Las Calas del Pino: Málaga's best nudist beach

Las Calas del Pino is a pair of small coves on the eastern Costa del Sol, about 6 kilometres east of Nerja, backed by pine trees and well established as the best nudist beach in Málaga province.

The sand is dark and gravelly, the water is clear, and the naturist tradition here is decades old.

It's not a famous or heavily promoted beach, which suits the people who use it.

Where it is

On the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol, about 6 kilometres east of Nerja going towards Motril. The exact coordinates are 36.746840, -3.797558 because it can be easy to miss.

It sits inside the Parque Natural Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo, where the coast becomes more rugged and development thins out significantly. Follow signs on the N-340 for Las Calas del Pino after passing the El Pino coves marker.

How to get there

From the N-340, follow signs for Las Calas del Pino. There is parking near the beach, though spaces are limited and fill quickly on summer weekends.

I suggest arriving before 10am is the sensible approach in July and August. If you need a hire car, see the Málaga car rental guide.

P.S.There is no reliable bus service to this beach. A car is essentially required.

What the beach is like

The beach is basically two small coves separated by a rocky outcrop, together running about 400 metres in total.

The sand is dark and mixed with gravel, the water is clear and calm, and the pine trees come close to the shore in a way that gives it a more enclosed, natural feel than the open beaches further west.

The whole beach operates informally as clothing-optional, with naturism the norm around the central rock that separates the two sections. There are no barriers or signs marking a separate zone, so be prepared for a mix of clothed and unclothed sunbathers.

The snorkelling and diving along the rocky outcrops is also genuinely good.

Facilities

There are no beach clubs or restaurant rows, and a simple chiringuito operates in summer for cold drinks. Bring water, food, and sun protection.

• Parking: yes, but limited
• Showers: basic
• Beach bar: seasonal
• Lifeguard: check seasonal arrangements locally

What it's best for

Las Calas del Pino is the right choice for naturists who want a proper, established nudist beach in Málaga province with a natural setting rather than the open-city feel of Guadalmar's nudist zone.

It also suits anyone who wants a quieter, more natural cove away from the main beach strips and doesn't mind driving a little further east to find it.

Is Las Calas del Pino an official nudist beach?

It's not officially designated, but it's the closest thing you'll find on this coast.

The beach has operated informally as a naturist area for many years and is listed in multiple official tourism sources as a nudist beach in Málaga province. There are no signs, no enforcement, and no formal separation from clothed sections.

What's nearby

Nerja is the nearest town with restaurants and accommodation, a short drive west. See where to eat in Nerja and where to stay in Nerja for options. Playa Burriana and Cala del Cañuelo are also in the Nerja area.

For the full guide to nudist beaches and everything else on the coast, see beaches in Málaga.