Are you looking for the best beach clubs in Malaga? You’ve come to the right place. This guide lists the five finest seafront venues in this corner of the shimmering Costa del Sol. We’ve sought them out for their character and charm, but also for their remarkable exteriors and interiors, events lineups, and drinks menus.
The urban beaches close to the art district of Soho and the bustling center may not have much more than seaside restaurants and beach shacks up their sleeve, but if you’re willing to travel a little further away from the old town of Malaga, you’ll find that chic coastal venues are plentiful in these parts.
Nailing it down to only five spots is no easy task. There are hundreds of coastal joints in the vicinity of Malaga. Considering it’s one of the most popular summertime destinations in Spain, that shouldn’t come as a surprise! So, whether you’re looking to bask in the sun in a luxury open-air venue or want to hit some unforgettable beach parties, we’ve got you covered…
Horno Beach Club
If you’re looking for the best beach clubs in Malaga, it’s worth heading a little further from the urban sands to find the finest lounging spots that this region has to offer. One of those places is on the outskirts of the city, in the form of the chic Horno Beach Club. This stylish seafront venue sits on the sandy shores of Torremolinos, some 20km south along the Costa del Sol, so it’s within relatively easy striking distance.
Seating areas here include comfy Balinese sunbeds with soft, white cushions spread over the sands and wooden tables for dining closer to the bar. All loungers have their own umbrellas to protect you from the scorching Spanish UV and tables hide under beige canvas with ratan lamps hanging from the ceiling above. The whole thing is stylishly designed with a dominating soft color scheme contrasted by lush, green palms and wooden features that fit perfectly with the beach vibes.
Horno has a summer calendar filled with DJ-manned nights and live-music acts. All of that gets accompanied by hectoliters of champagne and colorful cocktails. Events usually start in the evenings and go on until the (very) late hours. By day, in contrast, it’s a tranquil location that’s perfect for a lazy day in the sun.
Horno doesn’t disappoint when it comes to food, either. Whether you want to taste fresh seafood straight from the sea, yummy veggie treats, burgers, or salads, this place has you covered. They’re renowned for their high quality of cooking, especially with regards to the fish, which is only served during the summer months. They also have an extensive drinks menu that includes a range of signature cocktails, refreshing beers, wines, spirits, and champagne.
La Palapa Beach Jazba
Whether you’re looking for a stylish beach club where you can soak up the sun and feel like a movie star or want to find a spot where you can take some hip Instagram shots in your designer swimwear, La Palapa Beach Jazba can tick the boxes. This is one of the chicest locations within a short drive from the center of Malaga, some 20 minutes away from the town.
Yep, the exterior at this beach club is top-notch. Expect lots of palapas nestled among swaying palm trees on the soft sands. The sunbeds are all covered with comfy, beige cushions. There are also a few VIP double loungers if you’re looking for a bit more luxury and privacy with your other half. The dining area is a boho-style, open-air beach joint with trendy woven chairs around wooden tables and atmospheric lighting. There is a beige awning that offers plenty of shade during the hot summer days.
La Palapa Beach Jazba is open every day from morning till late at night, with evenings often reserved for DJ parties and live-music events. Their food and drinks are a touch on the pricy side, but it’s well worth it for the quality. Their menu has lots of vegan, veggie, meat, and fish options, so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding something that suits your taste. They serve a mix of Mediterranean and Asian dishes, with plenty of popular snacks such as burgers and sandwiches to boot. The well-trained mixologists behind the bar will also be happy to advise on what drink to go for.
Eden Beach Club
A list of the best beach clubs in Malaga wouldn’t be complete without Eden Beach Club. This trendy seaside venue is located on the popular Playa del Bajondillo, some 15km south of the center of Malaga. It might seem like a bit of a trek if you’re staying in the Old Town, but it’s not hard to get there, even without a car. You’ll also be rewarded with a clean stretch of sand right by the mellow Mediterranean waves.
Like most places in the area, they have lots of sun loungers for rent out front on the sands, but it’s the dining area that gives this place its wow factor. It’s made up of a huge deck raised above the beach with breathtaking vistas of the sapphire blue of the Med. There are plenty of white tables and a couple of VIP beds for an extra fee. There’s also stylish sun coverage and atmospheric lighting for the evenings. The bar area has highchairs under beige cotton canvas.
You can get all sorts of drinks, from refreshing Aperol Spritz to sweet Pina Coladas, from ice-cold beers to crisp white wines – take your pick! There’s also a good choice of food with plenty of Mediterranean and Thai dishes, tapas, pasta, and burgers to name just a few.
Banana’s Beach Club
Another option on popular Playa del Bajondillo, Banana’s Beach Club is far from the glitzy seafront joints you might expect to see in more glamorous Marbella further along the costa. This is a typical chiringuito, which is a Spanish name for a beach bar that sells drinks and tapas. It might not be a hangout for Instagram influencers, but this place has plenty of character and everything you need from a casual drinking-dining location.
It takes around 25 minutes to get to Banana’s Beach Club from the center of Malaga by car, and around 40 minutes by public transport. You’ll find it at the southern edge of the beach along a popular promenade. Steps from the venue lead to the walkway on the beach, where they have plenty of sunbeds under thatched umbrellas. There are lots of tables and chairs both inside and outside of the bar area, too.
What makes this place stand out from the crowd is the delicious food, what with lots of Spanish and Mediterranean dishes on the menu. We especially recommend trying their yummy paellas – a symphony of spice, rice, and citrus. They also have ice cream and cake for those looking for something sweet. The drinks list has all the classics, such as beers, wines, and colorful cocktails.
La Playa Surf House
You don’t have to stray far from Malaga Airport to find La Playa Surf House. Imagine heading straight from the terminal into a sun lounger on soft sands with vistas of the azure Med. This beach venue is just that! It’s located only about 10 minutes away from the arrivals hall, so make sure to have your swimwear handy when getting off your flight. You’ll find La Playa Surf House on the long stretch of sands that spread between Malaga and Torremolinos, around12 km south of the center of town.
This isn’t a fancy spot with a strict dress code, so it’s not a problem to turn up in casual attire. The exterior is simple but easy on the eye – it looks a bit like a beach shack in Bali. They have plenty of single sunbeds scattered across the sands and a couple of comfy VIP double beds for good measure. The outdoor dining area is on decking further back. That’s made up of wooden tables, rattan seats, and bamboo sofas under a straw cover that protects you from the sun. The inside is quite modern and stylish, but relatively casual and down to earth.
La Playa Surf House is open all year round from 11 am until late hours. They often have live music in the evenings, especially on the weekends. There’s plenty of food and drinks on the menu, and the kitchen stays open all night. The options range from veggie and meat tapas, including things like patatas bravas, chicken fingers, and nachos. Those looking for something more substantial can go for burgers, poke bowls, salads, or Asian dishes. The drinks selection takes care of all the usual beverages: Cocktails, beers, coffee, sangria, wines, and spirits.
Best beach clubs in Malaga – the conclusion.
There is no shortage of spots to drink cocktails and bathe in the sun within a short distance from the so-called gateway to the Costa del Sol. We’ve tried to pick the very best beach clubs in Malaga by narrowing the list to only five seafront joints. Although it’s hard to find much more than seafront restaurants and bars within walking distance of the city, there are oodles of places only a few kilometers away. You’ll notice that all these places have extensive menus with plenty of food and drink options on offer. They’re also well located to enjoy the best that Malaga’s beaches have to offer, so you shouldn’t be disappointed whichever you go for.
