Updated: October 2026

East of Málaga city the Costa del Sol changes character. High-rise resorts give way to fishing towns, avocado terraces and white villages in the hills of the Axarquía. This guide walks you along the coast from Rincón de la Victoria to Nerja, then inland, with practical notes for visitors and people thinking of living there.

What and where is the Axarquía?

The Axarquía is the eastern district of Málaga province, running from the edge of Málaga city to the border with Granada province. Its capital is Vélez-Málaga. The area combines around 30 kilometres of coast with steep hills that rise to the Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama, a natural park that is popular with hikers.

Agriculture still matters here. The hillsides are terraced for avocados and mangos, and the traditional sun-dried Málaga raisins from the area are recognised by the FAO as a globally important agricultural heritage system. Recent droughts have put pressure on water supplies, so be aware of possible restrictions in dry years.

Coastal towns from west to east

Rincón de la Victoria

Practically a suburb of Málaga, with a long promenade and family beaches. Many residents commute to the city. The Cueva del Tesoro, a cave formed by the sea, is one of the few of its kind in Europe that you can visit.

Torre del Mar and Vélez-Málaga

Torre del Mar is the beach town of Vélez-Málaga municipality, with a wide promenade, plenty of seafood restaurants and a large weekly market. A few kilometres inland, Vélez-Málaga has a hilltop Moorish fortress, a historic quarter and most of the district’s administrative services, including the hospital.

Torrox

Torrox is split in two: Torrox Costa, a resort area with a large Northern European community, and Torrox Pueblo, a traditional white village a few kilometres inland. Near the lighthouse you can see remains of a Roman settlement. The town promotes itself with the slogan “the best climate in Europe”.

Nerja and Maro

Nerja is the best-known town in the east. The Balcón de Europa viewpoint looks over small coves, and Burriana is the main family beach. The Cueva de Nerja, discovered in 1959, has huge caverns with prehistoric remains and hosts concerts in summer. Beyond the caves, the village of Maro gives access to the cliffs and coves of the Maro-Cerro Gordo protected area, best explored on foot or by kayak.

Inland villages worth knowing

• Frigiliana: a steep, beautifully kept Moorish village above Nerja. The Festival of the Three Cultures, usually in late summer, celebrates its Christian, Muslim and Jewish past.
• Cómpeta: a wine village at the foot of the sierra, known for sweet moscatel wine and its wine night in August.
• La Viñuela: set beside the area’s main reservoir, with walking routes around the lake.
• Sayalonga, Árchez and Canillas de Albaida: small villages with Mudéjar towers and quiet lanes, good for slow travel.

Just across the border in Granada province, Almuñécar and La Herradura on the Costa Tropical are easy day trips from Nerja.

Getting around

• No train: there is no railway east of Málaga city, so travel is by road.
• Buses: metropolitan consortium buses link Málaga with Rincón de la Victoria and Torre del Mar, and intercity buses continue to Torrox, Nerja and beyond. A rechargeable consortium card is cheaper than cash on many routes.
• Car: the A-7 motorway runs along the coast. For the inland villages a car is almost essential, as buses are infrequent.
• Airport: Málaga airport is roughly 45 minutes to an hour from Nerja by car, depending on traffic.

Living in East Málaga

Many newcomers choose this area for its slower pace and lower prices compared with the western Costa del Sol, although Nerja and the coast near Málaga have become expensive too. Torrox Costa and Nerja have strong international communities with clubs and English-speaking services, while Vélez-Málaga and the villages are much more Spanish.

• Housing: village houses and country properties (campos) can be good value, but check access roads, water supply and the legal status of any building before you buy.
• Healthcare: the district hospital is in Vélez-Málaga, with health centres in the larger towns. See our guide to healthcare for foreign residents.
• Connectivity: fibre is common on the coast but patchy in the hills. Check coverage before you rent; our guide to internet and mobile providers helps.

Food and local traditions

Try espetos (sardines grilled on canes), fried fish, ajoblanco (a cold almond and garlic soup) and local tropical fruit. Every town has its summer feria and a patron-saint festival, and Semana Santa processions are especially atmospheric in Vélez-Málaga. Inland villages hold small harvest and raisin festivals in late summer and autumn.

Useful links

• Málaga metropolitan transport consortium (buses and travel card)
• Andalucía Tourist Board (Turismo Andaluz)
• Alhambra visitor information (for a day trip to Granada)
• Málaga for digital nomads
• Healthcare for foreign residents
• Internet and mobile providers in Spain

FAQ: East Málaga

Disclaimer: This article is general information only. Timetables, opening times and local rules can change – always check with the official source before you travel or make decisions.

Updated: October 2026

Spain has dozens of commercial airports, and picking the right one can save you hours on the road. This guide is for newcomers and visitors who want to know which airport serves which coast or city, and the easiest way to get from arrivals into town by train, metro or bus.

How Spain’s airports work

Almost all of Spain’s public airports are run by Aena, which publishes live flight information and transport options for each airport on its website. Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat are the big international hubs with long-haul routes, while Málaga, Alicante, Palma and the Canary Islands handle huge numbers of European flights, many with low-cost airlines.

Southern Spain and the Costa del Sol

Málaga-Costa del Sol (AGP)

Spain’s main gateway to Andalucía is only a few kilometres from Málaga city. The C1 suburban train (Cercanías) stops at the airport on its route between Málaga Centro-Alameda and Fuengirola, so it serves both the city and Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola. The EMT express bus runs to the city centre, with a single fare of €4 at the time of writing, and coach lines go to Marbella, Estepona and Nerja. Details are on the Aena Málaga airport page.

Seville, Granada, Jerez and Almería also have airports with fewer routes – useful if you live inland or on the Costa de la Luz. If you are settling near Málaga, see our guide to life in Málaga for remote workers.

Costa Blanca, Valencia and Murcia

Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández (ALC) serves the whole Costa Blanca and is one of the busiest airports for northern European expats. Buses link it with Alicante city, Elche and resort towns, and private shuttles cover Benidorm and Torrevieja. See the Aena Alicante page for current routes.

Valencia (VLC) is connected to the city centre by Metrovalencia. Further south, the Región de Murcia International Airport at Corvera serves Murcia and the Mar Menor.

Madrid and Barcelona

Madrid-Barajas (MAD) has four terminals; T4 is used mainly by Iberia and its partners. Metro line 8 runs from the airport to Nuevos Ministerios, and two suburban train lines connect T4 with the city’s main stations. There are also city buses and taxis with a fixed fare to the centre. More on the Aena Madrid page.

Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) is served by metro line L9 Sud, the R2 Nord train from Terminal 2 and the Aerobús shuttle to Plaça de Catalunya. Girona and Reus airports are alternatives for the Costa Brava and Costa Daurada. See the Aena Barcelona page.

The islands

• Palma de Mallorca (PMI): one of Spain’s busiest airports in summer. EMT bus line A1 runs between the airport and Palma centre – see the Aena Palma bus page. Ibiza and Menorca have their own airports.
• Canary Islands: Gran Canaria and Tenerife South handle most tourist flights, with Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma and Tenerife North serving the rest. Each island’s bus network links the airport with the capital and resort areas.

Tips for arrivals and departures

• Border checks: non-EU travellers now go through the EU’s digital Entry/Exit System, so allow extra time at passport control. Residents should carry their TIE.
• Use official taxis only: take taxis from the official rank; ride-hailing apps operate in the larger cities.
• Check the last train: trains and metro do not run all night, so check the last departure if you land late.
• Car hire: read the fuel and insurance terms carefully. If you live in Spain, check our guide to driving licence rules.

Useful links

• Aena – Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport
• Aena – Alicante-Elche Airport
• Aena – Madrid-Barajas Airport
• Aena – Barcelona-El Prat Airport
• Why Málaga is a top destination for digital nomads
• Driving in Spain: licence rules

FAQ: airports in Spain

Disclaimer: This article is general information only. Routes, timetables and fares change – always check with the airport or transport operator before you travel.

Updated: October 2026

Alicante is a mid-sized Mediterranean city with a castle on a rock, a busy airport and a long sandy coastline on its doorstep. It is popular with both holidaymakers and people moving to Spain. This guide covers the neighbourhoods, beaches, transport, culture and the practical points to know if you plan to stay longer.

Alicante at a glance

Alicante (Alacant in Valencian) is the capital of Alicante province in the Valencian Community and the main city of the Costa Blanca. Its history goes back to Iberian and Roman settlements, and its name comes from the Arabic Laqant. Today it is a port and university city with a dry, sunny climate and mild winters.

Both Spanish and Valencian are official. In daily life in the city you will hear mostly Spanish, but signs, public documents and school lessons often use Valencian too.

Neighbourhoods to know

• Casco Antiguo and Santa Cruz: the old quarter at the foot of the castle, with steep lanes, flower pots and small bars. Lovely to visit, noisy at weekends.
• Centro: the shopping streets around the Rambla de Méndez Núñez and the central market, close to the Explanada de España promenade with its wave-patterned tiles.
• Ensanche and Benalúa: grid-plan residential areas with older apartment buildings, practical for long-term living.
• Albufereta and Cabo de las Huertas: north of the centre, with coves and apartment blocks near the sea.
• Playa de San Juan: a long beach and modern residential district, popular with families and many international residents, linked to the centre by tram.

Things to see and do

• Santa Bárbara Castle: on Mount Benacantil above Postiguet beach, with wide views over the city and the bay. You can walk up or use the lift from the seafront side.
• Old town churches: the Gothic Basilica of Santa María and the Co-cathedral of San Nicolás.
• Museums: the MARQ archaeological museum, the MACA contemporary art museum in the old town and a museum dedicated to the round-the-world sailing race at the port.
• Beaches: Postiguet in the centre, Albufereta for calmer water, and the long Playa de San Juan.
• Central market: the Mercado Central is the best place for fresh fish, vegetables and local products, and a good spot for a morning coffee.

Festivals and food

The city’s big festival is the Hogueras de San Juan (Fogueres de Sant Joan) in June. Large sculptures fill the streets for several days and are burned on the night of 24 June, with fireworks over the castle. Many towns in the province also hold Moros y Cristianos festivals, the best known in Alcoy.

Rice dishes are the local speciality. Try arroz a banda, arroz con costra from Elche or a seafood paella. Turrón, the almond nougat eaten at Christmas, comes from Jijona in the hills north of the city.

Getting around and day trips

• Airport: Alicante-Elche airport is about 20–30 minutes from the centre by car or city bus.
• TRAM d’Alacant: light-rail lines run from the centre to Playa de San Juan, El Campello and along the coast to Benidorm, with a connection further north towards Dénia.
• Trains: high-speed trains connect Alicante with Madrid, and regional trains run to Elche, Murcia and Valencia. The national abono único pass, available since January 2026, can cut the cost of regular Renfe trips.
• Buses: city buses cover the urban area; intercity coaches reach the rest of the Costa Blanca.

Popular day trips include Tabarca Island, a small protected marine reserve reached by boat from Alicante port or Santa Pola; Elche, whose Palmeral is a UNESCO World Heritage site; Altea and Villajoyosa with their colourful old towns; and the mountain village of Guadalest.

Living in Alicante

Alicante is often cheaper than Barcelona, Madrid or Málaga, but rents have risen quickly, especially near the beach. There is a large international community in the city and along the coast, and plenty of English-speaking services, yet everyday admin still happens in Spanish.

If you are thinking about holiday-let investment, check the rules first. Alicante city council suspended new tourist-flat licences in residential buildings in late 2024 and extended the suspension to whole tourist apartment blocks, pensions and hostels in July 2025. In September 2026 the council said a new regulation would be approved before the end of 2026, and that it had stepped up inspections and fines for illegal tourist lets.

For long-term tenancies, read our guide to renting in Spain as a foreigner, and if you plan to stay, our guide to becoming resident in Spain.

Useful links

• Alicante City Tourist Board and tourist info offices
• Alicante city council: update on tourist flat inspections and new rules (Spanish)
• Alicante city council: extension of the tourist accommodation moratorium (Spanish)
• Renting in Spain as a foreigner
• How to become resident in Spain
• Spanish festivals for expats

FAQ: Alicante

Disclaimer: This article is general information only. Local rules, prices and timetables can change – always check with the official source before you travel, rent or buy.