The Costa del Sol lies in the Málaga Province of Andalusia and famously enjoys the warmest climate in Europe, with an average of 320 days of sunshine a year. In places, the coast has been disastrously overbuilt, but elsewhere, it remains enchanting, with villages of white houses perched on ridges overlooking the sea and world-class golf courses. The busy airport of Málaga-Costa del Sol is the gateway to the region, with regular flights from Madrid, Barcelona and other large European cities. Until recently, most arriving travelers would bypass Málaga and go to beach towns like Marbella or to luxurious resorts in the countryside. Now, though, a growing number of visitors head into Málaga itself. This is because the ancient and atmospheric port city has followed in the footsteps of Bilbao and Valencia in reinventing itself as an avant-garde art destination.

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