The water and sand of the Andalucian beaches has been given a clean bill of health by the Health Minister. That is good news for those who love to spend time on the coast. The official season for bathing is from 1 June to 30 September though many activities are open and available before then.
There are dozens of great beaches on the Costa del Sol, easily accessible from inland places. Some are quiet coves, others offer watersports and most have bars and restaurants where you can sample the seafood.
East of Malaga the picturesque town of Nerja boasts around ten miles of beaches! Take the coastal path to discover sheltered coves or find Burriana Beach with sunbeds for hire and loads of bars.
La Carihuela, once a fishing village, still retains its charm with narrow streets and new pedestrian area filled with great fish restaurants. On the long stretch of sandy beach you will find beds and umbrellas for hire and watersports such as pedaloes and windsurfing Head towards Montemar/Carhuela to get to the beach.
On the Benalmadena Coast, south of Arroyo de la Miel is Bil Bil Beach with a replica Moorish castle on the promenade which is a restaurant and bar. Sunbeds and umbrellas, pedaloes and windsurfing can be found here as well as beach bars and restaurants. If you get tired of lazing on the beach go shopping in the main road or stroll along the promenade. Torrequebrada Beach has a couple of bars and restaurants with toilets and showers. The beach offers the usual watersports. Parking can be difficult in summer.
The sandy beach at Torremuelle is not large but clean and well-equipped. It is advisable to park on the other side of the beach road which has underpass access. At the eastern end of Fuengirola there is Carvajal Beach, pleasant and quietish and popular with the locals. It is wide, clean and safe with plenty of restaurants and bars to hand. Turn left off the Paseo Maritimo at Torreblanca.
Blue Flag Awards were given to both Torreblanca and Las Gaviotas Beaches on the eastern side of Fuengirola. With first class facilities and restaurants serving fresh fish and char grilled sardines it is a popular place to spend the day.
The Castillo and Santa Amalia beaches are separated by a river in which children can swim. Nets and posts are available for ball games. Further along the coast are the fairly narrow beaches of Mijas Costa accessed via pedestrian bridges and underpasses. For Spanish charm and atmosphere, visit La Cala with its sandy beach, bars and restaurants and fishing boats and nets!
You will find plenty of parking at Marbesa Beach, overlooked by a quality residential area. It is popular with locals who go jogging or walking on the well-equipped, narrow stretch of sand. Take the Las Chapas exit of N340 and head down to the beach. Clean, safe beaches can be found at Real Zaragoza. These 3 popular beaches (Km189,191,192 off N340) all have good restaurants and bars and adequate parking. The atmosphere is always good.
Playa Rio Real east of Marbella offers plenty of parking, a first class restaurant and bar with pool and gardens, pedaloes and wind surfing. You canīt miss the sign for Funny Beach, a giant Coca Cola can! Here you can enjoy all kinds of watersports. They also have go-karting, trampolines and other amusements on this family-orientated site.
For jet-ski and speed boat hire, go to Venus Beach east of Marbella`s marina. With popular restaurants and bars and excellent facilities, it is no wonder it is packed during the summer. Try to park in Avd. Puerta deal Mar or Plaza de la Victoria and walk A lovely promenade overlooks the wide stretches of Fontanillo Beach where you will find safe bathing and excellent facilities.Windsurfing and pedalo hire is on the beach while jet ski and speed boat hire is at the marina.
The places īto be seenī are definitely Golden Mile, Puerto Banus and Playa Rio Verde beaches, all very popular and therefore crowded. Moving east to the Estepona district, the Atalaya Beach is great for all ages and because of the hotel, there are several water sports available. Beach bars offer snacks, fish and salads and paella. It seems that if there is a hotel on hand then the number and availability of sports is greater. This applies to the beaches of Guadalmina, Hacienda and El Padron where there is also sunbed and umbrella hire plus bars and restaurants. Arrange to go diving and snorkelling from the Hotel Kempinski off El Padron beach.
Beaches near the attractive market town of San Pedro have long promenades shaded by trees with childrenīs playgrounds as well as places to eat, safe bathing and sport facilities.
The beaches of Estepona, Playa de la Rada and Playa El Cristo were both awarded Blue Flags. Playa de la Rada is overlooked by a tree-lined promenade with gardens and childrenīs play areas, while El Cristo is a west facing cove with bars and showers.
At the far western end of the Costa del Sol are Sabinillas with its long sandy beach with good facilities and restaurants serving excellent fish dishes, and Sotogrande where the beach club offers water sports and activities.
Last but not least, if you are looking for naturist beaches, you could go to Benalnatura beach near Torrequebrada, Playa Artola with sand dunes east of Marbella or the Costa Natura Nudist Beach at Km 151.5 on N340 just west of Estepona where you will find a purpose built, walled complex and a daily membership fee.
Whatever you are looking for, you will find it on the Costa del Sol, from quiet sandy coves around Nerja to the grander and busier beaches further east, from coastal walks and strolls along the promenade to watersports and the chance to savour some delicious fish and seafood.
