The Costa del Sol stretches along just over 150 kilometres of Málaga province and is one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations. The area’s mild climate is the root attraction that makes it possible to enjoy the beaches and a wide variety of outdoor activities year round.
Eastern Costa del Sol
This is the the 54 kilometre stretch of coast to the east of Malaga city (the capital of Málaga province). Though highly developed from a property point of view, it is not anything like the property development on the western Costa del Sol.
From Malaga eastwards there are cliffs of up to 200 meters where the Sierra Almijara joins the sea. This section ends at a place called Mara, on a coastal plain. It has an urban landscape surrounded by traditional agriculture.
Nerja is the most important urban centre on this end of the coast and has grown rapidly. Much of the eastern Costa del Sol’s accommodation for tourists is found in Nerja, which is surrounded by tourist pueblos. This town also has one of this area’s main tourist attractions – the Nerja Caves, a spectacular find that is open to the public and that hosts an annual music and dance festival within its famous caverns. At the foot of Nerja town a winding footpath joins several coves and there are some nice beaches to be found in this area.
Western Costa del Sol
This is the 100km of coastline that begins at Malaga city and stretches westward all the way to the border of Cádiz province. This part of the coast is highly developed in terms of both property and infrastructure and it attracts an important percentage of Spain’s international tourism. Communications revolve around Malaga International Airport (8 km west of the city) and the N340 backbone coast highway. In the middle of the Costa the greatly improved district road from San Pedro de Alcantara inland to the historic town of Ronda is the most important inland connection.
Where to go and what to see in Costa del Sol aren’t the only travel decisions to make in Spain. Gays hitting the northern territory have an equally tough choice between big-city Barcelona and the beach oasis of Sitges. Both have big gay draws, so here’s some help in finding your Spanish preference.
BARCELONA?
WITH a population of 1.5 million people, the chic city of Barcelona is known for its spectacular architecture, art museums and Eixample Esquerra (known locally as Gaixample or Gayxample) — the hippest gay party scene in all of Barcelona.
Dating back to the 1850s, the 520 city blocks of Eixample consist of tree-lined streets with notable Art Nouveau buildings, terraced cafés and restaurants and intimate patio gardens. Within these beautiful surroundings, Gayxample is a concentrated mini-neighborhood sporting rainbow flags and a plethora of smoking-hot, oh-so-tanned guys that frequent the best gay bars, clubs and restaurants in Barcelona.
Attractions and To-Dos in Barcelona
La Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi (Calle Mallorca 08034)
Poble Espanyol & Magic Fountain of Montjuïc (Placa Espanya)
Take a Spanish cooking class with Cook & Taste (Carrer del Paradís, 3)
World Heritage sites: Palau de la Música Catalana (Sant Pere Més Alt) and Casa Batlló (No. 43 Passeig de Gràcia)
L’Aquàrium de Barcelona
Gay Beaches in Barcelona
Nova Icària
Bogatell
Platja de la Mar Bella
Barceloneta
San Sebastián
Gay Events in Barcelona
Barcelona Carnival, March 3-9, 2011
Pride Barcelona, June 18-28, 2011
Sonar, June 16-18, 2011
Circuit Festival Barcelona, August 4-14, 2011
Barcelona International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, October 15-24, 2011
OR SITGES?
JUST 22 miles south of Barcelona and with a population of only 26,000 lies the gay beach resort of Sitges. Known as the St. Tropez of Spain, Sitges is the place for you if you love beaches, hot guys, clubbing and eating out. (Guess that covers just about everything then, now doesn’t it?)
Revered for its artsy culture, Sitges offers up a wealth of museums and art galleries featuring some of Spain’s best talent, both old and new. If you’re looking for a wild night out on the town, you’ll find the best selection of gay clubs and bars along the Calle de San Bonaventura. With everything from cabaret shows and foam parties to drag queens and beach parties, you’ll be sure to find whatever your heart (and body!) desires.
While many of the gay clubs charge a cover, you can get coupons for free drinks or free admission from the hunky flyer boys posted along Calle de San Bonaventura — which makes for some nice sightseeing, too.
Attractions and To-Dos in Sitges
Museu Romántico Can Llopis (Calle Sant Gaudenci 1)
Cau Ferrat Museum (Carrer Fonollar)
Penedés wine region
Take a tour to Montserrat
Gay Beaches in Sitges
Playa de la Bassa Rodona
Playa de las Balmins
Playa del Muerto
Gay Events in Sitges
Sitges Carnival, March 3-9, 2011
Pride Sitges, July 8-12, 2011
International Sitges Bear Week, September 5-11, 2011
If you want to bring it down a notch and go more for conversation, stop by El Carmen. This lounge bar comes with a Bohemian feel and is the perfect place to meet a friendly local or two to chat up. And the best part is that the city’s gay and gay-friendly bars are all located near one another within the old city center, so barhopping is encouraged.
Also encouraged is indulging your every gastronomic desire! Check the diets at customs (though Spanish cooking is relatively healthy with its fresh fare) and eat and drink yourself into a siesta up and down the coast. Though Málaga is home to plenty of delicious dining options, no trip to the region would be complete without a meal at La Moraga, where Michelin-awarded chef Dani Garcia takes Spanish tapas to a new level. And though you will certainly have your share of gazpacho while visiting Spain, I dare you to find a more delightful, inventive take than his.
The perfect balance to the nonstop nightlife and attractions of Málaga is neighboring Marbella. The one-time fishing village eventually became the go-to destination for the European jet-setters of the ’60s and ’70s and today is still a favorite locale for those seeking a little Mediterranean sun. Even our first lady chose Marbella as her vacation spot last year — a fact the town’s residents are still reveling in.
You can even check out Mrs. Obama’s home away from home by visiting the Villa Padierna. The hotel is one of some 30 glamorous places to stay in Marbella and features a world-class
BETWEEN Málaga and Marbella are plenty of wonderful little towns and cities worthy of a day trip or two. Easily cab-able at just 15 minutes away from Málaga is the legendary beach town of Torremolinos, which has become a gay vacay destination in Europe with, depending on whom you ask, somewhere around 25 gay bars and clubs within the tiny seven square miles of town.
It’s a location that truly welcomes the gay traveler, evidenced by last year’s massive Expo Gays, the first annual gay business and tourism expo that rivaled some of our country’s more popular Pride festivals. And trust that Torremolinos’ rep for notorious (somewhat underground) nightlife is well earned! You can go from pop video bar Pantheon to the confines of basement club Home — with its scorching-hot dancers, fierce drag queens and great Euro house music — and any other fetish or flavor your heart desires, all the while knowing that when you leave at sunrise there will still be a line to get in. (Some clubs don’t even open for business until 2 or 4 in the morning!)
A slightly less raucous adventure, though potentially no less boozy, is a trip up to Mijas. To call it cute and quaint would be an understatement, as this Andalusian mountain village looks like something out of a travel guide at first glance. Like much of the region, the architecture itself is reason enough to stroll through town, with Mijas still exhibiting the traditional whitewashed streets and buildings within its historic quarter. StopbytheMijas Wine Museum and take in a tasting or two with the knowledgeable staff and learn why the Spanish are truly so festive and friendly — the awesome local wine!
A bit higher in elevation is Ronda, a town famous for its vistas, bullring and…Madonna. More on Madge in a minute, but first let’s get to those views! If you mention to anyone that you’re heading to Ronda, he or she will immediately gush over the views — and it turns out Hemingway fell in love with this town for good reason. “Magnificent,” “awe-inspiring,” even “slightly overwhelming” — all these truly apply to the majestic valleys, deep canyons and sprawling landscapes afforded to visitors. Every corner of town offers a different unbelievable look at the outlying area, so walk around and try to take it all in.
Equally impressive is Ronda’s bullring, Plaza de Toros, the oldest in Spain. Your personal feelings on bullfighting aside, stepping inside the ring is an amazing experience DAY-TRIPPING steeped in centuries of culture and tradition. And being that this structure has become a historic monument of sorts, it is rarely used for fights today, so those sympathetic to animal rights can take comfort in that.
It is the cultural significance of the bullring, however, that led to Madonna being banned from it. Turns out Madge came to Ronda in 1994 and planned on shooting her video for “Take A Bow” in the ring. However, upon her arrival and the ensuing media frenzy, someone had the balls to tell Madonna no! She did ultimately get her matador shots — just in the neighboring town of Antequera instead. And because you surely haven’t done enough drinking already, take the time to check out Los Descalzos Viejos — a local winery tucked away in an old monastery. The house dog, Canela, makes for a great drinking buddy as you taste out in the garden.
