Costa del Sol is predicted to experience its largest tourism boom in history, powered by the powerful combination of luxury hotel expansion, world-class culture, and gastronomic excellence.
The authoritative forecast comes courtesy of the prestigious publication Condé Nast Traveler, which has named the Malaga province destination as one of the top ten must-visit places across Spain and Portugal for 2026.
According to the magazine, the region is bracing for an even more “dazzling year” and a “new dawn” that will firmly set its status as a must-visit of 2026. The primary catalyst is a significant increase in high-end hospitality. The coastline is welcoming several landmark luxury openings, including a highly anticipated Four Seasons property in Marbella and The Meliá Collection in Estepona. The infusion of premium accommodation is transforming the area into an undisputed centre of Mediterranean glamour.
What’s the draw? Culture, cuisine and the place to be seen
Other than luxury stays, the region’s hip cultural scene is playing an equally major role in drawing international visitors. Malaga city, the cultural heart, continues to boast the world-respected Picasso Museum and the lively, yet authentic atmosphere of the Malaga Feria. While major future projects like the CaixaForum Malaga are planned for 2027, the current artistic landscape and lively cultural street life are already a massive draw. The magazine notes that the combination of culture and a highly enviable lifestyle makes the area “eternal yet always changing.”
Gastronomy is the third pillar of this predicted boom. The publication heaps praise on the Michelin-starred dining scene, highlighting Blossom, Kaleja, and José Carlos García in the capital, along with Sollo in Fuengirola, as establishments that offer both culinary excellence and social currency.
Malaga airport readies itself
Malaga Airport (AGP) is already responding to this surging tide of visitors, with major expansion plans due to the exponential rise in traffic clear for everyone to see. Post-pandemic recovery saw passenger numbers rebound dramatically, from under 9 million in 2021 to over 18.4 million in 2022 (nearing the 2019 pre-COVID benchmark of 19.8 million). By 2024, the airport broke all records, welcoming nearly 25 million passengers, a figure projected to be surpassed again by the end of 2025.
In another interesting turn, the visitor demographic is noticeably changing. While the British remain the most faithful visitors to Malaga, followed closely by Germany and the Netherlands/France, the fastest-growing demographic is from the United States. Facilitated by new direct flight connections, American visitor numbers saw increases of over 26 per cent in 2024, which indicates a major shift in the region’s core audience.
Every major town along the coast is set to benefit, from the glitzy nightlife of Marbella, dubbed the “thermometer of Mediterranean glamour,” to the authenticity and warmth found in Torremolinos and Benalmadena. With all these stars aligning, 2026 looks certain to surpass all previous tourism records, firmly establishing the Costa del Sol as the global travel powerhouse of the Mediterranean.