9 of the best beaches in and near Málaga

1. Playa de la Malagueta, Málaga city centre

Many locals will tell you Playa de la Malagueta is the best beach in Málaga. It's just a 5-10 minute walk from the city centre, so no planning is needed – just grab your togs and sunscreen and go.

Backed by a palm-lined esplanade, it's a wide, 1.2km (0.7 miles) sweep of dark golden sand with plentiful sun-loungers and beach umbrellas, windsurfing equipment to hire and a floating water park.

For a family lunch break, there are plenty of beach restaurants, most of them specialising in grilled sardines and other seafood.

2. Playa El Palo and Playa Pedregalejo, East Málaga

Most of the best beaches in Málaga are very citified. But if you're looking for a seaside enclave that still has a little bit of a traditional fishing village atmosphere, head past the Pedregalejo neighbourhood to Playa el Palo.

You'll see a handful of the local fishing boats known as jábegas hauled up on the sandy beach here, and you can sample their fresh catch in the chiringuito fish restaurants along the seafront.

Find it just a 15-minute drive or bus ride east of Malagueta on Málaga's long esplanade.

3. Playa de Huelin and Playa de San Andrés, Southwest Málaga

Head south from the city centre and you can discover two lovely beaches for the price of one at Playa Huelin and Playa San Andres.

Together, they form a long, family-pleasing urban strand that’s only a hassle-free metro ride from central Málaga.

Given its convenient location, it’s understandably a favourite with locals, who fill the seafood restaurants and beach bars on weekend afternoons.

4. Playa de la Misericordia, Southwest Málaga

Never mind its slightly depressing-sounding name – there's nothing miserable about Playa la Misericordia.

At the southern end of Málaga's chain of urban beaches, this 2km (1.2 miles) strand is one of the biggest and best in the city. And one of the most popular.

It's easy to see why locals love it. It has Blue Flag status, which means the water is as sparkling clean as you'll find anywhere on the Costa del Sol, and you'll find plenty of water sports and places to eat and drink here too.

5. Playa de Bajondillo, Torremolinos

If you’re up for a longer day out from Málaga, carry on south to discover the charms of Torremolinos – a byword for sun, sea and sand since the 1960s.

It's impossible to picture this brash stretch of high-rise hotels as the sleepy fishing village it was until the dawn of tourism, but it's easy to see why the package tour operators pounced on this stunning sweep of sand that's as golden as it ever was.

This is fun central for couples, with loads of watersports and dancing until dawn at clubs at both ends of the beach strip.

6. Playa de Fuengirola, Fuengirola

Fuengirola's 8km-long (5 miles) strand makes it one of the best beaches near Málaga for families. The vibe here is a lot slower-paced than in full-throttle Torremolinos, and the water is shallow and calm.

The beach is lined with restaurants and café-bars – most with a distinctly British flavour – and all with loungers and pedaloes for hire.

For an all-over tan, you'll find a naturist stretch a little further south of central Fuengirola, at the less family-oriented Playa Nudista de Playamarina

7. Playa de Torre del Mar, Torre del Mar

Torre del Mar is a fabulous stop on the way back from a day trip to Velez-Málaga, just inland, or Nerja and its famous grotto, just 30 minutes along the coast.

This spacious, Blue Flag beach is a favourite with Spanish holidaymakers, and its palm-lined beachfront esplanade has beach bars and play areas, plus volleyball courts and seasonal watersports.

Torre del Mar also hosts a summer concert series on the sand, making it a lively choice during high season.

8. Dunas de la Carraca, El Morche (near Torrox)

For a very different beach, head to Dunas de la Carraca at El Morche, near Torrox, to discover a stretch of coast that's as untouched as it gets along the Costa del Sol.

This peaceful beach east of Málaga is part of a protected dune ecosystem, with fine sand, a wild feel and views of the Sierra Almijara mountains.

You might want to pack a picnic and some cold beers, as it's not rammed with beach shacks and loungers or overlooked by big hotels. For true beachcombers, it's hard to beat.

9. Playa de Casablanca and Playa de Venus, Marbella

Marbella is the Costa del Sol's bling central, but you won't be sharing the beaches here with stars and oligarchs – they're holed up in opulent villas in the hills, or on the gleaming super-yachts that adorn the posh marina at Puerto Banus, outside town.

Instead, head to its city beaches to find two distinct vibes. Playa de Venus, near the old town, is lively and central, with bars, loungers and watersports. Casablanca, about 2km (1.2 miles) west, is quieter, with palm-lined promenades and upscale cafés that offer a touch of glamour.