of guests from different parts of the world come to the city to feel respect for ancient times, enjoy the amazingly beautiful landscapes, and also swim in the clear waters of the ocean. Modern Cadiz is divided into two parts, each symbolizing its own era. The old part is replete with fragments of ancient fortresses and monasteries, and the new part is full of chic hotels, cutting-edge architecture, huge shopping centers, expensive restaurants and entertainment venues.

Cape Trafalgar is one of the most scenic spots coast Costa de la Luz. It is famous for the battle between the British fleet and the Spanish-French flotilla of Emperor Napoleon. In 1860, in memory of this significant event, a 34-meter lighthouse was built here, thanks to which the cape can be seen from almost any distance.
The climate on the coast is very mild. The air temperature in summer rises to high levels, but strong winds do not allow the heat to be felt.
Most popular resorts Costa de la Luz are Chiclana de la Frontera, Rota, Cadiz, El Puerto de Santa Maria, Sanlucar de Barrameda, Chiclana de la Frontera. The coast of the resort is most suitable for lovers aquatic species sports, as well as people who can not stand the hustle and bustle of the city. There are no skyscrapers or round-the-clock discos here, but you can rent a cozy bungalow and enjoy the universal peace.

The Costa del Sol is the southernmost Spanish coast on the Mediterranean. Here, ancient Muslim fortresses and European Gothic, simple fishing villages and luxurious villas of aristocrats, hot sand and cold waters of Gibraltar intertwined in an amazing way.

• The only international airport on the entire Costa del Sol is located in Malaga. There are direct flights from Russia only in summer and only from Moscow and St. Petersburg. In other months and from other cities, you will have to travel with transfers. Full list airlines flying to Malaga,

• Direct rail links connect Malaga only with Spanish cities: Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Seville and Cordoba. From any other city in Europe, you can get by train to Malaga only with a transfer. You can choose the right train to Malaga

• By bus you can get from Madrid, Seville, other cities in Spain, as well as from France through Catalonia. Also, the bus is the main internal means of transportation between the cities of the Costa del Sol. Intercity flights are operated by two major companies: Daibus and Alsa. You can find the schedule and prices on the official websites of the companies

Holiday features on the Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol is somewhat different from the resorts of Catalonia (,) and Valencia ().

• First, it is a very "English resort". It was the Anglo-Saxons who first chose this coast and still hold the palm among vacationers. Therefore, there are most golf courses on the Costa del Sol, the staff of hotels and local travel agencies are most “sharpened” for the English, and in local cafes and restaurants, English preferences are most often taken into account.

• Another feature: the Costa del Sol is considered a resort for aristocrats and wealthy people, which, of course, in some places affects the price level; the offspring of the most famous aristocratic families of Europe love to relax here
• Despite the fact that the Costa del Sol is the southernmost Mediterranean coast of Spain, due to the peculiarities sea ​​current the water here warms up only by July. Comfortable water temperature (above 22 C) lasts only from mid-July to mid-September

The main resorts of the Costa del Sol

Marbella

Marbella- generally recognized as the most fashionable, most glamorous, most sophisticated and bohemian resort on the entire coast. In this fashionable place, many world celebrities and aristocratic families have acquired personal villas.

The beach line where their villas are located is called the "golden mile", and this is the most expensive part of the coast: renting umbrellas and sunbeds here will cost several times more than on other beaches.

The city of Marbella itself is a typical Andalusian settlement with white stone houses, orange trees and tiled roofs. There are many parks and cozy squares, beautiful boulevards and embankments.

The port of Puerto Banus is a separate attraction - the largest parking lot for luxury private yachts of the world elite vacationing here. By the way, in Puerto Banus there is a sculpture by Zurab Tsereteli, which the locals called "a Russian for the first time at sea."

Estepona

Estepona (Estepona) is a place for a leisurely and very a relaxing holiday, in which the main entertainment is the beach and quiet walks along the seashore. But the beaches here are really first-class, and the service is impeccable. In Estepona, the old part of the city is very picturesque, there is the Bullfighting Museum and the Archaeological Museum.

At the local port, you can taste the freshest and best-cooked seafood. From Estepona, the closest thing to get to is Cape Gibraltar (the southernmost point in Europe - a must-see on the Costa del Sol) and Selva Aventura Safari Park (another must-see place on the coast).

Torremolinos

Torremolinos– typical beach town which is very suitable for families with children. This is the most democratic resort of the Costa del Sol in terms of prices and public. There are many cheap hotels, budget apartments and affordable entertainment.

There are many youth nightclubs and hostels in which European students prefer to settle. In general, this is the most crowded resort on the coast. In Torremolinos, you can taste the most delicious chiringuitos (fried sardines on a stick) in the area and the famous Malaga wines with tapas (appetizers).

From the entertainment of Torremolinos, one can note numerous discos, bars and traditional local restaurants, a crocodile farm and a botanical garden in the vicinity of the city, the public promenade San Miguel and the huge Aqualand water park on the outskirts of the city.

The city is located on a mountainside, so when choosing a place to live, pay attention to the location relative to the sea. Some streets have a rather steep slope, which can be a serious obstacle for prams and people with disabilities.

Benalmadena- a city that closely borders Torremolinos and is its natural continuation. Unlike noisy Torremolinos, Benalmadena has a much calmer and more measured holiday.

The city is conditionally divided into three parts: the residential zone (the quietest area where local residents and those who rent apartments live), the hotel zone (there are hotels and great amount tourists) and the Arroyo de la Miel district - a kind of entertainment zone, which is occupied by shopping streets and entertainment venues.

Benalmadena's promenade is adorned with mosaics, and at the end of the promenade is the Arabic-style Bil Bil Castle, which often hosts live concerts and small exhibitions. The castle is also interesting for its collection of antique furniture and paintings.

Port of Benalmadena Puerto Marina is the center of all kinds of restaurants local cuisine, snow-white yachts and houses in the Arabian style. Tourists love to gather here, during the day you can feed the fish near the pier or go on a boat trip on one of the many sightseeing boats, and in the evenings live music sounds here.

The cultural and historical sights of Benalmadena include the Colomares Castle (Castillo de Colomares) - a modern building erected in honor of the great travels of Christopher Columbus. The castle houses an exposition telling about the history of the discovery of the New World, about the history and customs of Spain during the time of the conquistadors. Also interesting are the streets and churches of the old part of the city of Benalmádena Pueblo.

Of the entertainments of Benalmadena, the Sea Life Aquarium is interesting, not big park Paloma, Selwo Marina Dolphinarium, Butterfly Park, Tivoli World Amusement Park. There is cable car Telerifico de Benalmadena, which leads to the top of Mount Calamorro. At the top is the Orlov Park (you can watch a performance with the participation of these beautiful birds) and viewpoint with excellent panoramic views of the Costa del Sol.

Fuengirola

Fuengirola (Fuengirola)– a calm and quiet resort, which will not be very interesting for young people and active tourists, but ideal for families with small children and pensioners.

Here, unlike other coastal cities, there is always a place on the beach, the coastal area is equipped with a large number of playgrounds, and the local promenade is considered one of the most beautiful streets on the Costa del Sol.

Fuengirola - pretty affordable resort in terms of prices. There are no luxury hotels here, prices in local shops and restaurants are more of an average category, and in two huge shopping centers El Cortes Ingles and Miramar you can find all the most famous democratic clothing brands.

In general, Fuengirola is the most the best place shopping on the Costa del Sol for people who do not consider themselves to be mega-wealthy people (the mecca of the oligarchs Marbella is affordable only for the elite). In Fuengirola, at the local Sunday market, you can buy excellent locally made leather goods at very reasonable prices.

Of the historical sites, Fuengirola boasts an old Moorish castle Castilla Sohe, which has a small museum, and the exposition of the Historical Museum of the city, which stores unique handwritten documents of a thousand years ago. For family entertainment, you need to go to the Bioparc zoo and the Aquarico Mijas water park.

Nerja

Nerja- one of the most charming towns on the Costa del Sol. Its main advantage is that the tourist boom has not changed the historical appearance of the old Andalusian city. This resort is not too well known to the bulk of tourists, the more valuable it is for connoisseurs of Andalusia vacationing here.

Nerja is known as the place where, in the 1950s, ancient caves were accidentally discovered - the site of the first inhabitants of the Costa del Sol, who preserved unique artifacts and cave drawings primitive people. There are several monuments from the time of Arab domination (watchtowers, ruins of an ancient fortress).

In the vicinity of Nerja, the ancient Roman aqueduct Aguila is perfectly preserved - grand building supplying water to the surrounding villages. The beaches of Nerja for cleanliness, comfort and developed infrastructure are in no way inferior to the coastal recreation areas of other cities of the Costa del Sol.

Malaga - the capital of the Costa del Sol

Malaga is the capital of the Costa del Sol and the most Big City on the coast. This is a universal city that is suitable for recreation for all categories of tourists.

For lovers of history, here is Old city with characteristic narrow streets and medieval buildings. For mothers with children in Malaga, there are enough playgrounds, wide promenades, excellent sandy beaches;

for lovers of modernity, numerous museums and exhibitions of contemporary art, various trends of avant-garde and underground are of great interest; for reckless youth, the most interesting begins with the onset of darkness in numerous entertainment centers.

What to see in Malaga

Malaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, the locals value and are very proud of this fact, so there are two museums of the artist in Malaga. First museum Museo Picasso Malaga located in the very center of the city in an old Buenavista mansion, in the permanent exhibition of which are works by Pablo Picasso, including world-famous canvases; in the basement of the museum you can see the ancient walls, which were unexpectedly opened during the regular restoration of the mansion.

Museo Picasso Malaga

The second museum house-museum of Pablo Picasso Casa Natal. In addition to paintings, here you can see sketches and graphic works, sculptures and ceramics, as well as get acquainted with the life and personal belongings of Picasso.

House Museum of Pablo Picasso Casa Natal, Malaga

Fortress of Gibralfaro built in the X century during the Arab rule. The name of the fortress is translated as "the death of the pharaoh". Until the beginning of the last century, the fortress was an active fortification, in which the garrison was constantly present. Currently, a military museum is open in the fortress, which tells about weapons from different eras, uniforms and soldier's life, military maps and devices.

Castillo de Gibralfaro

Fortress Alcazaba (Alcazaba de Málaga)- translated from Arabic "citadel" - a characteristic Moorish building, one of the best preserved Arab fortresses in Spain. The fortress was built to protect the city from the raids of North African pirates; for a long time it served as the residence of local rulers. In the past few years, constant archaeological excavations and restoration work have been carried out in the fortress, so some of the structures are from time to time inaccessible to the public.

Alcazaba de Malaga

Automobile Museum in Malaga- a modern museum, the basis of the exposition of which is a private collection of rare cars. There are more than 80 cars from the 1920s-1960s, and this is one of the most extensive and valuable collections of cars in the world. A great emphasis here is placed on cars of rare or unusual equipment and tuning.

Museo Automovilistico de Málaga

Museum of Glass and Crystal (Museo del Vidrio y Crystal)- a private museum that exhibits samples of crystal and glass objects from the Phoenicians to the present day. The museum is interesting because the exhibits are stored here not in ordinary showcases and shelves, but in interiors typical of the era to which they belong.

Museo del Vidrio y Crystal, Malaga

Museum Carmen Thyssen (Museo Carmen Thyssen)- Another private collection, which presents paintings by Spanish artists and antiques of the 19th century.

Museo Carmen Thyssen, Malaga

Cathedral of La Manquita- one of the main cathedrals of the city and the most popular church among tourists. The name of the cathedral is translated from Spanish as “one-armed lady”, because of the two towers of the cathedral originally designed in the 16th century, only one was completed.

La Manquita, Malaga

Holy Week Museum (El Museo de la Semana Santa). The Spaniards call Holy Week Holy Week, which precedes the church holiday of Easter. The museum contains everything related to this holiday: church utensils, vestments of clergy, paintings and sculptures on this theme, items that local residents use during the celebration and for solemn processions around the city dedicated to Easter. Since Catholics celebrate church holidays quite magnificently, many exhibits of the museum seem very curious.

El Museo de la Semana Santa, Malaga

Street Calle Larios (Calle Marqués de Larios)- a pedestrian street in the center of Malaga, on which a large number of shops and restaurants are concentrated. Also, solemn processions and folk festivals are held here on the days of national and local holidays. The street is a very beautiful promenade with mansions of the XVIII-XIX centuries.

Calle Marques de Larios, Malaga

Museum of Antonio Ordoñez (Museo Taurino Atonio Ordoñez) located in Plaza de Torros and tells about everything related to bullfighting: from luxurious matador costumes to advertising posters and photos of famous fights. The museum bears the name of one of the most prominent matadors in Spain, whose career was the basis for the plot of Hemingway's novel A Dangerous Summer.

Museo Taurino Atonio Ordoñez, Malaga

Botanical Garden of La Concepcion (Jardin Botanico-Historico "La Concepcion") is a huge collection of plants from all over the world. Several thematic routes have been developed in the garden, which are equipped with convenient signs and a color indicator. In addition to plants, there are fountains, gazebos, sculptural compositions and small mansions, which makes the botanical garden look more like a romantic park than an exhibition space.

Jardin Botanico-Historico "La Concepcion", Malaga

Buses Malaga City tour. If you wish, you can ride on the Malaga tourist bus. Unlike numerous travel agencies in the city, which conduct tours only in English and Spanish, the bus has an audio guide in Russian. More about sightseeing buses can be found out.

Malaga city tour

City beach Malagueta (la Malagueta) – central beach city, conveniently located in relation to urban transport, near shopping areas. The beach is well equipped and very comfortable for the whole family, including the youngest visitors. The entrance to the water here is very gentle, and the shore is protected from high waves by special stone breakwaters, so the water here is always calm and comfortable for kids.

la Malagueta, city beach, Malaga

Fun for kids on the Costa del Sol

Selvo Aventura Safari Park, Estepona

At the Safari Park Selwo Aventura you can see in natural conditions the inhabitants of different continents and climatic zones of our planet. Over 2,000 species are found on a vast territory. In total, there are 3 zones in the park, two of them are allowed hiking, in the zone with predators you can only move on special vehicles.

For the little ones there is a large area with contact animals. For the convenience of moving around the vast territory of the park, special tourist vehicles run. There are VIP visiting programs, which, in addition to the general excursion, include feeding a tame gibbon, taking photos with a tiger, and walking around an area closed to other visitors. More information about the park can be found here www.selwo.es

Selwo Aventura, Costa del Sol

Selvo Marina Marine Park, Benalmadena

marine park Selwo Marina- not just a dolphinarium, but a real nursery of marine animals, where, in addition to dolphins, fur seals, crocodiles and other aquatic inhabitants, there is an aviary with arctic penguins. Colorful shows are held here every day. For a fee, you can swim in the pool with dolphins and fur seals.

The park is divided into several zones:

• Antilles - marine mammals, dolphins and fur seals, arena for daytime performances
• La Ondonada ("Gorge") - sea birds (pelicans, flamingos, herons), there is also a daily parrot show
• Amazonia - reptiles and amphibians (sea snakes, crocodiles, lizards), as well as predatory fish
• Isla de Yelo ("Ice Island") - a colony of real Arctic penguins

See more information about the park.

Selwo Marina, Costa del Sol

Crocodile Park, Torremolinos

Crocodile Park built in the form of an African village. There are small crocodiles to take pictures with, and huge adults, the largest of which, Paco's dad, reaches about 5 meters in length.

The exposition of the local museum will tell you all the most interesting things about the life of crocodiles. On the territory of the park you can watch reptiles in their natural habitat, the process of hunting and feeding is especially impressive. In addition to crocodiles, the park contains flamingos, turtles, ostriches and ducks. You can find out more about the park.

Crocodile Park, Costa del Sol

Butterfly Park, Benalmadena

Butterfly Park (Mariposario del Drago)- these are real tropics, where luxurious specimens from all over the world live. Here you can watch all the stages of life of insects, the most exciting of which is the transformation of a chrysalis into a butterfly. Strictly speaking, the Butterfly Park is a scientific facility created by biologists to study Lepidoptera. In addition to butterflies, you can see other animals in the park: chameleons, iguanas and kangaroos. Official website of the park.

Mariposario del Drago, Costa del Sol

Biopark, Fuengirola

Bioparc- This animal theme park, which is divided into 4 zones:

• Africa
• Madagascar
• Southeast Asia
• Pacific

In zones recreated natural conditions each region and collected species of animals living there. There are no cages in the park, coexist on the same territory different types animals, just as they coexist in their natural environment.

The creators of the park tried to reproduce all natural ecosystems as accurately as possible, so that visitors to the park have the illusion of complete immersion in the world of tropical flora and fauna. The park also hosts various performances with the participation of animals and circus artists. You can see more about the park.

Bioparc Fuengirola, Costa del Sol

Tivoli Amusement Park, Benalmadena

Amusement Park Tivoli Word (Tivoli World) it is the largest amusement park on the entire Costa del Sol. It has everything that a large theme park should have: over 40 exciting attractions from baby carousels to breathtaking roller coasters, restaurants and souvenir shops, national and themed shows, life-size puppets and performances for the little ones. You can take a closer look at the map of the park and find out everything about its entertainment.

Tivoli World, Costa del Sol

Aqualand water park, Torremolinos

Aqualand Water Park- This is the largest water park on the coast, which is located on a large area near Torremolinos. In addition to a large number of water attractions, there are pools with artificial sea waves, large jacuzzi baths, a diving school and a special deep-sea pool, artificial rivers and entire water towns for kids. Discover Additional information, you can see the cost and buy tickets.

Aqualand Torremolinos, Costa del Sol

Aquapark Mijas, Fuengirola

Waterpark Mijas (Parque Aquatico Mijas) more modest in size than Aqualand, but it is cheaper and has fewer lines. Here is everything you need for comfortable rest for the whole family: 10 attractions, a restaurant and a picnic area, a playroom for the little ones, a dressing room and a gift shop. The park hosts shows and interactive performances. Detailed information can be found.

Parque Aquatico Mijas, Costa del Sol

Aventura Amazonia Rope Park, Marbella

Rope park Aventura Amazonia (Aventura Amazonia Marbella)- This is the only park of its kind on the entire coast. There are 6 routes of various difficulty levels. The easiest route was laid for children aged 4-6, the most difficult one was laid at a height of 9 meters and includes, in addition to standard hanging obstacles, a real bungee, a tightrope walker's bridge and even air surfing.

Aventura Amazonia Marbella, Costa del Sol

All routes of the park are equipped with the most modern safety equipment, a well-thought-out carabiner system gives a 100% guarantee of safety, and a mandatory briefing is carried out before the start of the route. The park has a kids club where parents can leave their kids under the supervision of experienced nannies. Russian version of the official website Lobo-park, Costa del Sol

Where can you go from Costa del Sol?

Resting in the resorts of the Costa del Sol, you can go to other famous cities in the province of Andalusia.

Seville, the capital of Andalusia

• Giralda- Muslim mosque of the XII century with a viewing platform at the top
• Cathedral of Seville, which houses the tombstone of Christopher Columbus and unique paintings by Francisco Goya
• Alcazar castle- a delightful monument of architecture, including Moorish walls, throne rooms, unique tapestries and art objects, as well as the famous Moorish gardens

• old jewish Santa Cruz quarter– atmospheric part of the old town with characteristic narrow streets and gothic buildings
• Plaza of Spain- one of the most beautiful squares in Andalusia - and the surrounding Maria Luisa Park
  Museum Archive of the Indies, which has collected an extensive collection of items related to the period of the conquest of both Americas

Granada

• Alhambra- one of the most amazing castles of Andalusia from the era of Moorish domination
• Alcaseria– a Muslim quarter and a covered market, a very colorful area that has retained all the flavor of the Arab era of the region
• Abbey of Sacromonte- a monastery on Mount Valparaiso, beautiful architecture, an interesting museum of religion and stunning views of the surroundings from the top of the mountain

• R Aion Albaicin– a typical medieval quarter, the oldest part of the city
• Science Park– modern interactive museum of natural sciences
• Madrasah- a monument of early medieval Arab architecture, which housed a Muslim university before the reconquista
• Palacio Dar al Orra(translated from Arabic as "the queen's house") - the residence of Muslim rulers, then part of the Catholic monastery. The palace is notable for the fact that it has perfectly preserved interior decoration and interiors from the time of Arab domination.

Cordoba (Cordoba)

• old roman bridge- Pedestrian area on the Guadalquivir River
• Calahorra Tower- a defensive structure of Arab times, in which today there is a museum of three cultures (Muslims, Jews, Christians)
• Alcazar- the former residence of the caliph, after the reconquista the residence of the Spanish kings, now historical Museum where you can get to know amazing story region, as well as look at the instruments of torture of the Holy Inquisition, which, according to historians, raged the most in Spain

• Cathedral of Saint Mary- a former mosque converted into a Christian temple - a unique combination of Muslim and Catholic religious architecture
• Synagogue of Krodova- this is a rare medieval religious building of the Jews in the "Mudéjar" style, which has come down to us in a well-preserved form
• Museum of Fine Arts- a large collection of sculptures, drawings, paintings, religious objects of the Renaissance. The main decoration of the collection is the work of Francisco Goya

• Mesquite Cathedral- a unique place of worship, which alternately housed a temple of veneration of the Roman gods, a Muslim mosque and finally a Catholic church. Mezquita is notable for the fact that each subsequent religious building was built around pre-existing walls. Thus, both the mosque and the remains of the Roman temple can be seen today behind the facade of the Catholic Church.
• Hooderia- the former Jewish medieval quarter, the largest and best preserved medieval quarter in Europe; very interesting for walks with its patios and labyrinths of intricate streets

Transport and food on the Costa del Sol

Rent a car on the Costa del Sol

Most vacationers on the Costa del Sol prefer to travel by rented car. Since all the main transport hubs are located in Malaga, it is there that the bulk of rental offices of every taste and budget are concentrated, and most of them are located at the airport. In the city center, the number of offices where you can rent a car is much less. In small offices, prices are lower than in large European holdings. For long-term rental (from 5-6 days) a discount is provided. The highest price level is not at the peak of demand, in summer.

In order to rent a car, you need to have a plastic bank card, money to make a deposit (the amount of the deposit depends on the rental period, the cost of the car, the type of insurance, etc.), an international driver's license. A rental agreement can be concluded by a person over 21-23 years old (the exact age depends on the specific rental company), who has a driving experience of at least 1.5-2 years. You will also need to take out insurance. insurance options, coverage area and cost of insurance depend on the internal conditions of the company.

It is important to know that traffic fines are very high in Spain. The most common types of violations committed by Foreign tourists: parking in the wrong place, exceeding the speed limit, violation of traffic rules, Russians are characterized by fines for not wearing a seat belt.

Cuisine of the Costa del Sol

Andalusian cuisine, which includes the Costa del Sol, combines Arabic and Mediterranean dishes. Seafood is very popular on the coast, in remote mountainous areas prefer pork grown on special feeds.

Traditional Andalusian dishes to try on vacation

• gazpacho- cold tomato soup, although in some areas of Andalusia it is made from bread and onions
• Espetos– sardines strung on a special skewer, fried on coals
• Mohamo- a type of tapas, the main ingredient of which is dried tuna
• ahoblanco- cold soup made from water, butter, garlic and bread

• tortilla- fried potatoes with onions, meat and spices, filled with egg
• Pescato frito- this dish has many varieties, main point- fried fish (any method of frying) with the addition of a side dish

Translated from Spanish, Costa De La Luz means `Coast of Light`. This Andalusian coast has still been spared from any recent reconstruction and has retained its virgin beauty of endless beaches of pure white sand framed by dense pine groves. Most of the beaches in this resort are annually awarded the Blue Flag.
Costa de la Luz includes several resort towns, each of which is famous for something special. Cadiz is the capital of the province, the city is surrounded on all sides by the sea. This is the most ancient city in Spain, it is interesting for its architecture, which has mixed many styles, of which Arabic and European prevail. There are millennial plants in local parks and squares. The Gulf of Cadiz and the beaches are ideal for water sports.
Chiclana de la Frontera is a place where you can relax in real comfort. This luxurious resort with impeccable hotel infrastructure is surrounded by wide white sand beaches and pine forests. There are golf courses, stables, tennis courts. This place is also ideal for windsurfers.
El Puerto de Santa Maria. In addition to a well-developed recreation infrastructure, there are a lot of attractions here - the San Marcos castle, the `Plaza de Toros` bullring, where you can become an observer of this exciting spectacle.
Chipiona is known for its wine, great beaches and beautiful golf courses.
Real races of purebred Spanish stallions take place in Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
Jerez de la Frontera is home to world-famous wine cellars, the Royal Riding School, the Clock Museum, the Andalusian Flamenco Center, the Archaeological Museum and the Zoo.
Costa de la Luz This perfect place for lovers of solitude and silence. Here you can make a variety of trips to ancient cities and sights, wander around night restaurants and bars, taste dishes national cuisine and taste the exceptional and original wine of this region.
Geography: Coast Costa de la Luz located in the Gulf of Cadiz, washed by the waters Atlantic Ocean and borders with Portugal.

How to get there

Distances

• airport The nearest airport is in Malaga.

Transport

• plane Flight to Malaga; flight duration from Moscow - about 5 hours

Nature

The coast stretches for 260 km. Most of the beaches of this resort are annually awarded the "blue flag" - an award for the most clean beaches Europe. The Gulf of Cadiz and the beaches are ideal for water sports. The length of the beaches of the province of Cadiz is 138 km. Chiclana de la Frontera has wide white sand beaches. The total length of the beaches of El Puerto de Santa Maria is 22 km. Valdelagrana beach is located 2 km from Porta Santa Maria. The Valdelagrana zone is completely autonomous and has all the necessary tourist infrastructure. The Puntilla beach area (Dunas Puerto Hotel) is located in the second sandy bay of the port in the middle of a pine forest. The beaches in Jerez de la Frontera are sandy. Matalascañas Beach (in Sanlúcar de Barrameda), bordering the Doñana Natural Park, has been declared an "Area of ​​National Tourist Interest". Its golden sands stretch for 45 kilometers from Torre del Loro to the mouth of the Guadalquivir River. Conil is a small resort area with a sandy beach, one of the widest and longest on the Costa de la Luz. It is 2,700 meters long and 180 meters wide. There are 16 km of golden sandy beaches near Rota, perfect for sailing.

Infrastructure

hotels
Unlike other resorts, there are no high-rise hotels on this part of the coast. Hotels come in all categories, from luxurious five- and four-star complexes around the cities of Chiclana de la Frontera and Cadiz to quiet, cozy guesthouses in ancient cities like El Puerto de Santa Maria.
tours
Fans of excursions and travel should like it here: very close - Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Almera. You can visit Morocco by visiting Tangier, and since everyone who comes here has a Schengen visa in their passports, nothing prevents them from renting a car and going to, say, Lisbon (only a couple of hours drive to the border with Portugal).
entertainment
Bullfights, horseback riding tournaments, folklore songs and dances, live music are mandatory attributes of local carnivals. Particularly good are the carnival, which takes place in Cadiz from May 10 to May 17, the famous horse races in August, or the Rocio in Allmonte (“Dew in Ayamonte”) holiday known throughout Spain. It takes place at the end of August near Huelva, and the best singers from all over Andalusia gather for it.
windsurfing
Chiclane de la Frontera is the ideal place for windsurfing. With frequent easterly winds, El Puerto de Santa Maria is an international center for windsurfing.

The shops

• clothing stores
• souvenir shops

• international cuisine
• local cuisine
• grocery stores
• restaurants

Entertainment in the evening

• evening shows
• discos

Entertainment during the day

• water activities

Entertainment at night

• night bars

• water sports
• golf courses Chiclana de la Frontera has golf courses, a riding school and tennis courts. The resort of El Puerto de Santa Maria has a well-developed hotel infrastructure, there are casinos, golf courses, sports complexes, and the Port Sherry Yacht Club. Chipiona is famous for its wine, beaches and excellent golf courses.
• diving centers

Basic information

It is often divided into two parts: the Costa de la Luz of the province of Huelva, which stretches from the border of Portugal to the Doñana Park and the Guadalquivir River, and the Costa de la Luz of the province of Cadiz - from the Guadalete River to the town Tarifa on the coast mediterranean sea. There are no crowds of thousands of tourists at this resort - the rest here is calm and measured, with a distinct ethnic tinge. It's good to windsurf or sail here: vast expanses, sunny and warm - the dream of any tourist who is fond of sea ​​views sports. Also, there are all conditions for lovers of horseback riding. The beaches of the Costa de la Luz are much larger and longer than those of the Costa del Sol, with fine, almost white sand. Most of the beaches in this resort are annually awarded the "blue flag". There are no high-rise hotels in the Costa de la Luz.

• Summer time (validity period) 26.03-29.10
• Religion The overwhelming majority of believers are Catholics.
• Phone code 8-10-34-956-phone number
• Time zone (+00:00 GMT) +01:00
• Power supply (voltage, socket type) Usually, the mains voltage is 220 volts, but sometimes in small villages and villages it can be 125 or 110 volts.
• Language (official and spoken) Spanish

• medium

Who is the resort for?

• for adults
• on the company
• on youth
• for lonely people
• on the elderly
• for families with children

National composition

• mixed

• Clothing: In Spain, there are no special rules in this regard. For reasons of convenience, travelers from colder countries are advised to remember that winters are quite mild in many parts of the coast, and they should first familiarize themselves with the climatic conditions of the area where they are going to travel. Except in certain areas, winter clothing is generally not required.
• Rules of conduct: It is recommended to keep documents, money and various valuables, including passports and air tickets in the hotel safe. Do not leave your belongings on the tour buses.
• Tipping: In cafes and bars it is enough to leave 15-25 pesetas; in restaurants they give 5-10% of the cost of the order, about the same - in a taxi. Maid, hotel employee who helps you carry your luggage, porter - about 100 pesetas.

resort type

• beach

This resort has a wonderful name, it translates as "Coast of Light". Costa de la Luz is the southernmost resort in Spain and gloomy days here can be counted on the fingers. The rest of the time the region is bathed in sunshine.

Popular about Costa de la Luz

The only thing that brings coolness here is the nearest waters of the Atlantic Ocean, which wash the resort. They are always cooler by a couple of degrees than in the Mediterranean.

However, on the Costa de la Luz there is something that is rare in other resorts. These are quite strong, lingering winds blowing from the coast, so there is practically no calm surf here. Waves splash constantly, and sometimes even stormy. But this does not stop many tourists, because the wind even contributes to a more intense and faster tan. Although, maybe because of the distance of the resort or because of the high temperatures in the summer, they come here much less than the Mediterranean resorts. Here you rarely see beaches clogged with tourists, and in cities Spanish dialect is heard much more often than anywhere else.

Admirers are accustomed to rest here active rest. For extreme windsurfers, the local beaches are just a godsend. You can also see many yachtsmen who are eager to conquer at least a part of the Atlantic Ocean on their sailing schooners. There are also those who came here to be away from the bustle of the city, to relax and listen to the rustle of the waves, and not the noisy polyphony on the same beach. Itinerant artists and writers come here looking for inspiration. Local landscapes can set anyone in a masterpiece mood.

The beaches of the resort deserve special attention. There are no rocks or large vegetation, and the width of the coast at some points reaches two hundred meters. Some of them are overgrown with low grass. The rest are just hot, almost White sand. The length of the coastline is not as long as that of the Mediterranean resorts, but there is much more space here due to the flat terrain. Moreover, the swimming season here starts a month earlier, which is quite good, considering that tickets and hotel rooms can be booked even in early spring, when their prices are much lower.

How to get to the Costa de la Luz

Getting to the resort is easy. There are two ways that tourists use:

The first way is a flight from international airport in Malaga. This option is with only one change. There are regular flights from Iberia and Vueling to Malaga from Russia. Then you can use local airlines to get directly to the resort. Flight time from Malaga is approximately 5 hours. This option may not be very convenient, as you will have to endure 2 flights at once. Excessive fatigue is not a sign of a good vacation.

· The second way is with a change in Madrid or Seville for a train to Cadiz. This option will allow you to save some money and give you the opportunity to see the country in close proximity. Buses run from the capital of the province of Cadiz to any resort town. In any case, you can stay right in Cadiz.

The main resort towns of the Costa de la Luz

Several of the hottest cities make up the province of Costa de la Luz, which is considered resort area for more than a decade now. Each of them attracts tourists with a wide range of services and entertainment.

Some towns are a real historical treasure trove, because they were all founded during the reign of Muslims, or even earlier. Even then, people knew the significant value of these settlements, and now the resort and tourism business brings the region almost half of the budget of all of Spain.

• CADIS

No one imagines the province of Costa de la Luz without its capital, the city of Cadiz. Today, this small settlement is the oldest among the countries of Europe. Once upon a time, the Byzantines who inhabited these lands considered Cadiz to be literally "the end of the world." It was from here that the famous traveler and adventurer of all times and peoples, Christopher Columbus, began his expeditions.

Since ancient times, many historical buildings have remained in the city, which even now attract attention with their unique beauty. In addition, Cadiz has a well-developed modern infrastructure. The streets of the city are built up with all kinds of shops, boutiques and fashionable hotels.

The only thing that has remained virtually unchanged in Cadiz is the magnificent sandy beaches, which extend in length for more than ten kilometers. The most visited of them is the city beach Playa de la Caleta. It is only half a kilometer long, but from the waterfront, which is lined with cafeterias, bars and restaurants, you can watch a stunningly beautiful sunset, perhaps the best on the planet. The rest of the beaches are much larger and no less popular.

Getting to Cadiz is easy. The nearest airport is located in the town of Jerez de la Frontera. There are regular flights from Madrid or Barcelona. There is also a bus from Seville (ticket price 10 euros). You can also take the bus from Malaga. From larger cities, they get here in a few hours by train. Cadiz has a modern railway station.

The climate in the city is quite dry, hot and windy. The proximity of the Atlantic Ocean makes itself felt. The swimming season runs from mid-May until the end of October, making Cadiz an excellent place for a beach holiday.

In urban catering establishments, you can order a wide variety of seafood dishes and almost all types of sea fish. The best restaurant in the city called El Faro is located on Calle San Felix. The most exquisite dishes can be tasted here.

In addition to beach activities, the city has many memorable buildings from different eras that will be very interesting to visit. Fabulous Cathedral of the Holy Cross, built in the Baroque style, is open daily for parishioners and tourists. Such grandeur and spirituality in a building is not seen every day. On the city square, Mina is located Archaeological Museum, the exhibits of which are more than one hundred years old. Another entertaining activity is a walk along the fortress walls of the city, separating it from the sea. Once they served as a good defense against foreign invaders.

Finding shelter in Cadiz is not a problem. There are many luxury hotels and cozy budget places. The resort accommodates a lot of visitors, and in the high season there is nowhere for an apple to fall. It is advisable to book rooms before the trip, so you can save a lot. Summer prices are unexpectedly surprising.

• HICLANAde la fRONTERA

The name of a small resort town, which is not easy for a Russian person, can cause embarrassment. But put aside your prejudices. This is the most magnificent resort in Spain. A river flows through the whole city, along the banks of which cozy dwellings are lined up. local residents. On river bridges you can often see amateur fishermen or young couples in love.

But the main magnet for everyone is the golden beaches of La Barrosa and Sancti Petri, which have deserved the title of the best among the beaches of Spain for more than one year.

The influence of a purely Andalusian style is felt in the city. Coastline The resort beach of La Barrosa stretches for six kilometers. It consists of two parts:

• The first is the embankment, about one kilometer. There is a lot of entertainment here: from bars and restaurants to nightclubs and souvenir shops. In summer, there is a time when the embankment is simply overcrowded from the abundance of vacationers.
• The second part is the real nature reserve with rare plants, pine plantations and sand dunes. This area contains the most luxury hotels with relaxation and spa centers and huge golf courses.

The second beach, Sancti Petri, is slightly smaller. Here is the city's fishing port, which is usually visited by sailing yachts and small fishing boats. Walking along the beach on a warm evening in a pleasant company will be a great end to the day, especially since the sunset is amazing from here.

To visit this wonderful city, first get by plane to cities such as Jerez, Seville or Malaga. And then a couple of hours by train or a little more by bus. You can also get to the city through Cadiz, but with transfers.

Shoppers will be able to "frolic" in local shopping centers in the heart of the city. Or hustle around the markets, there are two of them - grocery and clothing. There you can find and buy a lot of interesting and useful things, from traditional Spanish clothes to the freshest vegetables and fruits.

Of the sights of the city, one should highlight the superbly preserved ancient castle Sancti Petri and not far from the ruins temple to Hercules who is considered the founder of the city. Also noteworthy are the city churches, the monastery and the high Clock Tower, reminiscent of the English Big Ben in miniature.

Hotels in Chiclana de la Frontera have a full range of services and receive hundreds of wonderful reviews from tourists every year. Almost all of them are resort-type, with private spas and massage rooms. Many of the hotels provide active recreation and recreation enthusiasts with equipment for surfing, sailing and equestrian sports. Some luxury guesthouses have their own tennis courts and golf courses.

As in all tourist centers Spain, it is advisable to book rooms in advance.

• EL-PWERTO-de-cANTA-MARIA

The city with such a romantic name is located in the south of Andalusia in the picturesque region of the Guadalete River. Here it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The name of the resort is by no means accidental. The fact is that hundreds of years ago, the ship of Christopher Columbus, on which he plowed half the ocean, was called "Santa Maria", and the captain of the ship lived in this town.

The city has a full range of resort entertainment - from wonderful sandy beaches to vibrant nightclubs. The real treasure of the city are its beaches, stretching for as much as twenty-two kilometers. The sand on the beach is white. Nine equipped beach areas. There are also several wild beaches, but no less attractive.

One of the most popular is the beach. Valdelagrana. It is located two kilometers from the city, vacationers fall into the zone of a real resort idyll. Tourists are waiting for several luxurious hotels with a variety of accommodation options and a well-developed entertainment and commercial infrastructure. It's like a small city within a city.

Beach coastline Vistahermosa much smaller, but no less attractive. Quite strong winds constantly blow here, so the places are ideal for windsurfers. The view from the shore is excellent, especially in the evening, when the lights of the city of Cadiz are visible, which is visible from here in full view.

The route to El Puerto de Santa Maria is easy. The nearest airport is in Jerez. The price for the flight is approximately 250 euros. Another way is to change in Madrid by train to the city (travel time is about 4 hours). The most convenient way to get from the city of Cadiz is by bus, train or ferry.

The climate in El Puerto is hot, with sudden temperature changes rare. In summer, the temperature rises to thirty - thirty-three degrees above zero. This heat lasts here all summer. The holiday season begins in mid-May and ends in November, when the water temperature drops, and the swimming season ends at the same time.

El Puerto is small, but there is still where to go in your free time from the beach and what to see. Of the religious buildings, it is worth noting the magnificent city cathedral Iglesia Mayor Prioral, built in the seventeenth century. Another architectural masterpiece is the castle El Castillo de San Marcos. A good example of the fact that the Spaniards are kind to nature is the reserve Bahia de Cadiz which is completely open to the public.

• TARIFA

Being in Spain and seeing Africa is easy! All you need is to come to the city of Tarifa. You can come to Tarifa from Cadiz by bus. This is the most convenient option. The city is the southernmost point European continent and it is here that the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet.

Tarifa's constant air currents have made it another center for Spanish windsurfing. And on the coasts there is an annual championship in this exciting sport. Although Tarifa is considered a popular resort, some of its beaches are not worthy of special attention from tourists, such as the rocky beach of La Caleta. Well, the most popular and most visited is the snow-white Playa de los Lances, which is included in the protected areas of Europe.

From Tarifa it is easy to go on an organized excursion to Morocco. And on the coast of the Strait of Gibraltar you can see the coast of Africa and the rocky mountain range of the Reef.

Of the attractions, the most visited is the ancient fortress Castiilo de los Guzmanes, named after one of the first rulers of the city. It has been preserved almost in its original form. It's also impossible to get past the giant gates Puerta de Jerez – the oldest entrance to the city from its northern side. Neatly trimmed bushes and trees, comfortable benches and a magnificent fountain on the square Plaza de Santa Maria lead to tenderness and immediately tune in to a wave of positive. And you can feel like an archaeologist on the ruins of an ancient city Baelo Claudia dating back to the second century BC.

• HUELVA

Despite the fact that Huelva- a Spanish city, here you feel like in England of the Victorian era. All thanks to the fact that in the nineteenth century the bulk of the townspeople were the British, who developed mountain deposits of minerals. This primordially influenced the architecture of the city, especially its residential areas.

However, already after a century of the reign of the Spanish crown, the city acquired clearly Spanish features. Now it seems that, having arrived in the city, you find yourself in two countries at once. The main advantage of the city is its proximity to Portugal. From here you can easily cross the border by bus and visit the nearest Portuguese cities.

Huelva is best reached by bus, which leaves regularly from Cadiz, Granada or Malaga. From Seville and Madrid there is a train connection to the city. The train leaves several times a day.

City beaches are perhaps the only ones that have not yet been built up. They are completely wild and are located at a distance from the city. But that's the beauty of them all! Connoisseurs of a quiet, carefree vacation come here, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The nearest beaches with a developed resort infrastructure are located near the city in the village of Punta Umbria. Here you can stay in excellent hotels with spa treatments, huge pools and other resort paraphernalia.

There are many in the city interesting places, and its compact dimensions allow even lazy tourist get around everything in a day. The main place for gatherings of citizens and holding many holidays is the square. Plaza de las Monjas, which is in the center of Huelva. Nearby you can visit excellent restaurants, buy something from the latest fashion in one of the trendy boutiques or go to the gift shop. The city has many great parks, such as Parque Moret where fruit trees grow freely or Jardines de Muelle with tropical plants and palm trees.

The resorts located on the Costa de la Luz are delightful without exception. Each settlement has something unique and inimitable, so many make a mini-tour of this hot Spanish province. Vacationers are met by a large number of entertainments, ranging from windsurfing to relaxing spa massages in hotel salons. And, of course, these are many kilometers of hot sand, hot sun and crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, which are found only here.

A better holiday than on the Costa de la Luz, you still need to look. Therefore, throw swimming trunks, swimwear in a suitcase and go for the perfect tan!

Useful information for tourists about the Costa de la Luz in Spain - geographical position, tourism infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Costa de la Luz ("Coast of Light") - the southwestern coast of mainland Spain, located on the Gulf of Cadiz, washed by the Atlantic Ocean and borders on Portugal. It was from these shores that Christopher Columbus once began his famous journey to the shores of America. The resort got its name due to the fact that in this place the sea reflects the sunlight especially strongly, as if a huge clear mirror of an invisible giant releases myriads of sunbeams from under the sparkling waves.

The Costa de la Luz keeps many imprints of ancient history. Once this coast belonged to the great kingdom of Tharsis, Phoenician and Greek ships arrived here with their goods. Later, for eight centuries, the Romans ruled here, the Arabs who followed them ruled for another eight centuries.

- is the most colorful city of the Costa de la Luz. This city, an interweaving of many cultures and religions, lives its own special, unique life. The air here is especially clean, and the sea waves playing in the sun seem to remind the city that all its destiny is forever connected with the sea.

Costa de la Luz is a real monument of history, culture and nature. The ancient cities of this province, for example, Cadiz and, keep reminders of Moorish culture, and some villages look like typical African settlements.

The vast beaches of the Costa de la Luz are surrounded by sand dunes and magnificent pine trees. This part Atlantic coast still managed to save from ugly buildings, here you can find quiet sandy beaches, full of calm sun and the sound of waves. Many beaches are annually awarded the Blue Flag - the hallmark of the cleanest beaches in Europe.

The climate here is very mild. However, quite often, strong Atlantic winds and high waves create excellent conditions for windsurfing or sailing: vast expanses, ocean waters still warm in this place, sunny, warm - a real dream of any tourist who is fond of sea sports.

A fashionable resort with impeccable hotel infrastructure, surrounded by beaches and pine groves. Here you will find golf courses, a riding school and tennis courts.

Located in the center of the bay. There are beautiful long beaches, a well-developed hotel infrastructure, there are many leisure facilities: a casino, a water park. Sports complexes have been built for outdoor enthusiasts, there are golf courses and a yacht club.

A cozy resort town famous for its wine, beaches and beautiful golf courses. - an ancient city surrounded by fertile gardens and vineyards. Famous for its fish restaurants, beautiful beaches and numerous sports facilities.

The southernmost point in Europe. Here, in the Strait of Gibraltar, the international windsurfing championship is held annually.

Resting on the Costa de la Luz, you will be pleasantly surprised by the variety of unusually tasty dishes prepared from fish and seafood, and Andalusian sherry, produced in the province of Huelva, will give all these dishes a special taste.