Hello. I am planning a 3-4 week trip next March to Spain to the Costa du Sol. We would like to stay in an area that we can walk to villages, towns, hike, and have great views. I understand that the Costa du Sol is very built up and can be very touristy, but I am looking for recommendations on where maybe a good place to stay. Should we stay west of Malaga or east of Malaga. I am looking at Nerja vs. Estepona? Once I decide on a area, I will look up places in VRBO unless anyone has any other recommendations. Thank you!

The Nerja area for me. It's still quite touristy, but the crowd is generally a bit more mature than the popular and more boisterous resorts the other side of Malaga.

Nerja is very popular with the Irish, and they know how to have a good time.

I think at there'll be plenty of scope to achieve your requirements in the area. Having a hire car will help, but the bus services from the stops on the main road at the top of town are pretty good, but during the season they'll also be popular.

Frigiliana is a lovely mountain village closeby, but again it's v.popular during the day, every day.

do not go into the sea at Nerja.
Spain may be fined millions for long delays in providing adequate sewage treatment . surinenglish.com
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/trave...-tourist-beach
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...f_Malaga_.html
playa maro2 Agosto 2018 - Sendvid
But not only in Nejra.
https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...9676415865.htm
Note about the fines: This only covers where the population is over 15000. Zones any smaller are not included, so no doubt there are a "few "more badly treated water flows.

Agree with ribeirasacra about the sewage, and not going into the sea.

It's a damn shame if it's still a problem. We noticed quite a lot of scummy streaks in the sea when we were in Nerja for 3 weeks last year. But as we never intended going into the sea it never really bothered us.

Another problem with the sewage is that as the Mediterranean is barely tidal, any filth in the sea tends to stick around.

Go to Marbella or, if looking for something more affordable, rent a small house in Ojén, a nearby typical Andalusian small town. It's more beautiful and clean

Second vote for Marbella; we ended there in a 3-week trip to Spain. You can ferry over to Puerta Banos (sp?) but if you stay in Marbella you can walk. If considering it, do look at the absolutely Town House in which to stay. Its rooftop lounge was so charming and comfy, and it is in a quiet square where no cars can travel, but where there are simply apartments, not shops or restaurants. Quick walk to beach and ferry ports. We had a car but really were not inclined to leave the village after a hectic trip from Barcelona to points south.

Isn't it Costa DEL sol?