Vamos a la playa: Spain has 4964 kilometers of coastline with plenty of beaches for sun-seeking vacationers. Whether in the Mediterranean or the Atlantic, we reveal where Spain’s most beautiful ones are.
Summer, sun, beach – these are the three key words that are most important on vacation. In the case of Spain, that means you have a huge choice! In the north, wide Atlantic beaches, on the Mediterranean coast and on the Balearic Islands, picturesque sandy beaches and hidden bays, on the Canary Islands, black volcanic beaches and bathing temperatures even in winter. Travel Owl tells you where to find the 20 best beaches in Spain!
20. Playa de La Fontanilla: The Golden Beach
Some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain are located on the Costa de la Luz on the southern Atlantic coast. The beaches on the “Coast of Light” usually consist of endless dunes of fine sand, and the pine forests so typical of Andalusia are usually in the immediate vicinity. One of the most beautiful beaches is Playa de La Fontanilla, where the golden sandy beach stretches from Conil de la Frontera to Cabo Roche Bay. The infrastructure is also right: There are restaurants, sun loungers, showers, toilets and hammocks.
19. Tarifa: The surfing beaches
Around the southernmost city of mainland Europe are the most beautiful beaches of Andalusia. If you don’t want to just lie in the sun, you should get on a surfboard. Since the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet here, as well as the Poniente and Levante winds, there are the best conditions for wind and kite surfers. One of the most beautiful is Bolonia beach with a total length of 3.8 kilometers, where there is a large section for surfing and another natural section for sunbathing.
18. Playa de la Alcaidesa: The exotic beach
The Costa del Sol is not only one of the most popular vacation regions in Spain, its location on the Strait of Gibraltar also gives the south of Andalusia an exotic touch. After all, here you can let the air of Africa blow around your nose. One of the most beautiful beaches is the Playa de la Alcaidesa. The black sand and pebble beach stretches for four kilometers, always with a view of the Rock of Gibraltar.
17. Platja Gran: The artist beach
In the province of Gerona in Catalonia, the urban beach of Cadaqués is considered special. The beach with dark sand is surrounded by whitewashed houses and enchants especially with its magical caves. Above the city, after swimming, you can walk up to the house of the painter Salvador Dalí and have a wonderful overview of the Platja Gran.
16. Mazagón: The historic beach
Mazagón is located in the middle of the Doñana Natural Park, a labyrinth of land and water that includes impressive beaches and canyons, as well as mudflats and lagoons. The beach is nine kilometers long and the only one in the Palos de la Frontera region. History was also made here, because from Palos Columbus once set sail for the New World.
15. Cala Torta: The natural beach
No question, on Mallorca there are countless beaches and bays. One of the most beautiful places for sun worshippers is Cala Torta, a wide bay in the northeast of the Balearic Island. In the midst of a nature reserve, a white beach surrounded by dunes beckons, along with a small beach bar and beautiful hiking trails with swimming spots along the undeveloped coast.
14. Cala de la Roca Plana: The lonely beach
If you like it more lonely, you should head for a very special bay on the Costa Dorada: Cala de la Roca Plana is located at the end of the Bosque de la Marquesa forest and is a dream for anyone and everyone who wants to swim away from the tourist crowds. There is no gastronomy, but a lot of silence and the possibility to swim naked: Among nudists, the bay is considered an insider tip.
13. Miami Playa: The Florida Beach
Florida feeling in Spain? Check! The seaside resort of Miami Playa on the Costa Dorada is known for its phenomenal beach, which attracts a large number of tourists. Because the Mediterranean Sea is particularly clear here and the beach is white and fine sand, the beach is reminiscent of the picture-book settings you know from Miami.
12. Playa de Maspalomas: The famous beach
Not only one of the most famous beaches of the Canary Islands, but of all Spain is the Playa de Maspalomas on Gran Canaria. This is due to the impressive dunes of Maspalomas, which make the beach and its scenery so unique. The wide and fine sandy coastline stretches for twelve kilometers, plus there is a wide boardwalk with hip cafes and chic restaurants. A highlight is a visit to the 68-meter-high Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse, especially at sunset.
11. Playa de Rodas: The original beach
Off the coast of Galicia in northwestern Spain, Playa de Roda on the Cies Islands is considered an insider tip. This is also because the number of visitors is limited: only 2,000 people per day are allowed on the Cies Islands, in order to preserve the originality there. The concept works: Playa de Roda is one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, with its crescent-shaped bay, white picture-book beach and turquoise waters.
10. Playa de los Muertos: The beach of the dead
Weird name, beautiful beach: On the southern coast of Spain in Carboneras lies a dream beach with a morbid name, the Playa de los Muertos, in English the “beach of the dead”. But don’t let that scare you off, because the beach is large, secluded and sparsely populated. Over a kilometer long, the water is particularly calm, which is why not only those seeking peace and quiet, but also families with children like to come here.
9. Playa del Silencio: The beach of silence
A hidden beach that is not so easy to reach is Playa del Silencio, the “beach of silence”. In Asturias, near the village of Castañeras, the path leads down over the rocks to the sea. Once down, not only a white sand beach awaits, but a stunning backdrop: The cliffs surrounding the beach are up to 100 meters high!
8. La Concha: The city beach
La Concha is the most famous beach in the Basque Country. This is not only because of its size – it is 1.5 kilometers long and 40 meters wide – but mainly because of its location. Because La Concha is located on the outskirts of San Sebastián. After swimming, it’s straight to the countless beach bars and clubs on the promenade. In summer, the city even erects platforms with water slides in the sea.
7. Cala de Sant Vicent: The picture book beach
On the northeast coast of Ibiza lies one of the most beautiful beaches on the island: Cala de Sant Vicent is a beautiful bay with a white sandy beach and azure sea, surrounded by wildly overgrown hills. On the beach there are pedal boats, stand-up paddling boards and diving schools, and on the promenade restaurants, bars and stores.
6. Playa de Ses Illetes: The South Sea Beach
The ferry from Ibiza to the small neighboring island of Formentera takes 30 minutes. Here, Playa de Ses Illetes attracts vacationers with its South Seas setting. The beach is velvety soft, the water bright turquoise, and the infrastructure is excellent: there are two water sports centers with sailing, surfing, and diving facilities, a separate nudist area, and many bars and beach bars.
5. Playa de las Catedrales: The rocky beach
The pride of the Galicians is the Playa de las Catedrales in the town of Ribadeo. There is always something going on here, because many pilgrims on the Way of St. James pass by the Playa de las Catedrales and enjoy a jump into the cool water. It is due to the scenery that the beach is so popular: breathtaking rock formations arise along the coast here.
4. Playas de Corralejo: The dune beach
Fuerteventura has the reputation that the beaches of the Canary Island are particularly rough and wild, but there are exceptions: In the northeast of the island, the Playas de Corralejo are not only among the most beautiful beaches of the island, but of all of Spain. This is due to the wide sandy beaches surrounded by dunes!
3. Cala Turqueta: The turquoise beach
The Cala Turqueta keeps what the name promises: The dreamlike bay in the south of Menorca enchants with crystal clear water, which shines in all imaginable turquoise tones. The beach is about 100 meters long and is located exactly between the resorts of Cala’n Bosch and Cala Galdana. In summer it is usually crowded, so it is worth coming early in the morning.
2. Playa de Gulpiyuri: The extraordinary beach
In Asturias lies probably the most extraordinary beach in Spain. Playa de Gulpiyuri is an inland beach, not on the coast but in the greenery, in the middle of a plain. The water comes fifty meters through underground tunnels from the sea to the mini beach to Playa de Gulpiyuri.
1. Playa de Las Teresitas: The palm beach
Las Teresitas beaches are considered the flagship of the Canary Island of Tenerife. Located in the north of the island in the village of San Andrés, the beach charms with golden sand and countless palm trees. The calm swell caused by the protective piers makes the beach ideal for families with smaller children.
