Málaga International Athletics Meeting

Each June the city's athletics stadium hosts a proper meet on the World Athletics calendar, with international names lining up alongside Spain's best. You get the full spread in one programme: sprints decided in a blink, the slow-building tension of the middle-distance races, jumpers thumping down the runway, and the throws out on the infield. It's the kind of fixture where you can sit close enough to hear the spikes and the coaches' shouts.

Best of all, it's free to walk in, so there's no faff with tickets. Bring water and a hat — June on the coast stays warm. Good fun for kids, and an easy break from the beach if you fancy watching some quick, clean competition.