For yet another year, the beaches of the Costa del Sol have been recognised for their excellence. The good state of conservation, the wide variety of its services and the quality of its waters, have made it possible for the province of Málaga to hold a total of 34 Blue Flags in 2021, thus contributing to Spain maintaining the first place in the world, with 615 Blue Flag beaches in Spain. We go on a route to discover all the Blue Flag beaches on the Costa del Sol:
Blue flag beaches in eastern Costa del Sol: Nerja - Torrox - Algarrobo - Vélez-Málaga
If you start your tour of the Eastern Costa del Sol, the first municipality you will come across is Nerja, one of the enclaves that links the inland area of La Axarquía region with the Mediterranean Sea and which has been awarded two Blue Flags this year: Burriana beach and Torrecilla beach.
Bordering the town that was the setting for the "Verano Azul" series, we find Torrox, with its exceptional tropical climate recognised as the best in Europe, and which has its own particular paradise by the sea on the beaches of Ferrara and El Morche, which have managed to revalidate this distinction.
Next to this locality, Algarrobo, with the beach of Algarrobo Costa, also gets its Blue Flag this 2021. Vélez-Málaga maintains its three Blue Flags on the beaches of Benajarafe, La Caleta and Torre del Mar which, with more than 2,000 metres of beach, a wide variety of services and children areas, are perfect to enjoy with the whole family. All these beaches belong to the region of La Axarquía, an ideal destination to enjoy its natural landscapes, its white villages, its magnificent local gastronomy and its extensive artistic heritage. A good combination of inland and coast come together in this region.
Blue Flags in Málaga city
The capital of the Costa del Sol has surprised this year with no less than seven Blue Flags. The beaches of Caleta, El Dedo, El Palo, Malagueta, Misericordia, Pedregalejo and San Andrés will proudly display their Blue Flag this summer, awarded by the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (Adeac).
Blue flag beaches in western Costa del Sol: Torremolinos - Benalmádena - Mijas - Fuengirola - Marbella - Casares - Manilva
To the west and in the first part of the western coastline of the Costa del Sol, we find the beach of Los Álamos, in Torremolinos, perfect for practising sports or relaxing in one of its beach bars and beach clubs next to the promenade. The charming beach of Fuente de la Salud (Source of Health) in Benalmádena lives up to its name as a real paradise where you can recharge your batteries, while Torrebermeja - Santa Ana has palm tree gardens leading down to the sand.
The beautiful town of Mijas, with its charming whitewashed houses in the mountains, offers an absolutely privileged environment. In addition to the famous Calahonda I (Royal Beach La Luna) and El Bombo, La Cala is once again recognised as one of the best beaches in Andalusia. Fuengirola has four beaches on this list: Boliches-Gaviotas, Carvajal, Fuengirola y Castillo. All of them are equipped with all kinds of services, a wide range of leisure activities and are ideal for family tourism.
Marbella, with its glamorous surroundings, has seven beaches with Blue Flags. From the pristine urban beaches of Casablanca and El Faro, with their exclusive beach clubs, to beaches such as Guadalmina, in San Pedro de Alcántara (an ideal option for families), El Cable beach, Puerto Banús-Levante, Venus-Bajadilla and Adelfas-Alicate beach, which this year has been awarded a Blue Flag for the first time.
The ranking of Blue Flags on the Málaga coastline is closed by Playa Ancha, in Casares, which also received one of the 'Oscars of the Sand' in 2020. It is a very well-kept beach of great beauty, with an extension of 1,300 metres long and 50 metres wide.
First inland beach in Andalusia
But if there is one thing the province of Málaga can boast this year, it is the fact that in the municipality of Ardales it has the first inland beach in Andalusia to be awarded the Blue Flag: the Conde del Guadalhorce reservoir, popularly known as El Chorro reservoir.
Located 600 metres from the Caminito del Rey, it is an inland tourist attraction in the province of Málaga, and every year it becomes a meeting place for bathers who want to enjoy a day surrounded by nature. You can opt for a pleasant swim in its crystal-clear waters or enjoy its various corners and activities.
Blue Flag marinas
As for the marinas, Málaga will have five Blue Flags in Benalmádena, Caleta de Vélez, Estepona, La Duquesa (Manilva) and Marbella. In addition, it will add two more flags on two sustainable boats in Benalmádena.
Along with its 23 Blue Flag beaches and 14 different municipalities, Costa del Sol has 160 kilometres of beautiful coastline, from Manilva all the way to Nerja. Here, the sun shines at least 320 days a year and the temperature averages at 20℃ all year long. In short, Malaga is a dream destination for beach lovers!
