Camino del Sol: A Five-Day Coastal Walking Retreat from Málaga to Marbella

The retreat runs for five days along a single continuous route: Málaga to Marbella, hugging the Costa del Sol. Days are built around walking 12 to 20km at a pace that allows conversation — roughly four to six hours on foot, broken up by coffee stops, a swim, and lunch. The terrain is coastal path and beachfront, not mountain scrambling, so it suits anyone comfortable being on their feet for a good chunk of the day. Alex and Nenad lead every walk personally, which means route decisions, pacing and the occasional detour to a good swimming spot all come from the people who designed the itinerary.

The October 2026 edition runs 15 to 19 October, when the summer crowds have thinned and the sea is still warm enough to swim. March 2027 (3 to 7 March) is the same route in cooler spring weather — better for walkers who prefer not to sweat through the afternoons. May 2027 (12 to 16 May) lands in the sweet spot of long light evenings and warm water, with the days stretching out well past dinner.

What's different here is that it's genuinely founder-led — the company is small enough that Alex and Nenad are on the walk, not managing it from an office. Every booking starts with a discovery call rather than an instant checkout, so you talk to someone before you commit and they can tell you honestly whether the pace and distance suit you. There's no upsell, no rotating roster of freelance guides.

Each evening you arrive in a new town and check into a 3- or 4-star hotel that's already been booked for you. Dinners are typically tapas, taken as a group but with no obligation — some people peel off to eat alone, and that's fine. Breakfast is included every morning before the walk starts.

Croatia's Founder's Escape is a separate trip, run 28 September to 4 October 2026 on Rab Island in the Adriatic. That one's aimed at founders and business owners: island hiking, sea swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, boat trips including one to Goli Otok, outdoor training sessions, and long group dinners with a small room of other founders. It costs £2,450 per person and is a single exclusive edition rather than a recurring departure.

What's included

- 5 days of guided walking from Málaga to Marbella - Accommodation in 3- to 4-star hotels along the route - Breakfast every morning - Every guided walk led by founders Alex and Nenad Popovic - Founder-led support throughout the trip - Luggage transfers between hotels - Sea swim and coffee stops along the route - A discovery call before booking

What's not included

- Flights to and from Spain - Travel insurance - Lunches and dinners - Drinks - Personal expenses - Airport transfers - Optional activities not listed in the itinerary