The Costa del Sol literally means “sunshine coast” and so it should be unsurprising to find out that the majority of people who choose to visit this region of Spain do so for the fabulous beaches in the area. Located in Spain’s stunning Andalucía region, the Costa del Sol is bordered by the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Beautiful beaches and clear seas make this a popular location for thousands of tourists every year so without further ado let’s take a look at five of the best beaches in the Costa del Sol.
Puerto Banus
On this sunny strip of coast in Marbella, Puerto Banus plays host to a beautiful scene and a variety of different activities. There are plenty of beach clubs here where people spend the day playing sports and drinking ice cold drinks in an effort to chase the hot sun away. Smaller stretches of prime beach in this area include Pedro’s Beach and Buddha Beach, which have food and drinks on-site and can be somewhat of a getaway from a getaway. The area also plays host to some of the best nightclubs around during the evening hours, meaning you never have to leave to find something else to do when the sun goes down.
La Carihuela
Located on the outskirts of Torremolinos, La Carihuela is a quaint Spanish Mediterranean village and has plenty of old-fashioned bars, restaurants and clubs in close proximity. With access to everything, this beach is perfect for families and party-goers alike and has some of the most pristine beachfront anywhere along the Costa del Sol. There are also a variety of sports that can be played along the beach; on any given day, volleyball, boating, jet-skiing and windsurfing can be seen in action and there are plenty of individuals willing to help you out with finding something fun to do.
Playa Los Lances
When it comes to finding the perfect beach that looks how nature intended, Playa Los Lances is one of the best examples in the Costa del Sol. Unlike some of the other beaches on this list, Playa Los Lances is free from most forms of commercial development. This means no noise, no trash and no impurities on the beach. Surfers and loungers alike enjoy this pristine shoreline and treat it respectably. Located just a few kilometers from Tarifa (the Spanish crossing point of the Strait of Gibraltar), this beach is easily accessible, especially when crossing between Morocco and Spain.
Cabo de Gata
This unique coastal experience is located within a National Park and the volcanic formations surrounding it rise up to create awesome cliffs and peaks around the beach. Typically one of the driest coastlines in the area, Cabo de Gata still has a surprising amount and variance of vegetation, which is great for those nature lovers who like to see all the unique microcosms of the area. This area is one of the best places from which to swim, dive and explore dozens of rocky islands and enclaves created by volcanic activity. This area is east of Almeria, along the southernmost coastline within the park.
Bounty Beach
Located in Marbella (just a hop away from Puerto Banus), Bounty Beach is one of the most active and youthful beaches in the Costa del Sol area. There is plenty of good music here, as well as good food and good times to be had. During the high season, there are nightly parties on the beachfront and there is always a healthy mix of Marbella natives and tourists to make the environment fun and electrifying. A series of tapas and beverages served by one of the local bars gets you in the mood to cut loose and have fun on this beach.
Photo courtesy of Lauren Tucker
Whether you are planning on visiting Nerja or Marbella, the Costa del Sol is a fantastic place to spend a beach holiday. Visit the Owner’s Direct website and browse through their selection of holiday rentals Spain – there are so many to choose from you’ll struggle to choose!