Costa del Sol Sports, Leisure and... Golf!

 

The weather is simply perfect: if you enjoy athletic activities outdoors, Andalusia offers virtually endless possibilities. Obviously, if you feel inclined to head out for a strenuous marathon or test your handicap on the golf course or your back hand on the tennis court in the afternoon sun in July or August, you might want to give that a second thought. At temperatures of about 40 degrees C in the shade none of that would be a good idea.

Name one place in Europe where it is possible to ski and on the same day take a dive into the Mediterranean. Well, there’s only one place: Andalusia in the springtime. Go skiing in the Sierra Nevada in the morning and swimming in the ocean in the afternoon. The only other place where you could do that would be California. In Andalusia, you can enjoy numerous popular beach and ocean activities, as well as elitist sports such as polo or first rate car racing events in the back country near Ronda.

Golf is the one sport that has won over many new fans in the past fifteen years. This has made the Costa del Sol an even more attractive travel destination – so much so that it has earned an official nickname - the Costa del Golf. Tee off on more than fifty greens that stretch all the way up to the ocean on the coastline.

You will also find courses in the hills and mountains overlooking the coast and the landscaping is frequently exceptionally beautiful. The two most traditional clubs are located in Marbella: Guadalmina and Rio Real. Here you will enjoy rolling terrain that will allow you to take your irons or clubs to the ball at holes stretching from the mountains to the beach. Marbella alone boasts a total of 18 golf courses. Lots of clubs offer special discounted green fees during the summer season. The legendary golf club Valderrama near San Roque, which was also the venue for the Ryder Cup, still enjoys the reputation of being the most famous green on the coast.

Many of the landscapes in Andalusia have been barely developed. For hikers and climbers this means that there are plenty of places to be discovered, albeit the route markings are frequently less than satisfactory. Right on the coastline, rugged mountain ranges beckon the bold to embark on such adventures as well as mountain bike rides in challenging terrain. If you’re a seasoned climber, you might feel inclined to climb to the peak of Marbella’s own mountain, the La Concha, elevation over 1,200 meters.

The westernmost point of the Costa del Sol – Tarifa – where the Costa de la Luz (the Coast of Light) begins – is a surfer’s Eldorado. If your passion is high sea fishing one your best points of departure on the sun coast would be Benalmadena. Jet Ski, diving, sailing, paragliding – the possibilities abound. Skiers will find options such as night skiing, cross country skiing and extreme skiing in the Sierra Nevada. At elevations of more than three thousand meters, snowboarding and all other imaginable new trend sports in the snow, are of course great fun as well.

Along the coast you will find more tennis courts than you will ever be able to play. Those in search of their favorite spa, the best gym and their preferred wellness oasis will find the most elegant and distinguished of these venues primarily in Marbella.

However, most visitors come to the Costa del Sol because of its beaches. Hundreds of kilometers of clean beaches boast the fine sand every beachcomber adores. The green and blue flags seem to fly here non-stop. These beaches offer something for everyone – virtually all water sports are available, but if you came just to swim, tan and spend lazy days on the beach, you will be pleased with your choice. Of course there are some spots where getting into the water is a bit of a challenge because the beaches are rugged, rocky and covered by reefs. In the villages and cities on the coast you should not encounter such problems – however, the beaches tend to be extremely crowded in the summer.