This is a small and secluded beach with two excellent restaurants and safe swimming. Plage Mala is a little haven.
Plage Mala Beach, Cap d'Ail
A find pebbly beach with a safe swimming area
The two staircases wind down through a cool fragrant forest of palm trees, yuccas and pines before coming out at either end of a crescent-shaped bay. Much of the beach is taken up with deckchairs and sun loungers from the two restaurants but there is still plenty of public beach available, with showers and toilets provided.
Neither of the restaurants are cheap, so if you are visiting “en famille” you may prefer to bring a picnic; there are no shops or snack bars within close distance. Both restaurants offer services such as sunbed rental, massage, boat-taxi (to bring you ashore if you arrive via boat), boutique, etc. Each one has a bar area where there are regular live music concerts.
There is no parking, access is via a lot of steps and hidden from view; but it rarely gets overcrowded.
Beach Bars & Beachclubs in Monaco
If you want to treat yourself then nothing could be nicer than sitting in the shade of either La Reserve de la Mala or Eden Plage Mala with an ice cold glass of rosé and a plate of fresh seafood.
Setting & Location
This beach is within walking distance of Cap d’Ail town. Walkable from both the bus and train but due to the number of steps to access the beach it's not advisable for pushchairs/wheelchairs/etc.
Water Safety & Clarity
The safe swimming zone is marked out with yellow floats and there is a smaller area marked out in white to keep children near to the shoreline. Beyond the swimming zone there is usually a small flotilla of yachts and speedboats bobbing peacefully in the bay. There is a lifeguard on duty during peak season.
Beach Quality
The pebbles get smaller and smaller towards the water until they are almost as smooth as sand.
Watersports Nearby
You can also hire pedalos (with a slide!) or try your hand at paddle boarding - this is a great place to find your balance as the water is so calm and you won’t get any jet skis whizzing past.
Directions
The small bay is tucked away beneath the cliffs of Cap d’Ail; you can reach it via a short walk along the Sentier Littoral from the train station or from following the road down from Edmond’s bus stop. Either way, there are a few(!) stairs to navigate, so leave the heavy cool-box and enormous inflatable crocodile at home.
Villas nearby
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Serra Villa, Calvi
Surrounded by cypress and myrrh trees, this typically Mediterranean holiday home, Villa Serra, overlooks the citadel of Calvi in Haute-Corse.
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La Vigie Villa
Set on a promontory on the same cape as Monte-Carlo Beach, the Villa has a magnificent panoramic view of the Mediterranean, the Principality of Monaco and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin Bay.
Hotels nearby
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Port Palace Hotel
The first boutique hotel in the principality of Monaco
With urban elegance, chic interiors and just steps away from the casino, boutique shopping and the legendary F1 Grand Prix circuit, this hotel is a gem in the heart of Monaco.
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Cap-Ferrat Grand Hotel, Cap-Ferrat
Right on the waters edge with spa & Michelin starred restaurant
Distinguished turn-of-the-century resort hotel with a sophisticated aura, surrounded by a beautifully landscaped 14-acre park.
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Eza Chateau Hotel, Eze
Charming Chateau hotel with stunning views & Michelin quality restaurant
Exquisite and intimate, the rooms and suites of Château Eze cling to the side of the ancient rock walls of Eze, a thousand-year-old Medieval village more than 400 metres above the Mediterranean Sea.
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Jerome Boutique Hostellerie Hotel, La Turbie
Small boutique hotel in the centre of La Turbie
Former 13th-century Cistercian monastery tastefully renovated offering 5 beautifully decorated en-suite rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean.
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Hotel de Paris Hotel
Monaco's most luxurious hotel with everything from sea views to a spa
Elegant and exclusive hotel in the centre of Monaco, ideally located right in front of the casino.
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Columbus Monte-Carlo Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel
Comfortable modern hotel with pool, gym, beauty and massage treatments
The Columbus hotel's style is Riviera chic, where beautifully glamorous and barefoot elegance sit easily side by side. The service is graceful, genuinely friendly and always attentive. The feeling is cool, exclusive and laid back. An excellent choice.
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Things to do nearby
Things To Do in Eze
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Sunset Luxury Motor Boat Trip, Beaulieu 
Sunset Luxury Motor Boat Trip, Beaulieu
7-10 person romantic cruise along the French Rivera with champagne
This two hour cruise departs from Beaulieu-sur-Mer to take you on a stunning sunset cruise on the Cote d'Azur.
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Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Trip
10 person motor boat with whale & dolphin watching
Departing from Beaulieu-sur-Mer, this fantastic boat trip lets you observe some of the most beautiful marine wildlife that live within the Mediterranean.
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Mediterranean Sport Fishing Trip
Recreational sport fishing trip from Nice, Cannes & Monaco
Based in Beaulieu-Sur-Mer, this company can offer fishing trips from Beaulieu and also Nice, Cannes and Monaco out into the Mediterranean for all levels of fisher, from complete beginner to expert. They are also family friendly so those who would like an outing with their children can join one of their trips.
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Cannes & St Tropez Luxury Motor Boat Trip, Beaulieu 
Cannes & St Tropez Luxury Motor Boat Trip, Beaulieu
7-10 person Boat trip along the Cote d'Azur
Departing from Beaulieu-sur-Mer, on this trip you'll enjoy a full day of cruising along the French Riviera, visiting Monaco to Cannes to Saint Tropez and the beautiful bays and coves.
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Cannes & Islands Luxury Motor Boat Trip, Beaulieu 
Cannes & Islands Luxury Motor Boat Trip, Beaulieu
7-10 person Boat trip exploring Cannes & the Islands
This is a four hour coastal trip departing from Beaulieu-sur-Mer to explore the gems of the Cote d'Azur with opportunities to swim and snorkel in the glistening Mediterranean.
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Cote d'Azur Luxury Motor Boat Trip 
Cote d'Azur Luxury Motor Boat Trip
7-10 person motor boat with snorkelling
This boat trip departs from Beaulieu-sur-Mer and can run for 2, 3 or 4 hours - so you can choose whether you want a quick spin along the coast or a more extended trip.
Restaurants nearby
Restaurants in Eze
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La Table de Patrick Raingeard Restaurant, Eze
Excellent food showcased directly from the kitchen garden
The Cap Estel gourmet restaurant or "La Table de Patrick Raingeard" as it is known has one Michelin star.
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Restaurant des Rois, Beaulieu Sur Mer
Described as "The restaurant of kings & the king of restaurants"
The jewel in the crown of La Réserve de Beaulieu hotel is this gastronomic restaurant which has one Michelin star.
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Chateau Eza Restaurant, Eze
Luxury restaurant serving French and Mediterranean cuisine
Château Eza offers a Michelin recommended restaurant serving à la carte French and Mediterranean cuisine against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera.
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La Chevre d'Or Restaurant, Eze
Michelin-starred restaurant serving sophisticated, fresh tasting cuisine
This gourmet restaurant offers panoramic views across the Mediterranean and gained two Michelin stars in 2011.
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Le V Restaurant, Eze
Modern French cuisine in the Hotel Eze Hermitage
Bar, restaurant and terrace set in a lush Mediterranean garden just 15 minutes from Nice or Monaco.
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Papaya Beach Club, Eze
Private beach in a the tranquil location of Eze just 25 minutes from Monaco
This private beach spot is a lovely place to relax away a day, on the gorgeous bay in Eze. A private area where you can relax, sunbathe and swim in peace.
Sights nearby
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Le Jardin Exotique de Monaco
Wonderful exotic succulents, cave and museum of anthropology
Monaco's exotic garden was opened to the public in 1933. In its prestigious, open-air setting, it brings together a wide variety of succulent plants.
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Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology
Museum tracing the history of evolution through the ages
The area around the Cote d'Azur is rich in prehistoric artefacts, many of which can be found in this fascinating museum.
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Parc Princesse-Antoinette
A multi-storey playground set in a stunning garden area
Created in 1917 when Prince Albert I saved the area from industrialisation and created the park to protect the olive groves.
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Parfumerie Fragonard, Eze
Factory and museum of one of the leading producers of perfume in France
This factory for perfume, soap and cosmetics, has very modern laboratories and workshops. Discover the secrets of manufacturing perfumes and cosmetics.
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Collection des Voitures Anciennes (Vintage Cars Collection)
Collection of vintage cars owned by the royals of Monaco
Prince Rainier III was a huge car enthusiast and amassed a vast collection of vintage cars.
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Fontvieille Park & Princess Grace Rose Garden 
Fontvieille Park & Princess Grace Rose Garden
A beautifully landscaped area overlooking the harbour & Mediterranean
These well-manicured gardens contain a variety of beautiful plants, trees and flowers as well as being home to the wonderful Princess Grace rose garden.
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Golf-clubs nearby
Golf Courses in Monaco
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Monte-Carlo Golf Course
Beautiful 18-hole golf course set in lush greenery north of Monaco
Situated in the La Turbie area in the heights of Nice the rolling green terrain offers an interesting and challenging round of golf.
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Nice Golf Country Course
Compact nine-hole course with a wide driving range ideal for practicing
Close to the city, this nine hole compact course offers a range of different situations with its relief, bunkers and water hazard. It is aimed at both beginners and low handicaps wishing to improve.
Towns nearby
Towns & Villages in Monaco
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Cap d'Ail 
Cap d'Ail
Friendly seaside resort with a splash of old school glamour
A friendly seaside resort with a splash of old-school glamour, Cap d'Ail has several beaches ranging from fine sandy beaches with elegant restaurants, to remote and rocky coves.
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Eze 
Eze
An incredible little village perched by the sea
A wonderful medieval village, Eze is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Riviera with a ruined 12th century castle at its pinnacle. It's actually split into two very distinct areas - Eze-Sur-Mer and Eze Village.
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La Turbie, Alpes-Maritimes 
La Turbie, Alpes-Maritimes
Home of Le Trophée des Alpes in the hills above Monaco
La Turbie lies in the hills above Monaco and is a thriving medieval village with buildings dating back to Roman times.
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La Condamine 
La Condamine
Port and business district - the second oldest part of Monaco
La Condamine lies to the south-west of the principality covering the area of Port Hercule that is filled with luxury yachts, and is also the home of Monaco's business district.
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Rocher de Monaco (Rock of Monaco) 
Rocher de Monaco (Rock of Monaco)
Rocky promontory overlooking the Mediterranean and the oldest part of Monaco
The Rock of Monaco is a 62 metre tall promontory overlooking Monte-Carlo's port and the Mediterranean sea. It is also the oldest of Monaco's areas, where the Old Town is located.
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Monte-Carlo 
Monte-Carlo
Home to the famous casino and F1 race track
Monte-Carlo is where the world’s richest people come to fritter lavish amounts of money - just look at the cars parked in Place du Casino to get an idea of the clientele.
