Malaga and Costa Del Sol holidays
Once Malaga was simply a gateway to the Costa del Sol, now the city is busy reinventing itself as an enticing destination in its own right. One of the world’s oldest cities, with Roman, Moorish and Phoenician roots, Malaga is not only the birthplace of Pablo Picasso but now the youthful Andalusian city boasts a vibrant arts quarter, a sleek port, a tempting food scene and scores of cool rooftop bars.
Cheapest flights to Malaga
This sunshine coast isn’t just for summer
With over 320 days of sunshine a year, it’s no wonder that the Costa del Sol‘s string of resort towns, once fishing villages, are perennially popular. This 93-mile stretch of coastline is bedecked with resorts ranging from the glitzy Marbella and the upmarket Estepona to the lively likes of Benalmadena and Torremolinos.
With our flights to Malaga you'll soon be exploring impressive Moorish sights like the Alcazaba and devouring moreish tapas and local delicacies such as sweet wine and grilled sardines. Or shopping for fashion brands on Calle Marques de Larios and paying homage to the city’s most famous son at the Museo Picasso Málaga.
Carefully selected Malaga & Costa del Sol hotels
Best hotels in Malaga & Costa del Sol for all types of traveller
The Costa del Sol offers a fantastic range of hotels to suit all types of traveller, from beachfront to all-inclusive holidays. For fine dining and the ultimate luxury experience try the Ikos Andalusia, Surrounded by lush tropical gardens and with a Thalasso Spa, Marbella Club is another prime option. The H10 Estepona Palace offers direct access to the beach, while the Benalma Hotel Costa del Sol may tempt you with its sweeping rooftop terrace. A reliable all-inclusive budget option is the Puente Real or for a fun ‘adults-only’ experience plump for the Amare Beach Hotel Marbella near Marbella’s Old Town. The Elba Estepona Gran Hotel & Thalasso Spa is ideal for golfers – the five star hotel is surrounded by numerous excellent courses. But equally the spa is just as renowned and provides the perfect antidote. Finally drop by the private pool at the Nobu Hotel Marbella for a refreshing electrolyte enhanced mocktail. It’s home to the prized Nobu restaurant and shares facilities with the Puente Romano, including a fantastic plaza with a bar and restaurants that guests of both hotels can access.
Malaga & Costa del Sol holiday FAQs
1. Wander around the vibrant, edgy and newly revitalised art district of Soho. This is home to MAUS, the Malaga street art project that sees the streets splashed with 25 metre high murals.
2. Experience the epitome of Andalusian cuisine at El Pimpi. Set in a charming 18th century former residence decorated with oak-stained barrels it offers a terrace affording fine views of the Alcazaba.
3. Delve deep underground into the Cueva de Nerja, an extraordinary complex of multi-coloured, five million year-old caverns unearthed only in the 1950s, featuring stalactites and stalagmites reminiscent of a giant cathedral.
4. Spot the glitterati while lounging around on a plush day-bed at Marbella’s exclusive beach club Nikki Beach. This prime open air venue is decorated lavishly with its signature all-white decor. Enjoy the foot tapping tunes, stunning views and relaxed vibe.
5. Scale the 200 steps of Malaga Cathedral for panoramic views of the city. Affectionately known by locals as ‘la manquita’ (or ‘one armed lady’) due to a lopsided appearance owing to its lack of a second tower, the building is rich with Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance influences.
- If you’re searching for a Fuengirola beach hotel we recommend the Higueron Hotel Malaga, Curio Collection by Hilton. This five-star, adults only hotel affords glorious Mediterranean views from its towering vantage point, along with a Michelin-starred restaurant and an exclusive rooftop bar that’s open year-round.
- Perhaps the best Benalmadena hotel is the Hotel Las Arenas Affiliated by Meliá. Set in the heart of Benalmadena, it offers a great location if you want to get out and explore the area. Its rooftop bar is equally popular for its prime views of the surrounding landscape.
- When it comes to cheap hotels in Malaga, you can’t go far wrong with the Sol Principe. This four-star, family hotel in Torremolinos has a huge pool area and is located directly across the coastal road from the beach.
- Most Malaga hotels come with a pool. We recommend the Puente Romano Beach Resort. This member of the Leading Hotels of the World is styled to resemble a classic Andalusian village. It offers a Six Senses Spa and a choice of 14 restaurants.
- When it comes to five-star hotels in Malaga check out the Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa. This offers close proximity to the famous Nikki Beach Club, extensive gardens and a kids’ club.
- For all-inclusive Marbella holidays try the Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach. Situated close to Puerto Banus, this hotel has an all-inclusive option and features sublime sea views.
- Marbella is a chic, sophisticated resort town with wide avenues, designer shops and gastronomic dining. Here you can enjoy casinos, world-class tennis, sailing and golf. Orange Square provides stately buildings, small shops, art galleries, bars and bistros, and is a hub of activity day and night. Puerto Banus is a man-made port brimming with elegant yachts and expensive boats. Shop at one of the many world-renowned fashion boutiques, or enjoy the vibrant nightlife with alfresco bars, piano clubs and discos in bountiful supply.
- The whitewashed villages of Mijas and Nerja are dotted around the mountains, valleys and waterfronts along the coast, offering water sports, quaint atmospheres with picturesque views, and miles of sandy beaches. Nerja is flanked by a dramatic mountain range. Admire stunning views from Sierra Almijara, then visit what’s rated as the 'prettiest village in Andalucia' – Frigiliana, a historically significant place as the scene of the final defeat of the Moors during their rebellion in 1569.
- This upmarket beach resort, Estepona, is known as ‘the old town’ and is located halfway along the coast between Malaga and Gibraltar. Some of our most exclusive hotels on the Costa del Sol are found here, including the Kempinski Hotel Bahia. The numerous street cafes and tapas bars still serve traditional Spanish delicacies and the steep, narrow, cobbled streets actually seem more suited to horses than cars. You’ll also find unusual shops and bodegas here. This has all of the original character of a typical Andalusina village and is less touristy than other surrounding areas.
- Relax on beaches, promenades and in the many bars and restaurants at Costa del Sol's beach resorts. Torremolinos was one of the first resorts to witness mass tourism which saw it being developed from a quaint fishing village into the bustling resort town it is today. Sample original fish bars, boutiques and gift shops. Make a splash at Torremolinos’ Aqualand, the largest waterpark in the Costa del Sol, which remains a big hit with families. A bevy of aquatic thrill rides await you here, including the adrenaline-pumping Speed Racer.
- Benalmadena offers an award-winning marina and multi-cultural restaurants, popular with British visitors. Fuengirola serves upmarket tapas bars and restaurants, surrounded by chic boutiques and other shops, as well as fabulous beaches. Attend a concert or perhaps a beer festival at Fuengirola’s impressive Moorish fortification, Sohail Castle. The 12th-century castle sits 38 metres above sea level at the mouth of the Fuengirola River.
Why choose British Airways Holidays?
The British Airways experience is more than a flight.
We’re one of the UK’s largest holiday companies offering carefully chosen hotels and resorts in the most amazing places, and car hire with no hidden extras. Our access to the extensive British Airways global network and oneworld® alliance puts us in a unique position to create holiday packages with convenient flights across the globe. From start to finish consider your holiday taken care of.
Low deposits
Secure your holiday with a low deposit and spread the cost with flexible payments.
Baggage allowance
All of our holiday packages include a generous checked baggage allowance.
24-hour helpline
We have a dedicated 24-hour holiday helpline if you need to contact us while you're away.
Pay with Avios
Reduce the cost of your next trip and pay for your holiday with Avios.
Customer reviews
Our customers’ reviews are independently moderated by Feefo. We're extremely proud of our verified ratings, satisfaction scores and the commitment we see, when our customers consistently choose to book with us again.
Other holiday destinations you might be interested in...
Barcelona holidays
Benidorm holidays
Fuerteventura holidays
Ibiza holidays
Lanzarote holidays
Madrid holidays
Majorca holidays
Menorca holidays
Seville holidays
Spain holidays
Tenerife holidays
Valencia holidays
Terms and conditions
- Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
- Package holiday prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
- Return fares displayed are the lowest adult return prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges, based on a 7-day return journey.
- Each–way fares displayed are the lowest adult each-way prices in the cabin specified based on the lowest adult return prices for a 7 day travel period, including all taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
- One-way fares displayed are the lowest adult prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
- Package holiday prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in GBP per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
- Additional charges will be applied for payments made using a corporate credit card.
- Advertised fares are available on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through British Airways outlets or travel agents.
- Combine and save on Holidays: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ holiday including more than one hotel and / or car.
- Package holidays are protected under British Airways Holidays Ltd by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 5985.
- Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply