Food and Drink along the Costa del Sol
When you fly into Malaga airport to begin your Spanish holiday, make sure to book your car hire in Malaga airport. A car will give you the freedom to explore the whole of the region, but especially the coastal area, known famously as the Costa del Sol. This coastline extends from Manilva in the west to Nerja in the east and includes the towns of Estepona, Marbella, Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Torre del Mar and Torrox as well as Malaga city itself of course.
The Costa del Sol is famed for its lovely weather and beaches but also its food and drink. Hiring a car from car hire Malaga airport will enable you to sample the region’s cuisine at your leisure. From posh restaurants in Marbella to beachfront “chiringuitos”, and traditional tapas bars, every taste and budget is catered for. Look out for the “menu del dia” at lunchtime, which is usually a very good value meal of three courses and will set you back as little as five euros. It usually even includes a small glass of wine or beer!
You will of course encounter dishes from the traditional Mediterranean diet, which is rich in the use of olive oil, fresh vegetables, pulses, garlic and seafood. Maybe the most famous of the region’s dishes is the cold soup, “gazpacho”. This is made from olive oil, tomatoes, cucumber, garlic, peppers, sherry vinegar and is thickened with bread. It is sometimes served with sliced hardboiled eggs on top and is a very refreshing soup to have on a hot day. Another delicious soup is “ajo blanco”, made from garlic, ground almonds, olive oil and grapes. For something more substantial try “tortilla de patatas”, which is a filling omelette with potatoes and onions, usually served cold, by the slice. Of course, you shouldn’t visit the Costa del Sol without sampling its wonderful array of fresh fish and seafood. Most restaurants will have a “catch of the day” on their menu and you can even have your freshly caught sardines or other fish barbecued on sticks on the beach, right before your eyes. The beachside bars known as chiringuitos specialise in this type of food. You can also find plenty of prawns, mussels, lobster, swordfish, tuna, octopus and squid, often served simply grilled or fried with garlic and lemon. Don’t forget to try the famous ham (jamon) of the region and the sausage called chorizo, which get its lovely rich, red colour from paprika.
To wash down your meal try the famous sangria, or a less strong version known as “tinto de verano” (red wine and lemonade) or the refreshingly non-alcoholic drink of “horchata de chufa”, made from tiger nuts. Wherever along the Costa del Sol you choose to travel with your vehicle from car hire Malaga airport, you certainly won’t be disappointed with the food.