The province of Málaga has a coastline stretching for no less than 161 kilometres. This sizeable chunk of seaboard is bathed by the nearly always calm waters of the Mediterranean and boasts a climate with fine weather lasting long after the summer has gone. No wonder, then, that it is a perfect spot for switching off and taking a breather any time of year. Known worldwide as the Costa del Sol – as it has no fewer than 300 days of sunshine a year – it features a large number of beaches to suit all tastes – secluded, urban, long sandy beaches, small coves, crowded and uncrowded ones… With such a variety of options, you are bound to find one to your liking where you can plant your towel and sunshade, and have a refreshing dip.

Guadalmar Beach, Málaga
This beautiful beach is located on one of the main bird migration routes, between the golf course and Guadalmar development estate and the Guadalhorce River Mouth Nature Reserve. In summer it is dotted with hire sunbeds and sunshades to aid in one’s relaxation even more. It is the nudist beach closest to Málaga and is also recommended as a LGBT destination.

La Malagueta Beach, Málaga
The famous beach of La Malagueta lies just ten minutes from Málaga. It is ideal for those visiting the city for a few days who want to have a swim, take in the congenial atmosphere and indulge in some culinary treat like sardines on the skewer or espeto de sardinas, a speciality in the city, available at any of the host of beach bars scattered across the white sands.

Artola-Capobino Beach, Marbella
Sited in the protected area of the Artola Dunes alongside Cabopino harbour is one of the best beaches in both Marbella and the whole Costa del Sol. It has fine, golden sand, and some sections are suitable for devotees of naturism. This priceless natural setting also boasts an item of considerable historic interest – the Torre Ladrones, a defence tower from the Roman period which is designated a Cultural Interest Site.

El Duque Beach, Marbella
Marbella, an upscale tourist resort, also has a beach where you can both strut your stuff and eye the other beach-goers. This is the wonderful El Duque Beach with its golden sand and spectacular backdrop of palm groves studded with beach clubs and bars suitable only for the well-heeled. Next door is Puerto Banús, which sparkles on account of its mega-yachts, glamour and luxury shops.

Bil-Bil Beach, Benalmádena
Located in the heart of Benalmádena, this city beach is perfect for family groups as it has all the amenities. A prominent landmark is Bil-Bil Castle, from which the beach gets its name. Of Moorish inspiration, it was built in 1927 and subsequently converted into an exhibition venue.

Maro Beach, Nerja
In the Nerja area of the eastern Costa del Sol lie several coves which meet all the expectations of lovers of secluded areas, where they can soak up both the sun and nature. One such spot is Maro Beach, located in the town of the same name. The best option for exploring this stretch of the Costa del Sol is by touring it in a kayak, as this is the only way to gain access to the Cueva del Lobo Marino (Sea Lion Cave) and the Cascada de la Doncella (Maiden’s Waterfall), a spectacular freshwater spring that plunges into the sea.

Fire up and enjoy the rich assortment of beaches along the coast of Málaga to the full – book your Vueling to Málaga here.

Text by Los Viajes de ISABELYLUIS

Images by Hernán Piñera

Any sojourn in Madrid should include a brief escape to one of its best known parks, El Retiro. This huge green area, opened to the public in 1868, is not only effectively the city’s lung. It is also a well-trod social meeting point for many a Madrilenian, and tourists too. It also provides an immersion in nature, and is a well-known venue for sport and for hosting contemporary art exhibitions. Following is a rundown of the main reasons for counting this park among the highlights of your visit to Spain’s capital.

1. A Short Walk From Downtown Madrid

Having a 125-hectare park in a big city is quite a luxury – having it just a stone’s throw away is even more so. Indeed, any day of sightseeing in Madrid can easily be rounded off by taking a pleasant stroll through these splendid gardens, relaxing on the grass as you take in your natural surroundings or having some refreshment at one of the kiosks in the park. What more could you ask for?

2. Put a Garden in Your Life

Like any great green expanse, El Retiro boasts several landscaped areas in different styles which are well worth visiting. The most prominent ones are La Rosaleda, the French Parterre – site of the Ciprés Calvo (Bald Cypress), Madrid’s oldest tree – and the gardens of Vivaces, Cecilio Rodríguez and El Arquitecto Herrero Palacios.

3. Nature and Much More

To take literally the saying, no todo el monte es orégano (“not all the hills are oregano”, although this actually means “it’s not all plain sailing”), in this case not all of El Retiro are trees. Among the many sights you will across on your walks there is the Crystal Palace and the Velázquez Palace, annexes of the Reina Sofía National Art Museum which both act as exhibition areas. The park’s walkways and squares are also adorned with a large number of statues and fountains and you should also make a point of seeing its centrepiece, the “Estanque Grande” (Great Lake), surmounted by a statue of Alfonso XII.

4. One Big Outdoor Gym

El Retiro is a great spot for doing sport. At any time, but particularly at weekends, it is common to see people doing all kinds of sport in the park, from running to tai chi, yoga, kung fu, cycling, skating and even rowing on the Estanque Grande. Don’t hesitate to put on your sporting gear and take the chance to get fit in such agreeable surroundings as these.

5. In Search of Lucifer

If you happen to go to El Retiro with a local, it’s more than likely he or she will end up taking you to one of its landmark pavilions, especially the one housing theFountain of the Fallen Angel.This sculpture, the work of Ricardo Bellver, is one of the few extant depictions of Lucifer, which is why it tends to attract numerous passers-by. Executed in 1877, it was inspired by some verses in John Milton’s Paradise Lost (1667).

6. A Romantic Boat Ride

A perennial classic is the Estanque Grande, the veritable nerve centre of El Retiro. Here you can boldly treat your partner to a romantic ride in one of the rowing boats moored along the jetty.

Now that you know some of the reasons why you should include El Retiro on your Madrid itinerary, you can book your Vueling and look forward to experiencing it first-hand.

Text by Los Viajes de ISABELYLUIS

Images by bjaglin, Alex Bikfalvi, Teo Ruiz

A land fringed with some 1,800 kilometres of coastline opening onto the wild Atlantic, where winds and currents drive the build-up of waves, is bound to be the perfect destination for surfers. We now reveal the reasons why Portugal exerts such a pull on surfers and pinpoint some of the best beaches for doing this thrilling sport.

Why Surfing in Portugal Rocks

Waves of all sizes and for all tastes. The long Portuguese coastline has ample room for everyone wanting to surf, be they beginners or those who have had loads of waves behind them; that is, under their surfboard.

The good climate. In Portugal, the weather is usually good most of the year around, except in winter, when temperatures go down. The rest of the year is conducive to having a good dip with your surfboard in tow.

The food is fantastic. After a hard day’s riding waves, regaining your strength by downing some great sardinhas asadas (grilled sardines) or savouring an exquisite dish of bacalhau à brás codfish is a delight on the palate.

Affordable prices. In Portugal it is comparatively easy to find quality food and accommodation at more than reasonable prices. What more could you ask for?

The Best Beaches for Catching Waves

Portugal boasts a vast array of surfing beaches, but here are the most outstanding ones:

Ericeira

Apart from being a charming fishing village, Ericeira, situated 30 kilometres north of Lisbon, is one of the favourite destinations for surfers heading for Portugal. It has the distinction of being Europe’s first listed World Surfing Reserve on account of the quality of its waves, the great number of surfing spots and its environment. One of the most prominent spots is the area of Coxos, a small cove with waves of up to 5 metres high, suitable only for daredevils. Another of the noteworthy enclaves is around Ribeira d’Ilhas, ideal for all kinds of surfers and well-known for its beach bars, where people congregate to refuel and socialise. Any time of year is suitable for surfing on these beaches.

Peniche

Situated in the central area of Portugal’s coastline, Peniche offers what is probably the best set of surfing beaches in the country and draws enthusiasts from all over Europe. One of the best beaches is Supertubos – known among surfers as “Eurotube” – with powerful waves that will meet all surfing aficionados’ expectations. Its reputation has earned it the honour of hosting the world surfing championship once a year. Apart from surfing, its beaches are also ideal for bodyboarding and diving.

Nazaré – Praia do Norte

Like Peniche, it is situated in the central stretch of the country’s seaboard. The American, Garrett McNamara, has the honour of having surfed the biggest wave this year, an amazing 20-metre-high wave on the Praia do Norte. Indeed, herein lies the particularity of this spot on the coastline, where waves can often get to 10 metres, which is therefore a major draw for the big riders. The best time of year for viewing and experiencing this marvel of nature is in winter.

Arrifana

Situated on the Costa Vicentina in the northern Algarve, Arrifana is another of those destinations surfers should be considering. The beach is flanked at both ends by cliffs, accessed by a steep stairway. Apart from being a surfing spot, visitors to this area can also enjoy nature in the magnificent South-west Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. The best time for surfing here is in early spring, as in summer it tends to get overcrowded.

Sagres

Also located in the Algarve, Sagres has become a veritable surfing hub. It is the ideal spot for signing up for a Surf & Yoga course at the Freeride Surf Camp, where surfing goes hand in hand with meditation, and for going on a boat ride, ideal for enthusiasts of whale- and dolphin-watching.

Book your Vueling, bring your board along and let yourself get carried away by the waves of Portugal.

Text by Los Viajes de ISABELYLUIS

Images by SayLuiiiis, Hendrik Dacquin, Hugo Silva

If you are desperate to get away from the sweltering heat, take a look at these destinations and get ready to use a blanket at night.