Talking about tourism in Marbella is basically talking about Puerto Banus. Although this area is synonymous with luxury, one of its best kept secrets is, without a shadow of a doubt, Puerto Banus beach and some of those located near to it. Marbella boasts 23 beaches along its 27km coastline, but in this post we analyse those that are located nearer to the José Banús Marina.
This guide features some of Andalusia’s best beaches, whether because of their leisure offer or the complete opposite, because of the peace and quiet they provide the visitor. To be able to get to them, the best option is to get a hire car at Malaga airport and be able to travel around all of these beaches at your leisure, enjoying all that they have to offer.
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Beaches in Puerto Banus
The area of Puerto Banus is bathed by two beaches, situated either side of the José Banús Marina. This area is perfect for travellers wanting to cool down while they enjoy the lively atmosphere that characterises it as one of the leading leisure areas in the Costa del Sol. Being located near to the town centre, these white sand beaches are overflowing with leisure options, being home to some of the best restaurants in Puerto Banus.
Río Verde Beach
This beach is the closest to Puerto Banus and is situated next to the mouth of the river of the same name. It is one of the busiest beaches, with a plethora of services distributed along its 1000 metres of coast. In general, the waters tend to be calm, so it is very popular with families. It can be accessed on foot, with a parking area nearby with space for more than 100 cars for those visiting with their own vehicle.
On Río Verde beach, visitors can hire hammocks and parasols, and also access basic services like showers, toilets, or footbaths. The most famous hotels and restaurants of the area include Besaya Beach and The Origin Beach Soul, both restaurants with Mediterranean cuisine, a relaxed atmosphere and live music.
Puerto Banus Beach
Situated between the beaches of Río Verde and del Duque, next to José Banús Marina, is this small fine sand beach with shallow waters which is ideal for families with its children’s park in the sea and all types of leisure and restaurant services. It also boasts typical hammock hire services, bathrooms and showers.
Puerto Banus beach is one of the busiest with tourists thanks to its proximity to the marina. Here you can find everything from the typical beach bars (chiringuitos), such as Aurora Beach Banús to clubs where you can enjoy a cool drink, such as Coctelería Astral or Paradise Beach. This beach is easy to access on foot.
Playa del Duque
On the other side of the marina, playa del Duque beach, also known as ‘New Andalusia’ beach is a more residential area, surrounded by hotels and tourist apartments, which means there are fewer leisure and restaurant options. The coast that bathes this area is calm and not very deep.
On this beach in Puerto Banus, we can find two of the best-known beach clubs given they are the heart of partying in Marbella, including Buddha Beach and Ocean Club, as well as some of the area’s typical beach bars (chiringuitos). They are easy to reach on foot, although parking in this area is a challenge.
Other beaches near to Puerto Banus
In the surroundings of Puerto Banus, you can find other quieter beaches where you can enjoy sunbathing and swimming in a more relaxed atmosphere, away from the more urbanised areas to make room for nature.
Cortijo Blanco Beach
In the area of San Pedro de Alcántara we can find Cortijo Blanco beach, one of the area’s quietest beaches. With a medium-low occupancy, this beach, stretching 600 metres in length, is situated opposite the residential area of the same name. It contains areas of sand and others with pebbles and is characterised for its relaxed atmosphere and calm waters.
The services it offers include showers, toilets, cleaning services and hammock and parasol hire, in addition to restaurant establishments so you can enjoy a bite to eat. It is easy to access and the best-known restaurants include Alabardero Beach Club, with a children’s play area, and Kala Kalua Playa.
Nagüeles Beach
In the heart of the Marbella ‘Golden Mile’ (Milla de Oro), Nagüeles beach is one of Andalusia’s most luxurious. Stretching 1600 metres, this beach with its fine and golden sand starts next to Hotel Puente Romano and joins Casablanca Beach, where the famous Trocadero Playa restaurant can be found.
Unlike the other beaches in the area, this one has a lifeguard service all year round, not just in the summer season. It also offers a wide range of services, from parasol and hammock hire to luxury yacht hire. Its most select restaurants and clubs include La Milla Marbella, Chiringuito Puente Romano (beach bar) and all of those found inside the hotel complex of the same name. Some worth noting are BIBO by Dani García or Nobu.
Map of beaches in Puerto Banus
Although the area of Puerto Banus is rather enclosed, both in the town itself and its surroundings, there are beaches for all types of public, from the quietest to the liveliest with plenty of leisure options and services. You can see the location of all of those mentioned in this guide on this map.
