The best beaches on the Costa del Sol in 2026

The Mezquitilla beach, along with the Algarrobo beach, form the coastal front known as Algarrobo-Costa.

The Algarrobo Costa beach, in the town of Algarrobo, is a beach with gravel and sand with a high level of occupancy, in a residential area with tall buildings. It is well-equipped.

Bil-Bil beach, together with the beach of Arroyo de la Miel, make up a very busy area.

Bonita beach features calm waters and a broad range of services that make this beach one of the most popular with both tourists and local residents.

Carvajal Beach is a beach with good facilities, surrounded by high buildings. Very busy.

La Morera beach is a small beach that, in spite of being very busy, is the quietest one in the area as it is not that close to the highly built-up areas.

The La Verdad beach with dark, rough sand and medium waves. It is very popular and has numerous beach services.It is ideal for spending the day with your family.

The Los Melilleros beach, together with the Bil Bil beach it is very popular and has excellent services.

The beach Arroyo de la Miel, together with the beach of Bil Bil, make up a very popular area with excellent facilities. Situated in Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena.

Arroyo Hondo beach is a very busy beach, next to Hotel Costa Azul.

La Perla beach is a very small beach situated between two artificial breakwaters.

Fuente de Salud beach is the easternmost beach in Benalmadena, and it is situated next to the marina, bordering Torremolinos to the east. This fine sand beach is 150 metres long. Given its central location it enjoys all kinds of services.

La Yuca beach is a small but busy sandy and crushed stone beach.

Official source record for Playa Las Gaviotas.

Malapesquera beach is a family-atmosphere beach, excellent facilities.

Official source record for Playa Malibú.

Official source record for Playa Santa Ana.

Tajo de la Soga is a small but busy beach with excellent facilities.

Santa Ana /Torrebermeja beach has a Sea Promenade and excellent facilities.

Torremuelle is a narrow beach between Valdeconejos and La Hidalga urbanisations.

Torrequebrada beach did not practically exist before the improvement work carried out in the 1990's.

Torrevigía beach did not practically exist before the improvement work carried out in the 1990's.

La Piedra Paloma is a very popular, beautiful beach with calm water. It has a good selection of services.

The beach Ancha is a beautiful, well looked after beach 825 m long, with quiet waters and very busy. It has very good facilities.

Official source record for Playa Chica.

Torre de la Sal beach is quite a clean beach. It occupies about 4,100 m2 and can be accessed from the Perla de la Bahía promenade (next to the Torre de la Sal

The Atalaya beach is a very narrow stretch of gravel. It has dunes with vegetation of botanical interest.

Bahía Dorada beach is next to Bahía Dorada urbanisation and after La Galera beach. It is a narrow beach but well looked after.

The Playa Casasola is an extensive sandy beach with waters in a magnificent condition making it excellent for bathing and it is surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Costa Natura is a sandy and pebbly beach that is several hundred metres long and provides spectacular views of the rock of Gibraltar, the North Atlas mountains in Africa and the Mediterranean sea. It is a little rocky where you enter the sea, but after about 30 metres it has a...

The narrow beach of Velerín is located seven kilometres east of Estepona, on the Costa del Sol, not far from the main coastal road. It runs between a series of holiday complexes in Estepona and Marbella. La Playa El Velerín has large extensions of dark sand and pebbles. In som...

Arroyo Vaquero is a coastal area with various developments.

El Padrón beach is located 2km from. the town of Estepona After the Playa la Rada , it is one of the most visited. El Padrón beach has a shopping centre that opened in 2006, as well as restaurants, snack-bar and all kinds of shops. It also has an exceptional medical centre in...

El Saladillo beach is a 3-kilometre long beach has good facilities and goes as far as the river Guadalmina´s mouth.

Guadalmansa beach is a long, narrow beach with residential estates and services in some areas.

Guadalobón beach is an extensive beach located in the municipality of Estepona. It has mainly dark sand that also contains a little gravel. It is an area with moderate waves.

La Galera beach is a straight beach with rocky areas, in good condition. Far from the city centre and relatively underdeveloped in comparison to other beaches in the area. It forms an interesting landscape.

La Rada beach is situated opposite the town centre and has been recently regenerated. It is very large and busy and has many facilities.

Punta de la Plata beach is a large but narrow beach, with facilities in some parts, busy.

Punta Pinillo beach is a narrow beach with a just recently finished beach promenade.

Playabella beach is part of the municipality of Estepona and 10 kilometres from the town. It borders with the Playa El Velerín to the west. It is ideal for those looking to escape from the crowds usually found on the beaches in the summer months. This beach is predominantly pe...

Río Castor beach is a beach of boulders and sand.

The Playa Carvajal beach is quite a way from the centre and has young atmosphere. The beach is linked to the Playa de Carvajal (Benalmádena).

Fuengirola is a beach located in the city centre and easily accessible on foot that includes; Playa Santa Amalia and Playa Fuengirola.

El Castillo is situated just before crossing the river Fuengirola, next to Sohail Castle, and is part of the great sands of Fuengirola. A perfect place to make moragas in the typical Fuengirolean boats.

Cala Sardina is located in a semi-urban area of the municipality of Manilva. It has dark sand that is mostly made up of gravel. It is an area with moderate waves. The useful part of the beach varies little with the tides.

Official source record for Playa de La Colonia.

Duquesa-El Castillo is in the Malaga village of Manilva, and is a beach next to the La Duquesa Marina, which has suffered a recession induced by the port. Area of historic interest. There is a Roman site known as “Entorno del Castillo de la Duquesa". The Castillo de la Duquesa...

Las Arenas it runs lengthways for 850 m up to La Sardina Cove. It is also part of the Negro ridge, but here the low cliffs stop sooner, giving rise to a straight beach with an average width of 30 m. Sandstone formations can be seen all along the beach, forming 45% slopes. It i...

Los Toros is in the Malaga village of Manilva and is a beach of scenic interest due to its wide opening and extensiveness. Its coast is occupied by different types of residential urbanizations. It gets its name from the livestock route that was used by the Cañada Real from Bar...

Punta Chullera beach is located in Malaga village Manilva, and is a rock formation with special landscapes and ecological wealth, with clear water perfect for underwater fishing.

Sabinillas it runs from Maicandil Stream to the Manilva River. The entire seafront is occupied by the town of San Luis de Sabinillas, with the promenade separating it from the beach. As with La Duquesa Beach, this area was inhabited way back in history. This beach is 28.4 km f...

El Negro is in the Malaga town of Manilva, and is a straight, long beach with gentle hills perpendicular to the sea. It runs from Cala de la Sardina (Sardine Bay) to the Alcorrín stream.

The Calahonda beach is to the west of the municipality next to the Cabopino Marina. It is a narrow stretch of sand and rocks in a dense urban area. The Playa de Calahonda beach is a semi-urban beach with golden sand.

The Cable Beach is a beach formed by a narrow strip of sand, with few people.

El Faro is a small beach located in the centre of Marbella, alongside the marina, with good services and a high level of occupation.

The Pinillo is a peaceful beach with an average level of occupancy, with fine sand and dunes.

The La Adelfa forms part of 2 km of coast, known as Playa de los Monteros.

The Fontanilla Beach is a kilometre long and next to the marina. This has a high level of occupation and good services.

La Víbora is a small beach next to the river Víbora.

Las Cañas is a narrow strip of sand, 10 m in width and 1 km long, with few services.

Las Chapas is a beach next to the urbanisation Las Chapas.

Linda Vista is a beach next to the Linda Vistaresidential estate, in San Pedro de Alcántara. This has a high occupation and good services.

The Los Monteros beach forms part of 1300 m of coast, known as Playa de los Monteros. Semi-urban, next to the Bahía development of Marbella, it has sand dunes With good services.

The Nagüeles beach is located on Marbella's Marbella "golden mile", next to the Marbella Club, with a recently-built sea-front promenade. Good services and high occupation.

Nueva Andalucía is a fine sandy beach, 1100 m long, with a high level of occupation and all kinds of services close by. The area, together with Puerto Banús, is known as Playa del Duque.

The Casablanca beach is located in Marbella, within the Casablanca Residential Estate. It has facilities and services available.

Cortijo Blanco beach is a bowling beach next to the urbanisation of the same name.

The El Alicate beach, together with Costa Bella and Pinomar, form an area of almost 2 km, with an average level of occupancy.

El Ancón beach is a beach located next to the residential estate of the same name. This is a narrow beach with very few people.

Guadalmina beach is located between San Pedro de Alcántara (near Marbella) and Estepona. In fact, it is the last beach of Marbella to the west. It has average occupation and good services (hotel, club, beach bars).

La Bajadilla is a very popular beach located near the fishing port of Marbella.

La Venus is a beach in the centre of Marbella, next to the Represa River. This has a high occupation and good services.

Official source record for Playa Puerto Banús.

Official source record for Playa San Pedro Alcántara.

The Realejo beach forms part of 2 km of coast, known as Playa de Los Monteros.

The Río Verde beach is situated next to the Verde River and the town of the same name. It has a golden-pinkish colour sand. The area between the Port and the mouth of the river is know as Puerto Banús Beach. With good services.

Calahonda this beach is situated in the westernmost part of the municipality, next to Cabopino marina. It is a thin sandy and rocky strip in a highly built-up area.

El Charcón Beach is a medium-sized beach (855 m), situated in the east of the municipality of Mijas, in an area that is not overly developed. It is located in a protected area called the Calahonda Special Preservation Area. It has a medium occupancy rate, with up to 30-70% occ...

La Cala beach next to Cala del Moral stream, in a highly built-up area.

El Chaparral large but narrow beach next to the N-340 B-road.

El Bombo narrow beach just off the N- 340 B-road. It is in a highly built-up area.

El Ejido Beach is a small beach, 230 metres long, located within the municipality of Fuengirola. The sand is medium-grained and light in colour.

El Faro Beach is located at the eastern end of the municipality of Mijas, Malaga. It is a narrow strip of sand and rocks in an area that is not overly developed, between the Calaburras Lighthouse and Piedras del Cura Beach.

Las Doradas is a medium-sized beach located in the municipality of Mijas. The beach is medium to light in colour and consists mainly of sand and rock. The water is calm and it is in a semi-urban location. Las Doradas is located in a protected area called the Calahonda Special...

Piedras del Cura beach is the perfect place for water sports and, in particular, diving. It may seem like there are too many rocks, but the conditions are ideal for practising this sport. This beach also leads to another beach, calledEl Faro, where you can enjoy a morning of d...

Baños del Carmen is in Malaga, and is a narrow strip of sand of around 5 m in some sections, with barely any equipment.

Official source record for Playa Canina.

Playa del Campo de Golf beach is located in Malaga, a beach close to the Malaga Golf Club and the airport.

The El Candado beach is a cosy beach next to El Candado marina.

El Dedo family-atmosphere beach with good restaurant facilities right on the Sea Promenade.

Series of cosy coves that make up a town beach area, with a familiar atmosphere and good facilities.

Fábrica del Cemento small beach situated next to a concrete factory in La Araña quarter. It does not have any facilities.

Guadalmar superb beach situated on the westernmost area of the municipality, next to the Parador de Golf.

La Araña narrow beach in La Araña quarter. It does not have good facilities but it is very popular among the locals.

Málaga urban beach, very web looked after and with good facilities, very popular among the locals.

La Malagueta urban beach situated in Málaga city centre, very popular among the locals.

La Misericordia this beach is situated outside Málaga city centre, next to the thermal power station.

Peñón del Cuervo small beach next to the road, with hardly any facilities. Peñón del Cuervo divides the beach into two and offers a very typical picture of the beach.

The Sacaba in Málaga is an urban beach with dark sand on the Costa del Sol. It is a very popular beach that is 750 metres long and an average of 30 metres wide. There are special access points for the disabled, a car park and easy access. It is a beach with moderate waves and...

San Andrés is a beach situated outside Málaga city centre.

Barranco de Maro Cove is located in the mouth of Barranco de Maro, surrounded by reeds and subtropical crops. It is a haven of peace protected by a thick reed bed and bathed by crystal-clear waters that shape the pebbles of its sand. There is a path that leads to it but access...

El Chorrillo it is a group of three coves called Los Chorrillos. Good facilities, access from the Balcón de Europa.

Calas del Pino unspoilt beach, difficult to access. It is set on a natural protected spot. Not busy.

Playa El Cañuelo remote beach, difficult to access, set on a natural protected spot.

La Caleta small remote beach, set in a natural spot.

Molino de Papel, Rocky remote beach, set in a natural spot. Difficult access.

Calahonda seach situated in a hidden cove. Good facilities, pedestrian Sea Promenade.

Official source record for Playa de Carabeillo.

Carabeo very small cove that can be accessed on feet through a staircase among large stony blocks.

La Caletilla small beach with cliff and good services.

Las Alberquillas beach surrounded by vegetation, set on a natural spot. Difficult access. Popular among nudists.

Maro wild beach with vegetation, set in a natural spot.

El Carrizal Beach is located just east of Maro Beach. It is not usually very busy as it is difficult to access on foot.

A small beach with dark sand that runs from the ruins of the watchtower (Torrecilla de Nerja) to the mouth of the Chillar River. It communicates with the Playa del Playazo and the Turret. It is 280m long and 30m wide, there is easy access to the beach as well as to the neighbo...

El Italiano Beach has exceptionally clean waters. It is a fantastic spot for snorkelling and diving. There are numerous underwater formations to explore. The beach is 90 metres long, with an average width of 10 metres. This beach does not get very busy.

El Playazo long wide beach, not very busy as it is far from urban area. It has some facilities.

Playa El Salón small urban beach situated on a cliff, with palm trees. Good facilities.

It is located beside the road. The beach is small and secluded with a moderate swell and dark sand.

La Torrecilla small urban beach, with pedestrian Sea Promenade. Busy, good facilities and services.

The Playa La Vaca is a beach on the Costa del Sol that is difficult to access, so it is considered to be remote and not very busy, It is in a protected natural area, it has little nooks and crannies where it is ideal for diving in the crystalline waters and green surroundings....

The beach has a family-friendly atmosphere. It is in a very picturesque setting and it is not far from services and facilities.

It is considered to be remote and not very busy. The Playa Torre Caleta is in a protected natural area, it has little nooks and crannies where it is ideal for diving in the crystalline waters and green surroundings. There is dark sand and it is 60 metres long.

Playa Torre de la Miel is an isolated pebble beach with difficult access, but it is in extraordinary natural surroundings.

Cala del Moral very busy familiar beach, with all sort of facilities. There are many urbanisations in the area and it has a Sea Promenade.

Rincón de la Victoria is a municipality in the province of Málaga consisting of the towns of La Cala del Moral, Rincón de la Victoria, Torre de Benagalbón y Benagalbón, the first three of which are on the coast, with a subtropical climate, nine kilometres of beaches fully equi...

Playas de Benagalbón this beach, named after the development where it is situated, is the continuation of the beach of El Rincón de la Victoria; it does not have a Sea Promenade.

El Bajondillo beach is located in the province of Malaga in the town of Torremolinos, in the heart of the municipality. It is a broad, fine, sandy, urban beach with shady areas, an oasis of palm trees and numerous services and infrastructures (bars, beach bars, restaurants, WC...

Playamar is an urban beach in the town of Torremolinos , Malaga, with many excellent services and infrastructures (bars, beach bars, restaurants, toilets, showers, hammock rental), close to shopping centres and with good transport links. It is a very vast beach, with fine sand...

Calaceite beach is a small beach just off the N-340 B-road.

El Morche beach in built-up area with good facilities. It has a Sea Promenade. Its westernmost side is also called 'El Cenicero', due to the repair works that traditional inshore fishermen used to carry out there.

Ferrara beach is very large beach with good facilities, familiar atmosphere. There is a small cove with thick rocks in its eastermost part called 'Playa Chica', and then there is the river Torrox mouth called 'Playa del Sillón'.

Vílchez beach very small remote beach, off the N-340a C-road.

El Cenicero - Las Lindes beach is situated in the Torrox-Costa area (Urb. Torcasol), with many facilities.

El Peñoncillo beach is a long beach, very close to the N-340ª C-road. Some facilities. Its westernmost part is called 'Playa de Los Cuartos Catalanes'.

Almayate very wide beach in a low built-up area. It has a few facilities and is not busy.

Benajarafe this beach, together with the beach of Valle Niza, make up a wide dark sandy beach. It does not have good facilities as a whole, except for the areas where there are developments nearby.

Caleta de Vélez beach this one-kilometre-long beach is next to Puerto de La Caleta port, in Vélez-Málaga. Very popular and good facilities.

Chilches very long, narrow beach in some parts, just off the N-340 B-road. There are some developments in the area, where most users come from.

Lagos narrow beach, with just a few facilities. Frequented by nudists.

The Mezquitilla de Vélez, along with the Playa Algarrobo together make up the coastal area known as Algarrobo Costa

Town beach of Torre del Mar. It is very wide and has all sort of facilities. Familiar atmosphere.

Valle Niza this beach, together with the beach of Benajarafe, make up a wide dark sandy beach. It does not have good facilities as a whole, except for the areas where there are developments nearby.