Sheila

I am trying to plan a trip to Spain next year. Which month has the best weather in Costa Del Sol area? I can exchange my timeshare for a condo in Malaga. Is this a good area to stay and what surrounding areas should I be able to see in one week? I would appreciate any advise on restaurants or activities. Thanks

Patrick

Sheila... <BR> <BR>Malaga is ok, but it get's nicer down the coast. The nicest being Marbella...also the most expensive. Spent 3 days there a few years back. Malaga is a good jumping off spot to get to a few other cities..get to Toledo, Granada, and Sevilla... <BR> <BR>Best of luck <BR>Patrick

frank

Malaga is a beautiful old town, full of character, has historical sites & well placed for buses, trains etc. <BR>It is the regional centre. <BR>The terrace bar/restaurant in the Parador Gibralfaro (a hotel)at the hilltop overlooking the town is good on a hot day - use a taxi to get up the hill then walk down past the old fort & through the gardens. <BR>I also recall a good Morroccan restaurant probably your guidebook will give its name - after your couscous don't miss the mint tea!Many excellent seafood restaurants. <BR>Visit the cathedral & the market. <BR>Down the coast are many resort towns full of tourists - easy to get to (try the train!) for daytrips, everything is twice the price compared to Malaga, though more speak English. <BR>Some of these resorts are OK (eg Fuengirola) some are unbearably tacky (eg Torremolinos).These are strictly beach/bar holiday places, many sprang up recently (were little fishing villages 30 years ago) & are full of English & Germans.They are ok for those who like that sort of thing, not really worth travelling a long way for but handy for a day on the beach. <BR>Visit Nerja & Seville (don't take a car to Seville), you are within visiting distance of many interesting places. <BR>Weather - depends how hot you like it, too hot for me in summer.

Sheila

Thankyou Patrick and Frank for info. Do we need a rental car for this area to get to surrounding cities? Also when is the best time of the year to visit the Costa Del Sol for nice weather (not too hot).

Lydia

If you have a week, do make the effort to see inland Andalucia. We spent 4 days there 18 months ago (in chilly, wet December) and thoroughly enjoyed the wide, open countryside and the city of Granada, especially the wonderful Alhambra palace where you could spend an entire day walking around the Moorish gardens and buildings. We also very much enjoyed Cordoba with its incredible cathedral and tiny, winding streets and friends have all recommended Sevilla for our next visit. Inland Andalucia is largely unspoilt by tourism, compared to the coast, although this no doubt has some scenic spots worth seeing.

frank

You can get to nearly anywhere from Malaga by bus/train without changing.The buses are very comfortable,air conditioned, video, you see more than from a car (higher up!). <BR>Trains vary in speed from super-fast to crawl.The fast trains are much faster than cars.Be aware that different train companies go to the same destination, avoid getting on train A with a ticket from company B. <BR>We did this once, the guard cursed us for stupid tourists & let us ride without penalty. <BR>Do NOT go to Seville in a car.You will get lost in one-way barrios, you car will be broken into (unless it has Seville plates), you dont need it, get a cab or walk. <BR>Freeways are the same everwhere, why go to Europe to spend time on them. <BR>I've have had many memorable conversations with locals on trains (rather than buses) all over Europe - this is a part of the trip that stays with you. <BR>Sometimes you need a car to explore the surrounding countryside, but never to travel to a city. <BR>Inland it can get seriously hot in summer - over 40.Seville is known as "the frying pan of Spain".Andalucia is south of much of the coast of Africa (look at the map)I'd avoid the middle of summer.The weather usually settles by the start of April , although this year it rained a lot in April - weather patterns are changing. <BR> Don't try to visit too many places.If you go to Seville, don't miss the Alcazar (palace & gardens) & the cathedral (huge,richly decorated,no shorts). <BR>

russ

Sheila, <BR> <BR>I was in Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla and Rhonda the first week of last October. The weather was perfect: sunny and warm every day, but not hot - about 80 degrees and dry. It will be slightly cooler and windier at the beach. If you would like a little warmer go in the second half of September. Most of the summer tourists will be gone and the water is still warm well into October. Have fun.

Sheila

Thanks so much for the information so far. How safe will Costa Del Sol be for two ladies traveling alone? We can't decide between a tour group or going it alone. It will be cheaper if we go on our own but neither of us speaks Spanish. I would appreciate advise on this. Thanks

Kristi

Sheila, we traveled to that area a couple of years ago in early September and the weather was warm and sunny. A lot of restaurants and shops are closed in August as that's when Spanish people seem to travel. We didn't spend any time in Malaga, instead stayed in Torremolinos, using it as a base to see other places. <BR> <BR>There are several different ways to get around Andalucia. There is a train station in Malaga, you can take the train to Seville which I would highly recommend. Check the attractions for days they are closed, if memory serves me the Alcazar in Seville is closed on Monday. You can also take day trips by bus if you prefer a guided trip, we took one to Tangier (wouldn't recommend) and to Granada (highly recommend) to see the Alhambra. They also offered trips to Gibraltar, Ronda, etc. <BR> <BR>You can also rent a car and drive which we did to Ronda and Gibraltar, I don't know that I would have tried it being on my own. The roads up to Ronda are steep and winding, you need good nerves to drive. <BR> <BR>We didn't find not knowing Spanish to be a problem at all.

carrie

I am planning to travel through Malaga to Nerja in early June. How hot does it get at that time of year? Also, is there train service along the coast, are must one take a bus from Malaga to the towns along the coast. Also, any suggests on budget accomidations (Hostels, etc) in Nerja?