I have 5 days to spend in Costa Del Sol. Where is the place to stay in January.

Malaga? Marbella? Nerja?

Please help.
Thanks

It really depends on your definition of "best".

Malaga has some great history, a beautiful "old city" center, a great hammam, and is striking distance to Granada and Cordoba.

Nerja is small and has an interesting mix of Spanish and English expats which lends a certain "charm" to it. People tend get caught up in the whole "ewww, they dump their sewage into the sea untreated" thing with Nerja but in January you will not be going into the water so ignore that particular quirk.

Marbella is great if you want to enjoy a mix of resorts and history. The Golden Mile of Nueva Andalucia is interesting and if you want to go on a shopping spree, do it there.

Having typed all that, you need to give us your definition of "best" so we can help steer you in the right direction.

We would like a place to relax but also be able to shop, explore and do day trips to Granada, and other places along Costa De Sol. we have 5 nights.

Thanks

My vote would be for Malaga. It's in a good position where you can do day trips to Marbella, Granada, Cordoba, Nerja (and Nerja caverns), Frigiliana, Antequera, Competa, etc.

In case you are interested, the hammam I spoke of is:

Hammam Al Andalus Málaga
Plaza Mártires 5
29008 Málaga
+34 952 21 50 18

If you go to the hammam, bring a bathing suit, else you will have to wear these teeny tiny cotton string bikini thongs. Ask me how I know.

Not Nerja in January, thats more beach. Malaga would be my vote - we stay not far from Malaga in Torremolinos which is associated with beach but is great in January when it is less busy.