Summer Season Officially Open: What's Happening This Week on the Costa del Sol
Two things marked the official start of the Costa del Sol summer season this past weekend. Ocean Club Marbella's gates swung open Friday 1 May after the winter closure — and Saturday 2 May filled Estepona's old town with five altars for the Cruces de Mayo. This is what's happening on the coast this week.
Ocean Club Marbella — Season officially open May 1
Ocean Club's 2026 season kicked off Friday 1 May with the usual sunset launch party. We were there — first time the DJ bar was spinning since October's winter close. Ocean Club Marbella has one clear change this season: the pool was retiled in March and the bar zone was expanded by around 30% on the west side.
- First two weeks: sunbeds 20% off peak rate
- Mandatory reservation from Saturday — call +34 952 908 137
- Sunday DJ: Roger Sanchez on Sunday 10 May, normal peak pricing
Trocadero Arena — Reopened April 28
Two days before Ocean Club, Trocadero Arena Marbella opened its doors with the annual soft launch on Tuesday April 28. When we stopped by on Tuesday May 5 for lunch, around 60% of the sunbeds were taken — that's strong for early May. Could be down to the three new daybeds with private bar at the water line (from €350 a day).
- Lobster carpaccio is back on the menu (€28)
- DJ schedule runs from May 8, daily 14:30-19:30
- Open every day except Tuesday off-peak hours
La Sala by the Sea — Estepona's big opening
La Sala by the Sea opened Wednesday 30 April — a week earlier than last year. The kitchen was reworked in April by chef Antonio Morera with a focus on pescados a la espalda (fish grilled on its back, traditional Spanish). We tried the boquerones del día here on Saturday evening and the portion at €14 was unexpectedly generous for a place at this level.
- Open daily 12:00-23:00 from now
- Sunset DJ daily around 18:00 at sunset
- Tip: book a table right on the sand — not the terrace above
Cruces de Mayo Estepona — Saturday May 2 in pictures
Five altars stood in Estepona's Casco Antiguo this past Saturday May 2 in the Cruces de Mayo Estepona '26 contest — organised by the Ayuntamiento. The prize for best altar (€150) went to the Hermandad de la Vera Cruz on Plaza de las Flores. We stood in Calle del Carmen at 19:30 for the procession — first time our youngest joined us and the mix of incense and jasmine is something you don't forget.
For next year: Cruces de Mayo always falls on or just after May 1. In Estepona it's always Saturday, in Benalmádena spread over four days (this year April 30 - May 3).
- Next year: check Estepona's Ayuntamiento late April for altar locations
- When: Saturday around 19:00 the procession starts
- Free to the public
El Balneario Baños del Carmen — Espeto season officially open
El Balneario Baños del Carmen is open year-round but May 1 marks their annual switch from winter menu to full espeto service. From Friday the old espeto boat was back on the sand for the sardines on skewers — that's the signal fire that the Málagueño summer season has really begun. We went Tuesday for lunch — €15 including three tapas and a glass of wine as the daily.
- Espeto table lunch only (12:30-16:00)
- Evening: indoor menu, no espetos
- Tuesday lunch special €15 including drink
What's coming up (May 5-11)
- Saturday May 9: Fiesta de la Naranja Coín — citrus festival in the old town, free tapas route in the afternoon
- Sunday May 10: Día de la Madre (Mother's Day) — all beach clubs above have family table deals
- Monday May 11: Roger Sanchez DJ set at Ocean Club (mandatory table/sunbed reservation)
- Ongoing through May 31: 2nd Concurso de Paella Estepona — tied to the paella event May 31
Photos: pedronchi (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons; Google Maps contributors.
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Feria Málaga Begins: Five Days to Opening and What's Coming This Weekend
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Twelve Days to Feria Málaga: What We Booked and What's Still Possible
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July on the Costa del Sol: Feria Estepona, Starlite Top Acts, and What's Still Bookable
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