Are There Good Beaches In Malaga?

Most people know that Malaga is on the Mediterranean coast. However, one question often arises, are there good beaches in Malaga? The answer to that is yes, if you know where to find them. In this article, I will share a few secrets to discover some of the best beaches in and around Malaga. If you are travelling to Malaga city in summer, you can combine a city break with a Mediterranean beach holiday.

Can You Have A Beach Holiday In Malaga?

Yes, you can have a beach holiday in Malaga. However, Malaga isn’t quite a holiday destination like the nearby Costa del Sol resorts. Whilst there will be many visitors to Malaga enjoying the beaches in summer, you will find mostly residents enjoying the beaches during summer holidays or weekends. The beaches will be quieter and a more laid-back atmosphere.

The beaches in Malaga city tend to lack some facilities of larger resorts. Watersports and other tourist related activities are less abundant compared to the Costa del Sol resorts. There are a decent amount of chiringuitos and restaurants around. In some areas, they can be a considerable number of bars and restaurants near the beach. These tend to be in areas with a large residential population that are close to the beach.

Are The Beaches In Malaga Close To The Historic Centre?

The beaches in Malaga city are not located in the historic centre / old town of Malaga. The coastal area close to Malaga’s old town is occupied by Malaga port. However, there are beaches located east and west of the old town of Malaga. The closet beach is Malagueta and is about a 10-minute walk from the Alcazaba of Malaga.

If you plan to visit Malaga in the summer months and intend to enjoy relaxing on the beach, here are a few points to consider. There are a few hotels or hostels close to Malagueta Beach. However, it can be a challenging walk from these areas to the old town of Malaga during the hot summer months. Personally, I would opt to be closer to Malaga’s old town, and then visit the beach as and when you choose. You could take a taxi or a bus from Avda Alameda Principal or Paseo del Parque to Malagueta beach. Renting a bike may also be a good idea to get to the beach and explore the city.

When visiting Malaga, your priority should be focused on visiting the wonderful sights and attractions the city offers. The nearby beaches could be added for an enjoyable day or afternoon of relaxation. Keep in mind, Malaga is a city that should firstly be visited to explore its history and remarkable old town. The beaches that are close to the historic centre can be included as a bonus to your trip.

Which Are The Best Beaches In Malaga?

My favourite beach in Malaga, as I have mentioned before, is the Malagueta Beach. I consider this to be the best beach in Malaga and near to the old town. Below I have prepared a summary of the best beaches in Malaga.

Malagueta Beach

Malagueta beach is one of the best beaches in. Malaga to visit. Situated the other side of the Muelle Uno shopping and leisure complex and La Caleta beach. It can be easily reached from the old town. The length is around 1.2 km and its width is 45 meters. The beach has been awarded a blue flag, meaning it is clean and safe to swim.

The facilities are generally superb. Malagueta Beach has toilets, showers, children’s play areas, sunbeds and various beach bars. There is a beach cinema showing films during the summer months. As with most of Malagas beaches, the sand is a darker colour than you might be used to. The quality of the sand, in my opinion, is better in some of the Costa del Sol resorts. Malagueta Beach is the most popular with residents of Malaga, mainly due to its proximity to urban areas.

Malagueta Beach, One of The Best Beaches In Malaga
La Caleta Beach

La Caleta Beach is next to Malagueta Beach and joins the main road from Malaga to El Palo. The beach is about 1 km long and is beside a promenade with the odd chirguitos (beach bars) every few hundred meters. This beach is popular with people walking along the beachfront. It has similar facilities as Malagueta Beach and is safe to swim. Again, this is very popular with locals, and are fewer tourists than the nearby Malagueta Beach.

Huelin Beach & Misericordia Beach

The other side of Malaga port from Malagueta and La Caleta beaches are Huelin and Misericordia beaches. A nicer promenade than the La Caleta beach and a few more bars and restaurants. Huelin Beach leads on to Misericordia each. The latter is a great beach for families as it is close to Parque del Oeste and a great Splash Park. Burger King and KFC are located here, ideal for a cheap meal or takeaway. You can also enjoy a walk along Paseo Antonio Banderas, named after the actor born in Malaga.

Facilities are the same as other beaches in Malaga and include lifeguards, showers, toilets, and sun loungers. The beach is safe for families, and the area is generally very safe. You may need to keep an eye on valuables as there can be the odd pick pocket about. In my opinion, I think the sand is slightly darker than the Malagueta Beach.

Misericordia Beach Malaga

Beach Resorts Close To Malaga

If you are looking for a more lively beach resort, I have two recommendations. The first is Torremolinos, about a 15-minute drive from Malaga centre. This was one of the first of the mass-produced holiday resorts in Spain and started in the 1950s. It quickly developed during the 1960s and 1970s. Nowadays, you can enjoy plenty of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and other activities. The beaches of Torremoloinos are excellent, with golden sand and blue flag beaches, that are close to many bars and restaurants. There is always a fun and holiday vibe to Torremolinos, especially during summer.

Another lively resort in the summer months is Torre del Mar. This family orientated town is about 30 minutes by car from Malaga. Torre del Mar turns in to a fun place in July and August, it is like someone activates a switch and transforms the town. There is a tourist train, tourist sightseeing bus, a fairground, bouncy castle and play centers. Craft markets are present in summer and there are many events and concerts. There is also an air show every year. I must congratulate the town hall for dedicating their time to making Torre del Mar such a nice place to visit.

Torre del Mar Beach

We Love Beaches, Are There Any More?

Are there any more beaches? Yes, plenty! The entire coastline of the Mediterranean Sea has an endless number of beaches. Some are in large resorts, others more residential, other beaches are hidden gems and some beaches are even terrible. If you have hired a car, you can drive along the coast and stop wherever it suits you.

About an hour drive from Malaga is the Costa Tropical. This stretches from Nerja to Almuñecar and there are some hidden gems of beaches here. The mountains meet the sea with hidden beach coves make this area a great place to visit. It can easily be done as a day trip and is worth exploring. The Costa del Sol also has some hidden gems. However, you would need to explore away from the main tourist resorts.

Overall, remember, Malaga is a city that you need to explore in detail. Its historic monuments and amazing museums should be discovered. However, you can take a day away and relax on the many beaches on offer. I think it’s about the balance between city break and beach time. Done right, you can certainly enjoy the best of both worlds.

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