The Costa del Sol, a corner of paradise in southern Spain, is home to one of the country’s most sought-after destinations: Marbella. This coastal town is known for its luxury, vibrant nightlife and, of course, its dreamy beaches. In this article, we’ll take you on a tour of the best beaches in Marbella, so you can enjoy the sun, sand and sea in all their splendor.
Beaches to the East of Marbella
We’re starting to the East of Marbella, because this area boasts some of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol. To find these beaches, head through Marbella, towards Malaga. We promise you, they are worth the trip!
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Cabopino Beach
This has to be one of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol! Located around a 15-minute drive from central Marbella, and just before Calahonda is the pretty port of Cabopino. In addition to the port, lined with restaurants and bars, there’s a gorgeous bay, with lovely sand. It’s really sheltered and so it’s popular with families, and the backdrop of the pines which gives the area its name really adds to the experience. You have plenty of restaurants to choose from within the port, and three restaurants for dining and relaxing on the sand. They also have sunbeds and beach umbrellas to make your beach day more relaxing.
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Artola Beach
Along from the bay and Cabopino Marina, you’ll find the stunning Artola Dunes. They have been designated a natural park, due to their flora and fauna and boast a historic watchtower. There’s an excellent stretch of beach backed by the dunes, which is more wild and rugged, but very stunning. There are no bars or restaurants along this stretch, to protect the dunes, but there is a chiringuito right at the western end that you can enjoy. Be warned that this is a nudist beach.
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Los Monteros Beach
This is just a 10-minute drive East of Marbella, just beyond the Rio Real Golf course and down from the 5* Los Monteros Hotel and the exclusive Los Monteros development. This 450m stretch of sand is peaceful and doesn’t usually get too busy. It has free parking, sun beds to hire and watersports offered too. There is a lovely beachfront restaurant called Palm Beach, with a lovely selection of Spanish and Mediterranean fare and sunbeds to hire. There’s also a kiosk run by the kite surf school, and serves simple but tasty food and drinks.
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Alicate Beach
Just a little further down the coast, past the large hospital and opposite Santa Clara Golf Course, you’ll find Alicate Beach. It’s an 850-meter stretch, backed by pine trees and grasses, which give it a really tranquil, wild feeling. There are two restaurants, with sunbeds available to hire – Oyana Beach Restaurant and Los Sardinales. Both are right on the beach and serve Mediterranean cuisine. Oyana Beach is a little trendier, often has live music, and is a great spot for a cocktail while the sun goes down.
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Playa Hermosa / Rio Sequillo Beach
Alternatively named the Playa Hermosa (Lovely Beach) or Playa del Rio Sequillo, this long stretch of beautiful sand continues from Alicante Beach and is a favorite with families, and those looking for great food and cool vibes. There are lots of great beach restaurants and beach clubs on this stretch, including the friendly and reasonably priced Hipopotamos Beach, the trendy NOSSO Summer Club for sushi, cocktails and DJ sessions and Los Flores for relaxed dining. You will also find the high-end beach club The Dune, for a special day by the beach and many, many more. Most have sunbeds that you can rent and you’re sure to find something that takes your fancy and fits your budget!
Central Marbella Beaches
Our next selection of beaches are in and around Marbella Town itself, and in nearby Puerto Banus. We’re starting off to the West of the center and moving towards the center.
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Nagüeles Beach: A haven of tranquility
If you prefer to get away from the crowds and enjoy a quieter atmosphere, Playa de Nagüeles is your choice. This beach is perfect for those seeking a corner of peace and tranquility. Surrounded by lush vegetation, Nagüeles offers crystal clear waters and is ideal for a relaxing getaway.
There are lots of options for dining, drinking and relaxing on this beach. This is a very exclusive location, bordered on one side by Puente Romano Hotel’s 5* beach restaurant, and on the other by Marbella Club’s Beach Club, with La Milla Marbella in between. They all have sunbeds to hire for a 5* beach day!
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Casablanca Beach
On the other side of Marbella Club’s iconic pier, is Casablanca Beach, home to MC Beach, the Marbella Club’s chiringuito, which has a lovely garden area, chic interiors and luxurious sunbeds. Also on this stretch is the spin-off to the ever-popular Trocadero beach restaurant – Trocadero Petit Playa. You can also hire watersports equipment here.
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Fontanilla Beach
We’re skipping along to the center of Marbella for our next choice of beach – the fantastic Playa de la Fontanilla. This is 1,000 meters long, right in the heart of town, with lots of bars and restaurants on the promenade and on the beach itself. There are lots of sunbeds to hire, all along this stretch and there’s also a fantastic run of restaurants, which are real favorites of locals and visitors alike. The most popular are La Red and Playa Europa, but they all offer great seafood, fish and Spanish favorites in a buzzing atmosphere.
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Faro Beach
Right by Marbella’s Leisure Marina, you’ll find Faro Beach, a lovely sheltered bay, with calm waters and lots of sunbeds. This is a family favorite, thanks to the playgrounds, the easy access to the water and the bars and restaurants all around. Highly recommended!
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Puerto Banús beach: Glamour and relaxation
If you are looking for the perfect blend of glamour and relaxation, Puerto Banús Beach is your ideal choice. Located next to the luxury marina that bears its name, this beach offers crystal clear waters and golden sand. It is also the perfect place to watch and be watched, as it is frequented by celebrities and socialites alike. You’ll find sunbeds to hire, high-class beach restaurants such as Banus Beach, Paradise Beach Banus and the highly popular Chiringuito Aurora Beach. Stroll along and take your pick!
Beaches in Estepona
We couldn’t talk about the best beaches on the Costa del Sol, without giving a shout out to Estepona. This area, to the West of Marbella, has fantastic wide beaches, and a beautiful seafront promenade. It boasts 21 kilometers of coastline and 17 beaches to choose from and thanks to such a lot to choose from, it doesn’t get as crowded in the peak months.
The main beach is Playa de la Rada, a whopping 2,630m long! Stretching through the center of the town, flanked by the promenade, and lined with many beach bars on the sand, as well as cafes and restaurants on the paseo, there’s something for everyone.
The small, but perfectly formed Playa Del Cristo, is a lovely sheltered cove, with great sand, which is very family friendly. There are two restaurants with sunbeds, watersports options and a large dirt car park. This is to the West of the Estepona Marina, which has sailing lessons for kids and adults. Because of its size and popularity this one does get busy, so best to get there early.
Beachside Vacation Rentals
If you love the beach and it’s an essential part of your holiday, then why not choose a vacation rental right by the sea? Waking up to the sound of the waves, and be able to head straight down to the beach is a real luxury and one that we know our guests love. That’s why we’ve put together our beachfront vacation rental collection. These include luxury villas, with direct access to the beach, and apartments and penthouses in prime locations like Puerto Banús.
At Vacation Marbella, we are committed to making your experience on the Costa del Sol unforgettable. If you need more information on how to plan your trip, don’t hesitate to contact us and we will help you to have the best experience on the beaches of Marbella!