The overview of the best beaches in Spain lets you choose a perfect one according to your preferences. Spain has over 8,000 km of the coastline with varied landscapes, thus boasting hundreds of beautiful beaches!
The most famous parts of the Spanish coastline are Costa Brava, Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca, and the majority of tourists go to one of those. Enjoy one of the classics or go beyond and explore. Our list of the best beaches in Spain includes very different regions and islands – you choose!
We organized the best beaches in Spain in the following order:
- Natural beaches – to enjoy unique Spanish landscapes: #1-5
- Beaches with a castle view – to enjoy Spanish culture: #6-7
- Huge vibrant party beaches – to enjoy Spanish fun: #8-10
1. Playa de Bolonia – Tarifa, Andalusia
Playa de Bolonia – Tarifa, Spain – one of the best beaches in Europe
Huge, spacious area with splendid dunes of fine sand with wonderful seascape. It belongs to the Estrecho Natural Park and thus it’s an unspoilt natural area. The fishermen village nearby has an old-fashioned charm, adding to the atmosphere of the place. The biggest treasure of the area are the ruins of 2,000-year-old ancient Roman city of Baelo Claudia, considered the most complete Roman town in Spain.
This amazing beach is located in the south of Spain in the province of Cadiz, near Tarifa. Definitely one of the best beaches in Spain!
Read about 15 Most Romantic Towns in Spain
Read about Caribbean Beaches in Europe
Activities
It is great for kitesurfing and surfing – there is a surf school on the spot.
Bars
There are a few beach bars where you can have a snack and drinks.
Best For
Everybody who enjoys a tranquil and quiet beach. Good for families, romantic for couples.
How To Get There
It is located close to Tarifa.
Address: Playa de Bolonia, 11391 Cadiz, Spain
2. Playa da Rodas – Cies Islands, Galicia
Praia da Rodas – Galicia, Spain
Galicia, the north-western corner of Spain, has more in common with the Portuguese landscapes than the more known Spanish ones. This little-known region, green and natural, hides some truly spectacular Atlantic beaches. One of them is incredible Praia da Rodas – voted recently by Spanish TV No. 1 of the best beaches in Spain. The locals call it a “Caribbean beach” – the photo is self-explanatory!
As it’s the Atlantic coast, the water is always a bit cold – like on the Canary Islands and unlike in the Mediterranean, but the landscape is amazing and totally worth the trip.
You may like: The best beaches near Lisbon
Bars
There are a few beach bars nearby.
Best For
Very romantic for couples. Nice for quiet family holidays. A calm, relaxing place.
How To Get There
By boat / ferry trip from Vigo. You must book the ticket in advance. The journey lasts 30 mins.
Boat Trip to Cies Islands: Vigo: Coastal Escape Trek and Tapas Tour
3. Ses Illetes – Formentera, Balearic Islands
Ses Illetes in Formentera, Balearic Islands – one of the best beaches in Spain
Famous as one of the best beaches in Spain, this spot is really exceptional and has an exotic, Caribbean feel to it. What makes it unique is that it is a long strip of sand in between the sea – something you can only see in few places in the world. Extremely beautiful. The water is very shallow and calm, and it is a great pleasure to swim here.
It gets crowded in the peak season, but still it’s an exceptional place to see. The beach is a part of Ses Salines natural park.
Read about Caribbean Beaches in Europe
Formentera is famous for its splendid beaches and landscape, so there are other treasures in the area, like Es Pujols beach.
Bars
There are many restaurants and bars nearby.
Best For
Everybody (unless you get scorched in the sun easily – there is no shade here). Romantic for couples. Good for families, too.
How To Get There
By boat from Ibiza Town.
Formentera: Multi-Day Scooter Rental
Best Boat Trips to Formentera
Formentera: Same Day Round Trip Ferry Ticket from Ibiza fot only 19,99 EUR
Ibiza: Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Formentera & S’Espalmador
From Ibiza: Guided Excursion to Formentera
4. Cala Agulla – Mallorca, Balearic Islands
Cala Agulla in Mallorca, Spain
Don’t dismiss Mallorca as a mass tourism destination with crowded beaches next to row of hotels. Undoubtedly, it has this side, too, but there are a lot of other sides of Mallorca to discover. It has also spots of unspoilt nature and wonderful paradise beaches – you just need to know where to find them – so read on.
Cala Agulla is a hidden gem of Mallorca – one of the best beaches in Spain indeed. It is a lovely cove of fine sand surrounded by greenery, with a great view of the mountains behind. As the beach lays in the Llevant Peninsula Natural Park, it’s very natural and perfectly clean.
Read about 15 Most Romantic Towns in Spain
Read about Caribbean Beaches in Europe
Activities
It is great for water sports: boat, kayak, stand up paddle.
Bars
There are a few beach bars nearby, so you can have a snack and drinks.
Best For
Families and couples.
How To Get There
It is located close to lovely medieval town of Capdepera.
Address: Carrer d’es Niu de s’Àguila, 07659 Cala Figuera, Majorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
Holiday Homes for Rent
Check out the best offers of gorgeous holiday houses for rent from MySunshine Travel Mallorca
Best Mallorca Tours & Activities
Mallorca’s Coast and Malgrats Islands: 2-Hour Boat Trip for just 15 EUR
North Coast of Mallorca: Catamaran Cruise with Lunch
Glass-Bottom Dolphin Watching Boat Tour with Lunch
Mallorca: 1-Hour Hot Air Balloon Flight
5. Maspalomas – Grand Canaria, Canary Islands
Fascinating desert landscape of the beach in Maspalomas in Gran Canaria, one of the best beaches in Spain
This is something you see in a very few places worldwide – a Saharan-like desert scenery with endless huge dunes reaching the sea. Amazing and unforgettable. There are 6 km of sand dunes you will walk through in Maspalomas and some of them are as much as 100 m high!
Activities
There are options for water sports: pedalo, jet-ski.
Bars
There are a few beach bars where you can have a snack and drinks.
Best For
Families and couples. It’s a wonderful place, but take into consideration that you need moderate level of fitness for walking through very long dunes.
How To Get There
Maspalomas is located on the south tip of Gran Canaria.
Best Activities in Maspalomas
Gran Canaria: Camel Ride in the Dunes of Maspalomas
Gran Canaria Surf Safari Course: Surf Lesson all levels
Mountain Bike Self-Guided Tour Maspalomas & Playa del Ingles
6. Tamarit – Cala Tobera, Costa Dorada, Catalonia
Splendid Tamarit Castle in Costa Dorada – one of the best beaches in Catalonia
Euroviajar’s Tip
Don’t mix up Tamarit in Costa Dorada, next to Altafulla town, with Tamariu in Costa Brava, next to Parafrugell town.
My personal favourite. There are several things that make Tamarit special. First of all, a beautiful small castle on the top of the rock overlooking it. Secondly, there is a little rocky island just next to it, to sit, relax and gaze at the sea. And then, it is surrounded by amazing rocks covered with aromatic Mediterranean shrubs and pine forest, where you can stroll along narrow paths, among splendid nature and breathtaking views. A place that stays in your heart forever.
The beach at Cala Tobera (photo above) is small, but the lovely cove just below the castle makes you feel like swimming in a natural swimming pool. From another part of the castle starts a pretty, long beach – Platja de Tamarit – with a camping site with palms and pines at the background.
Bars
There are various bars and restaurants in the area.
Best For
Everybody. Perfect for a romantic day as well as for a family.
How To Get There
By train or car to Altafulla town, then search Tamarit castle in Google maps.
7. Tossa de Mar – Costa Brava, Catalonia
Perfect postcard view of the castle in Tossa de Mar in Catalonia, Spain
Splendid castle, medieval town and walls and towers with fantastic views make Tossa de Mar truly special. Its main beach is large and pleasant, even if it gets crowded. On the other side of the castle there is hidden a lovely small beach right under the castle towers. A great place.
Read more about Tossa de Mar here: Best Beaches in Costa Brava
and here: 15 Most Romantic Towns in Spain
Activities
There are various options for sports: pedalo, boats, beach volley etc.
Bars
There are plenty of gorgeous bars and restaurants all around. It’s definitely a great place for eating out and drinks.
Best For
Groups of friends, families and couples – as long as fun and various activities are what you like most. If you prefer tranquillity, go elsewhere.
How To Get There
By bus from Barcelona or other big cities or by car to Tossa de Mar.
Read more about Best Beaches in Costa Brava
Best Trips to Tossa de Mar
Best of Costa Brava with Boat Ride and Tossa Visit
From Barcelona: Costa Brava Coastal Path Hike & Tossa de Mar
Discover the Costa Brava Full-Day Tour from Barcelona
8. La Concha – San Sebastián, Basque Country
La Concha beach in San Sebastian has won the title of the best beach of Europe by Traveller’s Choice Awards
Last year’s Traveller’s Choice Awards winner for the best beaches in Europe, La Concha beach in San Sebastián in the Basque Country is huge and extremely popular. It is very easy to reach, it’s full of life and joyful.
The beach has a pretty view on Santa Clara Island, which you can visit by a boat trip. As other Atlantic beaches, it has cold water, but many people swim anyway. The beach promenade is a lively spot and there is always a lot going on.
Activities
It offers a variety of water sports options.
Bars
There are many great restaurants and bars in the city and all around the beach. Try the Basque world-famous speciality: pintxos – tapas served on pieces of bread. They are delicious and a must-try!
Best For
Absolutely everybody.
How To Get There
It is the urban beach of San Sebastián.
Best Trips & Activities around San Sebastián
Private Tour of the Basque Coast and Countryside
From San Sebastian: Guipuzcoa Coast Tour w/ Lunch
9. Malvarrosa – Valencia, Valencian Community
Malvarrosa – extremely wide and spacious main beach in Valencia, one of the best beaches in Spain
Valencia is fantastic holiday destination. The city itself is fascinating with its futuristic architecture by Calatrava and its proud and rich history, and it’s very lively.
And obviously, also the beaches of Valencia are amazing. The best beaches are Malvarrosa, Playa de Cabañal, and beautiful natural El Saler.
Malvarrosa is the main beach of Valencia and it’s a great place. It’s extremely wide – actually I’ve only seen such wide beaches by the ocean, never by the Mediterranean Sea! It is spacious and vibrant, with a lot of people (who “disappear” in such wide area, so it’s never crowded), pretty bars and restaurants and a great atmosphere. It’s a really nice place.
Activities
It offers a variety of sports options, including jet ski, beach volley and pedalo.
Valencia: Jet Ski from Valencia Bay
Stand Up Paddling Course and Seaside Lunch in Valencia
Guided Kayak Tour and Paella Lunch on the Beach in Valencia
Bars
There are plenty of nice bars and restaurants all along the beach.
Best For
Absolutely everybody. There is enough space all around to never feel bothered.
How To Get There
Malvarrosa is the urban beach of Valencia.
Best Trips from Valencia Beaches
Valencia Day Cruise Party with Lunch & Cocktail
Evening Party Cruise and Cocktail at the Beach of Valencia
Valencia: 6-Hour Paella Class & Sunset Cruise
10. Platja del Bogatell – Barcelona, Catalonia
Platja del Bogatell in Barcelona
I went every day to the beach in Barcelona for all the period between June and September during the year that I lived there, so I can tell you all about it.
Barcelona is famous – among a multitude of other fantastic things – for its huge all-day-all-night party beach – Barceloneta. It’s a great place to have fun, listen to music (there is always plenty around from numerous beach bars and groups of people with their own musicboxes), and to meet people. For party lovers and young beautiful crowd this is the place to be.
However, if Barceloneta feels to crowded or noisy for you (especially in August), and you are looking for a more relaxing place with cleaner water and enough space to lay comfortably, go to Bogatell. That’s where people living in Barcelona go. Platja del Bogatell is just as large and wide and Barceloneta – but definitely less noisy and less crowded. It’s a really nice place and the sea is clean.
Another similar beach is Nova Icaria – closer to Port Olimpic. All the Barcelona beaches are connected with extremely pretty and posh promenade – fantastic for a walk at any time of day and night.
Euroviajar’s Tip:
Don’t ever leave your things out of sight on the beach – thefts happen often, especially in Barceloneta, far much less in Bogatell.
Bars
There are bars around the beach and numerous restaurants a short walk along the promenade in Port Olimpic area.
Best For
Bogatell: Everybody. Barceloneta: mostly young people or everyone who loves music and fun.
How To Get There
In Barcelona, take metro line 4 (L4, yellow) to the station Bogatell – quick and easy.
For Barceloneta, walk or take metro line 4 (L4, yellow) to the station Barceloneta.
Best Boat Tours in Barcelona
Boat Trip Barcelona: Sunset Sailing Experience
Barcelona: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Live Music
Barcelona: 3-Hour Boat Party Cruise with BBQ
Other Best Beaches in Spain
Best beaches in Spain on the Balearic islands
There are dozens of other beaches that are worth mentioning among the best beaches in Spain. Some places with marvellous beaches include also the islands of Tenerife, Lanzarote, Menorca, other regions like Cantabria, then famous sea resorts like Malaga and Marbella, etc. We will keep on publishing more beach guides for other countries and regions and for specific categories of tourists: families, couples, party people etc. and guides to particular locations.
Read about Best Beaches in Costa Brava
Read about Caribbean Beaches in Europe
Read also 15 Most Romantic Towns in Spain
Is September a good month to go to Spain by the sea? Is the sea still warm enough to swim? I’m thinking about Mallorca.
Hi Kaisa, yes – September is a perfect month to visit Spain. The weather is still hot like in the summer, the sea is still warm, but there are much less crowds everywhere and the prices are lower than in July and August. Mallorca will be fantastic in September.
Can’t wait to go for holidays again!!!! We have a flight booked for August to Gran Canaria, hopefully we can get there!