Plage Mala Beach, Cap d'Ail
A find pebbly beach with a safe swimming area
This is a small and secluded beach with two excellent restaurants and safe swimming. Plage Mala is a little haven.
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.
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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
Villas in Monaco
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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.ย
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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
Hotels in Monaco
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Le Chateau de la Chevre d'Or Hotel, Eze
Boasting remarkable sea views of St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, this luxurious hotel is listed among the 500 World's Best Hotels.
Price: โฌ10,640
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Metropole Monte-Carlo Hotel
In 2004, the Hรดtel Metropole Monte-Carlo was refurbished to keep it in tune with its time, but has kept all its spiritual qualities to uphold its concept of luxury.
Price: โฌ14,254
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Cap Estel Hotel, Eze
Situated on its own two-hectare peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean Sea, the hotel has wonderful panoramic views. With only 28 rooms spread over four separate locations, it is a very private and luxurious place to stay.
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Port Palace Hotel
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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Jerome Boutique Hostellerie Hotel, 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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Cap-Ferrat Grand Hotel, Cap-Ferrat
Distinguished turn-of-the-century resort hotel with a sophisticated aura, surrounded by a beautifully landscaped 14-acre park.
Price: โฌ39,615
Things to do nearby
Things To Do in Eze
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Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Trip
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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Cannes & Islands Luxury Motor Boat Trip, Beaulieu
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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Mediterranean Sport Fishing Trip
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 alsoย family friendly so those who would like an outing with their children can join one of their trips.ย
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Cote d'Azur Luxury Motor Boat Trip
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.
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Cannes & St Tropez Luxury Motor Boat Trip, Beaulieu
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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Sunset Luxury Motor Boat Trip, Beaulieu
This two hourย cruise departs from Beaulieu-sur-Mer to take you on a stunning sunset cruise on the Cote d'Azur.
Restaurants nearby
Restaurants in Eze
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Restaurant des Rois, Beaulieu Sur Mer
The jewel in the crown of La Rรฉserve de Beaulieu hotel is this gastronomic restaurant which has one Michelin star.
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Chateau Eza Restaurant, Eze
Chรขteau Eza offers a Michelin recommended restaurant serving ร la carte French and Mediterranean cuisine against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera.
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La Table de Patrick Raingeard Restaurant, Eze
The Cap Estel gourmet restaurant or "La Table de Patrick Raingeard" as it is known has one Michelin star.
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La Chevre d'Or Restaurant, Eze
This gourmet restaurant offers panoramic views across the Mediterranean and gained two Michelin stars in 2011.
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La Reserve de la Mala Beach Club, Cap d'Ail
La Rรฉserve has a private beach, cocktail bar and a lovely restaurant with an international menu.
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Anjuna Plage Beach Club, Eze
Being situated in the small and picturesque village of Eze, the Anjuna Plage is a fashionable restaurant that should not be missed during the summer holidays.
Sights nearby
Sights in Monaco
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Le Jardin Exotique de Monaco
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
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
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
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)
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
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.
Golf-clubs nearby
Golf Courses in Monaco
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Monte-Carlo Golf Course, La Turbie
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
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
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
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 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 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)
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 is where the worldโs 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.
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.