Explore the Costa del Sol by car

So your bags are packed, you’re in the mood, and you’re off to sunny Spain for that long awaited holiday.

Spain is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The climate is superb, particularly in the Cost del Sol region which is renowned for enjoying one of the world’s healthiest climates.

The Costa del Sol is one of Spain’s premier tourist destinations and a fabulous place to visit. It stretches along a 150Km sun kissed length of the Mediterranean coast from Nerja in the east, to Gibraltar in the west.

It has the best of both worlds, and effortlessly blends the sophistication of Marbella and Peurto Banus on the one hand, with the innocent and ancient white washed villages nestling among the mountains of the interior of Malaga province.

In order to get the best out of your holiday it’s really worth traveling around the Costa del Sol by car, it will be an experience you’ll savour for the rest of your life. In actual fact the Spanish are very good drivers; much better than us Brits if the truth be known. Whereas we are constantly on the rush trying to get everywhere at a hundred miles an hour, the Spanish have the “manjana” syndrome, and they’re driving is just the same. They are courteous and calm, and you get the feeling that they would look at you curiously through raised eyebrows, if you were to try and force your pace on them.

Of course they can drive fast, but they tend to reserve that for the right places; the autostrades.

Actually, the lack of pace and pressure is really quite helpful, especially if your driving in a foreign country on the supposed “wrong side of the road” for the very first time. You won’t be pressurised into trying to do things too quickly and in the process, inadvertently slip back into driving on the left hand side of the road, instead of the right.

It’s always a good idea to book your rental car online. There are dozens of companies to choose from so it’s just a case of shopping around until you find a deal that suits your requirements. The choice of rentals is always very good no matter whom you select, and it’s not rare to receive a free upgrade to a better car. All of the cars should come with air conditioning as standard, but just to be sure it’s worth double checking the spec of the car when you book. It will almost certainly be hot and air conditioning will keep you cool and comfortable as you tour around the region.
 
The other great thing about driving a foreign rented car is that they’ve got the steering wheel on the ‘wrong’ side too. But you will actually find that this naturally helps you drive on the wrong side more naturally. In actual fact, we must stop calling it the wrong side…it’s simply driving on the right.

Don’t forget to take a valid driving license (both parts on new driving licenses) with you as you won’t be able to rent a car without one. You don’t really need anything else from home, apart from your credit card. You will be invited to take out insurance at the car rental desk and it is always recommended to do so. You should ensure that you keep a copy of the insurance certificate with you at all times in the car, plus the vehicles registration document and an authority to drive it (copy of your rental agreement is fine), just in case you should get stopped. It’s also worth considering taking out additional car hire insurance to cover any excess you my be liable to pay.

You may be given a choice of how to bring the car back, whether with an empty tank of fuel or a full one. We’ recommend opting to return the car with a full tank. It’s just so much easier to top up when you deliver the car back. Trying to gauge getting the car back nearly empty is not an easy task; but you’ll pay pretty much the same either way, so the choice is yours.

It’s always the first few minutes that feel a little strange the first time that you drive on the right, but you’ll find that passes very quickly and you’ll soon feel ‘right’ at home. Just remember to be a little careful when you approach your first few roundabouts. Always stick to the right and you won’t go far wrong.

The speed limits vary, but are always clearly signposted.

The autostrades (motorways) are sometimes toll operated, a credit card is the fastest and simplest way to pay. When you get on a toll motorway simply stop at the gate and take a ticket on display, the gate will then lift allowing you through. Keep your ticket safe and when you exit the motorway, just look out for the credit card symbol when you approach the toll booths. Stop, offer your card to the automat; it takes it, reads it and delivers it back, job done.

To get the very best out of driving in Spain though, you should drive on some of the smaller main roads to go and visit some of those adorable white washed mountain villages languishing under the sun. Not only will you be treated to fantastic scenery but you’ll find some wonderful local restaurants where you can have wonderful Paella or some great Tapas dishes, all washed down with some of the very palatable locally brewed wines. But please be sure to stay within the alcohol drink and drive limits, which is 0.5g, lower than the UK limit which is 0.8g.