Sunshine Travelers Podcast
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Episode 186 - Costa del Sol, Spain: The Underrated Beach Vacation + Málaga, Marbella, Ronda, and Gibraltar

Sunshine Travelers Podcast
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 When most Americans think beach vacation, Spain doesn't usually make the list. But after a week based in Estepona  visiting our daughter and her family with day trips to Málaga, Mijas, Marbella, Ronda, and Gibraltar, we came home convinced Costa del Sol is one of the most underrated beach destinations we've visited. In this episode, we're sharing why, plus exactly where we'd stay and what we'd do again. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

What You'll Discover in This Episode

  • Why Estepona made the perfect home base and landing in town during Semana Santa
  • A full day in Málaga: where to get breakfast, the hike up to Castillo de Gibralfaro, and lunch at Mercado Central de Atarazanas
  • Mijas, the whitewashed mountain village 20 minutes from the coast
  • Marbella's split personality  Puerto Banús glamour vs. Old Town charm
  • Why Ronda is worth a full day away from the beach
  • Gibraltar as a day trip, and what's changed since our last visit
  • Where we'd recommend staying, depending on the trip you want

Places Mentioned

  • Estepona — our home base; Old Town + beach, walkable, easy jumping-off point
  • Málaga — La Recova (breakfast), Alcazaba & Castillo de Gibralfaro, Mercado Central de Atarazanas (lunch), Picasso Museum
  • Mijas — whitewashed hilltop village, donkey taxis
  • Castillo Monumento Colomares — a "medieval" castle actually built 1987–1994; €3.50 adults / €2.50 kids & pensioners
  • Marbella — Puerto Banús, Old Town, Plaza de los Naranjos
  • Ronda — El Tajo gorge, Puente Nuevo, Arab Baths
  • Gibraltar — cable car closed for refurbishment until sometime in 2027; bring your passport

Where to Stay

  • Málaga for a walkable city base with museums and beach access
  • Marbella for nightlife, luxury, and a more international scene
  • Estepona for something relaxed with easy access to explore the whole region

 

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Music: This Acoustic Happy

Music by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/the_mountain-3616498/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371">Dmitrii Kolesnikov</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=129371">Pixabay</a>

 

 

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