Marbella and Estepona have long expanses of beach which all have different characters. Here’s a locals guide to help you choose, starting from the west of Estepona and moving along to the East of Marbella.
Playa del Cristo, Estepona – Family Friendly
This is one of the most popular beaches for families because Playa del Cristo is a small bay, where the water is shallow and warm, making it very safe for small children. It has golden sand and 2 lovely chiringuitos (beach bars) – Havana and Lolailo’s, both of which have been there for as long as I can remember (an ex-pat of 16 years).
Be warned, Sundays can get pretty busy in the summer, with a lot of local Spanish families enjoying a day at the beach – grandparents and cousins included! This beach is within walking distance of Estepona Port, which has a market on a Sunday and is full of more restaurants and bars.
Playa La Rada, Estepona – Somewhere for everyone
This large beach attracts tourists and locals, of any age. Every year, new sand is laid on Playa La Rada making it larger, and giving plenty of space for everyone to enjoy. It is backed by the town and its promenade, which has just this year, been completely modernised.
Dotted along are lots of chiringuitos, so you always have somewhere to sit and get some food, and some shade during the day, with beach beds for hire as well. At the far eastern end are a row of cocktail bars, a cool place to hang out at sunset.
The New Estepona Walkway “Senda Litoral”
From Playa la Rada the promenade has been extended into a beautiful walkway that follows the seafront. This will eventually go all the way to San Pedro. You will find new wooden bridges and “yellow brick road” style paths. These take walkers and cyclists for a view of the beach you don’t normally see.
Have a nosy at the back of private villas. Marvel at the manicured gardens of some of the newer developments, and see some beautiful, untouched natural areas as well. Of course, if you’re getting hungry or thirsty, some of the best hidden away chiringuitos are here. Sonora, a chic boho place, popular with locals, and Como Pez en el Agua – a fantastic, modern tapas restaurant that hangs over the sea on a wooden part of the walkway.
The beaches on this stretch and all the way to San Pedro de Alcantara, are not such great quality. They can be a mix of sand, stones, and pebbles. Great for walking dogs, fishing, or picnicing if you don’t mind a few pebbles. They are much quieter than the main town beaches. If you want to swim, we recommend wearing beach shoes!
The walkway currently ends at the brand new Ikos 5 Star Hotel, which is near the river at Cancelada. After the river, there is the next stretch which has its own small walkway and is popular with locals.
Costalita Beach, Cancelada, Estepona
This stretch is about 1 kilometre long. It has a pretty pathway which is ideal for those who want a little walk. The beach here has quite soft sand and it’s not too busy. It’s backed by some natural dunes and two restaurants – La Antigua (recently re-built and with live music every so often ) and Pepe’s on the Beach (particularly good for fish eaters!).
The beaches from here to San Pedro de Alcantara are quite rough and ready in places. Not very sandy, but great if you want to hide away from the crowds!
