Talk about the history of Málaga is to talk about the history of its beaches. The Costa del Sol relationship with its shore is one of practically total dependence. The Málaga coastline has adapted to the needs of the citys dwellers and has been the base for the most prosperous and profitable industry: tourism.
In the province of Málaga, with its 150 kilometres of coast, one finds a variety of landscapes, from wide sandy beaches to cosy secret rocky coves.
Ever since around 1960 when Málaga became internationally known as Costa del Sol, the tourism industry experienced a progressive growth, always linked to its beaches. Diversity is what distinguishes these strips of sand that transmit such serenity and help us get through the heat as cool as possible. There are three kinds of beaches with different shapes and features:
Those of the eastern area of the province (The Axarquía) are very special beaches, strange to these latitudes as they have the best climate in Southern Europe. According to the expert meteorologists, this is due to the fact that the Axarquía has on one side the desert climate of Almería and on the other the Mediterranean climate that caresses the city of Málaga. Small and beautiful coves dot this area, which is also known as the Tropical Coast, where the fusion of the Sierra de Almijara with the Mediterranean produces fertile valleys, ideal for growing tropical fruit; wild cliffs of up to 200 metres and quiet beaches of great beauty. This stretch of coastline that ends next to Maro has a spectacular landscape, which has been declared Natural Area, where the Burriana beach in Nerja stands out.

Occidental Coast

From the town of Rincón de la Victoria, where it can be said that the western coast begins, to Torremolinos, spaciousness is the greatest feature. Long sandy beaches sprinkled with the typical chiringuitos (beach bars) that delight one with the traditional mixture of fried fish and the always refreshing “summer wine” (red wine and lemonade). The regression of these beaches made the Jefatura de Costas regenerate them, which produced some wonderful beaches such as La Malagueta, famous for its proximity to the historical centre of Málaga.
From Benalmádena to Manilva, the structure and composition of the beaches changes again. Here, the blue of the sea contrasts with the green of the 50 golf courses that stretch parallel to the coast or a few kilometres inland. As one continues to the west the mingling of the Mediterranean with the Atlantic is more noticeable, and this is felt in the coast landscape where fine sand is alternated with huge rocky areas of volcanic origin. The meeting of the Mediterranean and Atlantic waters produces sea currents that enrich the waters with minerals and animals to feed the marine fauna that inhabits the Mediterranean. In this strip, the dunes of Marbella rise to take the prize, although the beaches of the western coast have nothing to envy each other due to their great similarity.
The shape, texture and composition make the beach a natural area of great aesthetic and natural richness that must be preserved.