Estepona Beaches

Playa del Cristo © Gonzalo Alvarez
Playa del Cristo
Estepona Beaches © Michelle Chaplow
The beaches of Estepona, with picture postcard views across the Mediterranean to Africa.

Estepona Beaches (West to East).

West to Casares beaches.

PLAYA GALERA

This 2km beach is bounded at the west by the Torre de la Sal headland and runs to the next headland at Bahia Dorada; it is about 40m wide. Not overly busy, this is mainly used by the residents of the urbanizations that straddle of the coast road.  There is a chiringuito at the western end near Torre del Sal. There is a pedestrian promenade for most of this long beach and vehicle acccess via roads in the urbanizations, but very little parking.

At the west end of Playa Galera is a large offshore rock called Piedra Paloma (Dove's Rock). It is 30m offshore at high tide and can be walked to at low tide. This rock marks the next beach Playa Piedra Paloma or Playa de la Piedras de la Paloma, which is actually in the municipal district of Casares and in 2016 became an authorised Dog Beach replacing the Playa del Sal dog beach. Access to Playa Piedra Paloma is via the Urbanizacion Casares del Mar.

 

 

PLAYA BAHIA DORADA

This beach is similar to the others in the area. Bounded by the two headlands it is about 700m long and 40m wide. The established 1970s urbanization Bahia Dorada fronts the beach. A seafront promenade was constructed recently, to protect from land erosion in the winter storms. There is no car access to the beach. On the Bahia Dorada headland at the east and interestingly within the estate is the old 'Bahia Dorada watchtower (Torre Vigia).

PLAYA ARROYO VAQUERO

This beach is to the east of the Bahia Dorada headland, and where the Arroyo Vaquero river reaches the sea. The car access is a roundabout into the Estepona Spa and Resort Hotel which fronts this beach. there is car access to the beach with limited parking. Upon entering the urbanization infrom of the hotel entrance turn either left or right and wind your way through the houses down to the beach. The Arroyo Vaquero beach here is about 1km long and 50m wide and is quiet.

© Michelle Chaplow Playa Arroyo Vaquero, Estepona
Sunset over Playa Arroyo Vaquero, Estepona

PLAYA COSTA NATURA

The beach is a continuation of Playa Arroyo Vaquero, however the 400m section in front of the Costa Natura resort is officially classified as 'naturist beach'. This naturist stretch of beach runs from the small headland at the eastern perimeter, in front of the Costa Natura Complex and inf ront of the adjacent 'The Edge' (2019) residential complex and Nido Beach Club (2021) to the Arroyo Enmedio stream. Like all beaches in Spain the beach open to all members of the public. You can rent sunbeds from Costa Natura where a small kiosk sells soft drinks. Nido Beach Club also offer luxury sumbeds but refuse naturists, a policy that has lead to dispute over rights and a change.org petition. Parking is available on the service road in front of Costa Natura and in the car park by The Edge. Access down to the beach is by footpath from either side of side of Costa Natura / Edge complex. More>

Costa Natura was Spain's first purpose-built naturist complex was granted rights in the 1970s and the present complex was constructed 1982 and extended in 1984. It is located to the east of Estepona town between the N-340 and the beach at km 151. The complex is mainly residential. Artments are for available for holiday rental and a limited number of day passes are available for touring naturists.

PLAYA GUADALABON

This is the name given to various stretches of beach in the area of the river Guadalabon. Some areas, such as that in front of Gran Hotel Elba (with promenade walkway), or in front of H10 Estepona Palace Hotel, are wider, but much of the rest of this 2km seafront is not overly interesting.

PLAYA EL CRISTO

Situated just outside the town of Estepona, to the west of the Marina, El Cristo beach is situated in a delightful sheltered cove, ideal for children, with two chiringuitos. Its ideal location facing west means longer hours evening sunshine. This beach has become increasingly popular in recent years and tends to get quite crowded on summer weekends. It has a good atmosphere with music playing at two of the beach bars. The cove and the outer protection wall ensure the sea is warmer than the surrounding waters. It slopes very gently and is very safe for children. There is a lifeguard station and showers in the summer. There are two good beach bars, the trendy Havana Beach and the more traditional Chiringuito Lolailo.

Vehicle access is by the narrow, steep road 'Calle Virgin del Naranjo' from a roundabout 200m to the west of Estepona Marina entrance. Summer parking at the back of the beach is chaotic, so it's best to park on the waste ground at the bottom of 'Calle Virgin del Naranjo' where is always ample parking and some wild campervan parking. There is also an access from Estepona Marina. There is a viewpoint up at road level over the beach with view to Gibraltar and Africa. it is aptly called Mirador Playa del Cristo.

 

© Michelle Chaplow Playa La Rada, Estepona
Playa La Rada, Estepona

PLAYA LA RADA

Right in the centre of Estepona is the town's most popular beach; La Rada. It is long and backed by a modern seafront promenade for the entire length (2.6km). Chiringuitos (beach bars), are located all along the seafront and serve traditional seaside fare, such as paella and fresh sardines, as well as a choice of international-style dishes. The Marina and lighthouse and Mirador del Carmen tower are located at the west end of La Rada beach. The entire length of beach runs parallel to the ‘old coast road' which was closed to vehicles in 2022 and re modelled. There are two large underground car parks one at the centre and other at the eastern side. The beach terminates at the eastern end with a headland known as Punta de la Plata. The seafront promenade continues east along the Malaga coastal path.

© Michelle Chaplow Playa la Rada, Estepona
Playa la Rada, Estepona

PLAYA PUNTA DEL PLATA

A 4km stretch of narrow low-quality beach, stretching from the Punta del Plata headland which terminates La Rada beach the west to El Padron Beach to the East.

Playa Punta Pinillos

This is another name for the beach slightly to the east of Punta del Plata. A narrow quiet sand and pebble beach. 

 

© Michelle Chaplow Playa del Padron, Estepona
Playa El Padron, Estepona

PLAYA EL PADRON

The popular beach located just to the east of the Rio Padron, near the Kempinski Resort Hotel. The beach has official car parks and off road parking. There is a modern beach bar called Besos Beach located here. The area is particularly popular in the summer. Laguna Village , a upmarket Balinese-style shopping centre with fashion and decoration shops and selection of restaurants including Terra Sana and Camuri Grill was located here until destroyed by a fire. Read about the reconstruction of Puro Beach restaurant and beach club. Located at N-340 Km 159.

 

 

Playa del Castor

Named after the river that flow to the sea where the beach is located. This 2km stretch of narrow, quiet beach is hidden behind a series of older properties and urbanizations. Try the chiringuito at Punta del Castor just to the east of Rio Castor at km 160.5. A track leads down to the beach past the allotments.

Playa El Velerin

Named after the river that flows to the sea nearby. Here isChiringuito Torre del Velerin near the old watchtower of the same name. Since the resedential development was constructed in 2022 parking is limited.

PLAYA ARROYO DE LOS CAÑaS

‘Environmentally funky' Tarifa-style chiringuito (chill-out area, salads and smoothies, DJs, clothes store) Sonora Beach is near Urbanization Hacienda Beach at km 162; alternatively, you can park at Urb Los Granados Playa, after the Selwo turn off near Rio Velerin.

PLAYA BELLA

Quieter, narrow, rocky beaches: Playa Bella is next door to the upmarket beachfront of Health House Las Dunas and the TikiTano restaurant and lounge, with preserved old watchtower and ruins in a large, beachfront area with lawn and seafron promenade.

PLAYA GUADALMANSA

West of Rio Guadalmansa is Playa Guadalmansa with the offen missed Mett Hotel. East of Rio Guadalmansa, there was a popular and amusingly named Chiringuito Heaven which burned down in the winter 2017/8. There is a nearby summer only Kite and water sport school.

PLAYA EL SALADILLO

Unremarkable semi-urban, narrow beaches in this part of Estepona, near El Saladillo and Costalita and other urbanisations. This beach is nominally 3km long, but is broken into many stretches with a few beach bars. Access is by the roads through the urbanisations. Torre de Saladillo is an old watch tower 'hidden' here. 

PLAYA Casasola

Unremarkable semi-urban, narrow beaches in this part of Estepona. Nominally 2km long, this beach is broken into many stretches.

Playa Atalaya

Atalaya Park Golf Hotel and Resort is located on the headland to the west of this beach. To the east of the headland is Rio Guadalmina, which is the municipal boundary of Estepona with Marbella.

 


View Estepona Beaches in a larger map

East to  Marbella Beaches

The Playa del Cristo at sunset. © Michelle Chaplow
The Playa del Cristo at sunset.

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