Best Beaches in the Costa del Sol and Andalusia
13 hand-picked beaches in the Costa del Sol and Andalusia, ranked by our editors. Top pick: Los Genoveses Beach (4.6 / 5).
Los Genoveses Beach
Cabo de Gata, Almeria, Spain · Wild Dunes of Cabo de Gata · 4.6 / 5
Playa de Monsul
Cabo de Gata, Almeria · Volcanic dune beach in Cabo de Gata · 4.6 / 5
Playa de los Muertos, Carboneras
Carboneras, Almeria, Andalusia · Wild pebble and sand beach below a rock stack · 4.6 / 5
Playazo de Rodalquilar
Rodalquilar, Cabo de Gata-Nijar, Almeria · Long beach of sand and gravel with a ruined castle · 4.5 / 5
Playa de Cabopino
Marbella, Costa del Sol · Sandy cove beside a marina and old watchtower · 4.4 / 5
Playa Burriana
Nerja, Costa del Sol, Andalusia · Long Nerja beach lined with chiringuitos · 4.4 / 5
Playa de la Rada, Estepona
Estepona, Costa del Sol · Wide beach with palms and a flower-filled old town · 4.3 / 5
Playa de Mojacar
Mojacar, Almeria · Long sand beach below a white hill village · 4.3 / 5
Playa de Calahonda
Nerja, Costa del Sol, Andalusia · Town cove below the Balcon de Europa · 4.2 / 5
Playa de la Carihuela
Torremolinos, Costa del Sol · Beach with chiringuitos and the old fishermen quarter · 4.2 / 5
Playa San Cristobal, Almunecar
Almunecar, Costa Tropical · Dark pebble beach under a castle and a green mountain · 4.2 / 5
Playa de Salobrena, Granada
Salobrena, Costa Tropical, Granada · Dark sand beach near a white hill town and Moorish castle · 4.2 / 5
Torre del Mar Beach, Velez-Malaga
Torre del Mar, Velez-Malaga, Malaga · Dark sand seafront with a long promenade on the Costa del Sol · 4.1 / 5About beaches in the Costa del Sol and Andalusia
Southern Spain's Mediterranean coast mixes long urban beaches, pebble coves below cliffs and wild shores in Cabo de Gata. The climate is warm for much of the year and chiringuitos serve grilled fish on the sand.
When to go
May to October is the beach season, with very hot weather in July and August. April and November can still be pleasant for walking.
Getting around
Trains and buses serve the main resorts, but a car is useful for the wilder beaches. Wind and sea state can change quickly, so check conditions before swimming.
Easiest beaches to reach
Los Genoveses Beach, Playazo de Rodalquilar, Playa de Cabopino, Playa Burriana.
Quieter hidden gems
Playa de Monsul, Playa de los Muertos, Carboneras, Playazo de Rodalquilar, Playa de Salobrena, Granada.
All beaches at a glance
- Los Genoveses Beach: best May–October, water about 22 degrees C, access easy.
- Playa de Monsul: best May–October, water about 22 degrees C, access moderate.
- Playa de los Muertos, Carboneras: best June–September, water about 23 degrees C, access moderate.
- Playazo de Rodalquilar: best June–September, water about 22 degrees C, access easy.
- Playa de Cabopino: best May–October, water about 22 degrees C, access easy.
- Playa Burriana: best May–October, water about 22 degrees C, access easy.
- Playa de la Rada, Estepona: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Playa de Mojacar: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Playa de Calahonda: best May–October, water about 22 degrees C, access moderate.
- Playa de la Carihuela: best June–September, water about 20 degrees C, access easy.
- Playa San Cristobal, Almunecar: best June–September, water about 23 degrees C, access easy.
- Playa de Salobrena, Granada: best June–September, water about 23 degrees C, access easy.
- Torre del Mar Beach, Velez-Malaga: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the beaches in the Costa del Sol and Andalusia?
May to October is the beach season, with very hot weather in July and August. April and November can still be pleasant for walking.
Which beaches in the Costa del Sol and Andalusia are easiest to reach?
The easiest access is at Los Genoveses Beach, Playazo de Rodalquilar, Playa de Cabopino, Playa Burriana. Check each beach page for parking and facilities.
Do I need a car for the beaches in the Costa del Sol and Andalusia?
Trains and buses serve the main resorts, but a car is useful for the wilder beaches. Wind and sea state can change quickly, so check conditions before swimming.
Best-of lists for the Costa del Sol and Andalusia
Best Sandy Beaches in the Costa del Sol and Andalusia · Best Family Beaches in the Costa del Sol and Andalusia · Easiest Beaches to Reach in the Costa del Sol and Andalusia · Hidden Gem Beaches in the Costa del Sol and Andalusia