Are you looking for the best beach clubs in Malaga? You’ve come to the right place. This guide lists the seven 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, event lineups, and drinks menus.
The urban beaches close to the art district of Soho and the bustling center of the city have stacks of beach-side seafood restaurants and surf shacks up their sleeves. 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.
Truth is, nailing it down to only seven spots has been 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 soak up the Vitamin D in a luxury open-air venue or want to hit some unforgettable midsummer beach parties, we’ve got you covered…
Horno Beach Club
If you’re looking for the best beach clubs in Malaga, it’s often 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 still 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 shebang 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-led 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. 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 ticks 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 pricier 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, including plenty of popular snacks such as burgers and sandwiches. The well-trained mixologists behind the bar will also be happy to advise on what drink to go for.
Eden Beach Club
No list of the best beach clubs in Malaga could be complete without a nod to 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, 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, complete 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 good sun coverage and then atmospheric lighting that takes over for the evenings.
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 give just a taster.
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 it 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.
Playa Santa Beach Club
On the northern fringes of Torremolinos’s much-loved Playa Moliere – that’s the side that’s closest to Malaga, by the way – there’s the Playa Santa Ana Beach Club by Los Alamos. And it’s a doozy of a spot for all the chillout and chillaxing you could possibly want to do at this end of the Costa del Sol.
Designed like something out of the Mexican Yucatan, the venue sports stucco towers topped with tropical palm fronds and wild grass. Inside, the seating hides under shady Mexicana cabanas out to the soft sands of the beachfront, stopping literally meters from where the Med laps the shore.
The food is one of the standouts for sure. Menus take a nod from Europe, but also bring in zingy elements from further afield – Latin America, the Far East. So, get ready to devour poke bowls topped with salmon and soy sauce. Prep for tuna tartar and Peruvian-style ceviche doused in fresh lime juice.
We especially love the Playa Santa Ana Beach Club towards the beginning and end of the season. It calms just a touch then and you can sometimes be the sole person moseying down for breakfast. What’s more, they do fantastic deals on sunbeds and drinks, with prices for a place to laze starting at around just $21 per person.
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 sand that spreads between Malaga and Torremolinos, around 12km 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 – AKA straight off the plane. 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 modern and stylish, but relatively casual and down to earth at the same time.
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 classics 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.
La Playa Surf House is open all year round from 11am until late hours. They often have live music in the evenings, especially on the weekends.
Malacca Pacific Bar
When it comes to super casual, super chilled beach bars that don’t have the bells and whistles of the fancier lounges of the Costa del Sol, Malaga is actually a great option. Stick to the parts of the promenade that run immediately south of the marina area – we’re talking 20 minutes by foot from Soho and the city harbor – and you’ll come to some lovely places that are chilled, accessible, and very welcoming.
Our fav of the bunch is probably the Malacca Pacific Bar. Curiously named after an old Dutch port city on the side of Malaysia, it’s southern Spain through and through. Locals gather at the wobbly metal tables out front to sip milky cappuccinos in the morning. Others go inside to escape the sun and have a natter with the bar staff.
The beach is on the other side of the venue and just across the promenade and cycle path. It’s Playa de Huelin, which isn’t the finest in the region but benefits from smaller crowds and a local vibe. There are only two or three tables under the coastal palms there, so be sure to get in early if you want to score one overlooking the Med.
Best beach clubs in Malaga – the conclusion.
There is no shortage of spots for drinking cocktails and bathing in the sun within a short distance from the de facto gateway to the Costa del Sol. We’ve tried to pick the very best beach clubs in Malaga by narrowing the list to seven of the region’s best seafront joints.
Close to the town center, seafront restaurants and bars are the name of the game. They tend to offer casual meals and tapas with beers and cocktails. Go further and things become chicer and cooler as the lounges of the costa take over.
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. What’s more, they often turn into pumping clubs as the evening approaches, with summertime DJ shows and dance parties that can go on to midnight and beyond.
Are there good beach bars in Malaga?
Yes, there’s an excellent array of beach bars in Malaga. The best of them string along the sands of the famous Costa del Sol to the south and east of the town center. However, there are also some fantastic places within the city itself, particularly by the marina, the hipster district of Soho, and beside the Playa de la Malagueta and Playa de Huelin.
What is a beach bar called in Spain?
A beach bar is known as a chiringuito in Spain. It’s basically a cover-all term that’s used for any establishment that’s open throughout the summer months close to the sands. A chiringuito could be anything from a small kiosk that serves just beer, snacks, and coffee. Or it could be one of the most fancy beach clubs in Malaga, like the ones we list above.
What’s the most popular beach in Malaga?
Playa de la Malagueta is the most popular and best-known beach in Malaga. It’s located right out front of the old town and port area on its south side, with a lively promenade and loads of beach bars dotting its back. However, Malaga is also the gateway to the legendary Costa del Sol, which extends south and east from here in a medley of wonderful beaches, including 39 Blue-Flag beaches!
