Destinations

16 of the best beaches in Spain

The prettiest sandy shores across Spain
16 best beaches in Spain to visit
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Spain's best beaches are some of Europe's most famed destinations – but how do you whittle it down to just one? An obvious quick-fix destination for a beach holiday, with splendid sands, peace, quiet and mind-blowing sunsets, keep reading for our edit of the very best beaches in Spain, across the mainland, Ibiza, Mallorca and more. For more sandy inspiration, see our round-up of the best beaches in Europe.

The best beaches in Spain at a glance

Best for an Ibizan dip: Cala Salada, Ibiza
Best for pristine shores: Cala Saura, Formentera
Best for Menorcan charm: Cala Pregonda, Menorca
Best for quick city-side swims: Playa de Ondarreta, San Sebastián
Best for deserted sands: Praia de Lumebó, Galicia
Best for otherworldly landscapes: Playa de Monsul, Almeria
Best for sweet-scented settings: Playa de Sa Boadella, Costa Brava
Best for family adventures: Playa de Poo, Asturias

  • Cala Salada Ibiza
    Sophie Knight

    Cala Salada, Ibiza

    Ask any dedicated Ibiza-goer for their favourite beaches on the isle, and Cala Salada will undoubtedly get a mention. The beach has managed to maintain its pristine profile despite the crowds that take over the island each summer. Here, you'll find the Mediterranean at its very best: calm and crystal-clear waters between lush pine forests and rocks facing the sea – the perfect place to start your worship of the Pityusic Islands.

    Get here: Fly to Ibiza then a 30-minute drive

  • Alamy

    Cala Saura, Formentera

    Despite its growing popularity, Formentera has fewer tourists than its more popular sister Ibiza. The fact that it adds another leg to your journey deters some, but we recommend patience – just one look at Cala Saura's pristine shores will make it worth the extra boat time to get there.

    Get here: Fly to Ibiza then take a 30-minute ferry

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    Cala Fornells, Mallorca

    The most turquoise of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca has everything you need for the ultimate beach escape. Visit Cala Fornells for crystal clear waters, white sand, lush green trees and picturesque views everywhere you turn.

    Get here: Fly to Mallorca then a 30-minute drive

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    Cala Pregonda, Menorca

    It's hard to pick just one cove in Menorca. Each one has a uniqueness and distinct beauty, with a myriad of colours capable of hypnotising any traveller. This particular cove, however, is our favourite – it has several islets that emerge in front of it and protect it from the waves, so you're guaranteed to have calm waters and epic views stretching all the way out to the horizon.

    Get here: Fly to Menorca then a 40-minute drive

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    Playa de Ondarreta, San Sebastián

    Set between Monte Igueldo and the Miramar Palace, Ondarreta is the smallest and quietest of the three city beaches that make up San Sebastián’s celebrated Bahía de La Concha. Stroll westwards through a small tunnel from the magnificent Playa de La Concha and you will have arrived at an elegant seafront. Watersports, Michelin-starred restaurants, sea-lashed ironwork sculpture by the artist Eduardo Chillida and a mountain funicular, together with a tiny island within swimming distance, make this one of the best beaches in Spain.

    Get here: Fly to San Sebastián then a 30-minute drive

  • Alamy

    Playa del Regueral and Playa de Cavet, Cambrils

    Continually caressed by the warm, gentle Mediterranean, the soft sandy beaches of this once tiny fishing town are a haven for sun worshippers, yachties and families. Cambrils is popular for the good-times atmosphere created by beach bars, trampolines, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking – all along this meticulously spotless shoreline and beach. The relaxed restaurants are a sanctuary for seafood devotees. Take a romantic midnight swim under the lights of the old fishing port.

    Get here: Fly to Reus then 20-minute drive

  • Turismo de Galicia

    Praia de Lumebó, Galicia

    Distinctive rock formations surround this tiny cove, framing a stretch of golden sands. A massive rock sits at the centre of the beach, and getting here involves a tricky walk down a narrow path, ensuring this pristine spot is seldom visited. It’s a brilliant place to forget about the rest of the world, take a dip in the clear blue ocean and take in some of the best sunsets on the Galician coast.

    Get here: fly to A Coruña, then a 50-minute drive

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    Playa de Poo, Asturias

    This clean, triangular beach is marvellous for families – it’s easy to access, with a small car park and sands that are protected by lush, green headlands from the bashing reach of Biscay waves, with shallow water, rock pools and caves to delve into. No need to bring your own food – there are two small cafés in the summer.

    Get here: fly to Santander, then a one-hour drive

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    Pechón Playa, Cantabria

    Walk down the steep steps near the entrance of Camping Las Arenas and you reach this gorgeous beach at the mouth of Ría Tina Mayor estuary, all calm water and delightful deserted sands between the wooded slopes of Hermida Gorge. Upstream at Unquera, you can launch kayaks and paddle three kilometres along the winding river back to the beach. The campsite restaurant dishes up tasty, well-earned pizzas.

    Get here: fly to Santander, then a 40-minute drive

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    Playa Tamarit and Cala Jovera, Tarragona

    Overlooked by an impressive 11th-century castle, Blue Flag Playa Tamarit is a laid-back spot gently caressed by the rippling Mediterranean. It provides all the usual beach high jinks, but without the crowds of nearby holiday favourites. Cala Jovera, to the south, is a more exciting option. A tiny cove with a hollowed-out rock at its centre, it’s great for exploring and jumping – about 50 metres south, thrill-seekers will find cliffs to leap from. The less adventurous can savour cool walks under the shade of pine trees.

    Get here: fly to Reus, then a 20-minute drive

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    Playa de Gandía and Playa de L’Alhuir

    A beautiful urban blue-flag beach with 7km of wide, glorious sands and a lovely promenade. Plenty of boardwalks make it easy to access the sea, and there are volleyball, basketball and football pitches – this is an action-packed beach with good showers to cool off afterwards. In August, Gandía hosts the world’s oldest sea-swimming race. Stroll north to the end of town to explore the dunes and watch kite-surfers.

    Get here: fly to Valencia, then a one-hour drive

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    Playa de Maro, Nerja

    Turquoise waters and a sandy beach define this perfectly preserved cove in the Los Alcantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Park. Due to the fishing ban, marine life is thriving here and can easily be spotted. We highly recommend the sea-kayak paddle from Burriana beach to Maro, where you can visit natural caves and see epic waterfalls cascading into the sea. A Moorish watchtower adds historic charm. It’s very popular in summer, so get here early.

    Get here: fly to Málaga, then a one-hour drive

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    Playa de Monsul, Almeria

    Primeval landscapes, eroded caves and a wavelike volcanic rock formation make this an extraordinary beach in Spain, with superfine sand and abundant underwater life. The sea shelf provides a gentle slope, perfect for adventurous paddlers. The beach is set in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, so don’t expect any man-made facilities. It was used as a backdrop for some scenes in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Access is via a four-kilometre dirt road – there’s limited parking. If you’re in the mood, hike over the bluff to naturist Playa del Barronal.

    Get here: fly to Almería, then a 45-minute drive

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    Playa de Bolonia, Tarifa, Andalucía

    A huge dune of fine white sand towers regally over this vast beach, with pine forests on one side and the crystal waters of the Atlantic on the other. At low tide you can swim in natural pools at the southern end while looking across the Strait of Gibraltar to Africa. It’s part of El Estrecho Natural Park, so has strict building regulations, although there are a few wooden beach bars and simple restaurants. Seek out the Roman ruins and museum for added interest.

    Get here: fly to Jerez de la Frontera, then an 80-minute drive

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    Playa de Rompeculos, Huelva

    A 20-minute hike through pine forests in the Doñana National Park takes you to this incredible beach which feels a million miles from anywhere. Soaring sandstone cliffs formed from fossilised sand dunes frame the 100-metre beach, which faces the Atlantic in the Gulf of Cadiz. Rompeculos, which translates as 'bottom-breaker', was named in the 19th century after a river broke through the sand dunes. It’s one of the few beaches in the area where dogs are permitted.

    Get here: fly to Seville, then a 90-minute drive

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    Playa de Sa Boadella, Costa Brava

    A pine fragrance accompanies the 200-metre descent over rocks and verdant vegetation to the gently sloping Sa Boadella beach (clothed to the left, nudes to the right). The clear water holds a multitude of fish which makes for great snorkelling, particularly if you have magdalena cakes to offer. Sand is soft but grainy, so it doesn’t stick to your body. Bring your own beach umbrella. Unbelievably, this is just 3.5km from the busy town of Lloret de Mar.

    Get here: fly to Girona, then a 30-minute drive

    John Weller and Lola Culsán are the authors of ‘Wild Swimming Spain’ (Wild Things Publishing)

TopicsDestinationsSpainBeachesEurope