Costa del Sol - a Sporting Paradise

If you want to have an active holiday then the Costa del Sol is a fantastic choice. It features more than 35 18-hole courses and over 10 9-hole courses, as well as hosting high-profile tournament such as the Volvo Masters in October. If you like tennis, there are 9 fantastic tennis clubs, as well as many outdoor courts attached to hotels and urbanisations.

As the European city of Sport 2009 Marbella has put on many events including The Andalucía Tennis Experience in April featuring Jelena Jancovik and Serena Williams competing for the crown. Puerto Banus also hosted the Davis Cup semi-final between Spain and Germany in July.

The Costa del Sol is a perfect place for mountain-biking and hiking in the nearby hills and mountains. For the more adventurous a hike up the iconic La Concha is a must, but as it is as high as Ben Nevis it isn’t to be underestimated. There are numerous companies offering quad-biking, horse riding and walking tours to help you make the most of the stunning scenery just minutes from the coastal resorts.

There are also a host of water sports to take advantage of the Med such as sea-kayaking, windsurfing, diving and kite surfing. Or if you want to stay dry, you can take to the sea for a spot of fishing, learn to sail, or to try to spot some of the native dolphins.

Skiing and sunbathing in one place We all associate the Costa del Sol with fantastic beaches and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and it’s certainly a great place to soak up the sun, enjoy the fantastic atmosphere and nightlife. However, what many people don’t know is Andalucía also offers Europe’s Southern-most ski resort, with great skiing from December to the beginning of May. This winter wonderland is just a stone’s throw from the Costa del Sol and on a good day you can even see the sea from the slopes. In fact it’s so close that you can enjoy hot sunshine on the coast in the morning and then be on the slopes within two hours to enjoy an afternoon of skiing!

The Sierra Nevada (Snowy Mountain Range) near Granada offers sunshine, good snow and a good mix of runs for beginners and intermediates, plus a handful of more challenging runs. Although it is not a huge resort, there are wide, well-pisted slopes, quick and efficient lifts and good restaurants and bars to rest those weary feet. Plus you can combine skiing with a day on the beach to recover before you head home.