Costa del sol area Malaga, Marbella. Maybe Granada
 

Hi everyone..
Possible trip in August 7th-14th in this region, instead of the Caribbean . What to see, do, stay.. Would it be responsible to squeeze in Granada too. All your help would be appreciated. I will be traveling with my mom.

Lily

You need to be prepared for incredible heat in that area in midsummer - temps routinely top 100 inland and the coast isn't much less.

I would just pick someplace else with a decent beach - with better weather.

We were in that area in April and the temps were plenty hot enough for beach weather - well into the 80s.

If you want to go to the Costa del Sol, try to stay in Marbella - I say "try" because hotels could be full up. A visit to Granada/the Alhambra is mandatory - again, if tickets are available. You'll also will want to have a look at Malaga and perhaps Ronda. Good luck !!

For Granada, easiest is to get a bus tour that runs from each resort, which includes entry into Alhambra complex. Very widely advertised.
It's hot and is the peak of peak season, so expect heavily-booked hotels, crowded beaches, restaurants, roads and high prices.
If you want more Spanish resorts, slightly less crowded and less costly, I suggest the coast east of Malaga in towns like Nerja and Almunecar. From there it's only an hour to Granada, and for a cooler climate you can explore the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Thanks so much ;o all your help.

Recommend 3000 years old Málaga city itself, genuine Andalusian atmosphere and very much to offer in terms of food, wine, shopping, history, culture, nightlife, etc etc. "Secret Spanish pleaures": http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalis...pleasures.html

Go to Pedregalejo just east of the city center for the Acacias beaches and numerous seafront restaurants, all very popular with locals. http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/beaches.htm

Or small Nerja, some 30 miles east of Málaga city:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trondjs/3735908317/
http://www.nerjatoday.com/

Free and delicious tapas to choose with every drink of whatever in most restaurants and tapas bars in Nerja for some 1,50-2€. Here's a suggestion for a good tapas run in the charming Nerja Old Town. http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandrestaurants/run-one/

Did anyone mention how hot it is going to be?

We are in Córdoba right now and it's 36°C (97F). August must be unbearbly hot here. Granada (last week) was a bit less warm (32C). Málaga (last week also) was perfect (between 25-28C). It's on the coast, so there's more oxygen in the air.

I was pleasantly surprised by Málaga. It's a clean city, completely renovated, with good infrastructure. Nice public parks, a few monuments to visit and excellent shopping. The beach in Málaga (La Malagueta) isn't very attractive. I second kimhe's suggestion for Pedregalejo. Have tapas at Pez Tomillo (reservation required).

Avoid Marbella. I was so disappointed! It's 30 years ago since we were there last, and it has become awfully touristy, but then in a bad way. I won't bother to go there again.

@kimhe
We're going to Arte y Sabores (flamenco) in one and a half hour. From what I saw earlier today it looks very, very charming. It's in a 10th century Arab bath and it's small and intimate. Can't wait!