El Padrón Beach lies about five kilometres east of Estepona centre, towards Marbella, and it’s the one chosen by people who want facilities without the traffic of the town promenade. Its reputation locally rests largely on its beach bars.
Getting there
Along the N-340 / A-7 towards Marbella, around kilometre 159. There’s free dirt parking beside the access points. This is a beach designed to be reached by car: public transport passes on the main road but infrequently.
Facilities
- ✓ Lifeguard during the bathing season
- ✓ Beach bars with a strong local reputation
- ✓ Showers
- ✓ Sunbed and parasol hire
- ✓ Free parking
- ✓ Water sports area in season
Eating here
El Padrón has several of the best-known beach bars in western Málaga: people drive down from Marbella or up from Sabinillas specifically to eat rice or fish on the sand. In summer, and especially on Sundays, booking is essential.
What it’s like
Close to 1,200 metres of dark, coarse sand with low-density development behind. The water is clean and the entry gradual. Occupancy is moderate: it never reaches the levels of La Rada or the Marbella beaches.
A historical note
This stretch of coast preserves the Torre del Padrón, one of the watchtowers that guarded the shoreline from the 16th century. And a short distance away is the Roman bath complex of Las Bóvedas, in San Pedro de Alcántara, one of the best-preserved Roman buildings on the coast.
