The best beaches on the Costa del Sol

Best for: Western Costa, locals, paseo + simple chiringuitos

The western anchor of the Costa, 10 km west of Estepona. Long flat sand, a working paseo where the same six grandmothers walk every evening, and chiringuitos that haven't been redesigned for Instagram. Quieter than anything east of Estepona, especially in shoulder season.

Best for: Families with kids, walkable from town centre

Estepona's central beach, 2.5 km of golden sand right at the edge of the historic centre. Shallow gradient (kids can walk out 30 metres before it's above their head), Blue Flag every year since 2014. The promenade behind it has the Thursday mercadillo at one end and a children's playground at the other.

Best for: Nature lovers, less crowded, dunes + harbor

20 km east of central Marbella, this is the rare Marbella beach with a real nature backdrop — the protected Artola dunes (a 2 km nature reserve trail starts at the eastern end). The fishing harbour at the western end has 4 chiringuitos and the Marbella Sailing Club. Blue Flag every year since 2008. Our pick if you want Marbella without the wall-to-wall sunbeds.

Best for: Marbella centre walkable beach, the urban classic

Marbella's central beach, 10 minutes walk west of the Casco Antiguo. Wide stretch of grey-gold sand backed by the paseo marítimo. The chiringuitos La Cabane and Estrella del Mar are at the eastern end, the Golden Mile starts at the western end. Crowded in August but fine in May, June, September, October. The default 'Marbella beach' for first-time visitors.

Best for: Old fishing village atmosphere, espetos, family-friendly

Torremolinos's western beach, anchored by the old fishermen's quarter of the same name. This is where the original Costa del Sol espeto restaurants are — Casa Juan, El Roqueo — serving sardines on sticks grilled over wood fire. The sand is darker than further west but the swimming is great. We come for the food more than the beach.

Best for: Eastern Costa, families, water sports, restaurant strip

Nerja's main beach, on the eastern edge of the Costa del Sol where the coast starts curving towards Granada. 800 metres of golden sand, beachfront restaurants instead of high-rises, and the Río Chillar coming down behind it. The water clears faster here than further west because the currents are different. Try Ayo's for paella cooked in giant pans over open fire since 1968.

Best for: Hidden cove hunters, snorkelling, the eastern wild end

Five minutes east of Nerja are a chain of small coves backed by cliffs that mark the actual end of the Costa del Sol. Cala de Maro is the easiest to reach (paid parking lot, 200m walk down). Cala del Cañuelo is more dramatic but a longer scramble. Best snorkelling on the entire Costa thanks to the rocky bottom + clearer eastern water. Bring food — no chiringuitos here, just one tiny refreshment kiosk.

Best for: Calm-water swimming, families with non-swimming kids

A small horseshoe-shaped bay 3 km west of Estepona centre — protected from the open sea, so the water is glassy on days when other beaches have meter-high waves. Sand is fine and clean. The whole beach is maybe 400 metres long, so it fills up fast in summer; arrive before 11am or after 5pm. Free showers, two small chiringuitos. Best for kids who are nervous about waves.

Best for: Wild dune beach worth a day trip from Marbella

Two hours west of Marbella, but if you want one Andalusian beach to remember for life it's this one. A 4 km arc of white sand against pine forest and a 30-metre-high dune you can climb. The Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia sit at one end. Wind can be strong (Tarifa is the windsurfing capital), so check the forecast. Worth doing as a Friday/Saturday day trip when Marbella beaches are at their busiest.