THINGS TO DO
The best beaches on the Costa del Sol
The best sand on the Costa del Sol is spread out, and the prettiest spots reward a short drive. Here are our favourites, from family-friendly resorts to wild, dune-backed bays.
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Cabopino, Marbella
Golden dunes and a natural, low-rise feel beside a pretty marina — Marbella's nicest beach.
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Playa de la Fontanilla & Puerto Banús
Central Marbella sand and the buzzy beach clubs around the marina.
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Carvajal, Fuengirola
A relaxed Blue Flag beach with a train stop and good chiringuitos — easy for families.
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La Carihuela, Torremolinos
Old fishing-quarter beach famed for grilled-sardine espetos right on the sand.
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Burriana, Nerja
The east coast's best beach, with clear water and watersports below pretty Nerja.
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Bolonia, near Tarifa
Wild, dune-backed Atlantic sand with Roman ruins — worth the longer drive west.
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Frequently asked
For the old town and Puerto Banús you can walk. But the best beaches sit between towns, and the white villages and day trips — Ronda, Mijas, Gibraltar — are awkward by bus. A compact automatic handles the coast road and the climbs comfortably and pays for itself over a few outings.
May–June and September are ideal — warm sea, sunshine and far fewer crowds than peak summer. July and August are hot and busy, so book the car early. Winters are mild and quiet, great for driving the white villages without traffic.