Costa Del Sol villa holidays - activities & sights

The Costa del Sol isn't called the Costa del Golf for nothing! This stretch of Spain's coastline offers dozens of golf courses and a year-round opportunity to play, thanks to its dry, warm summers. If you can't put your putter down, you'll find a fantastic choice of prestigious courses to test you along the coast, including the top-class Valderrama links at Sotogrande, stage of the 1997 Ryder Cup. Courses range from 9 to 27 holes, and you can enjoy lots of different terrains from tree-lined fairways to wind-blown, hilly courses. Remember though, most clubs will ask for a handicap certificate and youÍll need to book well in advance to ensure a round. Look out for our golf symbol at selected hotels. There are excellent golf courses situated along the coast from Benaldamena to Marbella. Horse-riding is available in Torremolinos. Watersports are readily available from the beaches, and tennis is also available.

Burriana Beach, La Caletilla and Torrecilla Beaches are just a few of the many beaches and coves that can be found in Nerja. Playa Calahonda offers a pebbly beach (Nerja) and Bajondillo and Playamar beaches in Torremolinos. Benalmadena boasts Playa BilBil and Benalmadena beach, and La Siesta Beach can be found in Puerto Banus.

A fantastic day out awaits in Gibraltar, the mighty chunk of rock jutting into the sea at the southern end of the Costa del Sol. A British crown colony, its a little piece of Britain in the Mediterranean, and offers some memorable and nostalgic sightseeing. Here, you can stroll through the town with its city walls, shops, museums and English pubs, and even watch the changing of the guard at the Governors residence. As a highlight, you can take the cable car up to watch the antics of the Rocks famous Barbary apes and tour the maze of eerie caves hidden within the cliffs, including the vast St. Michaels Grotto, with its awe-inspiring stalactites.

Located in the Moorish city of Granada, this stupendous, red-walled palace complex is one of Spains gems and a must-see if you want to get a taste of the countrys rich history. On a hill overlooking the city and backed by the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains, its a fairytale sight, made up of splendid royal palaces, chapels, court complexes and a bathhouse and mosque. Built and added onto by successive Moorish rulers during medieval times, you can tour all the main sections, walking through exquisite, mosaic-laden chambers, sumptuous salons, tranquil fountained courtyards and romantic gardens. Make sure you climb the Palace's Vela Tower, a highpoint that reveals breathtaking views over the city and distant mountains.