Hi,

In this forum, Marbella seems to get mixed reviews and Nerja is a favorite for most part although the beach in Nerja seem to have stones.

I plan to stay at both Marbella and Nerja end of Aug beginning of Sept. Nerja seems worth a visit in spite of the beach quality.

Can you suggest anywhere else along Costa del sol which is worth a visit and has a nice sandy beach?

I can understand what some people did not like about the area around Marbella - condos galore - but I thought the beach was a fairly pleasant experience. The beach was broad and sandy - good for walking and laying out - there are restaurants along where you can get tasty seafood and sangria, sit in the sun and people watch. We were there at the end of Sept., maybe it is more crowded earlier but it was the end of the season when we were there with a moderate amount of mostly Brits. We stayed several miles out from town (a time share exchange) DH golfed and I beached. Did day trips to Gibraltar,Grenada and Miraflores with rental car. So to me it was a pleasant week but it does have some negative aspects. But at least where we were I thought the beach was nice - very sandy, not stoney at all.

The best beach I was on in that area was Zahara de los Atunes which is not far from a wonderful white village called Vejer de la Frontera. The beaches around Marbella were nice as well, but this was one recommended to me by locals and it was very big and sandy and you could almost touch Africa from the shore.

I wasn't on the beach in Nerja, but the caves are fantastic as is the nearby white village of Frigiliana.

I have nothing against the overcrowded beaches found along the Costa del Sol, but if you're planning on visiting Spain during August and September and want to spend time at the beach, then you may want to head north to the Basque coast where there are a number of great beaches, blue water and the food is unbeatable. You'll find sandy beaches running from Mudaka (now known for surfing) and Leída, to the resorts beaches of Zarautz and Donostia-San Sebastián, and finally to the beach at Hondarribia. Once there you have the option of heading up the coast to the Pays Basque where you'll find resort beaches running from Hendaye to Biarritz and beyond.

Thanks for the info. I will stay in Marbella then and go to the surrounding beaches and possibly take day trips. Stay a day or two in Nerja just to enjoy the town.

Robert, I have to leave the north to another trip I won't have time this time around.

Zbjoon - stay in Marbella; it's the best place on the Costa del Sol. From there you can go inland to Ojen and Ronda. We never thought Nerja was anything special. Farther up the road is La Herradura and Almunecar.