13th November 2025 
Leave a commentWe’re sharing a recent press release: Condé Nast Traveler, the prestigious magazine, has ranked Malaga and the Costa del Sol among the top ten destinations in Spain and Portugal for 2026.
Unlike most publishers, we’re based in Malaga. So, we know what we’re talking about! Discover with us why this choice is more than justified!
Malaga among the best destinations for 2026
Condé Nast Traveler
Condé Nast Traveler, headquartered in New York, is an international magazine specializing in luxury travel and lifestyle. It is considered one of the most prestigious in its field.
Their international editors have chosen the Costa del Sol as one of the most popular destinations for 2026 based on three main pillars: The combination of luxury hotel expansion, world-class culture and gastronomic excellence.
But we go further.
Sun&Beach… and much more!
Therefore, the criteria for being selected as one of the best destinations go far beyond the typical sun and beach offering, which, by the way, we also have plenty of:
In case you didn’t know, the Costa del Sol boasts an average of 320 sunny days a year, mild winters, and over 160 km of coastline with a wide variety of beaches to suit all tastes.
An always popular destination
The numbers don’t lie: Malaga Airport has experienced a considerable increase in flights throughout the year in recent years. In fact, it breaks its own record every year.
So, by 2025, more than 25 million passengers have already passed through the Costa del Sol airport facilities.
Malaga Airport expansion
With these figures in mind, and with projections for the coming years, a major expansion of the airport was recently approved. Its new Terminal 3 and commuter rail station, along with its interchange, were only inaugurated eleven years ago.
5-Star Hotels & Mediterranean glamour
The Costa del Sol boasts an excellent infrastructure of high-end accommodations, including world-class hotels. Some of these hotels are located in the cosmopolitan and vibrant city of Malaga.
However, the municipalities with the highest concentration of hotels are undoubtedly Marbella and Estepona, on the westernmost part of the Costa del Sol.
As a side note: While Marbella is more of a flamboyant playground for the wealthy, many well-off tourists prefer to spend their holidays more discreetly in the resorts of Estepona.
Beyond the existing 5-star hotels, several exciting new premium accommodations are expected to open by 2026. The Costa del Sol will host the inaugurations of several iconic luxury hotels, including a highly anticipated Four Seasons hotel in Marbella and The Meliá Collection in Estepona.
By the way, these tow municipalities are also those with the highest density of wold class golf courses.
The Charm of Andalusia
The Costa del Sol is a well-established tourist destination with excellent infrastructure for welcoming international visitors. In addition to the municipalities already mentioned, all the coastal towns along the Costa are very popular, each with its own unique charm.
After all, sunny and cheerful Malaga is the southernmost city in Europe, and for thousands of years it has welcomed travellers. That’s just the nature of the people of Malaga (calles Malagueños): open, friendly, always ready to strike up a conversation, and accustomed to spending their time outdoors, in bars and cafes. And of course, they love to celebrate.
Malaga city – Art & Culture
Malaga is the cultural heart of the Costa del Sol. Over the past 20 years, the city has undergone a profound transformation. Museums, cultural venues, art concerts, alternative lifestyles, and beautiful public spaces like Pier One, perfect for strolling along the seafront, have all flourished.
Aside from that, did you know that Malaga is the Spanish city with the most museums in its old town?
Stroll through charming pedestrian streets and squares and within walking distance you’ll find museums like the Picasso Museum, the Carmen Thyssen Museum, the Wine Museum, the Glass Museum, or the Pompidou Centre, to name a few.
Gastronomy & Michelin Stars
Malaga combines the best of the Mediterranean diet, with fresh produce from its gardens and fish and seafood from the Alboran Sea.
It’s no surprise that you’ll find popular cuisine all along the coast: in the so-called “chiriguitos” Beach Bars (which, by the way, are a Malaga invention).
There’s no greater pleasure than sitting by the sea, with a cold beer and some fried fish or freshly grilled sardines on a skewer. Don’t miss it!
The coastal restaurants also specialize in international, fusion, and signature cuisine.
This pleasure is brought to its maximum refinement in the hands of the chefs in 9 Michelin-starred restaurants in the province of Malaga, namely in Marbella, Fuengirola, Ronda and Malaga.
Below the list for 2025. The Michelin gala for 2026 will be held at the end of November 2025; we are eager to find out who the winners are.
Michelin Star restaurants in Malaga 2025
Blossom * Malaga. Kaleja * Málaga. José Carlos García * Málaga. Sollo * Fuengirola. Messina * Marbella. Nintai * Marbella. Back * Marbella. Skina ** Marbella. Bardal ** Ronda
