Playa de Pedregalejo

Located a few minutes’ walk from Malaga’s port, Playa de Pedregalejo is an urban beach that sits between Baños del Carmen and El Palo Beach. Though relatively narrow, with an average width of around 20 metres, it’s dark - almost brown - sands stretch on for more than a kilometre, ensuring space for all its visitors. Awarded a Q Quality Seal in 2018 by the Spanish authorities as a mark of its cleanliness, Playa de Pedregalejo is divided into four separate “bays” by stone breakwaters.

The warm Mediterranean waters of this section of the Andalusian coast remain shallow for quite some distance, making it popular with families, who also like the reassurance of having lifeguards on duty. What’s more, the beach has facilities that include a children’s play area, volleyball courts, and football pitches.

Café and restaurant tables spill out onto the palm-fringed pedestrian promenade lining Playa de Pedregalejo, which by day is known for its fish. It is said to be one of the best places to try paella and espeto fish skewers in the whole of the region. By night, the promenade takes on a party feel, with students in particular taking to the bars and clubs.

Playa de Padregalejo offers free parking for those with their own vehicles.