Spain is an incredible vacation destination. Though it’s very popular for its culture, festivities, art, food, architecture, and people, one of the most amazing aspects of its appeal, the pristine beaches in Spain, remains somewhat underappreciated.
However, if you want an exotic beach holiday in Europe, Spain is the best spot to visit. With miles of spectacular shoreline and several incredible islands, Spain has a lot to offer beach lovers. From lively and crowded beach fronts with bars, resorts, and water sports, to small and secluded coves with breathtaking views, Spain has something for beach goer.
Though there are several beaches in Spain worth visiting, I’ll share my seven top picks today. So, please keep reading to check them out.
Costa Brava
Costa brava is a very popular coastal region, located in the North of Barcelona, near the French border. You can find several different beachfront resorts, fishing villages, and beaches on this coast.
Tossa de Mar is a great spot to visit Costa Brava. You should head to Cala Pola beach, an excellent spot surrounded by rocks and pines, and it is an ideal beach for divers because of the crystal-clear waters.
The spectacular golden sand beach isn’t only endowed with natural beauty, but the facilities like showers and changing areas are also great. There is also a restaurant and a chiringuito (Spanish beachfront bar) on the beach. One of the best experiences on the beach is a round trip of the bay, in glass-bottom boats, which allows you to appreciate the bay’s incredible marine life.
If Cala Pola beach is a little crowded for your tastes, you should also plan a visit to Platja de Aiguablava, an excellent beach in the village of Begur. The waters near the shore are quite calm and shallow, so the beach is more popular among families. However, even though the beach offers a wide range of facilities, it isn’t too crowded.
Sitges
This fantastic beach destination is located a short drive from Barcelona, so it is very popular. Many locals from the big city spend their weekends and vacations in Sitges, and it is a lively tourist destination.
Sitges is the combination of 17 different beaches in Spain, scattered over the Costa Dorada. There is a beach for everyone’s preference. You can visit some lively beaches with tons of people, or you can head to a small and romantic cove with your partner. Moreover, since the beach is close to Barcelona, you don’t have to worry about where you will stay.
You can spend your week in the city and enjoy the loads of attractions it has to offer, and on the weekend, you should head to Sitges and rent a nice cabin. Sitges can also be an excellent long-term holiday destination, and if you are interested, you can buy some property near Barcelona and spend your vacations in Spain. So, visit www.SpanishHomes.Online to check out some listings for properties in and around Barcelona.
Formentera
Spain has several islands in its territories, and Formentera is one of the most breathtaking. It is the smallest of Spain’s Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, but don’t let its size put you off; Formentera is home to a couple of incredible beaches that will blow your mind.
The island is accessible through ferry, which you can take from Ibiza, it’s a super popular and crowded neighbor island.
While you are on the Formentera island, you need to visit the Platja de Ses Illetes. This incredible beach is recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world because of the incredibly clear waters.
The special thing about this beach is the amount of Posidonia Oceanica growing underwater. This incredible species of seagrass clean up the waters and is found only in the Mediterranean Sea. Hence, this beach is a paradise for divers who want to experience the ocean’s exceptional beauty.
Furthermore, this beach isn’t only visited by tourists, but it is also a coon stop for luxury yachts, so the prices of the hotels and bars in the surroundings might be a little high.
You should also check out Es Pujols beach on the island of Formentera. It is an incredible beach for relaxing and participating in fun water sports. There is also a fun water sports center and surfing school on the beach.
Menorca
Menorca is one of the many Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea; though it is less popular than some of its neighbors like Ibiza and Formentera, it is an exceptional location in its own right.
One of the most popular and largest beaches in Menorca is Platja de Son Bou. The beach has several tourist facilities, and because of the seagrass meadows, the water is exceptionally clear. The western end of Platja de Son Bou is bordered by a dunes system, which makes for an exceptionally beautiful sight.
In the southern part of the island, you can find the bay of Cala Turqueta, which is one of the most breathtaking beaches in Spain and Menorca. Several pine trees surround the beach, and the shallow and clean waters, along with the pearly white sand, make for a truly breathtaking beachfront.
There aren’t any bars or restaurants on the beach, but you can find a small bar to get drinks and snacks in the car park.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is located off the west coast of Africa, and it is a part of the Canary Islands. The island falls in Spanish territory, and it is very popular because of its year-round warm and sunny climate. Moreover, the beaches and volcanic landscape of the island also add to its popularity.
On the southern end of the island, you can find Playa de Papagayo. This incredible beach is perfect for relaxation and has one of the most breathtaking views ever. It is surrounded by giant rocks and cliffs, which makes an extraordinary backdrop for the shimmering blue waters and bright sand.
If you move to the hilltop near the beach, you can find a restaurant, and a few bars, where you can have a drink or enjoy a meal while you take in the view of the neighboring islands.
El Reducto beach is another popular spot on the island. It has a fair amount of people while not ever being overcrowded. This is an excellent beach for families with kids visiting beaches in Spain because of the shallow waters and lifeguards. Adults can enjoy the parks, bars, and cafes on the beach as well.
Gran Canaria
Part of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is known for its incredible beaches. The island’s shores are lined with long stretches of sand while the interior is mountainous and rural.
Though the island has several natural beaches, one of the most popular spots on the island is the Playa de Amadores, an artificially made beach. Still, the beach does not lack beauty, and the shallow waters and white sand make it as incredible as any other beach in the region.
However, the beach offers many facilities that make it quite fun and convenient. It has public showers, a changing area, beachfront cabins to stay at, and a parking area. Furthermore, the playground and waterpark near the beach make it an ideal spot for kids.
The water park has trained lifeguards to keep an eye on the swimmers, and at the end of the day, the entire family can enjoy a meal at one of the beach restaurants.
Another popular attraction towards the south of Gran Canaria is the dunes of Maspalomas. This spot is like a mixture between a miniature desert and a beach. Though it is a fascinating spot, it can be windy here.
Santander
In Northern Spain, Santander’s city is located on the coastal stretch known as Costa de Cantabria. This city has some historical significance, as it used to be the preferred summer destination for Spanish kings.
In the ancient city, you can check out the Magdalena Palace, which is a trendy spot among tourists. However, today we will talk about the beaches in Spain in this area, and if the kings used to visit them, you know that they are unique. Moreover, the establishment of resorts, restaurants, and other facilities have made these beaches even more inviting.
Firstly, you should check out Playa de la Magdalena, which has exceptional shores, and the water is perfect for a nice swim. If you want a busier and more populated beach, head towards Playa Primera de El Sardinero, and enjoy the several beachfront bars and the company of other tourists.
On the other hand, if you want to enjoy a quiet evening on the beach with your partner and experience the romantic Spanish sunset, you should visit Playa de la Virgen del Mar.
Final Thoughts on Beaches in Spain
Young couple on the beach in Gran Canaria. Image by adamkontor from Pixabay.
Spain is a trendy destination, and it has a lot to offer to travelers. Though it is popular for many other things, the beaches in Spain are also quite exceptional, and Spain has a lot of them. Therefore, I have mentioned some of my favorite Spanish beach destinations in the past. So, if you are visiting Spain, make sure to check them out.
About the Author
Maria loves to travel but when she visited Spain, she fell in love with its breathtaking views and bought a place. She’s now studying literature and writing blogs on the beauty of Spain. To learn more about her and her journey head over to https://spanishhomes.online/
