I have been travelling over to the Costa del Sol for around the last 15 years. There is so much to do along this stretch of coast that each time I go I seem to discover somewhere new. My short trip last week was no exception. Although I was there for a friend’s wedding at the very swanky Don Carlos Beach Resort in Marbella I had a few days either side of the ceremony to chill out and top up my tan. Here are just a few of the new things I discovered on my latest trip…
Carvajal Beach, Fuengirola
I have been to the beach in Fuengirola many times and I have gradually worked my way further along the coast each time I have been in Spain. As a teenager on my first visits to Fuengirola I loved the hustle and bustle of the central beaches but now I prefer something a little more relaxed. I wuodl usually go to Los Boliches to sunbathe but a friend I was catching up with (who has recently relocated to Benalmadena) recommended meeting her at Carvajal Beach which is basically the last beach you come to if you follow the seafront road from Fuengirola to Benalmadena.
I was staying in La Sierrezuela on Mijas Costa and I knew a catch up would involve a few glasses of wine so I hopped in a taxi to the beach. I was reassured when the taxi driver said that this was the beach he and all his Spanish family frequent (the less tourists, the better!) The taxi cost 13 Euros from door to beach. Even in peak season the sand was not overcrowded. We had some really tasty lunch (fajitas if you want to know!) in a Cuban bar on the beach front and drinks prices were really reasonable with a large wine at 2 Euros and a small beer at 1.50 Euros. I can highly recommend Carvajal Beach if you want to chill out with the family or enjoy a few chilled drinks in one of the beach bars or chiringuitos that line the sand.
View our selection of holiday villas and apartments in Fuengirola here.
Pinzimonio Restaurant in Elviria
The night before the big wedding all of the girls decided to go for a quiet meal somewhere nice (while the men drank heavily in Puerto Banus!) I have never been to Elviria at all before, barring a trip to Nikki Beach a few years back. This restaurant is located in the ‘Centro Commercial Pinares de Elviria’, a commercial centre brimming with shops, bars and restaurants. Pizimonio is located right in the corner next to Harmons Irish Bar which is apparently well known for lively nights.
The commercial centre is not the most picturesque place to eat but the restaurant is well turned out and it has an extensive menu with everything from pasta and pizza down to fillet steaks and fish. The prices are reasonable and I chose the lamb cutlets which were delicious and the portion I got was huge! With warm bread, aioli and hummus served as standard a starter wasn’t necessary. We drank the house Cava which was priced at around 14 Euros a bottle and it was very nice. The drinks prices in Elviria generally are a little higher than in Fuengirola or on Mijas Costa as you pay the closer to Marbella you get!
The taxi from La Sierrezuela to Elviria cost 27 Euros but returning home at around midnight is went up to 35 Euros so just be aware that catching taxis that run on a meter can end up costing you quite a bit more, especially in the evening. Nevertheless it was a really enjoyable meal and it made a nice change to explore somewhere new.
View our selection of holiday homes in Elviria here.
