Costa del Sol is well known all around Europe because it is a fantastic destination for all those who love to holiday under the sun and with a beautiful sea. The coast has a broad choice of beaches to enjoy during the many warm months of the Andalusian weather.
Which beaches on the Costa del Sol should you enjoy in summer?
If you’re planning to visit the Costa del Sol for your holidays, it’s important to note that public transport access to some of these beaches can be difficult, as they are spread across various towns in the province of Málaga.
Intercity transport in Málaga is slow and limited, which means getting to a specific beach can become a challenge for visitors looking to make the most of their time. That’s why most people who come to the coast for their holidays—whether with family or friends—choose Car Hire in Málaga to get around, saving both time and money during their stay.
Car rental is best booked in advance, as leaving it to the last minute can mean risking the unavailability of the desired vehicle. The best option is definitely to book online, either through the website of a comparison platform specialising in Rent a Car Málaga, or directly on the website of an all-inclusive car rental company.
If you're arriving by plane, you can make your reservation in advance and pick up your vehicle right at the airport with a Car Hire at Malaga Airport, allowing you to start your trip conveniently and without delays.
As we’ve already mentioned, the beach selection is extensive, so to make your planning easier, we’ve created a list of must-visit beaches on the Costa del Sol:
Playa de Burriana (Nerja, Málaga)
Burriana beach is a big sandy beach located to the furthest east of Nerja. For years it has been receiving the prestigious European Union acknowledgment ‘Bandera Azul’ (or blue flag) and also the ‘Q de calidad’ -by the Spanish authorities. It is located in a modern area with all possible amenities for visitors, locals and foreigners, that choose to come here every year. Main access to the beach is through Filipinas street, a long and steep way down a hill coming form Pescia avenue and known locally as ‘Cardiac Hill’.
La Cala de Maro (Maro, Málaga)
This beach is part of the “Paraje Natural Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo” a Natural reserve legally protected because of its rich environment.
The beautiful views make the beach an attractive destination for films and tv shows. Spanish iconic tv series from the eighties, ‘Verano Azul’, was filmed here.
If you like diving the area has a rich variety of marine fauna, with extensive fields of Posidonia sea grass, that can be admired alongside coral, sponges and an array of brightly coloured fish species.
To reach the beach you better park your car in Maro village and then walk to Maro inlet and from here you will see at your right a pathway.
Playa de Pedregalejo (Málaga city)
Pedregalejo is an old Fishermen’s neighbourhood to the east of Málaga city. The beach is 1200 metres long and has all kind of facilities like hammocks and shades to rent, freshwater showers, parking places and gardens.
You can find there also a rich gastronomy offering mainly dedicated to fish preparations like the famous ‘espeto de sardinas’ and the popular ‘pescaito frito’ typical of Málaga.
Playa de la Cala de Mijas (Mijas, Málaga)
Cala de Mijas is located in the west part of Málaga province and is a very popular destination for European tourists for more than 50 years now. You can practice here water sports like water skiing, jet skiing, pedal boats, paragliding over the waves, etc.
From here you can visit the old village of Mijas, up in the mountain, a good example of a typical ‘pueblo blanco andaluz’ -‘white village’ from Andalusia- of Muslim origin. It has a big public car park open 24x7.
Playa de Cabopino (Marbella, Málaga)
Cabopino beach in Marbella is a fantastic beach of fine golden sand close to the natural spot of Dunas de Artola. It is regarded as one of the best beaches in Costa del Sol.
You can also find here the ‘Bandera Azul’ and the ‘Q de calidad’ acknowledgments. There is a protected area of Mediterranean scrub and vegetation with unique species. There is also a nudist area.
Not far from the beach you can find ‘la Torre Ladrones’ a defensive construction from Roman times part of the cultural heritage of the country.
There is a free car park in Cabopino and several beach bars where you can enjoy a nice meal/drink by the sea.
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