If you get tired of lying by the pool and playing golf there are some excellent day excursions from the Costa del Sol. The most popular full day excursions are to the great Moorish cities of Spain: Seville, Granada and Cordoba. Other popular trips include Ronda, Gibraltar, Nerja and Tangier in Morocco. There are various collection points in the main resorts along the coast. Transport is in modern, air-conditioned coaches. The tours include the services of an English-speaking official guide and entrance fees to monuments when accompanied by the guide.
Coach Tours from the Costa del Sol
Granada & the Alhambra Palace
Enjoy a full day excursion from the Costa del Sol to the Moorish city of Granada. Visit the Alhambra Palace, famous fortress and supreme monument of Arabic architecture. Your tour guide will show you the Carlos V Palace and the gardens of the Generalife as well as the panoramic view of the city and gipsy quarters of the Albaicin.
Seville
According to Byron: “Seville is famous for its oranges and its beautiful women.” Take a full day excursion from the Costa del Sol to this great city where every street and square that makes up the historic quarter of the Andalusian capital bursts with joy and bustle. With your guide you’ll be able to visit some of Seville’s historic buildings and soak up the unique atmosphere of this very special city.
Cordoba
Enjoy a full day excursion from the Costa del Sol to the historic city of Cordoba where you will be able to visit the city’s Mezquita which, along with Granada’s Alhambra, is one of the remaining highlights of Islamic art in Spain.
Tangier (Morocco)
This has rapidly become one of our best sellers and it’s no wonder as it’s not every day that you get the chance to spend a day in Africa. The journey across the Straits of Gibraltar is by hydrofoil from Tarifa or Algeciras and takes just 35 minutes. On arrival in Tangiers your tour guide will take you on a sightseeing tour of this fascinating Moroccan city including a visit to the Kasbah. Lunch is in a typical restaurant where you’ll try some local specialities such as couscous. The tour continues with stops at small markets stores and a coach excursion around the city with the opportunity to take a camel ride at one of the stops.
Ronda
The beautiful and historical town of Ronda is one of the most visited towns in Andalucia with most people arriving on day excursions from the Costa del Sol. It lies some 60km up a winding mountain road from Marbella. On this excursion you will visit Spain’s oldest bullring and the historic Moorish quarter.
Gibraltar
On this full day excursion to the Rock of Gibraltar you’ll be able to learn about its long and fascinating history as you visit the Rock’s tunnels, Punta Europa, San Miguel caves and monkey reserve. You’ll also have to check out the duty free shops where there are still some great deals on alcohol and cigarettes.
Nerja Caves & Frigiliana
Enjoy a full day excursion from the Costa del Sol to Nerja and Frigiliana. Frigiliana is a beautiful, white Malaga village that conserves the essence of Andalucia. In Nerja you will get a chance to visit it’s prehistoric cave with impressive auditoriums and galleries. Enjoy the panoramic views at the foot of the Almijara mountain range.
Private Excursions from the Costa del Sol
If you don’t want to travel in a tour group then you might be interested in booking a private excursion. You are met at your hotel by an English speaking driver who will transfer you to your destination. On arrival you will meet a licensed, English speaking tour guide who will show you around the main monuments. Private excursions are more exclusive and more expensive than coach excursions. Here are some of the most popular choices:
Private Excursion to Granada:
This private excursion begins with a drive to Granada from your Costa del Sol hotel. On arrival you’ll meet your official English speaking tour guide who will take you on a 2½ tour of the Alhambra Palace including the Nazaries Palaces, Charles V Palace and the gardens of the Generalife. After lunch your driver will return you to Malaga and give you a brief tour of the city including the Cathedral, Alcazaba, Gibralfaro and Picasso Museum (time permitting).
Private Excursion to Mijas Pueblo:
On this half day Tour your driver will collect you and transfer you to Mijas, a typical whitewashed village up in the mountains above the Costa del Sol. Here you’ll find quaint plazas, little shops and horse drawn carriages. The houses are clustered along narrow twisting streets overflowing with flowers.
Private Excursion to Mijas Pueblo and Ronda:
Your driver will collect you at your hotel and drive you to Mijas, a quaint, whitewashed village high in the mountains above the Costa del Sol with spectacular views towards the Mediterranean. You’ll then head up a winding road with stunning scenery to Ronda which is one of Andalucia’s prettiest towns. Here you’ll meet your guide and take a walking tour with visits to the Plaza de Toros (Spain’s oldest bullring), Church of Santa Marìa la Mayor, Arab Baths and the Citadel. After lunch you’ll head back down the mountain to Malaga and take a take a panoramic tour of the city stopping to visit the Castle of Gibralfaro, La Alcazaba and Cathedral.
Private Excursion to the Caves of Nerja:
Nerja is the most easterly resort of the Costa del Sol. It avoided the excessive developments of its neighbours to the east and is today a delightful place to visit with spectacular views of the Almijara mountain range. Its main tourist attraction is its immense cave system which was only discovered in 1959 and dates back to prehistoric times.
