Several places of interest can be found inland of the traditional seaside resorts. The mountain villages of Mijas, Ojen, Coin, Istan, Ronda and Casares are just a selection of some of the ´pueblo blancos´ or white villages, clinging to the mountains.

Two of the most famous of these are Ronda and Mijas.

Mijas is the most popular tourist destination in Southern Spain , famous for its bullring and donkey-taxis. The town enjoys superb panoramic views over the Bay of Fuengirola.

Ronda´s most famous feature is its stunning gorge. This is a truly historic area of Andalucia, and is a great destination for a day out. Just beware of the temperatures in winter. It can be 20 degrees on the beach in Marbella and within 30 minutes you can be fighting through snowstorms on the approach to this beautiful town.

In addition to visiting all of the places mentioned above, you may want to drift a little further afield. We have two suggestions.

Firstly, why not combine your stay on the Costa del Sol with a trip to Granada , with its stunning Alhambra Palace , perched high overlooking this thriving city. Only 90 minutes from Malaga , this city is guarded by the towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada, home to some of the best skiing in Europe . You can usually find snow here until the end of April. Why not combine the sun-drenched beaches and the snow-capped mountains in the same Spring break?

Another hidden gem is Tarifa. Just drive past Gibraltar for another half hour, and you will find some of the very best beaches in Southern Europe . Tarifa is the windsurfing capital of Spain and lies seemingly within touching distance of the coast of Morrocco . Tarifa boasts an incredibly laid-back atmosphere and ancient, walled town. Bohemian bars and restaurants welcome the more discerning visitors….just don´t dress up for dinner!

The climate is the one thing that brings people back to the Costa del Sol , and often persuades them to stay! Mild throughout the year, the area enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year. Hot and dry during the summer months, spring and autumn seasons are usually very enjoyable. Even the traditional winter months can see the locals strolling on the beach in short-sleeves. The wettest months tend to be March and April... once Easter has been and gone, the rain tends not to return until the month of October!