Costa del Sol holidays all inclusive: where to stay and when

An all-inclusive board basis generally bundles your meals, usually buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner, with local drinks such as house wine, beer and soft drinks, plus snacks between meals. Premium spirits, branded drinks and à la carte dining are often extras, so read the board description on each deal before you book.

On a package, the flight, hotel and airport transfer come together, which is how most British travellers book all inclusive Costa del Sol stays. You can compare live package offers here from Jet2holidays, TUI, loveholidays and On the Beach, so if you were searching for Jet2 Costa del Sol all inclusive or TUI Costa del Sol all inclusive options, they sit side by side on this page.

The bigger resort towns are where you are most likely to find large, resort-style Costa del Sol all inclusive hotels. Torremolinos and Benalmádena, each with over 58,000 residents, are the closest to Málaga airport, and Benalmádena adds the Castillo Monumento Colomares for an afternoon out. Fuengirola, with more than 71,000 people, has the Castillo de Suel above its seafront.

Further west, Marbella is the largest resort on the coast, home to the King Abdelaziz Mosque, and Estepona and Manilva are quicker to reach from Gibraltar airport than from Málaga. To the east, Nerja is the base for the Cueva de Nerja, with Torrox, Torre del Mar and Rincón de la Victoria nearby. Wherever you stay, Málaga city puts the Cathedral, the Alcazaba, the Castle of Gibralfaro and Playa de La Malagueta within a day out.

For pool-and-sunbed weather, July and August are hottest, averaging highs of 33°C with barely any rain. June and September are a touch gentler at 28°C, and many travellers find these the most comfortable months for an all inclusive in Spain's south, with the Costa del Sol at its most reliable.

April and May bring 23°C to 25°C and few rainy days, and November still averages 22°C. October is the wettest month, with around 117mm of rain over ten days, and March is also showery. Winter highs of 17°C to 18°C suit those after mild sunshine rather than swimming weather.

Match your airport to your resort. Málaga is closest for Torremolinos, Málaga city, Benalmádena and Mijas, all within about 13 minutes. Gibraltar works for Manilva in 23 minutes, Estepona in 32 and Marbella in 51. Granada is 43 minutes from Nerja and 44 from Torrox, and Jerez is 73 minutes from Manilva. Short transfers matter when you are travelling with tired children.

For Costa del Sol all inclusive family hotels, check room sizes, kids' clubs and what the drinks package includes for younger guests. School-holiday weeks are usually priced higher, so if you are hunting for cheap all inclusive holidays to Costa del Sol, term-time dates in May, June or September are worth comparing. You can filter star ratings, including 5 star hotels with Costa del Sol all inclusive boards, and check hotel prices, tours and tickets, and car hire on this page.