5 Best Beaches in Malaga

Roughly 1,200 metres of dark sand stretch along the shore of La Malagueta Beach. Dotted with palm trees and housing the Malagueta sculpture, its proximity to the city centre makes it the most convenient Malaga beach to reach on foot. There are ample restaurants and bars along the Promenade of Pablo Ruiz Picasso.

Families with children can enjoy the playground, while others can rent umbrellas and hammocks to spend their day on the beach. The sandy shores of Playa La Malagueta have plenty of modern conveniences within reach, making it incredibly popular throughout summer. 

Set along the affluent coastal neighbourhood of the same name, Playa de La Caleta is skirted by villas and mansions that were built by the Haute Bourgeoisie of the 19th century. The wide, palm-lined promenade leads to the neighbouring cosmopolitan beach of La Malagueta. There’s no natural border between them, but La Malagueta remains the busier of the 2 beaches.

Beach bars stretch along the 1-km length of the shore, with a variety of water sports on offer and the benefit of lifeguards and green spaces. Graced with clean sands, you can laze under umbrellas and palms or cool off in the sea while taking in the view of the mountains that surround Malaga.

Continue east from the urban beaches of Playa La Malagueta and Playa de La Caleta and you’ll happen upon the quieter beach of El Palo. With a sandy waterfront and calm waters, the beach is smaller than others in Malaga but provides a welcome escape for anyone looking to relax. Fishing and diving are popular pastimes at Playa de el Palo.

Renting a bike to follow the boulevarde along the coastline of Malaga is the best way to enjoy a day out to El Palo. Away from the bustling centre, you’ll discover quaint fishing villages where colourful houses line the beach and restaurants serve fresh seafood. Sardine skewers (espetos) cooked on a barbecue made from an old fishing boat on the beach are a favourite among locals that relax here.

If you’re looking to retreat somewhere a bit quieter, with fewer beach bars and a more relaxed vibe, Playa Peñón del Cuervo is ideal. It is famed for the peñon (the rock) that rises above the sea that divides the 450-metre beach in 2. You can enjoy a wide sandy beach peppered with shady palms for a family day out.

Best reached by car, the beach’s distance from densely populated neighbourhoods makes it ideal for beach parties, concerts and barbecues with the younger crowds. Less urbanised than other Malaga beaches, Playa Peñón del Cuervo is perfect for those in search of a place to unwind.

Southwest of Malaga’s centre lies the 2-km-long Playa de la Misericordia, with its dark sandy shores that are characteristic of the region. Unlike other beaches in Malaga, Playa de la Misericordia still holds onto some of the city’s industrial past with a 19th-century chimney dominating the seaside promenade.

On summer evenings, groups of children gather with their surfboards to make the most of the waves that seemingly appear from nowhere. The phenomenon, known as Ola del Melillero, is caused by the waves from the high-speed ferry that arrives into Malaga Port every night.