Marbella Beach: Best Beaches on the Costa del Sol

If there is a stretch of Spain’s coastline that can satisfy those who want to combine beach life with an eccentric nightlife scene defined by fashion and fun, it is the Costa del Sol: while it is partly true that the beaches of Málaga and the province are highly controversial because of the tourist invasion of beachfront hotels and resorts, it is also true that they remain among the most sought-after in all Andalusia.

Along the coastline there are numerous towns of varying interest, but today we mainly want to talk about the beach of Marbella, the town that made the Costa del Sol famous worldwide. With just under 18.6 miles of coastline, Marbella is able to offer more than 20 different beaches, which help complete a truly impressive tourist landscape, as you can see in our article on the things to do in Marbella.

Among the most famous beaches in Marbella are: Playa Cabopino, Playa El Alicate, Playa de la Fontanilla, Playa Venus, Playa Bajadilla, Playa de San Pedro de Alcantara, Playa El Pinillo, Playa de la Calahonda, Playa Real de Zaragoza.

In this article, I will try to give as complete an overview as possible of the Marbella stretch of coastline, dividing the beaches into three parts: those located in the town centre, those to the west, and those to the east of Marbella.

Best Beaches in Marbella (west)

Starting from the west, let’s take a look together at which beaches Marbella has to offer, how to get there and the specific features of each one: bear in mind that the further you move away from Malaga, the more the beaches are freed from the so-called “tower blocks” that have unfortunately often disfigured the coastline.

Good to know

Bear in mind that beaches in Spain almost always have a large free public area for visitors who do not wish to hire a parasol or sun lounger. Public showers and toilets are also often available for everyone to use.

Playa Guadalmina and Playa Linda Vista

They are the two beaches furthest to the west of the Marbella area and are located near the resorts of Guadalmina, Linda Vista and San Pedro de Alcántara. Both have been awarded the Blue Flag and are beaches of sand mixed with gravel. 25–30 metres wide, they stretch for around a 0.9 miles the first and 600 metres the second:

They are close to built-up areas, so in addition to the usual beach services such as sun lounger hire, showers and beach cleaning services, you will find plenty of local hotels for spending the evening.

How to get there: the two beaches can be reached by car via the A-7 (around 9.3 miles from Marbella) and are well signposted. Getting there by bus from Marbella is a bit complicated: you have to take at least 3 bus routes! Without a car and with little time available, it may not be worth the effort.

Playa San Pedro de Alcántara

This beach, like the previous ones, has been awarded the Blue Flag and can be considered an urban beach, as it is located in the town of San Pedro de Alcántara. Easily reached on foot from the town centre too, it offers facilitated access for wheelchairs or people with reduced mobility. At 35 metres wide, this beach, which is more than a 0.9 miles long, has dark sand mixed with gravel and is also ideal for children.

How to get there: the beach can be reached by car via the A-7. It is about 8.7 miles away. Near the beach there is a car park with around 100 spaces, but if you are staying overnight in San Pedro bear in mind that it is easy to reach on foot. From Marbella (Puerto Banús) it is possible to reach San Pedro de Alcántara by bus on urban routes 4 and 5.

Playa de Nueva Andalucia / El Duque

About 0.6 miles long and 30 metres wide, it is among the most popular in the Marbella area. It offers all services, including the yacht club and water sports facilities, and is practically adjoining the well-equipped Playa de Puerto Banús. A dark-sand beach offering a seafront promenade beneath palm and pine trees, it does not have easy access for wheelchairs, but it is ideal for children and can easily be reached on foot. The beach is set in a cove and is therefore sheltered from the wind.

How to get there: the beach can be reached by car via the AP-7 and A-7 or the N-340 in 15 minutes. It is about 6.2 miles from Marbella: there is a car park with over 100 spaces.

Puerto Banús – Playa Río Verde

Approximately 0.6 miles long and a full 40 metres wide, this beach, which stretches from the renowned resort of Puerto Banús to the Río Verde river, offers a golden sand beach and good facilities: showers, toilets, beach surveillance and first-aid service.

It has been awarded the Blue Flag and is usually quite busy with VIPs and others besides. Here you can enjoy water sports, and in the elegant harbour area have an aperitif or a coffee (although rather expensive compared with Andalusian prices).

How to get there: the beach is about 4.3 miles from Marbella and can be reached by car via the coastal road or the AP-7 in about a quarter of an hour. Bus line 1 runs from Marbella to Puerto Banús. In general, if you like walking or are staying to the east of Marbella near the port, you can reach it easily on foot.

Playa El Ancón

Popular among those who adore being close to nature, Playa El Ancón is one of the narrowest beaches in the area, at around 25 metres, but it is characterised by the presence of palm trees and pines. Easily reached from Marbella, it offers clear water, golden sand and all the facilities, including excellent bars, kiosks and little restaurants where you can eat. It has been awarded the Blue Flag.

How to get there: El Ancón is located just 3.7 miles from the centre of Marbella, and is perfect for an excursion away from the town’s beaches.

Playa Nagüeles

This is one of the chicest beaches on the coast. It is on the Golden Mile and is therefore lined with luxurious seafront villas. 40 metres wide and a 1 mile long, it has golden sand and crystal-clear waters. Easily reached on foot or by car, it has facilitated access for wheelchair users.

How to get there: it is possible to arrive by car via the N-340, although there is no parking nearby. It is only 2.5 miles from Marbella and is connected to the centre by bus route 7.

Best beaches of Marbella (City Centre)

Playa La Fontanilla and Playa El Faro

Situated in the city centre, Playa La Fontanilla is one of the busiest. What is the sea like in Marbella? The sand is dark, the beach is well equipped, about 30 metres wide and almost 0.6 miles long. Easily accessible from any part of the city, it is ideal for children and offers every conceivable service: bars, restaurants and shops line the Paseo Marítimo promenade that runs along the entire beach.

The other beach in the centre of Marbella is Playa El Faro. Smaller than the other one, this beach is also very popular in summer, both with tourists and with locals. There is a children’s playground and several kiosks.

How to get there: both beaches are in the centre of Málaga and easy to reach. The best parking for both is near Plaza de la Constitución (pay and display), then continue on foot from there along the promenade.

Playa Venus and Playa La Bajadilla

The other two beaches near the centre of Marbella are Playa Venus and Playa La Bajadilla. The former has rather coarse, dark sand, whilst the latter has white sand. Both are not very long and at the same time very crowded, as are the city’s other beaches. They offer every conceivable service and many commercial activities nearby for those who do not want to spend the whole day on the beach. Both are close to the promenade and easily reachable on foot.

Playa del Cable (Bounty Beach) and Playa Pinillo

With white sand and about 0.6 miles long, Playa del Cable is famous among Marbella’s beaches for its numerous evening open-air concerts and entertainment venues. It has been awarded the Blue Flag, as has the nearby Playa Pinillo.

Playa Pinillo is located a short distance from the Río Real river and is also known as Playa de Río Real or Los Monteros. Compared with the previous beaches, it is usually less crowded, despite being only 15 metres wide. It is almost 1.2 miles long and has dark sand.

How to get there: if you haven’t chosen accommodation in this part of Marbella, bear in mind that both beaches offer parking facilities (Camino Pescadores, 3).

Best beaches of Marbella (East)

Playa El Realejo – Playa Los Monteros

The two beaches have fine white sand and are easy to reach by car or by bus (line 7), being around 3 miles east of Marbella. I recommend heading to Avenida Ignacio Coca to park. The first is about 500 mt long, while the second stretches for more than 0.6 miles: they are located in a fairly quiet residential area, among villas and resorts.

Playa El Alicate

This beach is one of the most beautiful on the Costa del Sol. It is located 6.2 miles east of Marbella and is generally not too crowded. With palm trees lining the beach and coarse, dark sand, this spot has been chosen by some celebrities for their villas, including Antonio Banderas. Although there are long stretches of untouched beach, El Alicate offers every kind of service, including bars and restaurants, toilets, showers and a car park with around 100 spaces.

How to get there: by car, simply take the N340-A7 towards Málaga. After passing Hotel Los Monteros, take the second exit towards Avenida del Gaviero (Urb. Alicate). Go through three roundabouts and you will reach Playa Alicate. The usual bus line 7 makes it possible to reach the area for those who have not hired a rental car in Málaga.

Playa Real Zaragoza

With fine golden sand and moderate waves, this beach is not usually very crowded. It stretches for over 1 mile and is around 30 metres wide. The toilets, bars and kiosks along the side of the beach and the crystal-clear water make this place one of the most popular on the coast.

How to get there: Playa Real de Zaragoza is 8.1 miles from Marbella, and you just need to reach the town of Real de Zaragoza by car or by bus (line 7) to enjoy its beach.

Playa La Víbora, Playa Las Chapas e Playa Las Cañas

These three beaches to the east of Marbella are located close to the eastern edge of the municipality. Víbora is particularly popular with watersports enthusiasts. Las Chapas has fine sand and is ideal for long walks by the sea. It is also home to Nikki Beach, one of the best luxury beach clubs in Marbella. Las Cañas, recognisable by the tower overlooking the seafront, has clear waters and golden sand. It is generally less crowded and, like the other two beaches, offers the facilities needed for a day by the sea, including for families with young children.

How to get there: the three beaches are easy to reach by car by following the N-340 eastwards and taking the exit signposted for each beach. Bus no. 7 terminates right at Las Chapas before heading back to Marbella.

Playa Cabopino and the Artola Dunes

This is one of the best beaches in Marbella and has become very popular in recent years. Ideal for families thanks to the facilities it offers, it is located just 8 miles from Marbella. Playa Cabopino borders the Cabopino harbour area, has golden sand and calm, shallow sea. There are all the facilities and a good selection of bars and restaurants. The beach is also very popular with sports enthusiasts, given how easy it is to hire pedalos, boats and the equipment needed for various water sports.

On the opposite side of Cabopino beach we find the Artola Dunes. Part of the area near the dunes, perhaps because of its particularly secluded layout, is reserved for naturists and is almost entirely devoid of facilities. A landscape like this is very rare along this stretch of coast, while it is quite common on the Costa de la Luz, both on the beaches of Huelva and on those of Cádiz (Bolonia).

How to get there: the beach is easy to reach by car. It is 8 miles from Marbella and there are plenty of car parks and parking spaces nearby. It is also possible to reach this beach by bus from both Marbella and Fuengirola.

Playa Calahonda

Marbella’s easternmost beach is also among the most beautiful you can find on the Costa del Sol. Close to the picturesque town of Mijas, it offers fine sand and calm waters. Not very long, at around 400 metres, it is 30 metres wide and tends to fill up quite quickly, given the limited parking available.

How to get there: this beach is a little far from Marbella, and if you don’t have a car you may be better off heading to beaches closer by. It is about 9.3 miles away, taking around twenty minutes by leaving the main road at Cabopino (port) or Calahonda.

Marbella Beaches Map

Where to stay in the area?

We have given some advice and guidance on the most suitable areas to stay in Marbella, not far from the most famous beaches or the historic centre: you can find them at the link indicated in the box below.

Where to stay in Marbella

Beach hotels in Marbella

If, however, one of the beaches around the town centre has particularly impressed you, you can look for accommodation nearby: there are plenty of options for every budget in this part of the Costa del Sol, but the stars of the show are the beach hotels and beachfront resorts. Below you’ll find some useful links:

Hoping that you have found these details about the beaches of Marbella and the various seaside accommodation options useful, all that remains is for you to set off and go there to see for yourself and choose your favourite!