The Nude Beaches of Malaga
Costa del Sol coastline, Malaga province
Five nude beaches along the Costa del Sol, from a clothes-free campground to protected dunes.
snapshot
The Costa del Sol has five nude beaches spread across roughly 45 kilometres of coast, from Almayate east of Malaga to Cabopino on the edge of Marbella. They range from a long, remote stretch next to a clothes-free campground to a narrow strip of sand squeezed between a highway and the sea. Two have beach bars that only serve naked customers. This is a region built for driving between beaches rather than one destination.
season
April to October
LEGAL STATUS
Nudity legal
GETTING THERE
Car Recommended
Vibe
Social and varied
where we are
REGIONAL orientation
The Costa del Sol is one of Spain’s busiest tourist coastlines, running from Malaga city through Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Mijas down to Marbella. It isn’t an obvious place to look for nude beaches, given the concentration of resorts and package holidaymakers, but five beaches along this stretch are established clothes-free spots, each reached from a different town.
The character varies a lot from one end to the other. Almayate, furthest east, is quiet and remote thanks to its adjoining naturist campground. Guadalmar and Benalnatura sit closer to built-up areas, with car parks and beach bars nearby. Playamarina and Cabopino, further south and west, are smaller and less developed, with Cabopino backed by protected dunes rather than apartment blocks. Expect to drive between beaches rather than base yourself at just one.
the nude beaches
ONE BY ONE
Almayate
36.72455718910269, -4.114218336891994
Almayate is a long, remote stretch of beach next to the Almanat naturist campground, one of the best-known clothes-free sites in Andalucia. There’s no signage marking where the nude section begins, but naked sunbathers appear soon after you start walking, and the beach itself simply ends at the far side of the nude stretch. This is one of the longest and quietest beaches on this list, good for travellers who want real personal space.
LivelyAccessibleUrban/developedSandyWith facilities
Guadalmar
36.65608334618024, -4.466539434379384
Guadalmar is Malaga city’s only officially authorised nude beach, right next to the airport runway. A large sign marks the start of the naked zone along the golf course, and another marks the end several hundred metres later. The beach itself is unremarkable, but it offers views over Malaga, a front-row seat to the adjacent golf course, and a steady stream of planes taking off overhead.
LivelyAccessibleUrban/developedSandyNo facilities
Benalnatura
36.58031008289741, -4.553703238395435
Benalnatura is a small nude beach tucked into an otherwise built-up stretch of Benalmadena, clearly signposted from the N-340. Steps lead down to the beach past the Benalnatura beach bar, which only serves customers who are nude, refusing anyone in clothes or swimwear. The beach itself is under 50 metres long, so it fills up fast on warm days.
LivelyAccessibleUrban/developedSandyWith facilities
Playa Marina
36.506730680494805, -4.6504229214878645
Playamarina is located right beside a busy road in Mijas, marked by a large sign, and is reached via a pedestrian bridge rather than a beachside car park. It was declared a nude beach by the Mijas municipality, though it isn’t officially classified as one nationally. It’s a narrow beach without dramatic scenery, but it has a nude beach bar, toilets, and seasonal chair and umbrella rental.
LivelyAccessibleUrban/developedSandyWith facilities
Cabopino
36.4850773094927, -4.74925113684085
Cabopino, on the eastern edge of Marbella, has no official nude beach signage, but its nude section is well known locally. The beach had recently been rebuilt at the time of filming and was still settling into shape, but the protected Artola dunes behind it give the spot a relaxed, natural feel that’s hard to find elsewhere near Marbella. It’s a good choice for escaping the city’s busier beaches.
LivelyAccessibleSandyNo facilities
WHO THIS IS FOR
WHO SHOULD GO & who should not
Great for
- ✓ Travellers staying anywhere on the Costa del Sol who want easy beach access
- ✓ Fans of beach bars that actually welcome nudity
- ✓ Those who don't mind driving between several different towns
- ✓ Visitors who want both quiet, remote options and more social ones
not ideal if
- ✕ You want one beach to base a whole trip around
- ✕ You expect dramatic scenery at every stop
- ✕ You're relying on public transport for all five beaches
practical
GETTING THERE & what to know
getting there
The five beaches stretch from Almayate, about 28 kilometres east of Malaga, to Cabopino on the eastern edge of Marbella, a drive of roughly an hour between the two ends. A car is the easiest way to combine several beaches in one trip. Guadalmar, right by Malaga airport, and Benalnatura are reachable by local bus, but the others have little or no public transport nearby.
best time to go
July and August bring the warmest water and the busiest beaches, especially Benalnatura and Playamarina, which are both narrow strips of sand with limited space. Spring and early autumn are quieter and still warm enough to swim. Almayate and Cabopino, the two longest and least developed beaches, stay comfortable even in peak season simply because there’s more room to spread out.
legal status
Nudity is legal on every beach in Spain. Guadalmar is Malaga city’s only officially authorised nude beach, and Playamarina was declared a clothes-free beach by the Mijas municipality, though it isn’t classified as such by Spain’s environment ministry. The rest are established through long-standing local custom.
what to bring
Bring your own shade wherever you go, since only a few of these beaches have natural cover. At Almayate and Benalnatura, bring cash for the beach bars, since both are informal, family-run setups. A beach chair is worth carrying to Almayate, where rentals aren’t guaranteed.
WHERE TO STAY NEARBY
virtual visit
SEE FOR yourself
Sometimes a two-minute watch tells you more than a page of text. Our video shows you what the beaches in this overview actually look like.
FAQ
most asked questions
Is nudity mandatory, or can I keep some clothes on?
Nudity isn't mandatory at any of these beaches, and clothed and nude beachgoers share the sand at most of them. The two beach bars, at Benalnatura and Playamarina, are the exception. Both refuse service to anyone who isn't nude.
Are these beaches good for first-timers?
Guadalmar is the most straightforward option, since it's Malaga's only officially authorised clothes-free beach and has clear signage marking the zone. Cabopino has no official signs, which can feel less certain if you're new to nude beaches.
Are these beaches family-friendly?
Almayate is the most family-oriented of the five, thanks to its adjoining clothes-free campground, which is popular with families who enjoy spending time without clothes. The other four are smaller and more informal, without dedicated family facilities.
Do I need a car to visit?
A car makes it much easier to combine several of these beaches in one trip, since they're spread across roughly 45 kilometres of coast. Guadalmar and Benalnatura are reachable by local bus, but the other three have little public transport nearby.
What time of year are the beaches at their best?
July and August bring the warmest water but also the busiest crowds, especially at the two smaller beaches, Benalnatura and Playamarina. Spring and early autumn are quieter and still warm enough to swim comfortably.
Are there toilets or food available at the beaches?
Facilities vary a lot between beaches. Almayate has a beach shower and the campground's bar, Guadalmar has showers, and both Benalnatura and Playamarina have clothes-free beach bars, with Playamarina also offering toilets and chair rental. Cabopino has the fewest facilities of the five.
Are any of the beach bars actually clothes-free?
Yes. Both the Benalnatura beach bar in Benalmadena and the bar at Playamarina serve only nude customers, turning away anyone wearing clothes or a swimsuit. This is unusual in Spain, where most beach bars on clothes-free beaches still expect staff and customers to stay covered.
