A stroll along the promenade, or ‘paseo marítimo’, is one of the many joys that come with living in the Spanish Costas. The choice is endless, but here’s a pick of resorts with a prom perfect for enjoying Spain’s fantastic lifestyle…

Estepona, Costa del Sol
Family-friendly and with lots of Spanish charm, Estepona’s palm-fringed and beautifully kept Pedro Manrique promenade is a highlight of the resort. Dotted along the prom and with views across the broad beaches is a choice of laid-back bars and traditional chiringuito restaurants, ideal spots for a drink or meal of fresh fish.

Estepona, located beyond Marbella in the western half of the Costa del Sol, escaped the mass tourism that typify other resorts further east. It is often dubbed ‘The Garden of the Costa del Sol’, thanks to the pretty floral landscaping there. Meanwhile, its charming old town, complete with shady plazas, and working fishing port, has helped it retain a traditional feel, complemented by the newer developments along its beachfront. Still popular with Spaniards, as well as increasing numbers of foreigners, interest in Estepona has risen significantly in recent years, but prices are yet to catch up with the more international resorts around Marbella.

Torre del Mar, Costa del Sol
Half an hour east of Málaga in the less developed eastern part of the Costa del Sol, Torre del Mar has a gloriously flat promenade that stretches for four kilometres, making it one of the longest in southern Spain.

The calm, clean beaches that its follows are complemented by a picturesque backdrop of sugar cane plantations and the low mountains of the Axarquía province, dotted with distant white villages.

Torre was traditionally a working town that grew out of the local fruit industry, which has helped it keep an authentic feel and still today it is very popular with Spanish people. Apartments on one of the small beachfront complexes or detached villas 15 minutes’ or so walk from the seafront are popular property options. Meanwhile, just over the E-15 motorway is the Spanish market town of Velez-Malaga, gateway to Axarquía and with a charming old town.

Mojácar Playa, Almería
The lesser developed Costa Almería in the eastern corner of Andalusia is blessed with Mojácar Playa, a low-rise beach resort that describes a collection of several kilometres of unspoilt Blue Flag beaches.

Five minutes’ drive inland from the central point of the resort is the picturesque white town of Mojácar Pueblo, popular with artists and bohemian types over the years, and still one of Almería’s most treasured destinations.

Ongoing investment is seeing Mojácar Playa’s promenade upgraded, in particular its northern section towards Garrucha. An especially popular stretch is at Ventanicas Playa, where there is a great selection of Spanish, British and International bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues, many of which stay open all year round.

Puerto del Mazarrón and Los Alcázares, Murcia
A highlight of Murcia’s Costa Cálida is the seaside town Puerto del Mazarrón, a traditional harbour town with a history in tuna fishing built around a collection of bays.

The long palm-fringed promenade there tracks the town’s main beach and bay, down to the harbour and marina – especially nice for evening strolls, after which there is a headland complete with lighthouse. Shops, restaurants and pretty old buildings line the promenade.

Still in Murcia, a popular alternative could be Los Alcázares and neighbouring Los Narejos, which together have a beachfront and promenade that runs for several kilometres along the calm warm waters of the Mar Menor lagoon.

Calpe, Costa Blanca
Overlooked by the landmark Peñon de Ifach Rock, an outcrop that rises dramatically out of the sea, Calpe is a resort that ticks just about every box.

It boasts a high-rise seafront, pretty white-washed old town, fishing and leisure harbour and two beachfronts, one either side of the famous Rock and each with its own fantastic promenade.

Calpe’s beaches aren’t especially wide too, which means you’re never far from the water when you taking a stroll or dining at one of the waterfront restaurants. In recent years the resort has forged a name for itself as a gastro destination, with more than Michelin star restaurants.