NavanTravel

A mere 3-hour flight away from Ireland, in the South of Spain, is its famous ‘Sunny Coast’ or in Spanish - Costa del Sol. The destination has been very popular with the Irish for a long time and it’s no wonder. Both Ryanair and Aer Lingus fly directly to Malaga, Costa del Sol’s serving airport, making the place easily accessible. Flights from Dublin operate daily and several times a day during peak season; in addition to weekly flights from Cork, Shannon and Knock.

 

What makes the Costa del Sol great?

The Costa del Sol is made of a number of beach side towns and small countryside villages. The Over 55’s category will most likely be heading to the west side of Malaga. Torremolinos and Benalmadena lie only a short 20-minute transfer from Malaga Airport, and are the number one choice for older visitors. These two resorts run into one another, resulting in a flat straight promenade along the beach that invite long, casual walks. You can literally walk for miles – from high-rise hotels of Torremolinos to the lovely marina in Benalmadena, and if you need a break, you can refresh yourself in various restaurants, bars and cafes that line the promenade. Further down the Costa del Sol, is Fuengirola, a resort town known for its sandy beaches and great shopping.

 

 

Pleasant Weather All Year Round

With a yearly average temperature of 18°C, you can visit the Costa del Sol anytime of the year. If you fancy sultry weather with temperatures over 30°C, summer months are what you are looking for; those preferring a bit cooler weather with an occasional breeze should head to the Costa del Sol during autumn or winter. I stayed in Torremolinos in December and it was enough to wear a pair of light pants, blouse and sweater in the evening. In fairness, however, we did encounter some rain too but we were assured it is rather rare.

 

 

Discounts for Over 55’s

Apart from all the reasons mentioned above, the Costa del Sol is hugely popular among the Over 55’s thanks to the attractive discounts they can avail of. Many hotels in the area offer exclusive rates, simply based on age. Since this age group tend to avoid the peak summer season and travel during low season, the total cost of the holiday could be a real bargain. For example my clients travelling for a week in January and staying in the 4* Hotel Las Palmeras in Fuengirola on a half board basis paid as little as €350 per person for the whole package including return flights and transfers.

 

Things to Do

The Costa del Sol offers many activities to enhance your holiday. There are over 60 golf courses which is why this part of Spain has been lovingly nicknamed “Costa del Golf”. You can enjoy the sunset while walking on the promenade, or you can hire bikes. Malaga is a lovely city with a lot of museums and typical Spanish architecture, and I definitely recommend visiting it. The train from Torremolinos goes regularly and reaches Malaga in less than half an hour. If you take a trip to Malaga be sure to visit El pimpi where we had some delicious tapas. This typical local tavern is not to be missed! Famous for its narrow streets, whitewashed houses and wedding venues, Nerja is another great idea for a day trip. If you fancy some window shopping for Louis Vuitton handbags and Gucci watches, head to Puerto Banus to the southwest of Marbella. One of my top tips, while on your holiday, don’t miss out on the mountain village of Mijas which offers the most stunning views of the Costa del Sol!