The Location
The Costa Del Sol, or Coast of the Sun as it is more affectionately known, boasts 300 days of sunshine every year. With average temperatures of 18 degrees in the winter and 30 degrees in the summer, it isn’t difficult to understand why it is one of Europe’s top holiday destinations. Our carefully selected holiday villas in Costa del Sol offer the perfect base to enjoy everything this sun-drenched region has to offer.
Restaurants
There are numerous restaurants and bars in Calahonda. There’s 1 restaurant about 5-10 minutes walk from the villas up the hill called Miel y Nata.
But there are also a selection of restaurants at the bottom of the hill in the centre of Calahonda village square – a shopping centre called El Zoco.
Best Beaches, Beach Clubs Chiringuito
The nearest beach is in Calahonda but it is small. The best and closest beach is called Puerto Cabopino. It is 2.5 miles from the villa and the beach at Don Carlos Hotel, 3.5 miles away. Both beaches are on the coastal road to Marbella and are 10 mins drive from the villa.
Luna Chiringuito: – 5 mins drive from the villa and right on the beach front. Very authentic Spanish food, serves lunch and dinner. Not the cheapest but good. Very nice walk way along the beach connecting Calahonda to Cabopino Marina.
Alberts Restaurant Cabopino: A family favourite with a mix of cuisine. Very family friendly. Right in the marina.
Andy’s Bar Cabopino beach: On the beach is fun:- Brilliant sunsets!
Luuma Restaurant / Beach Bar: Close by and a very nice spot for couples, cocktails, jazz and all the family: … In my opinion Luuma Beach Club is a lot cheaper than Nikki Beach and a more chilled vibe. It has a lovely beach. Asian vibe. Brilliant sunset. One of our favorites.
Cocoa Beach Club Cabopino: Live music and DJ on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Great for day time drinking and fun, right on the beach front and 2 mins walk from Cabopino Marina.
Marbella Old Town
Benalmadena’s beaches are lovely and are about 20 minutes away.
Nikki Beach Club Marbella: fun, exotic, live DJ sets but expensive although they do offer free prosecco and mojitos for ladies on Tuesdays during the day on the summer. 10-15 mins drive from the villa:
Beach House Marbella: is also lovely and it is about 15 mins from the villa. It has a great kitchen and offers massages on the beach.
Chiringuitos by Nikki Beach and Don Carlos Hotel are lovely, especially “Kristina’s Restaurant”
Marbella Marina is 20 mins drive from the villa and is a great night out with bars and clubs open until 7am. It is half the price of Puerto Banus and I think better.
Puerto Banus is 25 – 30 mins from the villa and again has a long strip of bars and clubs open until 7am.
Ocean Beach Club in Puerto Banus is always fun especially for Hen and Stag dos, birthdays, etc but obviously expensive.
Local Attractions
Mijas Pueblo – a beautiful 16th century “white village” in the hills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains – well worth a visit for the quaint houses, mountain top views and donkey rides for the kids. It is 10-15 mins drive from the villa. Great for families and for all ages.
Marbella Old Town – This is a lovely part of traditional Marbella which shouldn’t be missed. It has countless shops, tapas bars, restaurants and white village houses located in the heart of Marbella. During the summer months this area is open until very late. The Plaza los Naranjos (Orange Square) is beautiful and is a square, by virtue of its very name, which is filled with orange trees and restaurants.
Benalmadena’s Cable Car – is worth a visit especially if you like the nice views. Cafe at the top. Great for young families.
More Local Attractions
Fuengirola Castillo de Sohail (Castle): Good for families and nice walks (up hill!). Lovely views along the coast with water sports and bars along the beach front. During August there are numerous concerts which happen and beach parties with big name bands. There is also an Octoberfest style beer hall at the top of the hill.
Frigiliana (Traditional White Village) – Just 1hrs drive away from the villas but it is less touristy than Mijas Pueblo and has lovely walks. If you wish to stay the night then we recommend staying at Tanya Miller’s hotel called “Millers Boutique Hotel” who are also friends of the owners. Talk to Tanya, and say we recommended you, she will give you a discount as I filmed with her on C4’s “A New Life in the Sun”.
Car Hire
Once you’ve made your booking we recommend hiring a car. When we’re in Spain we usually book with Autoflores and Fetajo Rental (With an office in Calahonda and Malaga airport these are the easiest company to use). They’re located in Malaga Airport, and you collect your car from the airport. But there are numerous options including the major car rental companies:
Parking: On street and in villa parking is available for free at all three villas.
Trains
There is a train which operates from Malaga airport to Fuengirola and it costs €2 each way. After that you have to get a taxi to the villa.
Calahonda Mini Train: there is a mini-train service that runs ‘up and down’ Calahonda past the villas. There is a pool of taxis available in Calahonda. There is a good road network (N94) along the coast and there is also the toll road (motorway) for longer journeys. There is a bus that runs frequently along the coastal road (N94).
Taxis and Airport Collection
Alternatively our Agents, Sol Finders, can arrange for an airport collection. Please contact Sol Finders directly for price. Airport taxis usually charge €50 – €70. This can be arranged by emailing our agents.
Taxis: There are a good supply of Taxi services in Calahonda: The average cost is €1 per minute you are in the taxi.
- Uber and Bolt opperate
- Parada Taxi Calahonda: +34 952 47 82 88
- Parada Taxi Mijas: +34 952 47 65 93 (very fast and responsive)
- Parada Taxi Calypso: +34 952 47 82 88
- Calahonda Taxis: +34 952 476 593.
Supermarkets
There are four large markets and a number of mini markets. The nearest large supermarket is about 1 mile walk away (downhill is easy to walk but the return journey requires a taxi or rental car) and is called Carrefour Supermarket:
There is a mini market in the Avenue de Espana that is open until 2am and sells alcohol. The rest of the supermarkets are in the El Zoco area at the bottom of the hill.
LIDL, CARREFOUR and MERCADONA are in/near the El Zoco square. The largest supermarket is Carrefour in Mirarmar in Fuengirola.
Other Amenities
Medical: The Marbella Hospital is located on the coastal road between Calahonda and Marbella, about five miles from the villa. There are a number of private medical surgeries in Calahonda.
Banks: Calahonda has local banks including Barclays and Santander.
English speaking Churches: There is a Baptist church (right by Carrefour) and a Church of England church (by El Zoco roundabout) and both offer the usual Sunday services.
Local Sport
Tennis: 5 mins walk away down the hill There is a great little tennis club with gym, squash and paddle courts called Club del Sol:
Siesta Golf Club Calahonda: 9-hole golf club. Cheap and cheerful, it is more a pitch and putt, some holes are better than other but it is still fun.
– 12 tennis courts (€10 – €16 per/hour)
– 4 squash courts
– Social mix-in tennis offered daily plus tapas.
– Fully equipped gym.
Golf: The Costa del Sol is also aptly called the “Siesta Golf” with over 70 golf courses in the area. Closest to the villa there is a small 9 hole golf course which is more of a pitch & putt but it is fun and has a few par 4s on it, it is the cheapest golf course in the area.