How to Spend Three Perfect Days in Spain’s Costa del Sol
Spain’s southern coast, the Costa del Sol region, knows how to win guests over. With its laid-back luxury (think sun-soaked beaches and yachts bobbing on the sea) and impossibly fresh food offerings, it’s a no-brainer for those wanting a Spanish stop that’s decidedly low-key. If you’re looking for a short, relaxing stop in between city-hopping along the Mediterranean (perhaps on your way from Barcelona to Marrakesh), Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol is the ultimate home base to spend a restful few days.
The sprawling seaside retreat is where contemporary design meets the easygoing spirit of the region. Opened in early 2025, the hotel is located on the Mediterranean coast and features stunning views of the sea stretching out toward Gibraltar and Morocco. It’s the kind of hotel that makes a compelling argument for doing very little at all. But when you do feel like venturing out, some of the region’s most alluring experiences are right on its doorstep. Here’s how to spend a few days exploring Spain’s southern coast.
The Itinerary
Day One
The spa at Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol. Photography courtesy of Fairmont
The best way to arrive is with a blank to-do list. Fairmont La Hacienda’s sleek, modern architecture is softened by the surrounding landscape—with sea views that follow you from the moment you arrive—and the natural hues and organic textiles throughout the hotel.
Ease into your first morning with one of the hotel’s wellness offerings. A sunrise yoga or Pilates class overlooking the water is a fitting introduction to the area. Then, find a lounger by the pool, retreat to the private plunge pool outside your villa suite (if you’re staying in one) or wander down to the beach for a swim. When hunger calls, settle into the beach restaurant, La Cala de la Hacienda, for lunch. Fresh seafood, colourful salads and unfussy flavours are best enjoyed by the sea, after all.
Spend the afternoon at the spa, where a signature massage followed by the hydrotherapy circuit (steam room, hot tubs, saltwater pool and cold plunge) offers the sort of reset that only a vacation can promise. Or, if a round of golf is what you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. The hotel’s property is home to two award-winning courses set between rolling hills and the bright blue sea. Come sunset, make your way to Il Faro for dinner. The restaurant’s menu puts the region’s exceptional produce front and centre, while the views do their own heavy lifting.
Day Two
Rosa’s Café. Photography courtesy of Fairmont
If Fairmont La Hacienda is an exercise in slowing down, Sotogrande offers a glimpse of the Costa del Sol at its most radiant. Just a short drive from the resort, the exclusive enclave has long attracted an international crowd thanks to its marina, golf courses and famous polo scene. It feels undeniably glamorous without trying too hard.
Start at Sotogrande Marina, where stunning yachts sit alongside boutiques, cafés and waterfront restaurants. Take your time wandering the harbour and popping into its cute seaside shops, like Atipika and Itsomi, to browse irresistible resortwear. Make sure to stop for lunch at Rosa’s Café; the pastel-soaked Instagram-ready spot serves wholesome fare with a brunch sensibility (think iced matcha, colourful lunch bowls and fruit-filled pastries), making it an ideal place to settle in for a relaxed midday meal before heading back to the hotel.
In the evening, make sure dinner is at Umbra, the hotel’s lively plant-filled patio restaurant, where seasonal ingredients and contemporary takes on Mediterranean classics keep the focus firmly on the region. Make sure to linger over a nightcap with the coastline illuminated below. Don’t miss the spicy cocktail offerings, but be warned that the bartenders don’t skimp on the heat.
Day Three
Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol. Photography courtesy of Fairmont
On day three, trade the sea for the mountains. The journey to Castellar de la Frontera takes you inland through a landscape of forests, rolling hills and rugged countryside. Perched within a beautifully preserved medieval fortress, the hilltop village of Castellar de la Frontera feels cinematic, with narrow cobblestoned streets, whitewashed homes and sweeping views. Spend the morning wandering the fortress and exploring the village at your leisure. Pause at the viewpoints, browse the artisan shops and take in the details of a corner of Andalusia that feels worlds away from the resort’s contemporary glamour. If you’re ready to get your steps in, the surrounding countryside offers scenic hiking routes that you won’t regret exploring.
For the final evening, make a reservation at Dalmar, the resort’s upscale restaurant led by two-Michelin-starred chef Benito Gómez. Here, a warm and cozy atmosphere goes hand in hand with incredible techniques and ingredients. Ask the staff about the restaurant’s amazing signature olive oil, La Oliva Roja. They’ll be thrilled to tell you how it’s produced exclusively from a Spanish olive grove reserved just for Chef Gómez. The wine pairings are equally thoughtful, with Dalmar’s sommelier selecting and presenting herbaceous, surprising wines designed to complement each course—like a sherry that is almost perfume-like in its flavour notes. Each stunning dish is accompanied by a story about its ingredients, its origins or the landscape that produced it.
Before heading to your next Mediterranean destination, use the Costa del Sol as a great reminder that the best vacation highlights are in the quiet times in between buzzing plans. The luxury of the Spanish coast is measured not in how much you can fit into a trip but in how easily you can forget to look at the clock.
This article first appeared in FASHION’s October 2026 issue. Read more stories from FASHION’s October 2026 issue and subscribe to the print issue here.
