Marbella is famous for its glitz, but those in the know head East. While the central beaches and Puerto Banús can feel a bit urban and high-octane, the coastline stretching from Río Real down to Cabopino is where the party is at!
Here, the sand changes from the darker, coarser grit of the West to a fine, pale golden silk. It is home to the protected Artola Dunes, a Natural Monument that gives this stretch an authentic, wilder feel that’s rare on a developed coastline. You aren't just sitting next to a concrete promenade; you’re lounging amidst sea daffodils, stone pines, and soft, natural hills of sand. And this is the reason why the hottest beach clubs and restaurants are located on this magic piece of coastline.
As of April 2026, here is our pick of the top 10 hottest spots on the East side, and their open status right now:
THE STYLE ICONS
1 Trocadero Arena (Río Real)
2026 Status: Open Year-Round
The Vibe: Trocadero Arena offers a distinctive "Colonial Africa meets Mediterranean" vibe that feels more like a sophisticated safari lodge than a typical beach club. Unlike the minimalist white decor found elsewhere in Marbella, this venue is rich, warm, and eccentric, featuring dark woods, leopard prints, ethnic rugs, and palm-filled corners. It’s a place for relaxed, high-end comfort where the atmosphere is soulful and moody rather than bright and "party focused."
2 La Câbane (Los Monteros)
2026 Status: Opening April 12, 2026
The Vibe: La Cabane by Dolce & Gabbana at the Kimpton Los Monteros is Marbella’s premier destination for high-fashion "relaxed luxury." Following a major redesign in collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana, the vibe has shifted from a traditional beach club to an ultra-chic, designer sanctuary that blends haute couture with Mediterranean serenity, with food by 3-star Michelin chef Dani García. It’s blue, white, and incredibly high fashion.
Main Image Source: Official imagery from La Cabane by Dolce & Gabbana & Dani García.
3 Nikki Beach Marbella (Elviria)
2026 Status: Open (Opened April 2)
The Vibe: Nikki Beach Marbella is the ultimate high-energy "jet-set" playground, defined by an electric, champagne-soaked atmosphere and its signature white-on-white luxury aesthetic. Unlike the chill bohemian vibe of its neighbours, Nikki Beach is a world-class party destination where the day seamlessly transitions from glamorous poolside lounging to a full-blown beach club celebration with live saxophonists and international DJs.
4 Dune Beach Marbella (Elviria)
2026 Status: Open (Opened March 21).
The Vibe: Dune Beach Marbella offers a vibe described as "understated sophistication," striking a balance between a high-end restaurant and a serene beach club. Operated by the same team behind the high-energy Ocean Club, Dune is its quieter, more mature sibling, focusing on tranquillity and refined dining rather than a rowdy party scene.
5 Nosso Summer Club (El Rosario)
2026 Status: OPEN May 2026
The Vibe: NOSSO Summer Club radiates a sophisticated boho-chic vibe that feels more like a private Ibiza retreat than a standard Marbella beach club. It swaps the high-intensity party scene for a chilled, "barefoot luxury" energy, where guests lounge on bamboo daybeds surrounded by organic textures and lush greenery. The atmosphere is upscale yet relaxed, transitioning seamlessly from a peaceful morning of "slow living" to an elegant sunset session fuelled by melodic DJ sets and high-end Mediterranean-Asian fusion.
6 Playa Padre (Playa del Cable)
2026 Status: OPEN May 2026
The Vibe: Playa Padre delivers a moody, "Boho-Industrial" vibe that feels like a high-end beach party in Tulum. The scene is defined by its striking decor—think oversized skulls, dark wood, palm thatch, and eclectic ethnic textures—creating an atmosphere that is both edgy and intensely stylish. While it is more high-energy than Nosso or Dune, it maintains a "cool" factor that feels younger and more underground than the classic glamour of Nikki Beach.
SOPHISTICATED & CULINARY
7 Trocadero Petit Playa (Playa de la Adelfa)
2026 Status: OPEN May 2026
The Vibe: Trocadero Petit Playa (often called the "little sister" of the Trocadero family) offers a cosy, intimate "chiringuito" vibe that feels like a hidden bohemian escape on the Golden Mile. Following the group's signature aesthetic, it features African-inspired decor with reed roofs, wooden structures, and ethnic prints, but on a much smaller and more personal scale than the larger Trocadero Arena. The scene is unpretentious and laid-back, attracting a loyal local crowd and savvy tourists who prefer a quiet, barefoot-luxury experience over a loud party scene.
8 La Plage Casanis (Estrella del Mar)
2026 Status: OPEN May 2026
The Vibe: If Siroko Beach is the "soul" of the East side, La Plage Casanis is its high-fashion, St. Tropez-inspired heartbeat. Located on the Playa Real de Zaragoza—a stretch famous for its wide, natural dunes and crystal-clear water—it perfectly balances gourmet French Belgian roots with a wild, bohemian energy. Their Sunday Sessions are famous, where you can find yourself eating lunch, then dancing your heart out into the evening right on the sand.
9 Siroko Beach (El Rosario)
2026 Status: OPEN May 2026
The Vibe: Located in the El Rosario area, Siroko Beach is often described as the "soul" of the East Marbella strip. While places like Nikki Beach are about the spectacle, Siroko is about the energy and the music. It’s where the locals and the "in-the-know" expats go when they want a party that feels authentic rather than staged.
THE NEW COMER
10 Lucia Beach Club (Elviria)
2026 Status: OPEN May 2026.
The Vibe: Lucia Marbella at the Don Carlos Resort brings a vibrant, maximalist "Cuisine du Soleil" vibe to the coast, serving as a fresh, high-fashion addition to the Nikki Beach Hospitality Group’s portfolio. Lucia offers a more relaxed, family-friendly elegance inspired by the retro glamour of the French Riviera, with a focus on long, sun-drenched lunches and melodic sunset sessions. This opening coincides with a massive €45 million renovation of the legendary Don Carlos Resort, which designer Jaime Beriestain has transformed into a contemporary Mediterranean sanctuary featuring natural stone, raffia, and upgraded luxury facilities like the new Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre.
So, there you have it, it’s time to get busy and plan your beach life for 2026 in East Marbella, the only place to be this Summer! We think that any one of these venues will serve up first-class food and beverages and provide you with an experience you will not forget this Summer. Equally, you can take your chill box to the beach with your umbrella and enjoy that vibe too! There is something for everyone.
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