Seaside motorhome areas in southern Spain

Seaside motorhome areas in southern Spain are concentrated on the Andalusian coast: on the Costa del Sol there are beachside aires in Torrox-Costa and La Cala del Moral (Málaga), and the Andalusian regional government's public network of aires in ports has seafront spaces in Caleta de Vélez, Barbate, Chipiona and Ayamonte. On the Costa Tropical and the Costa de la Luz, a few campsites and overnight areas just metres from the sand complete the list.

This guide is also meant for those coming from France, Germany or the Netherlands looking for their “aire de camping-car en bord de mer”. We only include places we've checked against official sources, with what they offer and the distance from Milucar, in Torrox-Costa.

First things first: aire, campsite and car park in Spain

What you'd call an aire de camping-car in France can be three different things here:

• Motorhome aire or overnight area. A site where you can sleep in the motorhome and use the service point. In Andalusia, registered ones have a number in the Andalusian Tourism Register and are listed on andalucia.org.
• Service point. Just for filling up with water and emptying; you can't always stay the night.
• Campsite. Takes motorhomes, caravans and tents, with more facilities.

In the street or in a car park you can park, but not camp. The DGT (Spanish traffic authority) instruction on motorhomes sums it up like this: you're parked if the vehicle only touches the ground with its wheels, you don't put out an awning, tables or chairs and you don't discharge anything. And on the beach itself, which is coastal public land, camping is penalised under the Coastal Law (Ley de Costas) with a minimum of 40 euros per square metre per day, as the same instruction notes. So by the sea, the sensible choice is an aire or a campsite.

Costa del Sol: seaside motorhome areas in Málaga

Milucar, Torrox-Costa

Our aire is at Avenida del Peñoncillo 61, next to the N-340 coast road, with the beach less than 100 metres away. We're open 365 days a year and in low season there's a discount from 30 nights, something those who spend the winter here really appreciate.

• Front-row “Balcón” pitches with water and drainage on the pitch, pitches of around 50 m² and XL pitches for motorhomes up to about 12 m.
• 16 A electricity with a CEE plug and meter, Wi-Fi included, service point for emptying and filling.
• Showers, professional washing machine and dryer, fenced site with cameras and pets welcome (maximum two per pitch).

Área Málaga Beach, La Cala del Moral

Facing the beach at La Cala del Moral, east of Málaga city and about ten minutes from the historic centre, according to its official listing (CM/MA/00087). On its website it advertises front-row pitches, year-round opening, electricity, water filling and emptying, showers and pets allowed.

El Rincón, Rincón de la Victoria

About 500 metres from the beach, with 35 spaces, 24-hour security, washing machine, dryer and Wi-Fi, open all year according to its official listing (CM/MA/00078). You'll find more options in the province, including inland, in our comparison of motorhome areas in Málaga.

The network of aires in Andalusian ports

The Andalusian Public Ports Agency has set up the Andalusian Network of Motorhome Areas, with parking areas reserved for motorhomes inside its ports, run by Ipark. They operate 24 hours a day, all year round, with a barrier and number-plate recognition, and you can book by the day on their website or app. Payment is by card only. According to each aire's listing, water, grey and black water disposal, showers and WC are included, and electricity (6 A) is optional. There's no Wi-Fi or laundry, and washing your vehicle is not allowed.

Port	Province	Spaces	Max. length	From Milucar
Caleta de Vélez	Malaga	33	8 m (2 spaces for 10 m)	About 12 km / 15 min
Barbate	Cádiz	68	10 m	About 268 km / 3 h 30 min
Chipiona	Cádiz	98	8 m (23 spaces for 10 m)	About 312 km / 3 h 50 min
Ayamonte	Huelva	47	10 m	About 393 km / 4 h 40 min

Costa Tropical, Almería and Costa de la Luz

Costa Tropical (Granada)

• Camping Cerro Gordo, in La Herradura: the entrance is 25 metres from the beach and it's open all year, according to its official listing.
• Camping Don Cactus, in Carchuna (Motril): right by the beach, with a motorhome service point and long-stay rates from September to June (see itsofficial listing).

Almería

In the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, Cabo de Gata Camper Park (Cabo de Gata to San José road, km 15) is open 365 days a year. It's not on the seafront, but it's a good base for the coves of Mónsul, Genoveses or Los Muertos.

Costa de la Luz (Cádiz)

As well as the port aires at Barbate and Chipiona, the Caños de Meca overnight area is about 150 metres from the beach, next to the natural park and near the Trafalgar lighthouse. Its listing mentions toilets and showers, laundry, a washing-up sink and a kiosk selling basics.

How to choose a seaside aire

• For winter, the Mediterranean coast (Málaga, Granada and Almería) usually has slightly milder winters than the Atlantic coast, and around the Strait of Gibraltar it's often windy. You can compare them in our article on the Costa del Sol climate month by month.
• For long stays, look for metered electricity, laundry facilities and monthly discounts. The port aires charge per 24-hour period and have no laundry.
• For large motorhomes, check the maximum length: at several port aires most spaces are for vehicles up to 8 m.
• For getting around without the motorhome, choose somewhere with a bus nearby. Buses run from Torrox-Costa to Málaga and Granada.

If you're planning the whole winter, have a look at our comparison of areas for wintering in southern Spain.

From Milucar: the coast within easy reach

Milucar is on the eastern Costa del Sol, at exit 940 of the A-7 (Torrox/Cómpeta). From here Nerja is about 7 km away, Almuñécar about 30 km, central Málaga about 52 km and the airport about 69 km. The bus stops in front of the aire, and ALSA buses run from Torrox-Costa bus station to Málaga and Granada. If you're coming from France along the Mediterranean coast, the last stretch on the A-7 leaves you practically at the gate.

Frequently asked questions

Can you sleep in a motorhome on the beach in Spain?

Camping on the beach, no: the Coastal Law penalises it on coastal public land. Parking in a nearby car park is possible if you don't put anything out and the local by-law allows it. To sleep by the sea with peace of mind, use an aire or a campsite.

Which seaside motorhome areas are open in winter?

Milucar is open 365 days a year, as are the aires in the Andalusian port network. The official listings for Área Málaga Beach, El Rincón, Camping Cerro Gordo, Camping Don Cactus and Cabo de Gata Camper Park also state year-round opening.

Do I need to book?

In winter, which is peak motorhome season on the Costa del Sol, it's a good idea to book, and also at Easter and in summer. At Milucar the minimum stay when booking in advance is two nights.

What plug do I need at Spanish aires?

The usual one is the blue CEE camping plug. At Milucar the hook-up is 16 A with a CEE plug and the box can be up to 15 metres away, so bring a long cable.

Do seaside aires accept dogs?

Most of the ones we mention do, with conditions. At Milucar up to two pets per pitch are accepted (not all breeds), and next to the Torrox lighthouse there's the dog beach, where dogs can run off the lead and swim.

The sea less than 100 metres away

If you're looking for a seaside motorhome aire in southern Spain for a few days or the whole winter, we're waiting for you at Milucar 365 days a year. Check availability and book your pitch.