The Costa del Sol is a beautiful stretch of coastal towns in Andalusia, with the largest being the city of Málaga. It's over 500 miles (800 km) away from Barcelona. To visit both during your vacation, you can try this 13-day itinerary filled with family-friendly fun or this 17-day culinary tour and eat your way through Barcelona, Madrid, and Andalusia.
By Plane
Duration: 1 hour, 40 minutes, plus travel to/from airports
Several airlines offer direct flights from Barcelona to Málaga, the largest city on the Costa del Sol. Take a taxi or private transfer to Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN), which is about 30 minutes from the city center. You can also take a shuttle bus from Plaça Catalunya, which leaves every 5 to 10 minutes between 5 a.m. and midnight. Once you reach Málaga Airport (AGP), you can take a taxi or private transfer to your destination on the Costa del Sol.
By Train
Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Trains to Málaga leave from the Barcelona Sants train station daily, and the journey takes 6 to 7 hours (depending on the speed of the train). Once you arrive at the Málaga María Zambrano railway station you can take a taxi or private transfer to reach other parts of Costa del Sol.
Map
