Costa Del Sol | Phillippe Sommer

Featured Region

Costa del Sol La que tù me haces

Story and Photography: Philippe Sommer

Landing at Madrid Barajas International (or Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid- Barajas Internacional for the braves), in the heart of Spain, you can go in any direction and it’s roughly the same distance to reach any of its coasts. But on its southern shores, the Costa del Sol is where Europe’s elite come for the perfect weather and cool Mediterranean waters.

The region lies in and around Malaga but the whole southern coast is a wonder to behold. Its vast highway system allows for easy travel to all cities that pop up among the orchards. Smooth roads and vistas of rust coloured mountains stretching to the blue of the sea that breezes past as you meander through Andalusia.

Seville, capital of Andalusia, is a mix of old and new and has something for everyone. Watch matadors sidestep certain death, walk the technicolour tiles of Plaza de España or head to the Triana district to experience the thunder of flamenco in your chest. With a bevy of museums to visit and culture at every turn, Seville is a hub for everything Spain is famous for. It also boasts one of the largest cathedrals in the world which houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

A hidden gem of a day trip is to witness the marvel of Moorish architecture, La Mezquita de Cordoba. It lies in the heart of the city of Cordoba and brings Catholics and Muslims together in this UNESCO World Heritage site. The intricate Islamic details and grand altars of Christianity are spread around this sprawling structure, leaving you in awe.

A drive into the Sierra Nevada mountains will take you to Granada, shrouded in history, tucked between snow-capped peaks and deep valleys, that will make you hope you rented a car skinny-enough to thread through the ridiculously tight streets. What stands out most is a palace, a fortress, and almost its own little city; the Alhambra.

Originally constructed in 889 AD, it has evolved into the masterpiece it is today over the last 1,200 years, becoming the birthplace of the Nasrid Dynasty and the last Muslim stronghold in Andalusia. Impossibly detailed latticework lines the walls, ornate fountains still flow, and lush gardens are strewn throughout the abundant complex. The Alhambra truly shows how luxurious life was as a Great Sultan of Granada.

“The Alhambra truly shows how luxurious life was as a Great Sultan of Granada.”

Out of the hills and down to the sea is where you’ll find Malaga, home of Pablo Picasso and quick getaway port for all of Europe; think of it as the European Miami Beach. If you want to rub shoulders with million-dollar athletes and actors, head West to Marbella where the streets are lined with Bentleys and Bugattis.

If you want the beach, La Malagueta is the main strip of sand but keep your expectations in check: as the most popular beach in the city, it can get very crowded. Instead, drive 20 minutes West to Torremolinos for a stretch of unspoiled beach lined with chiringuitos (beach bars), or 20 minutes East to the tranquil hotspot at Playa Peñon.

The relaxed river walks in Seville, the bustling Bazaar in Granada, and the bohemian beaches of Malaga really set the Costa del Sol apart from many destinations in Europe. There is a saying in Seville that goes “la que tú me haces” which means “it’s you that makes me this way”. What you’ll eventually find in the Costa del Sol is a sense of ease, a different way to live life and hopefully, you’ll come home with more than just a tan.

“The bohemian beaches of Malaga really set the Costa del Sol apart from many destinations in Europe.”