Costa del Sol (which translates to "Sun Coast") is a popular destination in the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The Costa del Sol beaches are known for white sand, and the warm and inviting waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Costa del Sol is situated between two other, less frequented coastal areas, Costa de la Luz and Costa Tropical.

Tourists come from all over the world to enjoy the Andalucia beaches, from Nerja to Gibraltar. One great thing about a vacation in this region of Spain, is that there are numerous Costa del Sol beaches from which to choose and plan your ideal vacation.

The Sotogrande beaches are a place where visitors who are seeking a more secluded and tranquil vacation often explore. These beaches are renowned for their natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. The Estepona and San Roque beaches offer another experience altogether, but are equally beautiful. The Estepona beaches stretch out for miles and are a popular destination for families traveling to the area because of the Playa del Cristo, which is ideal for kids because of the safe and shallow waters.

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Of all the Costa del Sol beaches, the Puerto Banus beaches may be the most popular for water sports. Tourists flock to this Mediterranean hot spot for water skiing, wind surfing, boating, yachting, and much more.

Many celebrities have been spotted at the Marbella beaches, and although this is the reputation that Marbella is now known for, many regular tourists like to treat themselves to a day at the Marbella beaches to take in the luxurious beachfront restaurants, clubs, and spas. This is the most frequented of the Costa del Sol beaches by the paparazzi, but this tends only to add to the intrigue of this exclusive area, and visitors flock there every year.

The Mijas beaches on the Costa del Sol have a reputation as some of the cleanest in all of Europe, which tourists can find evidence of in the form of a blue flag on the beach, which indicates it as such. Mijas beaches are also known for their water sports and other recreational activities. For this reason, Mijas tends to be popular for young people, who consider the area to offer some of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol.

Nerja Beach, of all the Costa del Sol beaches, may be the most popular. The climate here is nearly perfect all year round, and the town offers a distinctively Spanish charm, with whitewashed, stucco houses, cobblestone streets, fine Catalan dining, shops, bars, and clubs. There are also a nice array of Costa del Sol hotels to choose from, within walking distance of the beach, and the area’s other attractions.

The CalaMijas Hotel, and Sunset Beach Club are reasonably priced, especially considering the luxurious amenities and beachfront locations. The CalaMijas has a big outdoor pool, in-hotel dining, and fantastic customer service. This is a perfect example of one of the Costa del Sol hotels that will not break the bank, offering an affordable, clean, comfortable and convenient starting point for your exploration of this famous region of Spain.

The Sunset Beach Club has about all you could ask for in terms of luxurious, resort accommodations. There are two outdoor swimming pools, indoor pool, restaurant and lounge, spa, entertainment in the hotel, fitness center, game room, and more. As for Costa del Sol hotels, it does not get any better in terms of location (right on the beach) and things to do.

There are also a number of suitable options should you be looking for even more reasonably priced Costa del Sol hotels. Small and comfortable places such as the Hostal Don Peque, are family-run, clean, and are perfect for travelers looking to spend their budget on shopping, entertainment, and fun. It is located in Nerja, and consistently receives positive reviews for attentive customer service, cleanliness and convenience of location to the beaches at Nerja. On a trip to the Costa del Sol region of Spain, there is something for everyone in terms of places to stay, and things to do.