Things to do in Costa del Sol

Nat Geo Day Tour: Andalusian Olive Oil, from Grove to Table

With centuries of heritage in every drop, Molino de La Paca is the perfect place to explore the art of high-quality olive oil. Here, the bond between local producers and their olive trees - passed down over generations, is felt in every detail. The experience begins with a stroll through the olive groves surrounding the mill. You'll learn about the care and cultivation of the olive tree and why this fertile land produces some of the region's finest oils.In the shade of the olive trees, you'll enjoy fresh orange juice from the Guadalhorce Valley and a selection of ripe olives as you delve into the cultural and social importance of olive cultivation in southern Spain.Next, you'll visit the heart of Molino de La Paca to discover how each olive is transformed into high-quality extra virgin olive oil, from milling to extraction. Then, you'll get to sample two varieties of olive oil, learning to identify the flavors and aromas that set each apart — and why, unlike wine, its taste doesn't improve with age. It's an excellent chance to compare taste experiences and learn how to recognize the quality and freshness that make a truly great olive oil. The day ends with a cooking demonstration where you'll learn how to prepare porra antequera, a beloved traditional soup in which olive oil takes center stage. Savor this local specialty and discover why this golden staple of the Mediterranean diet and culture contributes so much to health and longevity.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Echoes of Al-Andalus in Malaga

Journey through time and culture as you uncover the fascinating heritage of Al-Andalus in Malaga. Visit the Alcazaba, a formidable fortress standing as a testament to the military prowess of the Arab era. As you explore its imposing walls and strategic design, you'll be transported back to a period of grandeur. Continue the adventure at Malaga Museum, where Al-Andalus' vibrancy is showcased through a collection of ceramics and Moorish calligraphy. Marvel at exhibits merging history and art, delving into the cultural richness of the past. Next, you will stop at a restaurant to enjoy a typical tapa merging Arabic and Mediterranean flavours, washed down with local wine. Then, learn how to write your name in Arabic at a calligraphy workshop, crafted exclusively for National Geographic travellers. Discover the characteristic streets of the historic centre, revealing the urban heritage shaped by Al-Andalus. Admire the decorative tiles and intricate details that bear witness to the fusion of cultures, creating a unique landscape. Wrap up your experience at the colourful Atarazanas Market, its Moorish entrance beckoning you into the sensory overload of colours and aromas. Engage with vendors as you meander through stalls filled with fruits and herbs. To fully immerse yourself in the local experience, take a sip from an Andalusian-style wineskin.

Guided tour of Axarquia, Frigiliana and Nerja from Almuñecar

Considered the most picturesque part of the Costa del Sol coastline, Nerja is a trip that you shouldn't miss out on. On this half-day morning excursion, you'll explore the white village of Frigiliana and the charming town of Nerja to visit the ‘Balcon de Europa'– a stunning coastal viewpoint.

Caminito del Rey hiking trail tour from the Costa del Sol

The Gaitanes Gorge is the must-see natural attraction in inland Malaga. This deep and steep canyon has a legendary walkway halfway up one of its vertical walls – the Caminito del Rey – which you'll get to trek on this full day tour. After a scenic drive through the country, we'll stop off at a typical village for some free time to wander around its narrow, whitewashed-fringed streets. Then, don your walking boots as we set off on an 8km walk along the recently reopened Caminito del Rey, or King's Walkway.Departing from the pine-fringed reservoirs, you'll trek along a spectacular walkway pinned along the steep gorge walls. Your guide will give you an insight into its geological origins and fascinating historical past. Finally, at the end of the journey, you'll have a well-earned break in El Chorro for the chance to grab a spot of lunch.

Seville tour from Torremolinos, Benalmadena & Fuengirola

Sensational Seville is bursting with world-class attractions. The city famed as the setting of sultry operas is a showstopper. It's a feast of the senses. Pedro, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘People imagine Seville is all sherry-sipping guitarists sitting under the shade of an orange tree. And that's the way it is. You don't visit Seville, you live it.' Star turns on this day trip include the Plaza de España, the Gothic Cathedral and Santa Cruz quarter.You'll kick off with a panoramic bus tour passing the best bits – Torre del Oro, Maestranza bullring and more – with a stop at the Plaza de España. This semi-circular square of wedding cake towers, tiled alcoves and gondolas is so enchanting that it featured as the planet Naboo in a Star Wars film. You'll then have some free time to explore or pop into a local bar for tapas before your guide takes you to the cathedral.Famed for its landmark Giralda – a minaret converted into a belfry – the cathedral is a treasure trove of religious and architectural gems. Pedro says, ‘There's so much to take in, whether it's the Columbus tomb, the Capitol, the Patio de los Naranjos or the gilded skyscraper-like main altarpiece. And, of course, you can climb to the top of the Giralda for the views over the old town.' And last but not least, you'll enjoy a guided walk through the cobbled alleys of Santa Cruz – the former Jewish quarter – admiring its secret patios, walled gardens and laidback atmosphere.

Seville tour from Marbella & Estepona

Sensational Seville is bursting with world-class attractions. The city famed as the setting of sultry operas is a showstopper. It's a feast of the senses. Pedro, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘People imagine Seville is all sherry-sipping guitarists sitting under the shade of an orange tree. And that's the way it is. You don't visit Seville, you live it.' Star turns on this day trip include the Plaza de España, the Gothic Cathedral and Santa Cruz quarter.You'll kick off with a panoramic bus tour passing the best bits – Torre del Oro, Maestranza bullring and more – with a stop at the Plaza de España. This semi-circular square of wedding cake towers, tiled alcoves and gondolas is so enchanting that it featured as the planet Naboo in a Star Wars film. You'll then have some free time to explore or pop into a local bar for tapas before your guide takes you to the cathedral.Famed for its landmark Giralda – a minaret converted into a belfry – the cathedral is a treasure trove of religious and architectural gems. Pedro says, ‘There's so much to take in, whether it's the Columbus tomb, the Capitol, the Patio de los Naranjos or the gilded skyscraper-like main altarpiece. And, of course, you can climb to the top of the Giralda for the views over the old town.' And last but not least, you'll enjoy a guided walk through the cobbled alleys of Santa Cruz – the former Jewish quarter – admiring its secret patios, walled gardens and laidback atmosphere.

Gibraltar day trip including minibus tour of the Rock

An absorbing blend of the familiar and the exotic, Gibraltar is a must-visit. This tour ticks off all its top attractions – the Barbary apes of the Rock, St Michael's Caves and Main Street. Rosa, one of our local guides, says: ‘Gibraltar is one of the most unusual culture shocks I've ever encountered. It feels like my native Andalusia, but everything looks British. Wandering around, listening to the locals chat in their cute dialect is always a joy.'The fun kicks off on a high with a minibus tour of the Rock of Gibraltar, which juts 426 metres above the Mediterranean. The first stop is packed-with-monuments Europa Point, a popular spot for taking snaps. At the Upper Rock, you'll meet the free-roaming Barbary apes – Europe's only wild monkeys. Rosa says, ‘There are about 300 monkeys on the Rock. A local legend says that if the monkeys disappear, Gibraltar will stop being British.' Next up is St Michael's Cave. Once home to Neanderthals and used as a war hospital during World War II, they're now an atmospheric concert hall.Back at ground level, Gibraltar's town centre has a distinctly British feel to it, whether it's the more obvious red phone and post boxes or the more succinct ones such as arched Georgian doorframes. Tuck into a pie or maybe some fish and chips for lunch, before some retail therapy. Main Street, where many of the British high street chains have outlets, is famed for its duty-free shops.

Gibraltar day trip with dolphin-watching boat tour and Rock visit

An exotic blend of the familiar and the unusual, Gibraltar is a must-visit. This tour ticks off all its top attractions – the Barbary apes, the Rock and Main Street. And to top it off, you'll set sail around the Bay of Gibraltar for the chance to spot dolphins along the coast. Rosa, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Gibraltar's monkeys are the most accommodating wildlife around. Unlike dolphins, you don't have to search for them – they come looking for you, especially if you're holding food.'The fun kicks off with a boat trip in the bay to look out for dolphins. Three species – bottlenose, common and striped – are known to frolic in these waters. Then, back on dry land, head for a guided minibus tour of the Rock of Gibraltar, which juts 426 metres above the Mediterranean. You'll stop at Europa Point, where there are many famous monuments, a mosque and a historic Christian shrine. Plus, you'll also visit the Rock's recently renovated St Michael's Cave, which now hosts an auditorium.At the Upper Rock nature reserve, you'll meet the free-roaming Barbary apes – Europe's only wild monkeys. Rosa adds, ‘There are about 300 monkeys on the Rock. A local legend says that if the monkeys disappear, Gibraltar will stop being British.' Back at ground level, Gibraltar's town centre has a distinctly British feel to it. Head to Main Street, where many of the British high street chains have outlets, for a mooch around its duty-free shops.

Gibraltar day trip with dolphin-watching boat tour and Rock visit

An exotic blend of the familiar and the unusual, Gibraltar is a must-visit. This tour ticks off all its top attractions – the Barbary apes, the Rock and Main Street. And to top it off, you'll set sail around the Bay of Gibraltar for the chance to spot dolphins along the coast. Rosa, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Gibraltar's monkeys are the most accommodating wildlife around. Unlike dolphins, you don't have to search for them – they come looking for you, especially if you're holding food.'The fun kicks off with a boat trip in the bay to look out for dolphins. Three species – bottlenose, common and striped – are known to frolic in these waters. Then, back on dry land, head for a guided minibus tour of the Rock of Gibraltar, which juts 426 metres above the Mediterranean. You'll stop at Europa Point, where there are many famous monuments, a mosque and a historic Christian shrine. Plus, you'll also visit the Rock's recently renovated St Michael's Cave, which now hosts an auditorium.At the Upper Rock nature reserve, you'll meet the free-roaming Barbary apes – Europe's only wild monkeys. There are about 300 monkeys on the Rock. A local legend says that if the monkeys disappear, Gibraltar will stop being British. Back at ground level, Gibraltar's town centre has a distinctly British feel to it. Head to Main Street, where many of the British high street chains have outlets, for a mooch around its duty-free shops.

Guided day trip to Gibraltar with minibus tour of the Rock

An absorbing blend of the familiar and the exotic, Gibraltar is a must-visit. This tour ticks off all its top attractions – the Barbary apes of the Rock, St Michael's Caves and Main Street. Rosa, one of our local guides, says: ‘Gibraltar is one of the most unusual culture shocks I've ever encountered. It feels like my native Andalusia, but everything looks British. Wandering around, listening to the locals chat in their cute dialect is always a joy.'The fun kicks off on a high with a minibus tour of the Rock of Gibraltar, which juts 426 metres above the Mediterranean. The first stop is Europa Point, where there's a monument to General Władysław Sikorski, who died here during WWII. At the Upper Rock, you'll meet the free-roaming Barbary apes – Europe's only wild monkeys. Rosa says, ‘There are about 300 monkeys on the Rock. A local legend says that if the monkeys disappear, Gibraltar will stop being British.' Next up is St Michael's Cave. Once home to Neanderthals and used as a war hospital during World War II, they're now an atmospheric concert hall.Back at ground level, Gibraltar's town centre has a distinctly British feel to it, whether it's the more obvious red phone and post boxes or the more succinct ones such as arched Georgian doorframes. Tuck into a pie or maybe some fish and chips for lunch, before some retail therapy. Main Street, where many of the British high street chains have outlets, is famed for its duty-free shops.

Gibraltar day trip with dolphin-watching boat tour and Rock visit

An exotic blend of the familiar and the unusual, Gibraltar is a must-visit. This tour ticks off all its top attractions – the Barbary apes, the Rock and Main Street. And to top it off, you'll set sail around the Bay of Gibraltar for the chance to spot dolphins along the coast. Rosa, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Gibraltar's monkeys are the most accommodating wildlife around. Unlike dolphins, you don't have to search for them – they come looking for you, especially if you're holding food.'The fun kicks off with a boat trip in the bay to look out for dolphins. Three species – bottlenose, common and striped – are known to frolic in these waters. Then, back on dry land, head for a guided minibus tour of the Rock of Gibraltar, which juts 426 metres above the Mediterranean. You'll stop at Europa Point, where there's a monument to General Władysław Sikorski, who died here during WWII. You'll also visit the Rock's recently renovated St Michael's Cave, which now hosts an auditorium.At the Upper Rock nature reserve, you'll meet the free-roaming Barbary apes – Europe's only wild monkeys. Rosa adds, ‘There are about 300 monkeys on the Rock. A local legend says that if the monkeys disappear, Gibraltar will stop being British.' Back at ground level, Gibraltar's town centre has a distinctly British feel to it. Head to Main Street, where many of the British high street chains have outlets, for a mooch around its duty-free shops.

Gibraltar day trip with St Michael’s Cave and tour of the Rock

An exotic blend of the familiar and the unusual, Gibraltar is a must-visit. This tour ticks off all its top attractions – the Barbary apes of the Rock, St Michael's Caves and the Main Street. Rosa, one of our local guides, says: "Gibraltar is one of the most unexpected culture shocks I've ever encountered. It feels like my native Andalusia, but everything looks British. Wandering around, listening to the locals chat in their cute dialect is always a joy."The fun kicks off on a high with a guided tour of the Rock of Gibraltar. Towering 426 metres above the Med, its steep slopes look daunting – but you'll be discovering it from the comfort of a minibus. The first stop is packed-with-monuments Europa Point, a popular spot for taking snaps. At the Upper Rock nature reserve, you'll meet the free-roaming Barbary apes – Europe's only wild monkeys. On a clear day, you can see all the way across to Africa. Next up is St Michael's Cave. Once home to Neanderthals and used as a war hospital during World War II, they're now an atmospheric concert hall.Back at ground level, Gibraltar's town centre has a distinctly British feel to it, whether it's the more obvious red phone and post boxes or the more succinct ones such as arched Georgian door frames. Tuck into a pie or maybe some fish and chips for lunch, before some retail therapy. Main Street, where many of the British high street chains have outlets, is famed for its duty-free shops.