I worked on the Costa del Sol in the early seventies. The coast road was dark and more like a track. Quite desolate between the towns and villages. When I went back there about 5 years ago I was mortified. Benalmadena used to be a little fishing village!!
I agree with jj - Alvor is a great place for lunch/dinner. The seafood is still twitching it is so fresh.
A word of warning about chicken piri piri. I had a meal of this, contracted a mild bout of food poisoning and came home pregnant. You have been warned.