Malaga is a city of art and culture, rich in many fascinating traditions and restaurants serving excellent cuisine. But Malaga is also a seaside city, and tourists planning a holiday in this splendid place, as well as organising the visits and cultural activities they intend to take part in, also think about the famous beaches of Malaga.
The city, in fact, boasts a long coastline, enhanced by a pleasant climate for almost the entire year: in addition to the city beaches, we are talking about the Costa del Sol, with its clear sea and, above all, a truly comprehensive range of services. That is why this city is often an excellent option for those wishing to combine a cultural visit with the relaxation of a restorative seaside holiday.
Anyone who has been to Malaga, however, knows that one beach above all draws tourists’ attention and finds itself welcoming thousands of people at any time of year: La Malagueta, which, with its lively atmosphere and its famous night-time beach parties, has become the symbol of Andalusian fun.
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Useful information for a visit
Here’s some useful information for visiting the city beach… with a few recommendations drawn from experience!
Where to find and how to get to Playa de la Malagueta
The beach takes its name from the La Malagueta neighbourhood, which is right in the city centre and is home to the eponymous Plaza de toros of Malaga. During the 19th century, the neighbourhood was mainly occupied by factories and industrial production buildings; it was only at the end of the century that the transformation began which gave the neighbourhood its current appearance.
La Playa de La Malagueta is the most central beach in the city, and is recognisable by the huge, famous “Malagueta” sign at its entrance. Being right in the city, it has become one of Malaga’s main attractions also because, besides being the beach closest to the historic centre and therefore to all the main points of interest in the city, it offers a range of services that are always important when deciding to spend a few hours in the sun.
Being so central, however, also has obvious drawbacks, one of which is the difficulty of finding parking: for this reason it’s always better to reach La Malagueta on foot or at most by bus.
- if you want to take a stroll, you can get to the beach by crossing the marina Muelle Uno or by walking along the seafront called Paseo de La Farola.
- if you prefer to take a bus, we recommend bus number 14, which drops you right on the seafront, just a few steps from the beach.
Beach features
La Malagueta is the typical beach with dark‑coloured sand and large grains – just like most of the beaches on the Costa del Sol – and for this reason it has a consistently very high temperature: in summer it is really difficult to walk barefoot and enjoy the pleasant sensation of the sand beneath your feet.
La Malagueta covers an area 1,200 metres long, with a depth of about 50 metres. At the start of the high season, the beach (which has free entry) fills up with beach facilities, umbrella hire, equipment and facilities for water sports, not to mention the typical chiringuitos with their beachfront terraces and the rustic seafront restaurants. The most sought-after dish in the venues on Playa La Malagueta is the typical Espeto, skewered fish cooked over charcoal and usually sold at very low prices: take a look at our recommendations on where to eat in Malaga.
Like all good things, however, La Malagueta also has its negatives. Being just a stone’s throw from the centre, in fact, the presence of tourists is very high and the locals, on the other hand, tend to avoid this beach, often preferring places further from the city centre. Consequently, the few people you hear speaking Spanish will be other tourists from other parts of Spain.
Taking these aspects into account, La Malagueta is certainly not recommended for those who, in summer, are looking for peace and relaxation, especially during peak summer hours when the beach is really very crowded. This is, of course, true of all places that attract many tourists at particular times of the year, but La Malagueta is an excellent example when it comes to Andalusia.
An example of innovation
La Malagueta beach was the first beach in the world, in 2014, to be fitted with a new rescue system called “Punto Naranja”; it is a motorised unit located at several points along the beach, fitted with a harness and 400 metres of line so that rescue personnel can reach people in difficulty in the water more quickly and more easily.
Because of its innovative safety system and clear waters, La Malagueta beach is particularly suited to families with children, although it is also very popular with groups of young people. Take care, though: in many places the water becomes deep almost immediately!
Where to stay in the area?
Playa de La Malagueta is undoubtedly one of the key points of tourism in Malaga, and represents an excellent option on a hot Andalusian summer afternoon. A refreshing dip in the sea or perhaps an aperitif in one of the many chiringuitos on the beach is ideal for relaxing a little and regaining your energy to continue your visit to the historic centre of Malaga.
If your ideal holiday involves long, hot days on the city’s most famous beach, you might want to look for accommodation in the Malagueta neighbourhood, perhaps a seafront hotel in Malaga, so you can step out of your room in flip-flops and be just a few steps from the beach while also being in a strategic location for visiting the main sights. At the link below you’ll find some targeted recommendations.
