It was formerly made up of a series of quiet and small fishing settlements, but the region has now been completely transformed. During the late twentieth century Costa Del Sol changed into a world-renowned tourist destination, with a almost continuous collection of high-rise settlements, skyscrapers and holiday accommodation resorts along the whole coastline.

Today, the area is heavily urbanized, with densely packed buildings running all along most of the coastline. You can expect a mixture of architectural styles, from low-rise, whitewashed villas to grand developments of high-rise apartment blocks that are very concentrated in the tourist holiday rental resorts. While most of the single dwellings and holiday accommodation villas are planned and built in the local Costa Del Sol Andalusian style, the purpose-built multi-dwelling and touristy blocks dont seem to have been built harmony with area.

Historically the Costa Del Sol population lived in the fishing villages, and the "white" villages inland. The area was soon discovered in the fifties and developed to live up to the high demands of international tourism soon afterward. Since then, it has been an extremely popular destination for tourists looking for beach fun and local atmosphere.

If you are looking for a family friendly beach with many hotel accommodation possibilities, Playa Del Cristo is the place to go. It is close to the coastal town of Estepona, and the fact that it faces west means you will benefit from many more hours of sunshine. Playa Del Cristo has 2 beach bars, beach showers, as well as a Red Cross post. You will be able to hire pedal boats at the beach and you can safely leave your car in the accompanied car park. You will be within walking distance of Estepona's town centre and marina, which are also well worth exploring.

The beach Calahonda Beach is also an extremely popular location to book holiday accommodation at, and is ideal for families. It is based near Calahonda, about 10 minutes' drive from the town of Marbella. You can rent a sun bed and parasol to relax in the sun in style. If you are feeling more adventurous, however, you can also try fishing or scuba diving

Mistral Beach is more popular with the younger crowd, sporting several beach clubs and great restaurants for those ready for a little fun after a day at the beach. If you fancy something a little more active, you can also enjoy a range of water sports including jet skiing and water skiing here.

Costa del Sol has an extremely wide offer of hotels and holiday apartments, ranging from rustic to extreme modern design. Make sure that you read up on your area of choice and research hotel or holiday apartment details before booking your room.