My Favorite Beaches in Spain
Written by Nadia Podrabinek
Hello, my name is Nadia. I usually write about traveling (there are so many places to fit all the lifestyles), relocation, and living in a foreign country (adapting to a different culture). My travels stretch beyond Spain, with journeys to the US, Italy, Norway, Portugal, and France. Relocating to Spain in 2018, I lived in cities from Barcelona to Madrid, currently calling Valencia home. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn! ... show more
Spain is a beautiful land for people who love the sea and beaches. With a coastline that stretches for more than 5,000 miles, you can be sure that there are hundreds of perfect Spanish beaches to explore and enjoy. Some of the best beaches in Spain rank among the greatest in the world.
The temperate north offers charming fishing villages and pristine beaches; in the south, you’ll find wonderful white-sand beaches with crystal clear waters; and in between lies everything from bustling cities to sleepy towns with great food and excellent hiking trails.
Read also: 9 Best Beaches Near Madrid
What You Need to Know About Beaches in Spain
In Spain, there are many types of beaches, falling into the main three categories:
- Sandy beaches. These are the most popular ones. They are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and sports activities. The sand is usually tiny and close to white.
- Rocky and pebble beaches. These are deeper than sandy beaches. And don’t forget to bring your swimming shoes.
- Cliff beaches. Mostly to walk around and enjoy the views. Sometimes inaccessible to get to the water.
All of them are free to visit, with limitations in a few cases.
If you're traveling with a dog, check my new post on dog-friendly beaches in Spain.
What people say on Reddit
3 nights in Mallorca would be nice for sure, otherwise I can recommend Menorca which is the island next to it. The beaches are really nice and not visited as much as Mallorca. Flights from Barcelona are cheap and only take around 30mins.
Alternatively you could go to also Costa Brava which is an area north of Barcelona. Some of the smaller beaches there looked like they were closer to South East Asia than the Mediterranean.
Pupensause
Cadiz.
Gorgeous city. Still lots of local life, not a resort town for Brits and Germans the way many other smaller towns are.
You won’t be bored. I spent 4 days in Seville solo and saw only about 2/3rds of everything I wanted to see. Take day trips to Cordoba or Ronda or Huelva if needed.
its_a_me_garri_oh
Hi, The best place to go for ‘hot women and nice sand’ would be Marbella/Puerto Banus, about 30 mins from malaga, however you will find at this time of year its a bit quieter than normal and although there are still people about, some of the restaurants,bars and chiringuitos (beach restaurants) have closed for winter already.
Malaga would be a good option, its easy to get to from Seville as its the capital of the Costa del sol and is more of a year round city, smaller than Seville but still lots to see and do. The city has beaches too so you get the best of both worlds in Malaga, beach by day and some great nightlife as the sun sets. Best thing about Malaga is that you can pretty much get everywhere on foot.
MalagaAnna
I agree with all the recommendations so far. Cádiz province is where it’s at for beach towns. The Atlantic coast is spectacular and the smaller towns have great vibes.
14 days is enough to visit 3 places at leisure yeah, sounds perfect. Because you’ve got a long ass drive to Barcelona! From Cádiz i recommend driving via Granada, but going via Salamanca is also beautiful. Take a good two days driving, you’ll find motels easily en route, or you could even take three days and fit in another overnight stop somewhere interesting.
-paranomad-
Useful Video
10 of the Best Spanish Beaches In 2025
1. La Playa Poo (Llanes, Asturias)
Best for families
Don’t laugh at naming; it can be weird in Spain sometimes. The beach is a gem!
Pros Great beach for spending the time with family. Beautiful views, excellent for walking and swimming with children. Green forested capes reliably protect the coast from strong waves, and the entry into the water depths is long. There are fascinating caves and pools fenced with stones in the beach area.
Cons frequent low tide, long entry into the depths. If you come to dinner in the high season, it isn’t easy to find a table.
Facilities: the beach parking(~$5), two restaurants with lovely Mediterranean food.
How to get to the Poo Beach (Interactive map)
The beach is ~2 miles from the center of Llanes town. It will take about 6 minutes by car to get there. If you come in winter, you can take a walk for ~30 minutes to get there by foot. See the map.
2. Pechón Beaches (Cantabria)
Best for hikers
Actually, you will find many beaches here. Pechón is the coastal town of western Cantabria, and the best way to explore these rugged terrain beaches is either by car or by walk. The noteworthy ones are El Pedrerú, Las Arenas, Aramal, Playa de Amio, and Playa del Sable.
The most impressive to me was El Pedrerú beach, with clean and remarkably quiet water. Outdoor enthusiasts can rent a kayak and go down to this beach along the Unker River.
For dinner or at midday, you can stop at La Cambera restaurant in the town. The opening hours are 12:30-24:00, except Tuesday (their day off).
How to Get to Beaches of Pechon (Interactive map)
It is in Catanbria, the western part. See the map.
3. Aiguablava Beach (Costa Brava)
Best for couples
This small bay has all the features that made the Costa Brava famous: cliffs, dense pine forests, and crystal clear turquoise waters. The length of the beach is only 100 meters long, but it is all covered with fine golden sand. It is one of the most famous beaches in the Catalonia region. The beach is well equipped and accessible to different groups of people.
From June to October, you need to remember that the earlier you come to the beach, the more likely you will find the most convenient place. By lunchtime, the entire beach is crowdy, and it becomes less enjoyable.
What people say on Twitter about Aiguiblava:
How to Get to Aiguablava (Catalonia)
I recommend you stay for the night at the beautiful hotel Parador de Aiguablava, which sits on top of a cliff with a superb view of the endless sea. See the map.
4. Cathedral Beach (Galicia)
Best for bloggers and tourists in general
This beach is remarkable for its bizarre rocks and fantastically shaped 30-meter high arches, reminiscent of the ancient temples. An unusual feature of the beach: at high tide, the water covers almost the entire area, leaving only a tiny piece of land. Thanks to this, you can take unusual photos of the site. Also, watching the water flow at the ebb or high tide is still satisfying in 2025.
Important notice: to enter the area, you must obtain permission at the official website. While booking, you must specify your passport details and select the desired visit date. The reservation is valid throughout the day. Your passport will be checked at the entrance, so be prepared for the procedure. Also, bringing your food and drinks to the beach is prohibited. There is a food court and toilets, though.
How to Get to the Cathedral Beach (Playa de las Catedrales)
The Beach of the Cathedrals is in Galicia, almost bordering Asturias. If you are in the Cudillero, Luarca, or Taramundi area, you have this beach practically a stone’s throw away. What’s more, if you’re wondering how to get from Santiago de Compostela to Playa de las Catedrales, I’m sorry to tell you that you’ll arrive earlier if you go from Gijón.
To give you an idea, look at the distance from Cathedral Beach to other places of interest in Galicia and Asturias:
- From A Coruña: 90 miles, 1h30m drive.
- From Cudillero: 55 miles, 50m drive.
- From Santiago de Compostela: 114 miles, 1h50m drive.
5. Maro Beach (Nerja, Malaga)
Best for adventurers
The best beaches in Malaga are in the Nerja area, and you can find one of them, the Maro beach, in the bay of a suburban park.
What’s so special about Maro beach?
You can observe the unique underwater world there (the fishing is prohibited in the area). Then, rent a kayak and swim to the nearby caves and waterfalls. So much beauty there! Also, explore a Moorish watchtower, so you will also get a little history lesson between swimming sessions.
How to Get to the Maro Beach (Playa de Maro)
By car, it is 37 miles away from Malaga. See the map.
Instagram Review
6. Las Teresitas Beach (Tenerife, Canary Islands)
Best for relaxed vacations
Not for water sports
Las Teresitas beach stretches for 1,500 miles in the north of Tenerife near the village of San Andres. It stands out from all of the black volcanic beaches of the island with white sand brought from the Sahara desert.
The sand is smooth and comfortable.
Facilities: public showers, changing rooms, restrooms, and sun loungers.
Due to the nature of the beach, it is challenging to practice water sports here. There are practically no waves on it, so surfers have to go to other beaches. It is also not recommended to go snorkeling here because the sea is quite salty, causing skin irritation if diving for a long time. There are a lot of stones under the water, which also hinders diving.
What people say on Twitter:
How to Get to the Teresitas Beach (Playa de Las Teresitas)
First off, you need to get to Tenerife Island. It is one of the busiest tourist destinations in Europe. Thanks to this, it has many flight connections both with Spanish cities and with international issuing destinations. Flight time is ~2 hours.
The ferry boat is the other obvious alternative to get to Tenerife. There are frequent routes between islands and some from the mainland. There are several ports, the most important being Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the north. It will take you less than 4 hours to get there from Spanish Peninsula.
7. La Concha Beach (San Sebastián, the Basque Country)
Best for tourists
It is one of the most famous urban beaches in the North of Spain.
La Concha is a crescent-shaped beach with immaculate golden sand and beautifully colored water. This beach is relatively small and well equipped, and it is at the foot of the Bar del Balneario de la Concha, perfect for a snack. In the afternoon, I especially recommend the Terraza del Bns in summer, which is ideal for watching the sunset from here. The prices on the terrace are somewhat high, but the truth is that the bar deserves it.
After lunch, the water slowly recedes from the shore, and the sandy part increases and immediately fills with people. The best time to visit is June-September.
How to Get to the La Concha Beach (Playa de La Concha, Donostia)
Basically, you need to get to San Sebastian (Donostia in the Basque language) and go to the beach. The city is small, and there are many apartments within a 5-10 min walk to the coastline.
8. Cala Macarelleta and Macarella Beaches (Menorca)
Best for adventurers and Spain lovers
Macarella and Macarelleta are first cousins. Between the two they can proudly hold the crown of the most beautiful coves in Menorca. Coves that seem to be taken from a catalog of the English Court. But beware that these beaches exist in Spain.
Read also: Things to do in Menorca
Macarella and Macarelleta can proudly hold the crown of the most beautiful coves in Menorca between the two.
Macarelleta is the older sister, and she has a crescent shape, is sheltered from the wind, and has such crystal clear water that it seems you are in a pool. Literally. Right in front, 300 meters away, is her little sister, Macarelleta. More petite, shyer, but just as pretty. You have to cross a path that makes it a little more inaccessible to get to the latter. Which of the two is my favorite? The truth is that I can’t tell you. Choosing between two sisters is complicated, maybe Macarelleta? They are both tops. But to taste the colors. And if those colors are the turquoise blue of Menorca, I would sign up if you were me.
Facilities: two equipped parking lots. One near the beach, the other further, you have to walk up the hill. Seafood restaurant, restrooms.
How to Get to the Macarelleta Beach (Menorca)
There are non-stop flights (7-8 per day) from Barcelona no Menorca Island airport. It will take ~55 minutes of flight time to get there for the cost of ~$35 (Vueling, Ryanair).
9. Beaches of Formentera (Balearic Islands)
Best for the young people
What are the best beaches in Formentera? I’m going to say it loud: ALL OF THEM.
If you are only going to visit Formentera for one day, I recommend you select a couple of beaches and spend your morning at the first one and the afternoon at another. Or directly choose one and not move from there all day.
In one day, I was on these two beaches that I consider essential to visit in Formentera:
- Ses Illetes Beach. It is the most famous coastline area in Formentera, and it is very close to where the ferry arrives. If you have to select only one, I recommend this beach. It is quite long, and right next to it there is the Ses Salines Natural Park.
- Cala Saona. It is a cove located about 13 minutes by car from La Savina, the place where the Formentera ferry leaves you. The beach is small, but it is another of the best beaches in Formentera
How to Get to Formentera Beach?
Unlike the rest of the Balearic Islands, there is no airport in Formentera. Therefore, the only way you have to get to this blue paradise is by ferry. Here are the options:
A. Fly directly to Ibiza and take a ferry to Formentera from the Port of Ibiza. It would be your best travel option which takes ~30 minutes, and the price is around $25 round trip per person.
B. From the Spanish Peninsula, you have direct ferries to Formentera from the following locations:
- From Valencia. The ride is 2h30m, and the price is around $72 round trip per person.
- From Denia. The ride is also 2h30m. The price is around $75 round trip per person. (*prices updated to 2025).
10. Cala Mesquida Beach (Mallorca)
Best for the surfers
It is a secluded beach in the north of Mallorca near the town of Capdepera. It is 300m long and 100m wide, surrounded by natural dunes and pine trees. You can find a wooden path leading to the beach through the dunes. The coastline is covered with white sand, shading the clear turquoise water of the sea with moderate waves, which do not interfere with children’s activities.
Read also: The Best Beaches in Mallorca in 2025 and Things to do in Palma, Mallorca
During the windy season, the sea waves intensify, inspiring surfers. To vacationers’ services: sunbed and umbrella rental, water bicycles, windsurfing equipment.
How to Get to Cala Mesquida Beach?
You can fly to Mallorca Island from Barcelona; there are many cheap flights each day.
See the interactive map.
That’s it! I’ve struggled to make this top list of only ten items. I hope you will enjoy at least some of these beaches.
You might also want to check the best beaches in Valencia guide.
The best time to visit the beaches in Spain is from May to October when the weather is warm and sunny. However, keep in mind that these months are also the busiest, so you may want to consider visiting during the shoulder season (April or November) for a more relaxed experience.
First and foremost, don’t forget your sunscreen. The sun in Spain is powerful, so make sure you’re protected. Other than that, pack your usual beach gear – swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, etc. Also, check my travel items under $100 list.
There are so many beautiful beaches in Spain, and it is hard to choose just one. Some of my favorites are Cathedral Beach (Galicia), La Concha Beach (San Sebastian), and Formentera Beach (Mallorca).
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18 replies on “My Favorite Beaches in Spain”
Thanks for the detailed descriptions!
You’re welcome, Maddy!
Does Cala Mesquida beach offer great options for windsurfing or kite?
Hi, Erin! Cala Mesquida beach in Mallorca, Spain, is not particularly known for being a windsurfing or kiteboarding hotspot. The beach is renowned for its pristine white sands and clear turquoise waters, making it more popular for sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings.
really helpful!
Thanks!
Nadia, I’ve been to several beaches in Spain, but Las Teresitas remains my favorite for snorkeling. The marine life there is amazing!
That’s fantastic, Natasha! Las Teresitas is my top pick for snorkeling in Spain—the marine life there is truly incredible!
Hi! I’m planning a beach holiday in Spain and can’t decide between Marbella and Costa Brava. Any recommendations?
Hey, Elizabeth. Both Marbella and Costa Brava offer fantastic beach experiences, but they have different vibes. Marbella is known for its luxury resorts, vibrant nightlife, and upscale shopping, while Costa Brava offers a more tranquil setting with picturesque coves and charming coastal towns. Consider your preferences for relaxation or excitement to make the best choice for your beach holiday in Spain!
Thanks for sharing this! Are there any hidden gems near Las Teresitas that are less known but worth visiting?
Certainly! While Las Teresitas is a popular destination with its golden sands and turquoise waters, consider exploring the nearby Anaga Rural Park. This lush and mountainous region offers spectacular hiking trails, charming villages, and breathtaking viewpoints. The remote Playa de Benijo, nestled within Anaga, is another hidden gem known for its wild beauty and the iconic Roque Benijo rock formation.
I spent a week at Pechón last summer and it was incredible! The crystal-clear water and golden sand are just as beautiful as described.
Hi, Thomas. I’m thrilled to hear about your amazing experience at Pechón! The allure of crystal-clear waters and golden sands is truly captivating, and it’s wonderful that your visit lived up to the descriptions. The beauty of such natural landscapes can create lasting memories, making your week at Pechón a truly incredible getaway. 🙂
Have you visited Ses Illetes Beach during the peak summer season? How crowded does it get?
Oh, I haven’t personally visited Ses Illetes Beach during the peak summer season, but I’ve heard it’s a popular spot! From what I know, it can get quite crowded during that time, as it’s known for its stunning white sand and crystal-clear waters. If you love a vibrant atmosphere and don’t mind the hustle and bustle, it’s probably worth experiencing the lively energy of peak season! Just be prepared for potential crowds.
Really appreciate this guide! I hadn’t heard of Cala Saona before and now it’s on my list.
So glad you found the guide helpful! Cala Saona is a hidden gem – you’re in for a treat!