The Costa del Sol is aptly named. ‘Sol’ because there are +300 days of the shiny stuff, and ‘Costa’ because like gin and tonic, Fred & Ginger and all other great double acts, you couldn’t very well have sunshine if you don’t also have a nice stretch of beach to bask on.
At the heart of this sun-soaked strip of sea and sand sits Marbella. While the province of Malaga isn’t short of a decent beach or two (as covered in a previous post of ours) there are more than 20 beaches in Marbella alone. So move over overcrowding – there’s always space to enjoy your own corner of the Med on one of this selection of best Marbella beaches.
Beaches to the East of Marbella
Pool Scene – Nikki Beach Club, Marbella
PLAYA LOS MONTEROS
Located a short drive west of Playa Alicate, Playa los Monteros offers a more relaxed vibe with less and hustle and bustle during the summer months. Stretching along 450 meters of coastline, Los Monteros is know for its fine golden sand and placid waters, which make it a big hit with families with young children.
Overlooked by the rugged mountain range Sierra Blanca to the north of the municipality, it benefits from the famous microclimate typical of Marbella beaches, and maintains pleasant temperatures throughout the year.
Facility wise, the beach offers a kite surfing school for adrenaline junkies, as well as free parking. Beach bars aren’t a numerous here as in the more built-up Playa Alicate, but it’s only. a short drive to Trocadero Arena on Playa el Pinillo if you fancy rounding off the day with a cocktail.
Playa Alicate
This beach to the east side of Marbella next to Los Monteros is great for families, as its shallow waters are ideal for children to splash around in. The beach itself a large, open affair, pebbly towards the edge of the sea. Sunbeds and wooden parasols can be rented. It has several great chiringuitos (beach bars or restaurants), where snacks, full meals and cocktails are served throughout the day. One of our favourite places to grab a bite to eat is Los Sardinales (Lossardinales.com) which serves a fantastic fish soup and catch of the day, or go upmarket to the swish La Cabane beach club, which forms part of the exclusive Dani Garcia group and sports recently remodelled interiors courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana. It also has the added bonus of being located right next door to our own gorgeous Villa Las Artes.
Playa Hermosa Marbella
Further down from Playa Alicate is Playa Hermosa at El Rosario, and it lives up to its name as low-rise coastline building make it an attractively low-key place to sit back and relax. Luuma Beach is a very agreeable restaurant and bar beach-side that adds a fresh and healthy twist to a post-swim bite of lunch. The food includes organic and vegan options, the cocktails are well mixed and the Champagne is on ice. The only way to truly enjoy this beach, though, is to hire a couple of sun beds with soft cushions. And… relax.
Cabopino Beach
Sun Loungers on Cabopino Beach
This very popular beach is to the far east of Marbella. Its stellar reputation means that during July and August it can be difficult to park, but in our opinion it’s still well worth perserving with. Why? Let us count the ways: for starters, there are beautiful sand dunes (Las Dunas de Artola) to find a secluded spot and a smattering of large palms providing natural shade. But there are also great amenities: there are chiringuitos with sun loungers, parasols, showers and toilet facilities as well as pedalos, kayaks, jet-skis for hire and even dolphin-watching tours. For families, the restaurants on the beach are very child-friendly with microwave facilities and children’s menus. A true all-rounder.
Beaches to the West of Marbella
Playa Nagueles
Typical Beach Bar in Marbella
Its location (near The Marbella Club Hotel and Hotel Puente Romano) means that this beach is often home to the rich and famous in the area. There’s a choice of chiringuitos and restaurants on the beach (including Trocadero Playa Restaurant) so bring your best cover-up ensemble – designer sunnies, hat, the Melissa Odabash works. The backdrop is green, with palms and pine trees leading down to sand that’s golden and coarse (normal for this corner of the Med) and a picturesque wooden pier – it’s pretty as a picture.
El Faro & venus Beach
El Faro Beach and Playa de Venus are a great option if you’re staying near the centre of Marbella and want to twin a spot of beach chillin’ with some shopping or sightseeing in the Old Town. There’s a full complement of amenities: toilets, showers, restaurants, bars, sunbeds and even a children’s play area. It’s a small beach with shallow waters – as it’s cocooned in by breakwaters – and because of this it gets busy during the summer. There are some great fish places with an authentic, local feel to dine in over siesta. The last word in elegant fine dining it ain’t, but we like it all the same.
Beach in Marbella
PLAYA DE LA FONTANILLA
Located just a stone’s throw from central Marbella, Playa de la Fontanilla is a favourite amongst locals and tourists alike. This popular beach offers clean golden sands sands and tranquil water combined with lifeguard supervision – making it a great choice for families. A diverse number of beach bars and restaurants line the promenade, offering everything from tapas to cocktails, meaning you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to seeking some midday refreshment. There’s also the added convenience of facilities such as showers, toilets and sun loungers. As with most places on the Costa del Sol, parking can be a bit tricky during peak seasons, so arriving early is recommended.
PLAYA SALADILLO
Located to the West of Marbella, 15 kilometres from the pretty coastal town of Estepona, El Saladillo is known for its wide sands and laid back vibe. Unlike many other other beaches in the area, El Saldillo tends to remain relatively uncrowded thanks to the sheer abundance of space on offer. Despite its chilled atmosphere, El Saladillo doesn’t want for facilities and offers toilets, showers, lifeguard services, jet-ski hire and a range of beach bars and restaurants. Amongst the most iconic is Pepe’s Beach, much loved by Marbella locals for its unpretentious vibe and delicious fresh seafood.
PLAYA CASABLANCA
Playa Casablanca
Enjoying an exclusive location on Marbella’s glamorous Golden Mile, this family-friendly beach stretches from the pier of Puente Romano to the end of Fontanilla Beach. With its fine sand and shallow, calm waters it’s a great pick for families with little ones. There’s also a range of facilities on offer, such as toilets, showers, and even a massage club if you fancy treating yourself to some R&R.
Hemmed by the the famous Marbella boardwalk, this is also a great beach for an out of season hike or an evening stroll. There is also a selection of high-end beach bars and restaurants to choose from, such as Trocadero Petit Playa, which also has sun loungers and beds available for rent.
Parking can be an issue in high season due to its location on a private urbanisation, but it’s still worth a visit if you’re prepared to be patient.
Puerto Banus Beaches
Loungers at La Sala Beach Club
Playa Nueva Andalucia, Playa de Levante and Playa del Rio Verde are the three beaches in Puerto Banus. These wide, clean beaches are just a very short saunter from the port of Puerto Banus. Here, if the fancy takes you (and we highly suggest it does), you can hire a yacht or go on a boat ride easily (chat to our concierge for ideas). There’s nothing like sunbathing, lunching or travelling to a beach club on a luxury yacht.
To the west of Puerto Banus, Playa Nueva Andalucia is an LVC favourite as there are a couple of beach clubs very nearby – Ocean Beach Club (Oceanclub.es) and La Sala Beach Club (Lasalabythesea.com). It’s not all ultra-glamorous beach clubs, though: if you’re an adrenaline junky or travelling with teenagers, Playa Nueva Andalucia is also home to Costa Waterpark which is basically an assault course on the sea. It’s great fun, if perhaps more than a little exhausting for anyone whose age extends into double digits.
We could go on and on, to be honest. The best way to find the right beach for you is to hire a bike (there are various locations to choose from in Puerto Banus or Marbella), take a ride along the promenade and judge for yourself.
Happy hunting.
Quite liking the sound of stretching out on one of these Marbella beaches this summer? Make sure you’ve got the accommodation to match – check out our collection of nearby luxury villas in Marbella. And if you fancy being only a short stroll from the sand, be sure to also browse our fabulous collection of villas near the beach in Spain.
Lindsay Gregory
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