Playa de Guadalmar (Nudist Beach)

Playa de Guadalmar is where Malaga locals go when they want sand without swimwear. It is the only officially authorised naturist beach within the city limits, a 400-metre strip of dark sand between the mouth of the Guadalhorce river and the Guadalmar residential estate, about twelve minutes by car from the airport. The beach has an unofficial geography everyone respects: the section closest to the golf course is the naturist zone, and that is also where the gay crowd gathers, especially on summer weekends. Families and textile bathers tend to stay on the eastern end near the chiringuito. Facilities are simple but adequate in season - sun lounger rental, a beach bar, and lifeguards in July and August. Outside high season it is quiet and windswept, popular with kitesurfers. The Guadalhorce nature reserve behind the beach is a protected bird habitat, so keep to the marked paths. Getting there without a car takes some planning: bus lines toward Guadalmar leave you a 10-15 minute walk from the sand. Most visitors drive or take a taxi from the centre (around 15 minutes).