With twenty-eight kilometres of coastline, Marbella is a great paradise for those who love the beach and sun. The most popular beaches are El cable,La Fontanilla, Puerto Banus and El Faro. Cabopino Beach is another highlight, with its nudist area, sheltered by the Artola Dunes. In this enclave, which is declared a Natural Monument, stands the Torre de los Ladrones (Thieves Tower).
- SAN PEDRO: The beach itself is usually quiet all year round and has showers, public toilets (only open in summer), children’s playgrounds, kiosks, restaurants, and exercise equipment all along the boardwalk. The beach is public and there is plenty of parking as well as lounge chairs available for rent. The beach is quite rocky in areas.
- PUERTO BANUS: This strip of beach is one of the most popular on the coast. There are no rocks, the water is quite shallow and there are coves which prevent big waves so it is great for the little ones. Watch out for madusas in the warmer months. Go to Hollywood Beach for water sport equipment rental.
- PLAYA DEL DUQUE: Located in the heart of Marbella, Playa del Duque is a wide and golden sandy beach that is perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
- PLAYA NAGÜELES: Located in the Golden Mile of Marbella, Playa Nagüeles is a wide and sandy beach that is perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
- PLAYA DEL RÍO REAL: Located about 10 minutes east of Marbella, Playa de Rio Real is a long, wide.
- PLAYA EL FARO: Located about 30 minutes west of Marbella, Playa de El Faro is a wide and sandy beach that is perfect for swimming and sunbathing and it is also known for its lighthouse and the beautiful views.
- MARBELLA WEST: Run all along the Marbella’s “Golden Mile”, which hosts some of Marbella’s most luxurious hotels. This golden sand beach include; Rio Verde, El Ancon, Nagueles, and Casablanca. The beaches are long and rock-free. There is a board walk separating the hotel lounges from the beach. There are nice restaurants but no inexpensive chiringuitos in this area.
- MARBELLA CENTER: The beaches are quite wide, the sand is golden, and usually very clean. In general, this is a family friendly beach. The waves are not too strong, especially in El Faro which is partly isolated from the sea by a small bay area which makes it a good location for small children. These Marbella center beaches tend to be crowded with tourists due to their central location, and to the fact that there are many restaurants all along the ‘paseo maritimo’. Good parking in the central parking lot.
- MARBELLA WEST: Excellent sand quality, clear water, on no rocks. Very shallow waters and great for families. Many chiringitos along this stretch of the coast. Because these beaches are known to be some of the best in the area they do tend to get crowded in the summer, so if you plan to eat at the local chiringito, make reservations before you go.
- ESTEPONA WEST: This gray sand and rocky beach is popular for fishing and there is nudist beach in this area. Don’t be surprised if you happen upon some nude sunbathers at the aptly named Costa Natura Beach.
- ESTEPONA CENTER: Very family friendly with a chiringuito with good quality and price. Clean and sandy beaches, good place for the kids to swim.
- ESTEPONA EAST: This is the stretch of beach just east of San Pedro that extends all the way to central Estepona. The beach is long and has playgrounds, beach chair rentals and watersports.
- FUENGIROLA: Have designated areas for volleyball, windsurfing and other watersports. They all have showers, tranquil waters and are easily accessible. Some of the finestest beaches on the coast. In the recent past the beaches have all received the European blue flag for cleanliness. Good chiringitos on the sand
- BENALMADENA: All have great services and long stretches of dark sand, they are clean with sky blue waters and have many services including showers but no toilets. They all have medium grade dark sand, with the exception of the fine sand you find at Malapesquera, Torrebermeja, and Santa Ana beaches.
- ELVIRIA O CABOPINO: It is the best beach in Marbella. Surrounded by dunes and with a fairly natural landscape compared to the rest of what you can find in the area.
