Explore the Best Beaches in Spain – a Dream Destination for Beach Lovers. In this article, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of the 18 most beautiful Spain beaches.
From hidden coves on the mainland to paradise-like coasts on the islands, we’ll show you where you can experience the ultimate beach pleasure. Get inspired and plan your next beach vacation in one of the most popular travel destinations worldwide.
About the author, Vicki: As someone who chose Barcelona as my home and has been trying to explore every corner of Spain for years, I’m excited to share my personal highlights and secret tips with you. From Spain’s bustling must-see attractions to its serene hideaways far from the beaten tourist paths.
What to find out in this post
- 1 The 18 best beaches in Spain + Map
- 2 The most beautiful beaches in the Iberian Peninsula
- 3 Cala Estreta, Palamós, Costa Brava
- 4 Playa de Melide, Isla de Ons, Galicia
- 5 Cala Cortina, Cartagena
- 6 Playa de los Muertos, Carboneras, Almería
- 7 Playa El Bombo, Mijas, Málaga
- 8 Playa de la Concha, San Sebastián
- 9 Playa de los Alemanes, Tarifa, Cádiz
- 10 Playa de Torimbia, Llanes, Asturias
- 11 Playa de Rodas, Islas Ciés, Galicia
- 12 Cala La Granadella, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana
- 13 The most beautiful beaches in Spain – Island Beaches
- 14 Cala de Macarella, Menorca, Balearic Islands
- 15 Playa Bajo Negro, Corralejo, Fuerteventura
- 16 Playa de Famara, Lanzarote
- 17 Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Balearic Islands
- 18 Playa del Inglés, La Gomera
- 19 Playa de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
- 20 Cala Llombards, Mallorca, Balearic Islands
- 21 Cala de San Vincente, Ibiza, Balearic Islands
- 22 Common Questions about Spanish Beaches
The 18 best beaches in Spain + Map
On this interactive map, you can take a closer look at our most beautiful Spanish beaches. Get an overview of the different coasts of Spain and where which beach is located.
The most beautiful beaches in the Iberian Peninsula
In the first part of this article, we will take a look at the dream beaches of mainland Spain. So pack your swimsuit and let’s discover the most beautiful places for your vacation.
| Beach | Location in Spain | Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Cala Estreta | Palamós, Catalonia | Remoteness due to cliff coasts, quiet and relaxed atmosphere |
| Playa de Melide | Isla de Ons, Galicia | White sandy beach and crystal-clear water in the national park |
| Cala Cortina | Cartagena, Murcia | Sheltered bay with clear water, fine sand, and good services |
| Playa de los Muertos | Carboneras, Almería, Andalusia | Seclusion that guarantees a quiet and secluded beach |
| Playa El Bombo | Mijas, Málaga, Andalusia | Family-friendly, good visibility for divers |
| Playa de la Concha | San Sebastián, Basque Country | Famous city beach with a mild climate and good accessibility |
| Playa de los Alemanes | Tarifa, Cádiz, Andalusia | Picture-book beach with white sand and clear water, peaceful atmosphere |
| Playa de Torimbia | Llanes, Asturias | Well-known nudist beach, surrounded by cliffs and green vegetation |
| Playa de Rodas | Islas Cíes, Galicia | Known for its soft white sand and crystal-clear water, surrounded by pine forest |
| Cala La Granadella | Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana | Clearest water in the region, surrounded by picturesque pine trees |
Cala Estreta, Palamós, Costa Brava
I could easily fill this list with just Costa Brava beaches, one of Spain’s most stunning coastlines. It’s not just because it’s right outside my door, but for its breathtaking landscapes and cliff-lined shores.
A standout is Cala Estrata in Palamós, a blend of scenic nature and crystal-clear waters. It’s a bit hidden, requiring a 20-minute walk, which keeps it peaceful and uncrowded. Here, you can enjoy the Spanish Mediterranean’s clear waters and snorkel without the usual beach crowds.
Extratipp: You can visit this wonderful beach best during your vacation on the Costa Brava or as a day trip from Barcelona or Girona.
Playa de Melide, Isla de Ons, Galicia
The Isla de Ons, known for its beautiful beaches, is particularly proud of Playa de Melide. This beach stands out for its white sand and the calm, crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic, ideal for a refreshing dip.
The island, similar to the even more popular Islas Ciés, one of whose beaches has also made it onto this list, can be reached by boat from the nearby mainland towns.
Cala Cortina, Cartagena
Cala Cortina in Cartagena is an idyllic beach with clear water and fine sand, sheltered from jellyfish and wind in a bay. With numerous restaurants and cafés, it offers a perfect blend of nature and comfort.
The beach is considered the closest to Cartagena (approx. 4 km) and is therefore particularly popular with the locals and visitors arriving from Cartagena cruise port. As a result, however, it can get quite crowded in summer. It is therefore worth arriving early to get the best spot. You can either get there by car, on foot, or by bike on the cycle path that connects Cartagena with Cala Cortina.
Playa de los Muertos, Carboneras, Almería
The Playa de los Muertos in Carboneras, despite its gloomy epithet (“death beach“), is a lively and secluded beach, accessible by a long walk, which rewards its visitors with undisturbed tranquillity.
Its remoteness and location in the Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Níjar makes it one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. In windy weather, however, walking and swimming at this beach can be quite dangerous, which is why you should only visit Playa de los Muertos in good weather.
In good weather, however, this beach is particularly suitable for snorkeling, as you can discover a large number of sea creatures in the clear water. After all, the water here is considered to be one of the clearest and cleanest stretches of sea in Spain.
Extra tip: As La Playa de los Muertos involves a lengthy walk, you should set off early enough and allow enough time for your return journey.
Playa El Bombo, Mijas, Málaga
Playa El Bombo in Mijas is perfect for families. With its shallow waters and expansive sandy beach, it’s an ideal spot for relaxation and playtime. The clear waters also make it a hit with divers.
But the beach itself offers much more. Beyond restaurants and bars that satisfy the appetites of their guests, there are showers, lifeguards, and much more.
Getting to this fantastic beach is best done by car. It’s about a 15-minute drive from Mijas. Even from Málaga, it’s worth the trip – you can get there in just under 35 minutes by car.
Playa de la Concha, San Sebastián
Playa de la Concha, or ‘Shell Beach‘, the famous city beach of San Sebastián, is renowned for its picturesque crescent shape and mild climate, making it one of Europe’s most sought-after beaches.
Its location within the city makes it quick and easy to access.
Situated in the north of Spain, the beach is also one of the few in the country where you can experience a sunset over the sea. The beach is easily accessible on foot from the city center.
Playa de los Alemanes, Tarifa, Cádiz
Playa de los Alemanes (the Germans’ beach) is considered one of Andalusia’s picture-book beaches. This beautiful beach awaits you with fine white sand and clear water, which you can reach via a staircase over the lush green vegetation.
Even though the beach seems to be very popular due to its beauty, it is usually not overcrowded. This makes it perfect for anyone looking for a beach day full of tranquillity and relaxation.
But those who prefer to be active will also have plenty to choose from here. You’ll find a selection of different water sports at Playa de los Alemanes. What you won’t find here, however, are a wide range of services such as restaurants and bars – it’s a more laid-back place.
Playa de Torimbia, Llanes, Asturias
Playa de Torimbia in Llanes, known for its nudist scene, offers an impressive view of its shell-shaped bay, surrounded by fascinating green vegetation, white sand and deep blue sea.
Although the beach is surrounded by cliffs and high rock formations, it is still easy to reach on foot. On the contrary, the cliffs actually have a great advantage. Because of the shielding and the shape of a bay, only small waves usually make it to the shore, which makes this beach perfect for swimming – even for families with children.
Playa de Rodas, Islas Ciés, Galicia
Playa de Rodas, also known as Praia de Rodas, located on the Islas Cíes, is one of Spain’s most beautiful attractions. It offers everything you could wish for in a dream beach: soft white sand, crystal-clear water, and a range of facilities, all nestled within the National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia.
It stands out from its Caribbean counterparts only with its views of pine forests.
Initially known only to locals, the beach gained international fame after the British newspaper The Guardian named it one of the world’s most beautiful beaches in 2007.
To reach the islands, you can take a boat from the Spanish city of Vigo. From there, a short hike is needed to visit Playa de Rodas.
Cala La Granadella, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana
Cala La Granadella in Jávea, Alicante, is a Spanish favorite, known for its spectacular views and clear water (some of the clearest water in the region), which makes it a top destination for snorkelers.
The sun’s rays give the water a unique turquoise hue, making it a beach that can easily compete with any tropical beach.
Extra tip: Unfortunately, due to its popularity, it can get quite crowded here in summer. We therefore recommend avoiding weekends during the high season.
The most beautiful beaches in Spain – Island Beaches
| Beach | Location & Island | Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Cala de Macarella | Menorca, Balearic Islands | Fine-grained sand and turquoise water, secluded atmosphere |
| Playa Bajo Negro | Corralejo, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands | Proximity to shifting sand dunes, fairytale landscape |
| Playa de Famara | Lanzarote, Canary Islands | Long beach with golden sand, ideal for surfers and kite flyers |
| Playa de Ses Illetes | Formentera, Balearic Islands | World-famous beach with white sand and turquoise water, located in the nature park |
| Playa del Inglés | La Gomera, Canary Islands | Popular nudist beach, volcanic origin with dark sand |
| Playa de Maspalomas | Gran Canaria, Canary Islands | Long beach in a nature reserve, surrounded by golden dunes |
| Cala Llombards | Mallorca, Balearic Islands | Crystal-clear water and white sand, surrounded by pine trees and cliffs |
| Cala de San Vincente | Ibiza, Balearic Islands | Large beach with crystal-clear water and a wide range of activities |
Cala de Macarella, Menorca, Balearic Islands
The Cala de Macarella on Menorca enchants with Caribbean-like turquoise water and fine sand, ideal for swimming, canoeing, and snorkeling.
It is easily accessible from Ciutadella by car or bus.
Although the bay is easy to reach, the beach still has an atmosphere of seclusion. This makes it seem almost more paradisiacal. There is only one small restaurant here.
Extra tip: If the beach is still not secluded enough for you, you can also take a short hike to the neighboring beach of Cala de Macarelleta.
Playa Bajo Negro, Corralejo, Fuerteventura
Playa Bajo Negro, in the vacation resort of Corralejo on Fuerteventura, impresses with its proximity to picturesque shifting sand dunes and offers plenty of space for relaxation and long walks on the beach.
The beach has fine white sand and clear turquoise water, which is perfect for a refreshing swim. If you walk a little further, you can even find secluded spots all to yourself. As the beaches here are part of the El Jable nature reserve, special attention is paid to preserving this area and its nature.
Playa de Famara, Lanzarote
The over 2 km long Playa de Famara on Lanzarote captivates with its golden yellow sand and deep blue water, surrounded by the impressive Famara Massif.
However, Playa de Famara might not be described as a family beach. Strong currents often prevail, which can significantly limit swimming in the surf. Therefore, the beach is more suitable for sun worshippers and water sports enthusiasts. It’s no surprise that many surfers are drawn to this beach. Additionally, with its windy conditions, the beach is a real paradise for hang gliders.
Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Balearic Islands
Playa de Ses Illetes, often recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, is located in the Ses Salines de Eivissa y Formentera Natural Park and offers breathtaking beauty as well as a strong focus on nature conservation.
The beach itself is a dream beach: a white sandy beach with turquoise and crystal-clear water. Since the beach is located in a nature park on the island, the protection of nature and the dune landscape is the top priority.
The best way to visit is by bike (there is an entrance fee for those traveling by car).
Playa del Inglés, La Gomera
Playa del Inglés on La Gomera (‘English Beach‘), known as a popular nudist beach and former hippie hangout, features clear water and gentle waves ideal for swimming, located in the picturesque Valle Gran Rey.
Since the beach is of volcanic origin, its sand is coarser than at other beaches and tends towards a dark or black color. This creates a striking contrast with the blue sea.
Playa de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
Spanning nearly 3 km, Playa de Maspalomas in Gran Canaria is perfect for long walks and relaxation. It’s set against a backdrop of stunning golden dunes and a notable lighthouse.
Situated in the Dunas de Maspalomas nature reserve, the beach is beautifully maintained.
This beach caters to everyone. Near the town, it’s a family-friendly spot, while other areas are favored for nudist bathing or water sports.
Cala Llombards, Mallorca, Balearic Islands
Cala Llombards on Mallorca seduces with its crystal-clear water and white sand, nestled in a picturesque setting of pine trees and cliffs. This quiet beach with limited facilities is ideal for swimmers and families.
Those who have soaked up enough sun on the beach can head to the surrounding hills for some shade or simply take a dip in the refreshing turquoise waters.
Cala de San Vincente, Ibiza, Balearic Islands
Cala de San Vicente, or ‘Sa Cala’, is a roomy and historic beach in Ibiza. Its clear turquoise waters and light yellow sand make it perfect for swimming and relaxing.
Not only is Sa Cala one of the largest beaches in Ibiza’s north, but it’s also among the island’s oldest.
Easily accessible by car from nearby villages, this coastal stretch is a favorite among both locals and tourists.
There is also a wide range of activities on offer: stand-up paddling, and you can hire pedal boats. And even diving schools offer unique experiences.
Common Questions about Spanish Beaches
In general, dogs are not allowed on most Spanish beaches. However, there are usually special dog beaches in each region that you can visit with your four-legged friend.
Theoretically, there is nothing to stop you from getting married on the beach in Spain. The important thing is that you apply for the necessary papers in good time. Some hotels or event agencies even specialize in beach weddings.
Which beach in Spain suits you best depends entirely on your personal preferences. Mallorca, Alicante, and the Canary Islands are generally popular with foreign visitors.
In Spain, it is completely normal to sunbathe topless on the beach. You don’t need to go to special nudist beaches.
Spain’s most famous beaches include city beaches such as Barceloneta in Barcelona, El Cabanyal in Valencia, and La Concha in San Sebastán.
Did you find your perfect beach? Or do you have a personal favorite that absolutely has to be on this list? Let us know in the comments below!
