It's a great place to base yourself.
Spanish buses are very reasonable, the drivers are helpful and usually speak basic English. There is a destination screen inside at the front of the bus, and they have air conditioning. You could go along west the coast to Torremolinos, (cheap and cheerful), Marbella, (posh, expensive but interesting), Gibraltar, (a bit further, nearly two hours, but would be a shame to miss it. Bus to La Linea, then walk across the border. Don't forget your passport. Gibraltar a is densely packed mini-Britain, with pubs, bobbies, a cable car to the top of the rock and the famous Babary apes.)
Go inland to the fabulous city of Granada (about 2 hours by bus or train. It is a beautiful city with loads to see and should not be missed.)
All in all this is a most interesting part of Spain and you will find loads to do or see.
I always visit the charity shops before I go on holiday and pick up a load of travel guides. Rough Guides and Lonely Planet are the most comprehensive but DK Eyewitness Travel are the most beautifully illustrated. Read up beforehand and then just take one which you feel fits the bill best. You want one with lots of maps.
Go, have a lovely time, and you'll find yourself going back again and again.