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We are sure that visiting Europe in winter does not sound too appealing to most, as it is the coldest period on the continent, and in most countries the hours of sunshine are very limited, not to mention not to mention that it normally gets dark before you’ve done it. time to finish your post-lunch siesta.
Fortunately for those who have not yet taken a transatlantic trip following the reopening of Europe to tourism, not everything will be plunged into darkness during winter.
This An region along Spain’s southern coast is likely to remain bright and sunny relatively warm still available all season long, and there is something fun waiting for culture lovers:
The perfect sunny out of season getaway
Costa del Sol literally translates from Spanish as ‘Sunny coast‘, and the name couldn’t have been more appropriate.
Located in southwestern Spain, near the border with Portugal, and at the closest point between Europe and Africa, it has fairly mild winters compared to other regions in Europe.
For starters, due to its geographic location near the African tectonic plate, the seasons are not nearly as defined as in central or northern Europe, where spring and summer are warm, autumn is rainy, and winters are typically extremely cold .
The best way to describe the weather on the Sunny Coast is ‘eternal spring‘, with a seasonal temperature peak starting from May and lasting even until October.
In fact, we don’t recommend visiting during the warmer months unless you get sunburned and sleep below 95°F don’t be fooled.
The coldest month on the Sunny Coast is January, and even then temperatures still average 64.4°F during the day and only dropping to a high of 46.4°F late at night.
Rainy days are not common, and although you can’t swim in the Mediterranean at this time of year unless you’re used to colder water, you can still wear shorts and lightweight jackets when you go out for some sightseeing .
It may sound like a strange statement, but the Sunny Coast is best enjoyed out of season, and especially in winter.
What to see around the Costa Del Sol
The Sunny Coast is part of the autonomous region of Andalusia in Spain and extends from the province of Granada in the east to the Gibraltar Peninsula, near Cádiz.
It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and alternates with traditional Andalusian villagesluxury beachfront hotels and golden sandy beaches.
One of the largest cities is Malagaa seaside resort with a warm year-round climate and an abundance of cultural attractions, from the House of Picasso, where the artist was born and spent his early years, to a hilltop medieval Moorish fortress with stunning views of the coastline.
Other Malagueto icons are the Plaza de Torosa historic arena, the Cathedral of Malaga, a Reinassance effort built following the Christian Reconquestand the central market of Atarazanas, where visitors can find a variety of food items and Andalusian delicacies.
Outside Malaga there are some unmissable gems Estepona, famous for its palm-lined promenade; Fuengirola, where the vibrancy of the social scene does not depend on the season; Marbella, the unofficial capital of seafood and yachts, and Frigilianaa whitewashed, cobbled village straight out of a fairy tale.
Tourists especially love Torremolinos, a coastal town a short drive from naturist-friendly beaches and with a high concentration of LGBT-friendly sites, and Benalmádena, where hiking trails, a cable car ride and a charming old town await them.
The Sunny Coast is affordable to visit this winter
One of our favorite things about traveling the sunny coast of Spain in the summer is how affordable it is.
Granted, it is far from one of Europe’s most expensive destinations, and it has been a budget budget destination for years, but in winter it becomes particularly cheap due to the seasonal tourism drought, which helps drive down prices.
This January you can book a hotel room at Hotel Zeus in central Malaga for just $78 per night, down from $87.
The four-star Room Mate Valeria, a chic property just a 10-minute walk from Malagueta, the city’s main sandy beach, also costs $128 this season, 40% lower than the usual rate of $213.
For those who don’t mind sharing a room, we highly recommend Chinitas Urban Hostel, in the heart of the old town, where they have access to a rooftop bar with privileged views over the ocher cityscape and Malaga Cathedral for just $26.
If you are looking for an all-inclusive holiday, Melia Marbella Banus is it a great choicelocated in a quieter coastal area near Puerto Banus, just 150 meters from the beach, with prices starting from $228 for a Premium room.
In Estepona, the Elba Estepona Gran Hotel & Thalasso Spa is a favorite among wellness seekers, with all meals included and access to state-of-the-art spa facilities for $208 per night.
How do you get to the sunny coast from America?
If you’re flying from America, the easiest way to reach the Sunny Coast is to first fly to Madrid, Barcelona or another European destination that offers winter flights to Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, the main international hub serving the coastal provinces.
This would be a majority of Northern European and non-coastal destinations in Central Europe.
Some intra-European flights to Malaga can be so cheap $25 one way.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
