10 Best Beaches In Spain – Spain has everything you need for the ideal beach vacation: great weather, a culture that values fun, and a seemingly limitless variety of beach settings.

 

It has two coastlines, one along the Atlantic and one along the Mediterranean, due to its peninsular location in Europe. Beyond those two coasts, and beyond continental Spain, the beaches of the Balearic Islands (particularly on Ibiza and Mallorca) and the Canary Islands, such as Gran Canaria, are among the best in the world. These archipelagos of islands are also part of Spain.

 

From hidden coves bordered by pine-covered cliffs to broad, bustling areas packed with restaurants and resorts, Spanish beaches come in many kinds and sizes.

 

Spain has a coastline of almost 3,000 miles, much of which is lined with lovely beaches. Although the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol are popular tourist destinations, there are beautiful beaches on every coast in the country.

 

However, not all beaches are made equal, and just because one is famous does not guarantee that you will enjoy it. If you’re planning a summer vacation to Spain, knowing which beach is perfect for you and your travel companions can help transform your trip from “excellent” to “unforgettable.”

 

These destinations offer the entire deal when it comes to beaches in Spain, from the famed Playa de La Concha in San Sebastian to the sunny southern shores of Andalusia.

 

Best Beaches In Spain

 

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  Tossa de Mar, Costa Brava

 

The Costa Brava area, located on the Catalan coast in northeastern Spain, offers rugged beauty (the term meaning “hard coast”), with many tranquil beaches surrounded by steep cliffs. Apart from the beaches, it’s a fantastic section of Spain to visit for sightseeing, as it’s rich in history and culture.

 

Tossa de Mar is a charming seaside village located halfway between Barcelona and the French border. It boasts a lovely, curved beach, as well as a large castle on the hill above the beach. The beach is gritty and dark golden brown, and the bay has been roped off for swimming.

 

Aside from the gorgeous beach, there are various natural parks and Roman ruins in the region.

 

The Gran Hotel Reymar & Spa is located on a hilltop overlooking the bay in the small village of Tossa de Mar. Some of the rooms and suites enjoy panoramic ocean views. It takes only a few minutes to stroll to the beach or into town. Free Wi-Fi and a complimentary breakfast are added bonuses.

 

• La Concha Beach, San Sebastian

 

San Sebastian is a short train ride from Madrid, Barcelona, and other important Spanish cities. Trains can be booked all around Spain via Renfe’s website.

 

Forget about Spain for a moment—La Concha is regarded as one of Europe’s best city beaches. This area virtually begs to be Instagrammed, with its beautiful golden beach, expansive vistas of the sea, and signature stylish white promenade.

 

San Sebastián is a chic coastal city in northeastern Spain, near the western end of the French border. It has excellent pintxos (basque tapas) and one of the nicest beaches you’ll ever see in a city.

 

There’s also a lot of things going on and around La Concha Beach, so if you’re looking for something a little more exciting than a standard beach holiday, San Sebastian is a terrific place to visit. Hotels in and near San Sebastian may readily be found within walking distance of La Concha.

 

• Es Pujols, Formentera

 

Ibiza’s adjacent island, Formentera, in Spain’s Balearic Islands area, is significantly more lovely and quiet than Ibiza. The ferry voyage between the islands takes around 30 minutes and transports you back and forth.

 

Es Pujols Beach, for example, has both brilliant white sand and lovely blue-green water. The beach is flanked by a promenade packed with cafés and restaurants, and beyond the beach is a bustling town.

 

In Es Pujols, the Castavi Apartments are just steps from the beach. The units are spacious and include full kitchens, as well as an outdoor pool. It is a fantastic location for sightseeing around the island, in addition to being close to the beach. The facility contains a small snack bar and a front desk with staff available 24 hours a day to assist with activities and excursions.

 

• Playa de Las Catedrales, Galicia

 

Although a little more isolated than La Concha, Playa de Las Catedrales is Galicia’s best beach, with immaculate sandy beaches and sea-sculpted rock formations.

 

Ribadeo is the closest city to Playa de Las Catedrales, which is located in northwest Spain (though Foz is nearby as well). The region is noted for its inclement weather all year, and coming during the winter months is not recommended. In the summer, however, you’ll have this natural wonderland almost entirely to yourself, as it isn’t yet on the radar of most tourists.

 

Ribadeo is located on the Narrow Gauge Railway that travels along Galicia’s and Asturias’ north coasts. ALSA runs a three-hour bus service from Santiago de Compostela.

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• Playa del Ingles, Canary Islands

 

The Canary Islands’ beaches are a must-see on any list of Spanish beaches. These islands are almost 60 miles (95 kilometres) off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean, and are another Spanish territory. Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the two largest islands.

 

On Gran Canaria, Playa del Ingles is an approximately seven-mile-long (11-kilometer-long) sandy beach that gradually transforms into picturesque dunes. It was formerly a renowned hippy hangout in the 1960s, but now it’s home to luxurious boutique hotels and gastronomic eateries.

 

The beach is golden brown and slopes gently to the sea. Many beach clubs rent beach chairs and umbrellas, as well as having their own fenced-in areas.

 

The Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas has a breathtaking view of the Maspalomas dunes (and the ocean beyond), which resemble a Martian scene. The premium resort is open all year (other hotels on the Canary Islands close for the winter) and is set in a large oasis of gardens approximately a 15-minute walk from the beach.

 

• Playa del Silencio, Asturias

 

Beaches in the hilly area of Asturias are considered to be the greatest in northern Spain (narrowly topping those in neighbouring Galicia), and Playa del Silencio is the best of the best of those gorgeous locales.

 

Sunshine isn’t as guaranteed in Asturias as it is in other areas of Spain, but if you’re seeking to explore the region and soak up some culture on cloudier days, you can still find some reasonable hotels in adjacent Cudillero.

 

Asturias is a popular tourist destination for young people, and its larger cities, such as Gijón, have plenty of parties, concerts, and special events to offer.

 

The beach of Asturias is ideal for a day trip. Cudillero is accessible by train and bus from a number of northern Spanish cities.

 

• Bogatell, Barcelona

 

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, and it is located on the Mediterranean coast. Beaches can be found all along the city’s coastline.

 

Bogatell is a city beach that is less crowded than Barcelona’s main Barceloneta beach. Bogatell is a man-made beach that was built for the 1992 Olympics and is well-designed and maintained.

 

Every few hundred yards down the beach, there are lifeguards on duty and rudimentary facilities (bathrooms and showers). The beach is large and flat, with coarse brown sand.

 

In the vicinity, the Ibis Styles Barcelona City Bogatell is a nice mid-range option. The sand is a 10-minute walk away. Castelldefels’ beachside neighbourhood is very popular with locals.

 

This beach is 20 minutes by rail from Barcelona’s central area and is located just across from a train station. It has kilometres of undeveloped coastline, yet there are still plenty of tapas bars and beach shacks to eat at. Swimming, windsurfing, and kitesurfing are all popular activities.

 

• Ses Illetes, Formentera, Balearic Islands

 

The Balearic Islands, located just off Spain’s eastern coast, are home to some of the country’s most popular vacation spots, including Ibiza, Mallorca, and Minorca.

 

However, the island of Formentera, which includes Ses Illetes and Cala Conta, is usually cited as one of the best islands for beaches.

 

While the beaches in Formentera are better, the nearby (and larger) island of Ibiza is more lively. If you’d rather stay overnight to see a gorgeous seaside sunrise, Formentera is an easy day journey (by ferry) from Ibiza Town.

 

• Cala Mesquida, Mallorca

 

Mallorca, like Ibiza, is the largest and most developed of the Balearic Islands. Despite its popularity and expansion, there are still some hidden beach beauties to be discovered.

 

Cala Mesquida is a little beach on the northeast coast that is only recently becoming popular with international visitors. The little bay features a fine sand beach that stretches about a quarter mile. Rentals for chairs and umbrellas are available, although there is only one restaurant and one snack shop. There are also showers and bathrooms, but no changing rooms. A little settlement is located just beyond the shore.

 

The VIVA Suites & Spa is an exclusive boutique resort for adults only (over 16) located in the hills above the small town. The resort emphasises wellness, with a well-equipped spa and a nutritious menu. The hotel is a little off the beaten path, which is ideal for people seeking a more tranquil, private experience.

 

• Almunecar, Costa Tropical

 

Skip the congested Costa del Sol resorts and head to the Costa Tropical, the next stretch of beach. There is a much better balance between development and natural beauty preservation.

 

Almunecar, the main resort, resembles a coastal town in the south of France. A promenade and boulevard dotted with stores, restaurants, and hotels front a long, curving beach. Along the shore, there is also a row of mostly restaurants.

 

The beach features smooth white sand, and the water is rather warm, especially in the summer. There are numerous locations where you can hire beach chairs and umbrellas, as well as fenced-in exclusive beach club areas.

 

It’s a great beach for families and individuals who wish to spend some time in the ocean. During the summer, swimming areas are roped off and lifeguards are on duty.

 

Aside from the seashore, the Andalusia region is home to magnificent and historic Spanish cities such as Seville and Granada.

 

The Playacalida Spa Hotel includes a massive rooftop infinity pool and a Moorish castle-inspired decor. The resort is located on a hill with stunning views of the turquoise lake below, just outside the tourist zone. With three swimming pools and a kids’ club activity programme, it’s ideal for families.

 

• Laredo, Cantabria

 

The Cantabria region on Spain’s north coast, close the French border, offers more than 60 beaches along its gorgeous Atlantic Ocean shoreline.

 

Surfers, windsurfers, kitesurfers, and jet skiers flock to Laredo, Spain’s outdoor water sports centre. The beach stretches for almost five kilometres, curving along a beautiful bay. The beach itself is quite large, with beautiful, fluffy white sand.

 

It’s all about having a good time on the beach and in the water: there are numerous locations where you can rent various types of water sports equipment. You can also enrol in classes to learn something new. The region’s Basque cuisine is also well-known among foodies. Some Roman ruins are among the town’s attractions.

 

The Cosmopol is a non-smoking, low-cost hotel located on Laredo’s main thoroughfare. The rooms on the upper floors provide fantastic seaside views (try to get one with a balcony). The beach is only a few blocks away. Guests can take use of the complimentary breakfast buffet and free Wi-Fi.

 

• Playa de Torimbia, Asturias

 

Asturias is a northern Spanish province on the Atlantic coast. The majority of the beaches here are white, sandy, and wild, with steep cliffs around them.

 

The lovely, hidden Playa de Torimbia is located near the port of Llanes, west of Bilbao. There are no stores or restaurants on the beach, however there are lifeguards on weekends during the summer season, and showers are accessible.

 

This Spanish beach is reachable by automobile, though parking can be a challenge during the summer months. You may stroll here from Niembro village (park here). Apart from the beaches, Asturias is a fantastic place to visit for sightseeing, as it was an important component of mediaeval and Moorish Spain.

 

The Hotel Miracielos is located near Niembro in Barro, which has its own set of beautiful beaches. This family-friendly hotel is set on a lush hillside with views of one of the area’s many little beach coves. Rooms and suites with full kitchens and furnished balconies are available at this beautiful, recently built hotel.

 

• Carboneras, Almeria

 

Almeria is located on the Mediterranean Sea in southeast Spain. A Moorish castle looming on a hilltop dominates the city. The resort town of Carboneras, located near Almeria, is noted for its gorgeous beaches, which are bordered by a large nature preserve.

 

The area is also noted for its cuisine, which consists primarily of fresh fish. Around the bay, which stretches very far into the land, there are a few beach places. Beach chair and umbrella rentals are available just in front of the hotel, but a more natural experience may be obtained only a few minutes down the beachfront.

 

The water is warm, and the sand is tan, sloping down to the water’s edge. Palm trees and elevated dunes line the beach, which is capped by a beachside promenade.

 

The Hotel CH Cabo de Gata is a modern hotel with a view of the sea on a hillside near Carboneras. All of the rooms and suites have furnished balconies or patios with views of the sea. The hotel is named after the Cabo de Gata-Njar Natural Park and is located near it. There are many volcanic geologic structures in the park, as well as a significant region of salt flats.

 

• Benicassim, Costa del Azahar

 

Benicassim, dubbed “Spain’s Music Beach,” is worth mentioning even if just for its massive yearly music festival. Every July, hundreds of thousands of people attend the multi-day beach festival, which features some of the biggest stars in the music industry.

 

The city is a sophisticated Mediterranean resort, complete with large, sweeping beaches and a well-developed beachside promenade. Torreon Beach is a tranquil, laid-back portion of the beach that is ideal for sunbathing. At low tide, all of Benicassim’s beaches run several hundred yards to the water’s edge. They are also extremely flat.

 

On a hill overlooking the city, the Thalasso Hotel Termas Marinas El Palasiet is a boutique resort hotel. A five-minute walk from the beach, the spa hotel offers a comprehensive thalassotherapy treatment programme. The use of seawater in wellness therapies is known as thalassotherapy.

 

• La Playa de la Victoria, Cadiz

 

Cadiz is an old city in southwestern Spain that was once a major port city when Spain was the world’s maritime power in the 16th and 17th century. Cadiz, one of Spain’s most historic cities, offers wonderful sightseeing as well as kilometres of vast beaches. The Costa de la Luz refers to the seaside region of Andalusia that includes Cadiz (the “coast of light”).

 

The most popular beach in the city is La Playa de la Victoria. It stretches for roughly a mile (2.5 kilometres) and is only a few hundred yards broad. The surf is calm, and the beach and water are not rocky, thus swimming and wading are both possible.

 

The beach is separated from a row of shops and restaurants by a narrow street. During the summer months, the popular beach can get rather crowded, but it has a bright atmosphere that makes it a wonderful spot to visit.

 

The Hotel Playa Victoria is a beachfront vacation hotel. Private balconies are available in all rooms and suites, and the hotel even has its own tiny private beach area.