Costabella Beach, Marbella
The verdict
- Best for: Anyone who wants a calm, local beach close to Marbella town without the crowds, clubs or price of the famous names.
- Best spot: The central stretch by the chiringuitos, where sunbeds and a simple lunch are easiest to reach.
- Know this: This is a quiet residential beach with few facilities, so come for calm rather than a scene.
Published 14 February 2026. Last reviewed 4 March 2026
Costabella occupies the quiet ground between Marbella town and the smarter beaches of Elviria, and it is the kind of place most visitors drive straight past without noticing. That is exactly why locals like it. The beach is a modest band of golden and grey sand, backed by villas and low rise apartments, with a relaxed promenade and a scatter of chiringuitos that never feel rushed.
The water is the calm, clear Mediterranean of this coast, easy for a swim and rarely busy even in August when the famous beaches are full. There is no glossy beach club here and no real scene, just a few beach restaurants serving fresh fish and the local espeto, sunbeds for hire and the steady rhythm of a residential beach. It is unpolished in the best way.
It suits anyone staying nearby who wants an easy, uncrowded swim close to Marbella, and travellers who prefer local calm to a resort buzz. The honest caveat is that Costabella is plain rather than pretty, the sand is narrow in places and facilities are limited, so it will not satisfy anyone after a wide golden showpiece or a club day. For a quiet, genuine beach within minutes of town, though, it does the job nicely. May, June and September are the most pleasant months.
Clubs on this beach
Costabella is about quiet chiringuitos rather than beach clubs, with the big names a short drive either way. Compare the options in our Costa del Sol beach clubs directory.
Costabella chiringuitos
A handful of beach restaurants and chiringuitos sit along the Costabella sand, serving fresh fish and drinks with sunbeds in season. Specific operators and terms change through the year and are to be confirmed before you visit.
Marbella and Elviria clubs nearby
For a club day, the big names sit a short drive either side, around Marbella, Puerto Banus and Elviria. Operators and minimum spend vary by season and are to be confirmed.
Costabella lies a few minutes east of Marbella town, around 35 minutes by car from Malaga airport, just off the coast road. A car or taxi is the easiest way to arrive, and buses along the coast also stop nearby.
Parking is along the residential streets behind the beach, easier here than at the resort beaches but still busy in peak summer. Bring sun cream and a hat, and decide whether you want free public sand or a hired sunbed at a chiringuito.
Reserve a day at Costabella
Tell us the date and party and we will match you to a club on or near Costabella and pass on your request. No charge to enquire.
Common questions
Is Costabella beach quiet?
Yes. It is one of the calmer, more local beaches near Marbella, rarely crowded even in August. The lack of a glossy scene is its main draw for regulars who want an easy swim close to town.
Are there beach clubs at Costabella?
No glossy beach club sits on Costabella itself, just a handful of low key chiringuitos. The big club names are a short drive either way around Marbella, Puerto Banus and Elviria, with terms that are to be confirmed.
Is Costabella beach good for families?
It works well for a calm, uncomplicated family swim, with gentle water and seasonal lifeguards. It is plainer and narrower than the resort beaches, so families wanting wide golden sand and full facilities may prefer Elviria nearby.
How do I get to Costabella beach?
Costabella is a few minutes east of Marbella town and around 35 minutes by car from Malaga airport, just off the coast road. A car or taxi is easiest, with buses along the coast also stopping nearby.
When is the best time to visit Costabella?
May, June and September bring warm, calm water and a peaceful pace without the August crowds. Costabella stays relatively quiet even in high summer, though mornings are always the calmest.
