Beaches
With temperatures soaring beaches are without doubt the place to be. The province of Málaga alone offers more than 300 kms of coastline with fine bars, restaurants and hotels that sit right on the seashore beneath arguably the best climate in Europe.
This excellent weather is in part due to the mountain range that
meets the sea and shields the Costa del Sol from the colder Northern
winds. This sheltered coast is shaped by a succession of long beaches, coves,
cliffs, marinas and fishing ports.
The overall quality of the beaches here is excellent. In most parts they
are cleaned everyday and offer a complete array of services including bars,
restaurants, showers, umbrellas, beach beds, children's parks and much more. If
you are looking for more secluded beaches you could try areas such as Nerja
where you will find some of the most beautiful beaches on the entire Costa
del Sol.
Blue Flag beaches
The 'Blue Flag' is awarded to beaches that have reached increasingly strick criteria and high standards for hygeine, security and environmental management. In order to qualify the beaches must comply with certain regulations including, Water Quality, Environmental Education and Information, Environmental management and certain Safety and Services issues. It is important to remember that each "Blue Flag" is only awarded for 1 season. For comprehensive information on all Blue Flag Beaches and Compliance please visit www.blueflag.org
In Spain there are no less than 455 beaches and 72 marinas which have been judged as having met these rigorous standards and deemed fit to be awarded with the blue flag.
The desirable blue flags will wave this summer in a total of 16 beaches and 5 ports in the province of Malaga.
Los Boliches beach in Fuengirola
Torreblanca - Las Gaviota beach in Fuengirola
Carvajal Beach- Fuengirola
El-Castillo Beach- Fuengirola
Sta Amallia Beach- Fuengirola
La Cala beach on Mijas-Costa
Guadalmina San Pedro beach in Marbella
Puerto banus Marina in Marbella
Marina Bajadilla in Marbella
Puerto Deportivo de la Duquesa Manilva Marbella
La Rada beach in Estepona
El Cristo beach in Estepona
El Padron beach in Estepona
Puerto Deportivo Puesquero de Estepona
Sabinillas beach – Manilva
Colonia beach in Sabinillas Manilva
El Palo-El Dedo beach in Málaga
La Malagueta beach in Málaga
Puerto Deportivo de Caleta de Velez - Velez Malaga
Burriana beach in Nerja
Torrecilla beach in Nerja
Located on the eastern Costa del Sol, picturesque Nerja is the largest resort east of Malaga and boasts around 10 miles of beaches. A small coastal path leads directly from the town centre past numerous sheltered, sandy coves to the unspoilt main. Burriana Beach with sunbeds for hire and several beach bars.
Once upon a time, La Carihuela belonged to Torremolinos and was its fishing area. Nowadays, located on its western outskirts, La Carihuela still retains its charm and quaintness with narrow streets, a lovely new pedestrian promenade lined with fabulous fish restaurants and an extensive stretch of sandy beach with beds and umbrellas for hire, pedaloes, windsurfing and bars with showers and toilets. Find it by heading down to Montemar/Carihuela in between Benalmadena Port and Torremolinos.
Bil Bil Beach is the main beach on Benalmadena Costa and is situated off the N340/A7, south of the town of Arroyo de la Miel and just west of Benalmadena port. Close by is the Bil Bil Castle, an attractive terracotta coloured replica Moorish Castle built on the promenade which houses a restaurant and bar and is the choice venue for many local weddings. The beach is well equipped with bars and restaurants, sunbed and umbrella hire, pedaloes and surfing. The main road behind is lined with apartments, shops, bars and restaurants and the attractive promenade provides a pleasant stroll or place to sit and watch the world go by.
Another popular beach on Benalmadena Costa is at Torrequebrada and access is from the N340/A7 via the huge building which is the Torrequebarada Hotel and Casino on the beach side. The beach has a couple of restaurants and bars with toilets and showers and all the usual facilities such as sunbed and umbrella hire, pedaloes and surfing. Parking is a little difficult in high season.
Benalnatura Beach is a fairly new nudist beach located in cove 1100 yards west of the Torrequebrada Casino and Hotel and accessed from the N340/A7. Good family atmosphere with beach bar but it gets busy at weekends.
Torremuelle Beach is well located just off the N340/A7 at the Torremuelle exit with several beach bars and restaurants close at hand. The sandy beach is not huge but is clean, safe and well equipped with sunbed and umbrella hire, pedaloes, toilets and showers. Parking on beach side is limited in high season but spaces available on other side of the road, with underpass access.
Carvajal Beach is the pleasant and reasonably quiet beach area at the far eastern end of Fuengirola, before it leads on to Benalmadena Costa. The locals make a beeline for it at weekends, and tend to arrive early! However, it is wide, clean and safe with plenty of restaurants and bars close at hand. Access it by getting on to the Paseo Maritimo at Torreblanca and turning left.
Torreblanca - Las Gaviotas Beach and the adjoining resort of Los Boliches both located on the eastern side of Fuengirola were first awarded the Blue Flag for their beaches in 2002. Wide expanses of sand stretching several miles from Fuengirola along to Carvajal attract holiday makers and locals alike and the facilities are first class. Plenty of beach bars and restaurants offering wonderful fish dishes and fresh char grilled sardines, sun bed and umbrella hire, toilets and beach showers. Water sports on offers include pedaloes, windsurfing and several locations for 5 a side football.
The Castillo (El Ejido) Beach is located below the old Moorish castle on the western side of Fuengirola. The river separates it from the Santa Amalia beach, Fuengirola’s longest stretch of sand. The parking is good, although high season it gets a bit congested and the beach is a favourite with the local residents. Many new beach bars and restaurants have sprung up here over the past season and a new hotel is presently under construction on the promenade behind. The estuary of the river is popular and children swim in the small shallow lake before it reaches the open sea. Nets and posts are on site for various ball games enjoyed by the locals, also sunbed and umbrella hire from the various bars.
Mijas Costa is the long stretch of coast between Fuengirola and Marbella along which many urbanisations have sprung up on the inland side of the N340/A7 and pedestrian bridges and under passes have been built to enable access to the many beaches. The majority of the beaches are sandy but fairly narrow. The urbanisations of Riviera del Sol and Calahonda all have access to great beaches where a beach bar or restaurant is never far away and they will all have toilets, sunbed and umbrella hire.
La Cala is a self contained resort located 4 ˝ miles or so west of Fuengirola on Mijas Costa that is full of Spanish charm and atmosphere. Take the La Cala exit off the N340/A7, park at the back of the town by the shops and walk down to the beach area. Nice sandy beaches, well equipped with many bars and restaurants close at hand. Fishing boats and nets on the beaches all add to the atmosphere of this very pleasant resort which unfortunately does get quite crowded during July and August. Well worth a visit so arrive early. Pedalo hire and some wind surfing.
Royal Beach is on Mijas Costa in the Sitio de Calahonda area. Access the beach by turning off the N340/A7 at Sitio de Calahonda and taking the narrow road down with Macdonalds on the left side. There is a car park and a flight of steps lead down to a fairly narrow beach with a restaurant and bar and sun bed and umbrella hire. Very popular at weekends when parking could become difficult.
Artola beach is located close to the Artola Hotel and Golf Club on the N340/A7 coast road east of Marbella. It is also known as Playa de las Dunas-Carib and is a naturist beach. It can be best accessed by the Cabopino exit off the N340/A7 and turning right into the sand dunes before arriving at the marina. You will see signs for Andres beach bar. Usual facilities with sunbed and umbrella hire and toilets.
The Marbesa beach is a long narrow stretch sand overlooked by the desirable residential area of Marbesa. There is no promenade here but it is popular with the locals for jogging and walking with plenty of parking. There is plenty of parking, a good choice of restaurants and bars some having sunbeds and umbrellas for hire. Take the Las Chapas exit off the N340/A7 and head down to the beach.
The three popular beaches of Real Zaragoza are located together around the Elviria area less than 200kms off the N340/A7 coast road, all have very good facilities with plenty of restaurants and beach bars and adequate parking. They are all reached down small roads through urbanisations and there is no promenade linking the three. Needless to say they do get busy during high season, especially at weekends with the locals but with daily cleaning, the beaches are safe and the atmosphere is always good.
The Rio Real beach (Playa Rio Real) is located in front of the Rio Real Golf course, stretching down to the sea at the Torre Real exit just east of Marbella. Turn off the N340/A7 coast road and follow signs down to the beach past the old Moorish watchtower. At the bottom there is plenty of parking and access to the beach. The beach boasts a first class restaurant and bar, with pool and gardens and from where you can hire sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach. Pedalo hire and windsurfing are available.
Funny Beach, advertised by a giant sized Coca Cola can on the beach side just east of Marbella town has a variety of water sports available such as jet ski hire, canoe and pedalo hire and wind surfing. For children and adults they also have go karting, trampolines, and many other amusements. The beach itself (Playa del Pinillo) is quite narrow, but safe and clean with toilet, restaurant and bar facilities. There is no promenade as such, but the beach can be accessed directly off the N340/A7 coast road and parking is available on site.
One of Marbella’s fine beaches, Venus Beach is located to the east of the sporting marina. A pleasant promenade overlooks the beach, and houses many popular restaurants and bars that are full to bursting point during the high season months. The beach is clean and safe with excellent facilities including toilets and showers, sunbed and umbrella hire, jet-ski and speed boat hire close by from the marina, pedalos and wind surfing. Try to park in the Avd. Puerta del Mar or Plaza de la Victoria car parks just off Marbella’s main street and walk down to the beach.
Playa Fontanilla is the very popular beach lying west of the sporting marina and connecting with the Playa Casablanca, together they stretch almost to the western side of Marbella town. A lovely promenade overlooks this extensive stretch of coast, which offers clean safe bathing and excellent facilities. Plenty of restaurants and bars with toilets, showers and the usual sunbed and umbrella hire. Water sports such as speed boat and jet ski hire are available from the marina but windsurfing and pedalo hire centres are located at various centres along the beach. Access beach from any side street off Marbella main street between the Hotel Skol and the Hotel Don Pepe.
Marbella's Golden Mile is without doubt the place to be seen with its beaches, world famous hotels (including Puente Romano Hotel) and designer shops. The golden mile coastline is made up from many different beaches between Marbella and Puerto Banus and is flanked by a recently built promenade with is many beach bars dotted along the way. These beaches have held the Blue Flag since 1992. If you feel like treating yourself, why not spend a day relaxing in the Marbella Club Beach Club.
Playa Puerto Banus is another very popular beach and without doubt the place to be seen! Protected to the west by the marina jetty, it stretches along to the east and is overlooked by the Marbella Club. If the beach was crowded you might be tempted to spend a day at its beach club and rub shoulders with the rich and famous. If not, then be prepared for a crowded beach. Lots of bars and restaurants close at hand and the usual facilities. Parking best under the El Corte Ingles Store or the public car park in Puerto Banus – the latter is quite expensive.
The Rio Verde Beach is situated just a
10-15 minutes walk to the west, to Puerto Banus. Puerto Banus is the ideal place
for an exclusive selection of designer shops, restaurants and nightlife
entertainment , together with an incredible display of yachts and pleaseure
boats in the Marina.
To the east, towards Marbella town at a distance, the
beach is mostly boarded by a relaxing promenade and leads you along the 'Golden
Mile' streach of beaches with its array of top grade Hotels, beach bars and
beach clubs along the way. . Windsurfing and pedalo hire are available as well
as jet ski and speed boat hire, at selected beach areas on this part of the
Marbella coastline.
The Nueva Andalucia Beach is situated a 15 minute stroll west of Puerto Banus and is sandy and well equipped. Several beach clubs overlook the beach, including the Moosh Moosh at Villamarina and although not a formal promenade, it is an easy walk into Puerto Banus to enjoy the nightlife and shopping. A good choice of beach restaurants and bars with toilets, showers and sunbed and umbrella hire. Windsurfing and pedalo hire available and jet ski and speed boat hire from the marina itself.
The Atalaya Beach is located on the eastern
outskirts of the Estepona district and is easily accessed by exiting the N340/A7
at the 'Benahavis' turn off and then taking the route to the Hotel Atalaya Park
in Atalaya Baja.
This section of beach is used by the visitors to the Golf
Hotel Atalaya Park, but is also open to the public in general. Tucked into a
small bay, the Atalaya beach is great for all ages including families and, due
to the close proximity of the hotel, there is a variety of watersports
available. There are also various beach bars along this stretch, which, in
season, offer typical beach type food varying from snacks or a choice of fish
and salads, to full 'paella' lunches.
The lovely Guadalmina Beach is overlooked by the fabulous Guadalmina Golf Course and Hotel on the western outskirts of San Pedro de Alcantara and has excellent facilities and a clean safe beach with many restaurants and bars close at hand. There is the usual sun bed and umbrella hire and varied water sports and activities available from the hotel such as windsurfing, jet skiing, speed boats and pedalos. Reach the beach by turning off the N340/A7 just before the concrete arch travelling west out of San Pedro.
Situated on the N340/A7 coast road east of Estepona, Hacienda Beach is close to the luxury Las Dunas Hotel which has all manner of water sports and leisure activities on offer. The beach is clean, safe and well equipped with a variety of restaurants and bars, toilets, sun bed and umbrella hire and beach showers.
Located just east of Estepona, El Padron Beach is a popular stretch of sandy beach with several beach bars and restaurants and facilities such as sun bed and umbrella hire. The luxury Hotel Kempinski overlooks the beach on the N340/A7 coast road and offers many water sports and activities, such as boating, diving and snorkelling, wind surfing and pedalos.
San Pedro is an attractive market town with its centre lying around 1100 yards from the coast on the N340/A7. San Pedro Beach is one of a series of long clean sandy beaches running from Puerto Banus to Guadalmina. Beaches near San Pedro Alcantara have long wide tree-shaded promenades, children’s playgrounds and plenty of beach bars and fish restaurants. The promenade and beach areas are attractive with good safe bathing and sports facilities.
Santa Marta Beach (also known as Benamara Beach) is located on the eastern outskirts of
Estepona just 2 miles west of San Pedro de Alcantara close to the established
residential area of El Pilar. The beach is easily reached by taking the
pedestrian footbridge located across from the Benavista shopping centre, close
to the Santa Marta Hotel.
Santa Marta is generally a quiet beach except for
the high season of course and is a regular meeting spot for frequent visitors to
the coast. The beach has sunbeds for hire and a beach bar/restautant ideall for
snacks and meals alike with paellas and seafood the specialities.
The main beach at Estepona is the Playa de la Rada, a fine long and wide stretch of sand overlooked by a pleasant tree lined promenade with gardens and children play areas with many restaurants and bars to choose from. The beach was first awarded the Blue Flag in 2002 and has excellent facilities. There is parking along the promenade although in high season it gets quite busy. Other public parking close by. Another beach in Estepona is the Blue Flag Playa El Cristo found just to the west of the town and within easy walking distance of the town and the marina. Located in a cove it is a west facing beach, with bars, showers and parking.
The nudist beach at Costa Natura Estepona was Spain’s original purpose built complex which is completely walled and private. It can be found on the N340/A7 just to the west of Estepona and has a roomy car park just off the main road. Daily membership is available.
Sabinillas is a fairly large coastal town located on the N340/A7 coast road in between the exits for the inland villages of Casares and Manilva. Not regarded as a holiday resort, the long sandy beaches are popular with the locals and those that know about them with good facilities including bed and umbrella hire. A real Spanish town with good shopping and a weekly market that is well worth visiting for its beach and typical bars and restaurants serving exquisite fish dishes. No promenade as such but plenty of parking in the little side streets leading down to the beach.
Sotogrande at the far western end of the Costa del Sol and close to Gibraltar, is a top venue for golf and polo. It also boasts a fabulous marina with wildlife marshland and is a luxury beach resort. The fine beach club backs on to the wide sandy beach which is safe and clean for bathing and taking the sun. At the beach club there are many water sports and activities available, including pedalos, jet skis, speed boats, windsurfing, childens games and competitions, tennis and golf. Also on site are excellent restaurant and bar facilities.