Costa del Sol is a very popular region of Spain. Both Spaniards and foreigners clock to the South coast, enjoying the luxury and nightlife of Marbella and Malaga as well as the historic old towns of Ronda and Estepona.
However, many quickly wonder what is the best way to navigate the region given that it’s far away from the infrastructure and metros that plague Barcelona and Madrid in the best way possible.
Car Hire
The first thing to consider is usually the cheapest car hire Malaga airport no excess. Malaga is one of the largest airports in Spain that flies to 115 destinations; the chances are if you’re going to the Costa del Sol, this is where you will be flying in to. Otherwise, your trip from Alicante or Gibraltar can take up most of the day.
Malaga car hire is fairly straightforward and cheap, costing around €15 per day, which is just over €100 for a week’s vacation. 4-wheel drives can also be rented for more luggage storage, space for dogs, and better equipped for rougher roads and mountains. However, roads in Spain can be quite narrow and urban parking spaces small, especially in smaller towns like Ronda, so it’s best to stick to smaller vehicles when possible.
Street parking used to be free all around the Costa del Sol, but this is quickly changing. Most towns will have some free parking opportunities, but be prepared to pay a few Euros in some situations. Ultimately, this is the best way to travel the Costa del Sol for most situations, as it means you won’t miss out on any picturesque, remote villages or sites that are out of the city.
Public transport
When getting around Malaga, surprisingly to some, there is a metro. However, the metro only has two lines, which both connect to El Perchal. It’s not really suitable to rely on for a trip around the Costa del Sol, but the Metro can take you to the Malaga Bus station. From here, you can get regular buses to Marbella, Estepona, Nerja, and a few other places.
When getting around Marbella, there are local area buses. There are seven routes, as well as one night route for those enjoying the nightlife. There’s also a Marbella Tourist Train, which is a small road vehicle shaped as a train with four carriages. This is a fairly cheap way to navigate around the main roads of Marbella.
Boat
This may sound extravagant, but the truth is that most of Costa del Sol lies on the coast. And, the likes of Marbella, Malaga, and Estepona have ports that can look after your boat whilst exploring the city. The benefit of this is that you can view the south of Spain from the outside-in, from a perspective you have never seen before. But, if you turn around, you can see the top of Africa not far away, with Morocco’s Tangier being a possible location to visit. This is also a great way to find hidden beaches in Costa del Sol as you scour the coast.
There are many marketplaces to rent a boat from locals. The south of Spain has a very strong marine and boating culture, so there are many to choose from.
Cycling
A truly great option, if you have the energy for it, is to see the Costa del Sol on a bicycle. Spain is a great destination to cycle in for its weather, gorgeous surroundings and nature, as well as the challenging hills and scattered Roman remains. Cycling allows you to remain ultra flexible, as you can park up outside restaurants and bars easily without looking for a parking space
However, there are some concerns when cycling. Firstly, cycling on the roads in Spain can be a bit dangerous. Drivers act differently in different parts of the world, and you may not be used to the laid back driving style in Spain which can leave you with some close calls. Secondly, some of the mountains in Spain get pretty big and some people may underestimate how difficult it is to navigate. This is great when looking for a challenge, but if you simply want to get to a certain village that’s at a high altitude, it may prove to be a burden
Taxi
Finally, taxis are perfectly workable in the South of Spain, particularly if you’re just navigating within a city like Marbella. When venturing further afield or in rural areas, it’s worth calling ahead of time to book a reservation. It’s also perfectly fine to flag down a driving taxi too.
Most companies operate 24/7 and some will accept debit and credit cards as payment. But, when in Spain, it’s best to carry cash at all times just in case the taxi, shop, or other merchant doesn’t have a card machine. Expect to pay around q euro per kilometre plus a starting fee of €4
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