With over 3000 miles of spectacular coastline and home to more blue flag beaches than any other country in Europe, Spain is a beach lover’s paradise. The sun-kissed Mediterranean beaches of Spain offer something for everyone. From the jam-packed family orientated sands of Benidorm, and the partying coastline of Ibiza, to the rugged, unspoiled wilderness of Cabo de Gata and the pristine virgin dunes of Tarifa.
Spain has all types of beaches. As well as being aesthetically stunning, Spain’s beaches are all clean, safe, and maintained under outstanding environmental and quality standards. While most tourists tend to stick to the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol, those who do venture further afield are rewarded with wonderful Spanish beach moments and memories that stay with them for many years to come. So, if you plan to visit the country and want to expand your Spanish beach bucket list, you should find this list of 20 of the best beaches in Spain very useful.
Contents
- Spanish Beaches
- 20 Of The Best Beaches In Spain
- 1- Puerto Banus
- 2- Cala Agulla
- 3- Cala Pregonda
- 4- La Vega Beach
- 5- Cies Islands
- 6- Portinatx
- 7- Tarifa
- 8- Es Trenc Beach
- 9- Playa La Herradura
- 10- Tossa de Mar
- 11- La Concha
- 12- Playa De Ses Illetes
- 13- Playon de Bayas
- 14- Bogatell
- 15- Platja de Llevant
- 16- Playa De Alcudia
- 17- El Playazo Beach
- 18- Las Teresitas
- 19- Playa De Silencio
- 20- Calo des Moro
- 20 Of The Best Beaches In Spain
Spanish Beaches
20 Of The Best Beaches In Spain
1- Puerto Banus
As well as hosting calm, warm waters, the Costa del Sol enjoys over 330 days of sunshine every year, so it’s no wonder their beaches are always popular.
One of the best of them is Puerto Banus, southwest of Marbella.
It takes its name from José Banus, who built the marina and the nearby houses.
Constructed as an Andalusian style village, this is a hip spot.
The beach is pristine, and there is plenty of upscale shopping in the area – think Christian Dior, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana.
It’s also close to the home of Antonio Banderas, who lives there with Melanie Griffith.
2- Cala Agulla
Situated on the eastern side of the Balearic Island of Mallorca, Cala Agulla is only a tiny beach of around 500 m, with golden sand and the verdant mountainous backdrop of the Llevant Natural Park giving it a somewhat paradisical feel.
A popular spot for water sports (try a stand-up paddle tour of the island), this sun-kissed blue flag beach is blessed with tropical weather and is a popular spot with families.
There are also a couple of decent local beach bars and restaurants if you get hungry or thirsty.
3- Cala Pregonda
If you want a unique beach in which to get away from it all, then head to Cala Pregonda.
This remote beach is tucked away on the northern part of Menorca, but it’s hard to miss on account of its fabulous reddish sand.
Most of the time, you are alone on this beach, which isn’t surprising because it takes about half an hour to hike to the beach from the nearest car park.
The water is a stunning shade of blue, which is excellent for swimming and if you like snorkelling, you will see lots of beautiful shoals of fish here too.
4- La Vega Beach
Another remote beach option is La Vega, a wild beach in the Asturias region of Oviedo in northern Spain.
At over a mile long (1.6 km) and some 300 m wide, this fantastic stretch of coastline seamlessly merges green meadows with golden sands while long rolling waves continually lap the shoreline.
The beach remains essentially free of development and reveals rocks at low tide that contain dinosaur fossils.
It is an excellent beach for surfing and water sports; it also boasts a nice camping area and a fantastic seafood restaurant called Geyu Mar, which directly overlooks the sea.
5- Cies Islands
In northwest Spain, lying off the coast of Pontevedra in Galicia, you will find the Cies archipelago, a nature conservation and wildlife site that consists of three islands.
As one of the last unspoiled refuges of the Spanish coastline, you can only reach these islands – named Monteagudo, do Faro and San Martino – by ferry.
As you can imagine, the beaches here are all magnificent, featuring raw natural beauty, impeccable sands and crystal clear waters.
You can choose any of them to go to, and you will enjoy a period of unadulterated beach bliss but if you can only get to one, then check out the Playa de Rodas.
6- Portinatx
Ibiza is often thought of in terms of its party atmosphere and debaucherous exploits, but it is easy to forget that it has some fantastic seashore stretches.
Situated on the northern tip of this Balearic Island, about 35 minutes away from Ibiza town, Portinatx is a world away from the raucous nightclubs and lively bars of the main part of the island.
It used to be a small fishing village, yet despite succumbing to urbanisation in recent years, it still retains an ambience of that now.
The beach here offers welcome seclusion, gorgeous white sands and sensational views of the bay.
It’s an excellent place to recover from a big night of partying or just to get away from the chaos.
7- Tarifa
Nestled in the Cádiz area of Andalusia, the Tarifa beach lies at the confluence of the Atlantic and Mediterranean – which is reason enough to go there in the first place. But if you are into surfing and watersports, you should make a note to check it out.
This beach is a little bay situated about five miles from the town; this beach oozes surfer culture.
You will find the same kind of surfers here who ride the waves in Hawaii or Byron Bay, making for a very laid back and friendly vibe.
The beach is wide and immaculate, whilst the surf consistently throws up scintillating rollers.
8- Es Trenc Beach
Some of Mallorca’s beaches are overrun with visitors and tired looking resorts, but not Es Trenc Beach.
This two kilometre-long (1.2 miles) beach is a welcome throwback to the days before mass development hit the island.
You will find no massive hotels here, few water-based activities and no groups of marauding, drunken tourists.
Instead, you will enjoy a quiet haven of aquamarine waters, spotless white sand and the kind of relaxation you have been yearning for all year.
An hour south of Palma de Mallorca, and some 30 minutes from Playa de Palma and S’Arenal, this is an ideal spot for those who want to recharge their batteries in a stoic setting.
It is a famous beach for nudists too.
9- Playa La Herradura
One of the jewels in the 450-mile (724 km) long coastline of Andalucia is the Playa La Herradura.
Found within the small, idyllic fishing village of La Herradura, which is on the Costa del Sol and Costa Tropical border, this is the longest and most popular beach in the area.
It’s a clean, family-friendly beach replete with white semi-coarse sand and offset by stunning azure waters.
A fabulous spot to partake in activities like scuba diving and windsurfing, travellers visit this region to explore the wrecks of 16th-century Spanish galleons dotted around the area.
10- Tossa de Mar
When you think of beautiful beach locations in Spain, the province of Girona might not be the first place that springs to mind, but that is precisely what makes the Tossa de Mar such an attractive destination.
Framed by gorgeous pine trees that sweetly fragrance the air, this beach in Costa Brava has a fairytale feel to it.
It’s backed by an old medieval town with turrets that were used to prevent invasions from North Africa.
This charming beach features a gorgeous stretch of sand, as well as decent water sports.
It also has some excellent restaurants and pretty good shopping at much lower prices than elsewhere in Spain.
So overall, it is a lovely destination for those who want an atypical Spanish Beach experience.
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11- La Concha
My favourite beach in Spain is La Concha in San Sebastian, a wonderful city beach in the northern Basque region.
Named after the Spanish word ‘concha’, meaning shell, in reference to its shape, the beach is lined by a long promenade that features several colonial buildings, historical sites and some sensational tapas bars and restaurants.
Offering sweeping views of the bay, this is a great spot for people-watching.
Measuring just under a mile (1.6 km), its white sand is spacious and wide enough to mark out full-size football pitches that the locals play on.
When you go to La Concha, be sure to take the opportunity to walk up Urgull Hill or Igueldo Hill on either side of the beach to see sweeping views.
12- Playa De Ses Illetes
If you want that quintessential idyllic white sandy Mediterranean beach, then head to Playa De Ses Illetes.
Offset by sparkling turquoise waters and backed by dunes and pine trees, there is more than a hint of St Turks & Caicos about it, which might explain why it is known as ‘the Caribbean in the European continent.
Located off Spain’s eastern coast, on the Balearic Island of Formentera, this small island is wild and natural.
It borders Ibiza and can only be accessed by ferry, making for a nice day trip if you don’t want to stay there longer.
You might even spot a celebrity or two, as this is a notable vacation haunt for the rich and famous.
13- Playon de Bayas
Another beach that offers a stunning location is the Playa de Bayas in Asturias.
Also known as El Sablon (which can be confusing), the beach is framed by natural forest running along its length.
If you are into botany, numerous species of plants in this area should capture your interest.
Those who like to beach walk will enjoy the opportunity to traverse the two-mile (3.2 km) distance to the adjoining foreshore at Los Quebrantos.
The sand here is golden and pristine, while conditions for surfing are generally pretty good.
14- Bogatell
While Barceloneta is the most well-known and popular of Barcelona’s city beaches, my favourite is Bogatell.
For a start, there are far fewer tourists there, which is a mighty blessing for the locals, but also it is cleaner and less frenetic.
It is about 15 minutes further away from the city centre than Barceloneta, so it might take you longer to get there but the beach has much better facilities, a more beautiful aesthetic and an overall more relaxed vibe.
15- Platja de Llevant
For some beach lovers, convenience is everything, and the Platja de Llevant is convenient if you are vacationing in Benidorm.
Stretching for over 3.5 miles (5.6 km), this beach is located right on Benidorm’s waterfront.
It is a beautiful, vast expanse of golden sand, and the water is a gorgeous shade of aquamarine.
It will always be busy here, which isn’t surprising given that Benidorm is one of Spain’s most popular vacation destinations.
However, it is a family-friendly beach that features lounge chairs, several water sports activities and numerous restaurants and bars – selling everything from authentic Paella and Tempranillo to egg and chips and Heineken beer.
16- Playa De Alcudia
Nestled within a spacious cove on the northeastern tip of Mallorca, the ‘Platja de Alcudia’ is the largest beach in the Balearic Islands.
Situated about a 45-minute drive from Palma de Mallorca, it stretches out for four miles (6.4 km), so you can always find a quiet little spot to set yourself up for the day.
Another excellent family-friendly beach, the sizeable horseshoe-shaped bay ensures the sea is calm here, while the pine trees provide plenty of relief from the blazing sun.
If you want to vamp up your visit here, a handful of luxury resorts directly overlook some parts of the beach.
17- El Playazo Beach
The Cabo de Gata Nature Reserve in Costa de Almeria is a natural park of dramatic landscapes.
Lying in the southeastern corner of the Iberian Peninsula, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve features a wild and arid terrain of rugged cliffs, isolated coves, and gorgeous white sands.
It is a trendy area among eco-travellers, bird watchers, and nature photographers; it also features the incredible El Playazo beach.
Located near the small village of Rodalquilar, this 400-m (1312 ft) white sandy beach is the perfect place to reconnect with nature.
You will find good diving opportunities and plenty of fantastic boat excursions here.
18- Las Teresitas
Las Teresitas is a beach with a difference. Located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Canary Islands, it features sand brought in from the Sahara Desert.
This injection of sand on the northeastern coastline of Tenerife was laid down to cover up the unsightly black volcanic sands of the island.
As a result, this has made Las Teresitas a much more attractive beach to visit now.
It is a terrific place to spend the afternoon swimming, and there is a breakwater a few meters offshore, which creates optimal conditions ensuring the seas are calm and shallow.
19- Playa De Silencio
If you want to get away from it all, head to the aptly named ‘beach of silence’.
Located in the rugged region of Asturias in northern Spain, the Playa de Silencio boasts silver sands and an incredible shoreline that features natural rock formations.
The rocky terrain dictates that this is not a swimming beach, but it’s a fabulous beach to stroll along or sunbathe in serene surroundings.
Nearby, the quaint fishing village of Cudillero is also a lovely place to explore.
20- Calo des Moro
You can find one of the most picturesque beaches in Spain at the Calo des Moro in Mallorca.
A stunning white sandy beach lies in a gorgeous cove offset by stunning azure waters.
If you come early in the morning or later in the early evening, it is a fantastic place for a romantic stroll, especially to watch the sunset.
Located a 50 minutes drive from the historic centre of Palma de Mallorca, this beach is busy for much of the day, but it is worth a visit for its beautiful aesthetic.
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