26 Best Beaches in Malaga

Author’s Note: I’ve been travelling to Spain for 30 years, both professionally and on family vacations, with some of my favorite European beaches in southern Spain, including Nerja’s Playa de Maro.  

Malaga’s beaches are among the most dazzling in Spain. Located on the mainland’s south coast, in beautiful Andalusia, Malaga’s shores are bathed in the soul-soothing glow of the Mediterranean with nearly year-round sunshine.

From quaint coves perfect for relaxing to glorious buzzing stretches made for swimming and socializing, this portion of the Costa del Sol offers first-class facilities and postcard-worthy scenery.

Read on to uncover the best beaches in Malaga worth visiting on your next Spanish adventure.

Bajondillo Beach, Torremolinos

In the popular vacation resort of Torremolinos, Bajondillo Beach is a long strip of flour-soft sand backed by a busy promenade of restaurants, bars, and shops.

One of the best beaches in the Mediterranean, Bajondillo is family-friendly, with a children’s play area, while active beachgoers will enjoy the array of watersports, including pedalo boats, jet skis, and kayaks on offer.

Take part in a volleyball match on the sand or simply enjoy the slow pace of Costa del Sol life by kicking back on a sun lounger.

Calahonda Beach, La Cala de Mijas

Calahonda Beach is located in La Cala de Mijas, a seafront town halfway between Marbella and Fuengirola. It’s in the district of Mijas, one of the most beautiful places in Spain.

La Cala de Mijas, once a small fishing village, is an elegant resort with a superb selection of restaurants within a short walk from the beach.

The town is also home to four historic towers—Calaburras Tower, Torre de Calahonda, Battery Torre La Cala del Moral, and New Tower of La Cala del Moral—built between the 16th and 19th centuries as lookout posts.

The two-and-a-half mile golden beach is an idyllic spot for swimming and sunbathing. You could also join a boat trip departing from the harbor to go in search of pods of dolphins cruising the sparkling Mediterranean.

Author’s Note: Calahonda Beach will always be a firm favorite of mine as it was the very first beach we took our son to. He was only six months old at the time and we were staying with family who live in Mijas, and they brought us down to Calahonda Beach. I have a very clear memory of my husband holding our son with his tiny feet swinging in the shallow water and him playing in the sand, which, naturally, he couldn’t get enough of. 

Punta Chullera Beach, Manilva

On the border of Málaga and Cádiz, Punta Chullera Beach offers delicious crystal-clear water and a backdrop of ochre-colored rock formations.

Typically quieter than the central Malaga beaches, Punta Chullera is well-suited to anyone keen for a relaxing and peaceful day at the seaside.

Once you’ve experienced the salty tang of the sea, visit the remains of the Nasrid-era watchtower to the south of the beach, or savor a selection of Andalusian tapas at one of Manilva’s quaint restaurants.

Burriana Beach, Nerja

Jet skiing, parasailing, and pedal boating are just some of the thrilling activities you could try on a visit to Burriana, Nerja’s largest beach. One of the best beach towns in Spain, Nerja lies on the easternmost stretch of the Costa del Sol, about 45 minutes’ drive from Malaga.

Burriana’s central slither offers sun loungers and umbrellas, while other sections are free for beachgoers to lay their towels directly on the sand.

Wander to the far north section of the beach to find a sun-dappled patch beneath Nerja’s craggy cliffs and soak up the warm glow of the Mediterranean.

There is no shortage of restaurants—many specializing in Mediterranean seafood—lining the beach’s promenade, along with a selection of souvenir stores selling everything from postcards to beach gear.

El Palo Beach

El Palo, a short drive east from the center of Malaga, is a sandy sweep of four crescent-shaped beaches.

A palm tree-lined promenade with gardens connects each section of soft sand and you’ll see a monument dedicated to 20th-century Spanish author Emilio Prados.

Facilities for visitors to El Palo are excellent, with bathrooms, showers, sunbeds, parasols, a children’s play area, and a wealth of options for eating and drinking. The beach is popular with locals, so has a less commercial feel about it.

Playa La Malagueta

This golden, Blue Flag-awarded strip is one of the most popular beaches in Malaga, thanks to  its central location.

You’ll find bathrooms, a children’s playground, an inflatable water park, and ample space for bathers here.

Playa La Malagueta’s promenade is lined with tall palm trees and dotted with restaurants and beach bars, while the southwest tip of the beach is marked by the snow-white La Farola de Málaga lighthouse.

Combine a visit to the creamy sand of Playa La Malagueta with some of Malaga’s world-beating cultural sights. The Center Pompidou Malaga is a contemporary museum housed in what looks like a giant glass Rubik’s cube. An offshoot of the original in Paris, it’s located just moments from the beach.

Sea Museum Alborania is the city’s maritime museum, containing an aquarium and research center where you could observe over 500 animals, with around 100 types of sea-life species. A highlight is the Turtle Patio, where travelers can experience Spain’s nature and meet convalescing turtles.

The Alcazaba and the Spanish castle of Gibralfaro, Picasso Museum, and the Cathedral of Málaga are also within a short walk from the beach.

If you’re eager to relax, take a sunbed and stretch out on this fabulous beach, cooling off with a regular swim in the tranquil Mediterranean.

Author’s Note: I’ve visited Playa La Malagueta several times and always enjoy this beach for its close proximity to the center of Malaga. If you’re visiting in summer, my tip is to arrive early to snag a prime spot. Then, as the temperature heats up and after you’ve dried off and dusted the sand off, find a table at a local restaurant — outside, but in the shade — such as at Chiringuito El Cachalote. It’s worth booking a table in advance, especially if you’re visiting during peak season. 

Playa Pedregalejo

Lying on Malaga’s eastern shore, Pedregalejo is a small, curved patch with a more untouched feel than some of the city’s larger beaches.

A cluster of palm trees adds some shade to this sand and shingle urban beach.

Pedregalejo boasts a fantastic seafood restaurant, El Balneario, where you could enjoy a selection of freshly-prepared dishes, such as grilled sardines, skewered squid, and fragrant paella.

A regular bus service operates from the center of Malaga stopping at Pedregalejo Beach, which takes around 15 minutes.

Playa de La Caleta

The Blue Flag Playa de La Caleta is a gorgeous swathe of honey-colored sand between Playa Pedregalejo and La Malagueta, close to the center of Malaga.

Sun loungers, thatched parasols, and a handful of chiringuitos—the name given to casual beach bars, offering snacks, tapas, and drinks—are found on the sprawling Playa de La Caleta.

Additional amenities include a children’s play area, fitness areas, and pedal boats for hire.

Playa Peñón Del Cuervo

Playa Peñón del Cuervo is named after the hulking rock formation that rises from the water, dividing the beach into two sections.

Hire a bicycle in Malaga and cycle to Playa Peñón del Cuervo on the dedicated paths. The four-and-a-half mile coastal route takes around 30 minutes to cycle.

Carry water and snacks and enjoy regular breaks on the benches dotted along the route to gaze at the spectacular views of the sapphire-blue Mediterranean Sea.

As there are few restaurants immediately near Playa Peñón del Cuervo, pack a picnic to enjoy when you arrive.

Playa De La Misericordia

The dark sandy beach of Misericordia is one of the largest and most characterful in Malaga, identified by its long promenade and tall red-brick chimney, Chimenea de Los Guindos.

Playa de la Misericordia is also known for a phenomenon called Ola del Melillero—the Melillero Wave. This small tidal wave sweeps the beach during summer, caused by the passing ferry to and from Melilla, an autonomous Spanish city perched on the tip of north Africa.

Join the beach’s surf school for a lesson or hire a paddleboard to glide on the water – paying attention to the possibility of the wave coming. There’s a playground and several bars and restaurants right on the beach, too.

After exploring Playa de la Misericordia, enjoy a stroll in the wide-open space of Parque del Oeste. Nestled behind the beach, Parque del Oeste boasts a central lake, 45 sculptures and statues, and leafy picnic areas.

Playa de Maro, Nerja

Malaga’s beaches don’t get more serene than this charming cove, sheltered on the edge of the verdant Los Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Park.

Overlooked by a 16th-century Moorish watchtower, Playa de Maro is an unspoiled grainy beach accessed via a winding path from the road above.

If you plan to take a taxi, ask your driver to pull over at the lookout point, Mirador de Impacto, to witness the stunning views of the glittering Mediterranean and this rugged section of the Costa del Sol in Southern Spain.

Begin your visit on an exhilarating hike in the surrounding natural park before cooling down with a dip in the calm turquoise sea. A fishing ban here means the water is filled with colorful marine life, including groupers, corals, sea anemones, and sponges.

You could also hire a canoe or kayak to discover the nearby sea caves and a plunging waterfall. With limited facilities on the beach, ensure you’re equipped with food and drinks.

Playa De La Rada, Estepona

The one-and-a-half mile Playa de La Rada is a delightful beach in the sun-kissed resort of Estepona, to the west of Malaga.

Playa de La Rada is well-suited to families, with soft sand for building sand castles, sun loungers and umbrellas, restaurants, watersports, and a play park.

Amble along the photogenic palm tree-fringed Paseo Marítimo, which runs parallel to Playa de La Rada.

Extend your walk into the cobbled streets of Estepona’s splendid whitewashed old town, stopping by the flower-filled Plaza de las Flores. Browse the many boutiques and galleries before relaxing at one of Estepona’s bars and restaurants.

El Salón Beach, Nerja

Paddle in the gentle waves of the lapping Mediterranean on Salón Beach in the laid-back town of Nerja.

Accessed via a steep ramp, El Salón Beach might be small, but it’s well equipped with showers, sun loungers, and a kiosk for refreshments.

To the east of El Salón Beach is Nerja’s Balcón de Europa (Balcony of Europe), an observation deck featuring a statue of King Alfonso XII. It’s well worth the climb to the top for the extraordinary views and to see the street performers and artists that often line the balcony.

A bus operates from Malaga city center to Nerja roughly every 30 minutes. If you’re on a tight schedule, check the timetable ahead of your visit.

Playa de Huelin

Playa de Huelin lies to the west of Malaga’s bustling port, within walking distance of the center.

Good-looking and with plentiful space for its throngs of visitors, Playa de Huelin epitomizes Malaga beaches.

The wide, tree-lined avenues that lead off the beach offer drinking and dining options. The Collection of the Russian Museum, the Automobile Museum of Malaga, and the leafy Parque de Huelin offer plenty to do in the neighborhood.

Following a languid morning spent on the beach, sit down for a long lunch at the modern seafront restaurant Bagazo on Paseo de Antonio Machado.

Playa de Nagüeles, Marbella

On the western edge of the glamorous resort of Marbella, Playa de Nagüeles is a marvelous beach that lies in the shadow of the towering Sierra Blanca mountains.

This luscious beach draws crowds for its pristine, golden sand. Take your vacation to a new level of luxury by chartering a yacht from the beachside vendor, with various-sized boats available for hire by the hour. Alternatively, opt for an invigorating swim from the silky shore in the warm Mediterranean water.

If the sea air has helped you work up an appetite, dine at the stylish MC Beach, part of the upmarket Marbella Club. Feast upon a gorgeous gazpacho, a selection of fried local fish, and plump, grilled tiger shrimp.

Playa De La Caleta, Nerja

Nerja’s breathtaking Playa de la Caleta is one of the best beaches in Malaga for its remote feel.

Snuggled beneath the Maro cliffs and a grassy hiking trail, this sun-baked idyll is reached via a rustic path lined with dense Mediterranean shrubs.

Playa De La Caleta is a relaxed spot that is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

Drink in the beach’s beauty before visiting the Nerja Caves. If you’re feeling active, you could walk to the caves. The one-mile route is mostly uphill, cutting through Nerja’s elegant whitewashed houses and passing an attractive ancient church.

One of the best things to do in Malaga is visit the hauntingly beautiful Nerja Caves, home to unique columns, gours, stalagmites, and stalactites. The caves also contain rock paintings thought to date from the Upper Paleolithic and recent ancient times, though these are currently off-limits to visitors.

After you’ve explored the caves, hop on the red Cave Train to connect with the center of Nerja. The trolley-like street car also stops at Verano Azul Park, Plaza de España, and Maro Square.

If you’ve time to spare, call into the Nerja Cave Museum in Plaza de España to learn about the caves’ backstory, including how they were discovered by accident in 1959.

Playa del Cristo, Estepona

This curving sandy beach unravels almost half a mile next to Estepona’s marina, around a one-hour drive west of Malaga.

Playa del Cristo’s sheltered sand is perfect for kids to play and build sandcastles. The water is clear and gentle and ideal for cooling off in the summer’s heat.

Rent watersports equipment from the beach vendor, including kayaks, paddleboards, and electric jet surfboards that can whizz across the waves up to 30 miles per hour. This popular beach also has lounge chairs, parasols, and daybeds.

Two beach bars, Havana and Lolailo, serve Spanish food and drinks, including bowls of paella and fresh squid, with tables in the shade and on the sandy terrace.

Playa de Cabopino, Marbella

This sun-kissed sand is one of the most coveted spots in southern Spain for its gorgeous dunes and unspoilt feel, with a naturist section.

Stretching almost 4,000 feet, Playa de Cabopino lies on the edge of the Dunes of Artola, a protected dune system with a network of timber boardwalks. Wander among the dunes and you might spot chameleons, red‑tailed spiny-footed lizards, and little ringed plovers.

The Dunes of Artola is also home to Torre Ladrones, a 49-foot watchtower—the tallest on Malaga’s coastline—constructed in the 1400s.

At the eastern end of Playa de Cabopino you’ll find a cluster of bars and restaurants next to a small marina. Pedal boats with twisting slides can be rented from the shore.

Author’s Note: I adore this Costa del Sol beach as it can feel like a completely undiscovered shoreline, away from the crowds. If you visit outside of summer, say in spring or fall, you might find you have a section all to yourself.

Playa de Torre del Mar, Vélez-Málaga

Just 24 miles east of the center of Malaga lies the sprawling Torre del Mar Beach in the town of Vélez-Málaga. The Spanish town is home to an adrenaline-pumping water park, Aquavelis Water Park, with several whizzbang rides.

At two miles, this well-equipped Malaga beach is one of the longest in the region and has an abundance of facilities and a picturesque promenade. You’ll find palm tree-flanked playgrounds, manicured gardens, and plenty of beach bars and restaurants.

There’s another great reason to head to Torre del Mar Beach. Berebere Oasis de Mar is a fantastic restaurant serving delicious tuna burgers, spicy mussels, and salt-baked turbot right at the end of the beach.

Playa de las Chapas, Marbella

This Andalusian playa lies on the west side of Marbella, around a 45-minute drive from Malaga.

Find a golden spot beneath a thatched parasol to enjoy the warm Mediterranean breeze. Waves are moderate on Playa de las Chapas and the water is suitable for swimming. You could also rent a pedal boat from the beach vendor.

There is a selection of chic beachside restaurants to choose from, including The Beach House Restaurant, which serves up tempura shrimp, rock oysters, sashimi, and a divine lobster Arrabiata.

Playa de San Pedro de Alcántara, Marbella

Lying between Estepona and Marbella, Playa de San Pedro de Alcántara is almost one-mile long and holds Blue Flag status, making it a popular option for a day of sun and sea.

A eucalyptus grove flanks the beach with lofty palm trees lining the promenade, while parasols offer further shade on the shoreline.

Behind the lounge chairs, ice cream, soda, cold beer, and fried fish are available at the rustic chiringuito. There’s more, including the remains of a fifth-century basilica and a necropolis next to the beach.

Playa Arroyo de las Cañas, Estepona

Stretching from the mouth of the Velerín River to the Arroyo de las Cañas, quiet Playa Arroyo de las Cañas is one of the region’s superlative beaches for its laid-back, less busy feel.

A chiringuito, Torre Velerín, is located near the Velerín River and a grocery store is located one block from the beach where you can pick up essentials.

After a sea swim and time spent relaxing on the sand, stretch your legs on a walk. The narrow, tree-lined boardwalk behind the beach crosses the Arroyo de las Cañas, connecting Playa Arroyo de las Cañas with neighboring Playa de Guadalmina.

Playa de las Verdas, Benalmádena

A 30-minute drive south-west of Malaga will lead you to Benalmádena’s raft of coves and beaches, including the brilliant Playa de las Verdas.

You could rent a jet ski, a paddle board, or a canoe, and there’s a play park for kids. Benalmádena has plenty of restaurants, including Restaurante Los Remos Lázaro directly on the sand.

Stop by the town’s El Parque de la Paloma after visiting the beach. This gorgeous green space is home to wild parrots, an adventure playground, and a lake with ducks. Rent a bike and cycle the paths to admire the art sculptures and cactus gardens.

Read: Spain Travel Tips

Playa de Venus, Marbella

In the center of glitzy Marbella, the Blue Flag Playa de Venus is next to the resort’s yacht-filled marina and draws many of the resort’s rosé-drinking crowd during summertime.

Spend some time browsing Marbella’s designer shops, art galleries, and historic Old Town, before sinking your feet into the sand.

Playa de Venus’s facilities are excellent, including restrooms, lounge chairs, parasols, and watersports for rent. There’s also a well-maintained playground and several bars and restaurants.

There’s ample space for sunbathing and splashing in the sun-warmed water. Once you’ve dried off, savor the fresh seafood—barbecued sardines, grilled shrimp, and paella loaded with seafood—at the chiringuito on the beach.

Playa del Ejido, Fuengirola

Playa del Ejido is one of the Costa Del Sol’s best beaches, tucked beneath Fuengirola’s 10th-century Castillo Sohail, which is perched on a hill near the mouth of the Fuengirola River.

Stroll along the palm tree-lined Paseo Maritimo Rey de España to reach the Puente de la Armada, which crosses the river. Paseo Maritimo Rey de España spans around five miles, starting from the castle in the south to Playa de Carvajal in the north, making it one of Spain’s longest seafront promenades, home to many shops, bars, and restaurants.

Treat yourself to ice cream down on the beach, cool off with a dip in the water, and relax on the velvety sand.

After a sunbathing session, tour Castillo Sohail and soak in the coastal scenes from the fortress’s lookout points. The elevated position, 125 feet above the sea, has fine views of the Sierra de Mijas Mountains and the hazy horizon of the Mediterranean Sea.

Playa El Bombo, Mijas

Mijas’ fine-sand El Bombo Beach is another superb Costa del Sol shore with Blue Flag status, watersports, and sunbeds to rent

At over 2,000 feet long, there’s plenty of space for families, friends, and solo travelers to kick back. Additional facilities include bathrooms, a playground, and a restaurant, La Familia.

Pack a snorkel and head for a swim around the rocky ledges to search for small fish, starfish, and sea urchins in the clear water.

La Familia serves mouthwatering Mediterranean cuisine by the sea, including roasted pepper salad, clams cooked in garlic, and deep-fried sea bream, which you can enjoy in full view of the shore.

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