Things to Do with Your Girlfriend in Costa del Sol
Looking for the best things to do with your girlfriend in Costa del Sol? You have come to the right place. With Mediterranean beaches, historic city centres, whitewashed villages, beautiful marinas and plenty of activities to experience together, the Costa del Sol is made for couples.
And the best part? You do not have to stay in one place.
From exploring Málaga in the morning to watching the sunset in Mijas, taking a boat trip from Fuengirola or dressing up for an evening in Marbella, every town along the coast offers a completely different date.
With Costa Card, you can discover activities, attractions, restaurants and experiences across Málaga, Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella and Estepona while saving money along the way.
Here are some of our favourite things to do with your girlfriend in Costa del Sol.
1. Explore Málaga together and finish at the sea
City: Málaga
Málaga is one of the easiest places on the Costa del Sol to turn an ordinary day into a complete date.
Start in the historic centre and wander through the streets around Calle Larios and the cathedral. Continue towards the Alcazaba before heading towards the waterfront.
For something more active, discover the city together by bike. Costa Card partner Malaga Bike Tours & Rentals offers bike tours and rentals, making it easy to cover more of Málaga without spending the entire day walking.
Finish at Muelle Uno and Palmeral de las Sorpresas. The waterfront is particularly attractive towards the end of the afternoon, when you can walk beside the harbour before finding a terrace for drinks or dinner.
Address Muelle Uno: Paseo del Muelle Uno, 29016 Málaga, Spain
Address Alcazaba: Calle Alcazabilla 2, 29012 Málaga, Spain
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2. Have a romantic beach day in Torremolinos
City: Torremolinos
You do not always need an elaborate plan for a great date.
Spend a few hours together at La Carihuela, one of the most characteristic coastal areas of Torremolinos. Walk along the promenade, find a place for lunch and spend the afternoon beside the Mediterranean.
Later, continue towards El Bajondillo or head into the centre for drinks.
If you want to add something extra to the day, combine the beach with Parque de la Batería or the Molino de Inca Botanical Garden before returning to the coastline for sunset.
Torremolinos works particularly well for couples because everything can easily be combined into one relaxed day without constantly needing transport.
Address: Paseo Marítimo de la Carihuela, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga
For more inspiration, discover our other guides and experiences for Torremolinos through Costa Card.
3. Take the cable car above Benalmádena
City: Benalmádena
Want to literally take your date to another level?
The Benalmádena Cable Car takes you from the town towards the summit of Mount Calamorro. Once you reach the higher ground, you can enjoy extensive views across the Costa del Sol and Mediterranean.
It is an especially good activity for couples who want something different from another beach day.
Back at sea level, continue towards Puerto Marina for a completely different atmosphere. Walk between the boats, stop for drinks or stay for dinner beside the marina.
You can also combine your Benalmádena day with a visit to Parque de la Paloma or explore one of the attractions available in the area.
Address Benalmádena Cable Car: Explanada del Tívoli s/n, 29631 Benalmádena, Málaga
Address Puerto Marina: Avenida del Puerto Deportivo, 29630 Benalmádena, Málaga
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4. Go dolphin spotting from Fuengirola
City: Fuengirola
A boat trip is easily one of the most memorable things to do with your girlfriend in Costa del Sol.
Fuengirola is an excellent starting point.
Leave the busy coastline behind and head onto the Mediterranean together in search of dolphins. Even when the dolphins decide not to make an appearance, being out on the water gives you a completely different perspective of the Costa del Sol.
Costa Card currently features Dolphin Excursions in Fuengirola, giving members a discount on the experience.
After returning to the harbour, walk along Paseo Marítimo Rey de España or find a restaurant near the marina.
It is an easy combination: adventure during the afternoon, followed by a relaxed evening beside the sea.
Address: Puerto Deportivo de Fuengirola, Paseo Marítimo Rey de España, 29640 Fuengirola, Málaga
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5. Wander through the white streets of Mijas Pueblo
City: Mijas
Few places provide a more recognisably Andalusian backdrop for a date than Mijas Pueblo.
The whitewashed village sits against the mountains above the coastline. Forget about following the fastest route through town. The fun is wandering through the narrow streets, discovering viewpoints and stopping whenever you find a terrace or square you like.
The elevated location also gives you impressive views towards the Mediterranean.
Want more action afterwards?
Head down towards the coast or choose one of the experiences available around Mijas. Costa Card currently includes activities such as Karting Mijas and Buggy Tours, allowing you to turn a romantic morning into a much more adventurous afternoon.
That contrast makes Mijas particularly interesting for couples.
Address: Plaza Virgen de la Peña, 29650 Mijas, Málaga
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6. Dress up for a date night in Marbella
City: Marbella
Not every date needs hiking shoes and a backpack.
Sometimes you want to dress up.
Start your evening in Marbella Old Town. Walk through the whitewashed streets towards Plaza de los Naranjos and find a terrace for a drink before dinner.
Afterwards, you have several options.
Continue towards the Paseo Marítimo for an evening beside the Mediterranean or travel towards Puerto Banús for cocktails, restaurants and its famous marina.
If you are staying elsewhere on the Costa del Sol, Marbella is worth visiting specifically for an evening together. The atmosphere is completely different from a daytime visit.
Address Marbella Old Town: Plaza de los Naranjos, 29601 Marbella, Málaga
Address Puerto Banús: Muelle de Ribera, Puerto Banús, 29660 Marbella, Málaga
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7. Discover the romantic side of Estepona
City: Estepona
Estepona is an excellent choice if you want a slower date.
Start in the historic centre, where white façades, colourful flowerpots and small squares create one of the most attractive old-town settings along this part of the coast.
From there, visit the Orchidarium.
The botanical attraction contains an extensive collection of orchids inside its distinctive glass-domed building. It is an easy cultural stop before returning to the old town.
Later, walk towards the Paseo Marítimo and finish your afternoon beside the Mediterranean.
For sunset, Playa del Cristo is another interesting option. Its west-facing position makes it particularly suitable for spending the final part of the day together.
Address Orchidarium: Calle Terraza 86, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
Address Playa del Cristo: Avenida del Carmen, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
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8. Watch a Costa del Sol sunset together
You cannot make a list of the best things to do with your girlfriend in Costa del Sol without including a sunset.
The only difficult part is choosing where.
In Málaga, walk towards Muelle Uno and La Farola. In Torremolinos, stay beside the Mediterranean after a day at La Carihuela. Around Mijas, head somewhere higher for panoramic views. Marbella offers long evening walks beside the beach, while west-facing spots around Estepona can be especially attractive at the end of the day.
You do not need to reserve anything.
Pick up something to drink, put your phones away for a while and watch the Mediterranean change colour.
Sometimes the free experiences are the ones you remember most.
9. Make your date competitive
Romantic does not always have to mean quiet.
If the two of you are competitive, turn your afternoon into a challenge.
Race each other at Karting Mijas, solve challenges together at Prison Island Escape Rooms in Benalmádena, rent bikes in Málaga or choose another active experience from the Costa Card selection.
Activities like these are especially useful when you have already spent several days relaxing beside the pool or on the beach.
The winner chooses where you go for drinks afterwards.
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10. Plan a Costa del Sol road trip for two
One of the biggest advantages of staying on the Costa del Sol is how many different destinations you can experience during one holiday.
So use it.
Instead of spending seven days around the same hotel, create your own mini road trip.
For example:
Day 1 – Málaga: culture, cycling and sunset at Muelle Uno.
Day 2 – Torremolinos: La Carihuela, beach and dinner.
Day 3 – Benalmádena: cable car, activities and Puerto Marina.
Day 4 – Fuengirola: dolphin excursion and waterfront dinner.
Day 5 – Mijas: Mijas Pueblo followed by an adventurous activity.
Day 6 – Marbella: Old Town, beach and date night.
Day 7 – Estepona: historic streets, Orchidarium and sunset.
Costa Card has dedicated routes for these seven destinations, helping you discover interesting locations and member benefits along the way.
11. Surprise her with an unplanned activity
Planning is useful, but one of the best date ideas is sometimes not planning everything.
Keep one afternoon of your holiday completely free.
Open the Costa Card activities overview together and choose an experience you had not planned before arriving.
Maybe it becomes a boat excursion. Maybe you rent bikes. Perhaps you race each other around a karting track or try an escape-room challenge.
It does not necessarily matter what you choose.
The fact that neither of you knows exactly what the afternoon will bring is what makes it fun.
12. Combine free experiences with paid activities
A romantic holiday does not have to mean spending heavily every day.
Some of the best experiences on the Costa del Sol are completely free: walking through Mijas Pueblo, watching the sunset, exploring Marbella Old Town, spending time on the beach or walking along Málaga's waterfront.
Combine those moments with a few carefully selected paid activities.
For example, spend the morning exploring a town for free and book a boat trip or attraction for the afternoon. Or spend the day on the beach before choosing a special experience in the evening.
This is one of the smartest ways to experience more without letting your holiday budget disappear in the first few days.
Why the Costa del Sol is perfect for couples
The variety is what makes this destination special.
Within one holiday, you can explore a historic Spanish city, walk through an Andalusian white village, sail across the Mediterranean, relax on the beach, visit attractions, eat beside a marina and dress up for an evening in Marbella.
Official Costa del Sol tourism information highlights exactly this combination of beaches, picturesque villages, trails, gastronomy and cultural experiences when presenting the region as a destination for couples.
And because Málaga, Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella and Estepona are all within the wider Costa Card area, you do not have to choose just one.
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There are hundreds of things to do with your girlfriend in Costa del Sol. The trick is not trying to do everything. Instead, create a holiday that combines relaxation with experiences you will actually remember together.
Spend one day on the beach. Explore a different town the next morning. Take a boat onto the Mediterranean. Get competitive during an activity. Discover somewhere neither of you has visited before. And leave enough time for long lunches, spontaneous stops and sunsets.
Costa Card makes it easier to discover activities, attractions, food and drinks, excursions and rentals across the Costa del Sol while benefiting from exclusive discounts and extras.
Choose a Costa Card Day Card or Week Card and start building your holiday together.
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