Top Reasons Why Costa Del Sol, Spain Makes a Fantastic First International Trip
When I met my husband, he had never been out of the country. He never even had a passport! Boy was he in for a surprise marrying this travel addict! I planned our summer honeymoon to show him the wonders of international travel. He is of Spanish heritage so of course we decided to go to Spain first. My mom and dad went to Costa Del Sol, the coastal strip in southern Spain, two times (without me I might add). They raved about the beautiful beaches, fascinating culture, and of course the food. I was convinced. Now I am so thankful for their recommendation because we had a fantastic time. Here is why…
It Feels Like a Tropical Island
The second you step out of the airport (most likely the Malaga Airport), you feel a warm breeze hit your face. It feels very tropical. Driving to wherever you are staying, the coastline is just off the main highway and is absolutely stunning. It was so beautiful in fact that before we even made it to our hotel, we had to stop and check out a random beach! The beaches are just stunning. They have it all, bright blue water, toasty warm sand between your toes, local dive bars, they even have palm trees. If I didn’t know better, I would say I was in the Caribbean or Hawaii until I felt the water which is quite cooler than in the tropics but not bad at all.
The Food Is Amazing and Familiar-ish
Coastal Spanish food centers around the sea. From lobster paella to fried calamari, Costa Del Sol does not disappoint. I am not much of a seafood eater myself so I was pleased when I found chicken paella, french fries and pork. I liked that the food was new but not so crazy weird that we didn’t want to try it. I mean, who doesn’t want to try paella from Spain? They also have a ton of locally made cheese that doesn’t taste or smell like a foot. This is what sealed the deal for me!
Rental Cars with GPS Make Day Trips Easy
I like to plan every detail of every trip down to the day so renting a car was a must. Luckily, big brand rental car places run in Costa Del Sol. We rented through booking.com because: 1st- I trust them, 2nd- their website is in English, 3rd- they partner with all big brands including Hertz (we ended up with a Hertz rental), Enterprise, and many more well known rental companies.
It is CRUCIAL that you ask for an automatic vehicle and one with GPS. I know it may cost an extra few bucks, but made our trip way easier. Cell service can get questionable going to some beaches or hilltop towns so phones are not enough for navigation.
Hilltop Towns Do Not Disappoint
Back to my mother’s recommendations from trips she didn’t take me on, (maybe I have a resentment?) The first thing she said about Costa Del Sol is, “Go to Rhonda.” Rhonda is one of the many hilltop towns near the coast. It does take over an hour to get there from the beach hotels depending on where you stay but is well worth it. For more awesome information about Rhonda, check out my post, The Top 5 Reasons Rhonda is a Must See When Traveling to Spain.
These towns perch beautifully on top of hills so feature breathtaking views, nice shops, and a personality all of their own. Make sure you have a rental car or tour group to go with though because as I said earlier, you will lose cell service in route and don’t want to get lost.
Guide Books are Readily Available Online
Rick Steves pretty much tells me how to live my life while on European travels. I used, “Rick Steves, Spain 2019,” as a guidebook bible for the whole ten days we were in the country. (You can get his 2020 version from Amazon by clicking below.) He goes into fantastic detail about where to go, what to do, where to eat, and even what to avoid. There are a multitude of other guidebooks on Amazon but I like his best.
The Culture is Welcoming
Menus come in English and many other languages at most restaurants, even small ones. This right away tells me I am welcome. Smiling faces greet you in shops and delis. Hotel staff are friendly and accommodating. Spanish culture fills streets with color, music, and laughter. Locals truly depend on tourism to help their economy so you are generally treated very well. This was very important for my husband who is an international travel newbie.
A Slower Pace Help Couples or Families Enjoy Each Other
Some top travel locations can seem busy and exhausting but it doesn’t feel that way at all on Spain’s southern coast. Embrace the laid back culture by taking long walks on the beach, getting lost walking through covered shopping alleys, and swimming in the resort’s gigantic pool. This is not only more relaxing but also allows people to communicate and enjoy each other more.
Also, siestas are a thing! If you have little ones or even if you are just like me and enjoy an afternoon nap, Spain is the place for you. Some shops even close so people can go home for a long break or nap mid day. If you ask me, this is priceless.
Have you been to Costa Del Sol? Do you have any additional Spain recommendations? I would love to hear all about it in the comments or by email. Please sign up for our newsletter for more travel tips and destinations!
