"Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of '99 Wear Sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists." Sunscreen is also known as sunblock and suntan lotion. It is a lotion, cream, spray or gel that absorbs and reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet light (UV) radiation and helps protect against sunburn.
The N-340 road cuts a direct line whereas the coastline forms a circular plan. This is the first place since Malaga city tha the coast road N-340 does not sit right behind the beach. Instead there lies a few humdred metres of farmland. Almayte is a nearly 800-metre long beach which has four sections: Bajamar, Playa Madrid, El Hornillo and Playa Naturista. These Almayte beaches are bounded to the east by the River Velez.
Playa de Chilches is a 2.500m long and a narrow 20m beach next to the N-340 road. There are several urbanizations in the area which is where most of the beachgoers live. There are beach bars and sunbeds available. Parking beside the road.
Conil de la Frontera has a number of fine beaches, including many sheltered coves, or calas. The most popular one for families, and closest to the town centre is La Fontanilla. Here is our guide to the beaches and coves, from north to south.
The first doggy beach in Andalucia; Playa de la Sal in Casares, at the western end of the Costa del Sol. In 2015 dog beaches nominated by town halls were La Sal en Casares, El Ejido en Mijas, El Castillo en Fuengirola, La Araña en Málaga, El Moral en Rincón de la Victoria, Playa de El Cable en Motril, la Playa de El Castillo de Mácenas en Mojácar.
In 1982 the Direction General de Puertos y Costas (a national agency to oversee ports and coastline) ruled that all beaches in Spain should be public and removed the concept of a private beach. The laws relating to what you can and can not do on the beach stem from the 1988 and 2014 Ley de Costas which defines the public nature of the beach that can not be sealed of off for a private use.
There are only very occasional reports of a shark sighting off the Malaga coast. Juan Jesus Martin, a biologist from the Aula del Mar museum in Malaga confirmed that there are 20 species of shark in the Alboran Sea. This is the name for the part of the Mediterranean sea offshore Malaga. These sharks normally never come to the coast nor near humans.
Large numbers of jellyfish (Medusas in Spanish) have been a problem from time to time on certain warm Mediterranean beaches in the early Summer in recent years.
Making your way to the shore from the town, you could pause for a while in the cool Parque de la Fuente to enjoy a moment in the shade, before taking to the beach for a sun session, or a walk around the Peñon, the massive rock jutting out to sea, a prison in the first and second centuries, eventually a Christian burial site.
Calahonda is the last beach on the Costa Tropical before it becomes Costa Almeria. This is a very popular beach with lifeguards, showers, chiringuitos and pedalos for hire.
Motril's coastal strip has several beaches, the two closest to the town itself being Playa Granada and Playa Poniente. The latter is better developed, but the area is not aesthetic enough for discerning international tourists. The Gran Hotel (****) is the best on the coast, very comfortable and reasonably priced but its location lacks inspiration. Ideal for a night halt or a business meeting.
This is the long straight and wide beach backed by a seafront promenade, cycle path and a quiet urban access road. This beach is never crouded due to its size. The beach offers full services including a Red Cross first aid post.
The Costa Tropical boasts some magnificent beaches and the town of Almuñécar is no exception, here is the list going from west to east. Playa del Cotobro, a lovely beach to the west of Almuñécar town with dark sand and pebbles. The beach is backed by a palm tree-lined paseo maritimo with plenty of shops and cafes and a large hotel with stunning sea views.
Impressive large (2km) bay sheltered and dominated by two large headlands. The beach is supported by a typically Spanish town which started out as a fishing village. Popular with the young and old alike, La Herradura is a bastion of national tourism, and is a popular summer retreat for residents of Granada city. It is less well-known among non-Spanish visitors.
The least well-known of the Costas, probably because the name is a recent creation for the coastline of Granada Province. Nevertheless it should not be overlooked. It is characterised by mountains running down to the coast creating a rocky coastline of isolated sandy coves.
Large naturist (nudist) beach renowned for being the centre of naturism in Andalucia. The beach is supported by a number of naturist hotels, apartments and camping facilities.
Playa de las Negras at Las Negras village where there is a fishing community. The beach gains its name from the black rocked headland that protects it.
Expansive isolated beach. An impressive picture postcard has an aerial photograph showing the length of this dead straight beachy cove. Park the car in the car park by the information point and first walk to the viewpoint before descending the long path down to the beach.
One of the more popular coves in the natural Park. Park your car and walk the last few hundred meters. This and other coves are accessible on the dirt coastal road that leads west from the pretty village of San José (last civilisation).
The most popular and well developed tourist resort. An international package holiday destination. Lacks nothing in facilities. If you walk westwards along the beach (take water) within half an hour of leaving the resort you will probably not be able to see another human being.
