Things to Do on the Costa Del Sol

Bil Bil Castle is a neo-Mudéjar Arabic-style fortress built in 1927, owned by Benalmádena Town Hall since 1980. Its decorative tilework, horseshoe arches, and twin turrets make it a distinctive landmark on the Benalmádena seafront. The building hosts rotating art exhibitions, classical concerts, conferences, and civil wedding ceremonies in its 100-seat courtyard. Free entry lets you explore without commitment. Visit takes 1–1.5 hours. Opening hours are weekdays 9am–2pm and 5pm–10pm, with varied Saturday schedules around events. The interior courtyard is a cool refuge in summer. ✨ Highlights: 🎟️ Free entry ⏱️ 1–1.5 hours; Mon–Fri 9am–2pm and 5pm–10pm 👨‍👩‍👧 Architecture and culture enthusiasts; easy walk from the seafront 📌 Check Benalmádena Town Hall for current exhibitions and event schedule

Experience the grandeur of Seville on this full-day guided excursion from the Costa del Sol. The centrepiece is skip-the-line entry to the Real Alcázar — one of the oldest royal palaces still in use in the world, with stunning Mudéjar architecture, intricate tilework, and lush garden terraces that served as a filming location for Game of Thrones. 🏰 Explore the historic Santa Cruz quarter with its whitewashed lanes and orange-blossom courtyards, and admire the immense Gothic Cathedral of Seville — the largest in the world. Your expert guide brings the stories of this ancient city to life throughout the day. ✨ Highlights: 🎟️ Skip-the-line Real Alcázar tickets included — no queuing 🎬 Real Alcázar featured in Game of Thrones (Dorne scenes) ⛪ Gothic Cathedral of Seville — the largest Gothic cathedral in the world 🏘️ Guided walk through Santa Cruz — Seville's historic Jewish quarter 🧭 Expert guided commentary throughout the full day 🚌 Route: Fuengirola ➡️ Benalmádena ➡️ Torremolinos ➡️ Málaga ➡️ Seville

Vanilla Cafe is an all-day café-bar at Plaza de la Nogalera 309, in the heart of Torremolinos' LGBTQ+ district. It opens as a coffee and light drinks spot during the day and shifts to a cocktail bar atmosphere as the evening gets going. ✨ Highlights: 🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+-friendly venue ☕ Open from morning — good for coffee before heading to the beach 🍹 Full cocktail menu in the evening

Tucked away in the whitewashed lanes of Pueblo Blanco, TiNNTHAi is Torremolinos' only authentic Thai restaurant, with every dish made fresh daily from scratch. 🌿 The menu focuses on bold, aromatic flavours from Southeast Asia — green curry, Pad Thai, fish cakes, and duck Penang curry are all prepared in-house, with no shortcuts. The restaurant offers both indoor seating and an outdoor terrace in Pueblo Blanco. ✨ Highlights: 🌿 Every dish made from scratch daily — no shortcuts or pre-made sauces 🥜 Gluten-free options available 🛵 Takeaway and delivery offered

Little Italy Steak House is an Italian restaurant on Calle Doña María Barrabino in the pedestrian heart of central Torremolinos, combining a classic trattoria menu with a grill and steak offer. 🍕 The kitchen covers pizza with a crispy crust, lasagna, cannelloni, and tagliatelle bolognese made with homemade sauces alongside meat dishes from the grill — with a large pavement terrace for al fresco dining. ✨ Highlights: 🍕 Pizzas with crispy crust; pasta with homemade sauces — lasagna, cannelloni, tagliatelle bolognese 🥩 Steak and grill dishes alongside the Italian pasta and pizza offer 🌾 Gluten-free options available 🪑 Large terrace on the pedestrian walkway — ideal for people-watching 🥡 Takeout available alongside full table service

Tucked away in the heart of Torremolinos' historic Pueblo Blanco, Havana is one of the Costa del Sol's most beloved cocktail bars — and once you find it, you'll keep coming back. 🍸 Wind your way through the charming old-town alleyways to discover a funky, avant-garde interior framed by beautifully restored arches, opening out onto a stunning wraparound terrace overlooking the Plaza de Los Tientos fountains. Whether you're in a group of friends at the high tables or stealing a romantic corner for two, the vibe here is truly unmatched. Expert mixologists craft divine cocktails, and there's a great selection of wines, beers, and premium spirits to suit every taste. Don't miss the legendary cocktail-making classes — a favourite with locals and visitors alike! 🎉 ✨ Highlights: 🍹 Award-winning cocktails by professional mixologists 🏛️ Gorgeous terrace in the atmospheric Pueblo Blanco 🎓 Cocktail-making classes available — perfect for groups & celebrations 🌈 Gay-friendly and welcoming to all

Every year on the night of 23 June, Torremolinos marks the Noche de San Juan with beach bonfires (hogueras), the burning of effigies (júas), live music, and community gatherings along the La Carihuela waterfront. 🔥 The traditional Moraga de San Juan, organised by the Hermandad de Marineros Virgen del Carmen, runs from 20:00 to 03:00 on the beach beside La Carihuela (between chiringuitos K6 and K7). At midnight, locals write wishes on paper and cast them into the flames — one of the most atmospheric traditions on the Costa del Sol. ✨ Highlights: 🔥 Traditional hogueras (bonfires) and burning of júas at midnight on the beach 🌊 Beachfront Moraga at La Carihuela, 20:00–03:00; live music and food at popular prices 📝 Write a wish and cast it into the bonfire at midnight — a local tradition 📅 Night of 23 June 2026 (into the early hours of 24 June); free admission

Every year on the night of 23 June, Fuengirola's beaches light up for one of the most magical evenings on the Costa del Sol — the Noche de San Juan. It's the Spanish midsummer bonfire night, and Fuengirola celebrates it on the beach with the same exuberance as anywhere in Andalusia. The focus is Playa de San Francisco, where bonfires are lit along the shoreline from early evening and the atmosphere builds steadily through the night. Live music gets underway from around 9:30 pm, and the crowd swells as midnight approaches. At the stroke of twelve, the famous júas are burned — effigies stuffed with sawdust and paper that symbolise the troubles of the past year going up in smoke — and a fireworks display lights up the sky above the sea. The traditions include writing wishes on paper to throw into the flames, and wading into the sea barefoot at midnight — part of the official celebration organised by the Ayuntamiento. You'll also see the age-old practice of hoguera jumping taking place around the bonfires, one of many midsummer rituals observed on the night. It's one of the most atmospheric, participatory and tourist-accessible events of the entire summer — no tickets, no formalities, just show up. ✨ Highlights: 🔥 Bonfires along Playa de San Francisco from early evening 🎶 Live music from 9:30 pm 🎆 Fireworks at midnight 💃 Burning of the júas — effigy bonfire tradition 🌊 Traditional midnight sea walk — part of the official celebration 🆓 Free — no tickets required

Benalmádena's Feria de San Juan is one of the most enjoyable fairs on the Costa del Sol — a week-long celebration in the village of Arroyo de la Miel that kicks off with the drama of San Juan night and carries on through six full days and nights of traditional Andalusian festivity. San Juan Night (23 June): The fair opens with bonfires at Playa Bil-Bil and Playa Santa Ana, the burning of the júas at midnight and a spectacular pyromusical display launched from Castillo Bil-Bil at 1:00 am — fireworks choreographed to music above the sea and the castle walls. One of the most dramatic San Juan displays on the entire coast. The Fair (24–29 June): From 24 June, the Feria de Día comes to life in the town centre of Arroyo de la Miel with music, street performers and a relaxed daytime atmosphere. Evenings shift to the Recinto Ferial at Parque de la Paloma — casetas, live music, dancing sevillanas and the full fairground experience, running every night until the early hours. ✨ Highlights: 🏰 Pyromusical from Castillo Bil-Bil at 1:00 am on San Juan night 🔥 Bonfires at Playa Bil-Bil and Playa Santa Ana on 23 June 🎪 Six-night fair at Parque de la Paloma: 24–29 June 💃 Casetas, sevillanas and live orchestras nightly 🌞 Daytime fair in Arroyo de la Miel town centre 🆓 Free entry