Estepona’s exquisite botanical garden sprawls across 1,000 square metres and houses 1,300 species of orchid from around the world. This astonishing modern complex lies beneath three vast glass domes and is home to a bamboo forest, lake, and 15-metre-high waterfall – in addition to thousands of tropical and native plant species.

On the Costa Del Sol there’s plenty to keep kids happy beyond the beaches and pools. Benalmádena is home to Tivoli World, an amusement park with rollercoasters and fairground rides that regularly holds entertainment shows. Nearby you’ll find two aquariums where you can enjoy sea life shows and, in neighbouring Torremolinos, a large water park.

For wildlife enthusiasts, the ideal day trip from the Costa Del Sol is the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park. Situated north of Marbella, this nature reserve is known for its limestone mountains and caves, pine forests, olive groves, and scenic hilltop villages. Spend a day hiking through the park, and marvel at the panoramic views and Moorish ruins.

As the entry point for the Costa Del Sol, there’s every reason to spend some time in vibrant, historic city of Malaga. There’s plenty to see and do here, but if you’re an art enthusiast you can’t miss a trip to the Picasso Museum. Picasso was born in Malaga, and this excellent gallery contains over 200 of his works.

Marbella’s star attraction is its spectacular marina, which borders a sheltered stretch of golden beach. This luxury shopping and dining complex, which frequently attracts international celebrities, is the ideal place to spend an afternoon. Sip champagne in a waterside bar, shop in designer boutiques, and dine al fresco watching yachts and luxury cars come and go.