Blessed with over 3,000 miles of coastline lapped by the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, Spain has a beach for every day of the year. The best beaches in Spain are dotted across the mainland coastline as well as the Balearic and Canary Island archipelagos.
Tips for Visiting Beaches in Spain
- The Spanish word for beach is “playa”. “Platja” is the Catalan word while “hondartza” is the Basque term for beach. “Cala” refers to a cove.
- Beaches in Spain operate a flag system. Green communicates safe swimming conditions. Yellow indicates cautious swimming. Red means swimming is prohibited.
- “Blue Flag” beaches in Spain have a seal of quality. They’re selected yearly based on hygiene, security, accessibility, and conservation standards.
- Many beaches in Spain have bars known as “chiringuitos” where you can buy snacks, cold beer, and other refreshing Spanish drinks.
- It’s common for women to sunbathe topless on Spanish beaches. Full nudity is only permitted at designated nudist beaches.
- Rising sea temperatures is bringing an increase in jellyfish in Mediterranean areas. This includes the Catalonian, Valencian, and Andalucian coasts. Listen out for announcements and consider downloading the MedusApp, especially if you’re traveling with children.
- Avoid driving to beaches accessible on foot or via public transport. Parking is limited at smaller coves and expensive in cities; it’s better to hail an Uber if you’re carrying lots of gear.
- The Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, and Canary Islands are where you’ll find the best beaches in Spain in winter. These regions stay warm and sunny all year.
14 Best Beaches in Spain
The following selection of beaches reflects the diversity of Spain. We’ve included a mix of urban and developed beaches that are easy to reach and remote, untouched beaches where you may need to don your sneakers and pack a picnic.
The city of San Sebastian is one of the most magical places in all of Spain, so it makes sense that the city’s main beach is also one of the best in the country.
1. Playa de la Concha (San Sebastián)
Playa de la Concha (Kontxa Hondartza) is one of the most beautiful Spain beaches. In fact, it’s the only beach featured on the 12 Treasures of Spain campaign!
It’s named for the crescent shape of both the beach and the bay. It’s huge – stretching from the Parte Vieja (Old Town) to the Monte Igueldo Funicular. At this point, the beach merges with Ondarretako Hondartza.
The Kontxa Pasealekua runs alongside the beach and is popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists. There are several terraces along the way for views as well as decent food options and amenities.
How to get to Playa de la Concha
The main part of the beach is walkable from Centro and the Parte Vieja. Buses 5, 16, 18, and 25 depart to the beach from Gipuzkoa Plaza.
Renting a bicycle is a popular way to explore the area. You can also join a small group bike tour.
2. Playa de la Caleta (Nerja)
The Costa del Sol has some of the best beaches in Spain in winter. Summer crowds disperse and it’s warm enough to sit on the sand even when the sea is a little too cold.
Playa de la Caleta near Nerja is one of the loveliest Costa del Sol beaches for escaping the summer crowds. It’s rustic with no beach bars or kiosks and access is down a flight of 150 stairs.
Once on the beach, you can rent a kayak and paddle through the natural waterfall pouring over the cliffs. Remember to take plenty of snacks and water to cover your stay.
How to get to Playa de la Caleta
Catch a bus bound for Malo from the ALSA bus station in Nerja’s Plaza Cantarero. It’s a 20-minute walk from Malo.
If you are hiring a car in Spain, it’s a 10-minute drive and there are limited parking spaces on the clifftop.
3. Platja de Ses Illetes (Formentera)
A natural beauty, Platja de Ses Illetes is one of the most famous beaches in Spain. More of a sandbank than a beach, Ses Illetes protrudes from the northern part of the island with gloriously soft sand and crystalline water.
Platja de Ses Illetes can get crowded – especially during summer from noon. It’s too beautiful to skip but you can consider lesser-known beaches in Formentera as an alternative on busy summer afternoons.
How to get to Platja de Ses Illetes
Take bus L7 or L3. You could also rent a bike or scooter but bear in mind the route is dusty and prone to wind.
Most day trips to Formentera stop at Ses Illetes.
Sunsets are better at the beach.
4. Playa de la Malagueta (Málaga)
As the gateway city, Málaga is known for its gorgeous Costa del Sol beaches. This region is where you’ll find some of the best beaches in Spain for families with calm beaches and good amenities.
Playa de la Malagueta is the most convenient of beaches in Málaga. It’s centrally located and has tons of space for sunbathing.
You can also swing by after a day of sightseeing to grab sardine skewers from a chiringuito and catch the sunset.
How to get to Playa de la Malagueta
Malagueta Beach is walkable from Málaga Centro – use Google Maps to calculate the distance from your hotel. Bus number 8 runs along the Paseo Marítimo Pablo Ruiz Picasso and number 14 stops by the port area.
5. Cala del Pilar (Menorca)
The quietest Balearic Island stuns with its beaches and Cala del Pilar is one of the beaches in Menorca worth making the effort for.
This cove is sandwiched among rusty-red rocks and bright yellow sand back with verdant green pines. Getting there requires a small hike which warms you up for the scenery at the end.
There are no amenities at Cala del Pila so you’ll need to bring snacks as well as shade. Be mindful not to leave any rubbish behind.
How to get to Cala del Pilar
You’ll need a car. The beach is a 30-minute drive from Ciutadella de Menorca followed by a walk of the same length. Sneakers are recommended as the path is up and down.
The beaches around the Costa del Sol offer warm, calm waters and so much variety in terms of natural beauty.
6. Playa de la Barceloneta (Barcelona)
Playa de la Barceloneta is one of the best beaches in Spain near Barcelona’s Old Town. Similarly to Malagueta Beach, this is the city’s main beach and is super easy to get to.
The beach, popular with tourists and Barcelonians, comes to life in summer but is great for winter and shoulder season walls along the promenade.
Barceloneta Beach is sandy with chiringuitos, rental chairs, bathrooms, and lifeguards. Smoking is prohibited anywhere on the beach.
Sadly, pickpocketing is a major issue in Barcelona these days and the beach attracts petty criminals. Visiting the main beach is one of the unmissable things to do in Barcelona between sights, but do take care with your valuables.
How to get to Playa de la Barceloneta
Barceloneta Beach is a 20/30-minute walk from La Rambla and Barceloneta is the closest metro station.
Bus V15 connects Plaça de Catalunya with the La Barceloneta neighborhood, dissecting the Gothic Quarter and El Born.
7. Playa del Río Sequillo (Marbella)
Playa del Río Sequillo is a gorgeous beach six miles east of ritzy Marbella. It’s a little quieter than beaches in town and more laid back with affordable chiringuitos.
For the most part, the beach is sandy. However, there are small pebbles along the shore that warrant aqua socks for children or sensitive soles!
Although it’s fine to visit the beach independently, this strip of sand is home to some of the best beach clubs in Marbella.
Bono Beach Club has tables and beds directly on the sand and an exciting Mediterranean inspired menu. Siroko Beach is designed for mixed audiences including families, with a play area for smaller children.
Spared from the chilly temperatures experienced further north, Marbella offers some of the best beaches in Spain in winter.
How to get to Playa del Río Sequillo
Take bus number 6 from Parque de la Alameda. It takes 15 minutes to drive to the beach and there is parking.
Summers in Spain are best spent at the beach.
8. Playa del Puntal (Santander)
One of the most eye-catching sights in Spain, Playa del Puntal stretches out from the opposite side of the bay. This peninsula is a fine alternative to busier beaches in Santander.
Playa del Puntal fringes a nature reserve and has a rugged environment. It’s quite basic but there are usually a couple of chiringuitos open over summer.
Mind that the currents are fickle in the Bay of Santander and swimming is sometimes prohibited. Venture down to Playa De Somo for surfing lessons.
How to get to Playa del Puntal
Catch a boat from Los Reginas Santander. Crossings take 10 minutes and sailings increase to every 20 minutes or so over summer.
9. Cala Cantalar (Alicante)
Cala Cantalar is one of the best beaches in the Costa Blanca. It’s set just north of Alicante and feels wild and rugged.
The cove is composed of sand and rocky crags. There are spots to sit down and it’s fun to walk and snorkel here too. Hiking paths crisscross the Cap de l’Horta cliffs and dip down to similar inlets.
Cala Cantalar is one of the quietest beaches in Alicante during summer. It’s a wonderful place to escape the city and find quiet.
How to get to Cala Cantalar
Bus number 22 departs from Placa de los Luceros in Alicante and stops close to the beach.
10. Playa del Saler (Valencia)
Playa del Saler is one of the best beaches in southern Spain. It’s part of the Albufera Natural Park on the southern outskirts of Valencia with honey-colored sand and calm swimming water.
The beach is backed by dunes and grasses where you’ll spot seabirds. There’s also a lagoon offering boat rides if you fancy making a full day of it.
There are more central beaches in Valencia (including some of the best beaches in Spain for families) but this is the top pick for nature lovers.
How to get to Playa del Saler
Take EMT bus 24 or 25 from the Porta del Mar bus stop in Valencia and walk from Càmping Coll Vert.
Beaches in Spain are usually accessible for all with different paths that allow wheelchairs to more easily get on and off the sand.
11. Cala del Pi (Platja d’Aro/S’Agaró)
Cala del Pi is a tiny cove on the Costa Brava. It’s located at the northern end of the Platja d’Aro and S’Agaró resorts which have some of the best beaches in Spain near Barcelona.
In contrast to those sandy slips, Cala del Pi is a rocky spot favored by cliff divers. Some of the ledges reach around five meters in height so care must be taken!
Guests of Hotel Cala del Pi are lucky to get a headstart on the cove during high season. However, the beach is open to the public as well as hotel guests.
How to get to Cala del Pi
Bus number 5 departs from Platja d’Aro and S’Agaró and stops near Plaça Bruc Pla. Cala del Pi can also be visited on a road tripping day trip from Barcelona by car.
12. Playa de Laga (Akorda)
Playa de Laga is a sand beach located near Urdaibai Natural Park, in the Basque Country’s Bizkaia region.
This is a beach with appeal to nature lovers and adventurers. It’s sandy with ample space, especially at low tide. The scenery is incredible with forested mountains bounding the beach and putting the “green” in Green Spain.
Swimming is subject to the conditions: you need to pay attention to the flags at this Atlantic beach. When the currents are strong, it’s a popular spot for surfing.
There are a couple of chiringuitos selling Basque pintxos and beach bites.
How to get to Playa de Laga
This is one of the Spain beaches where a rental car is advised. It takes around 50 minutes to drive to the beach from Bilbao. Parking spaces fill up quickly in summer.
13. Playa de los Muertos (Almería)
Playa de los Muertos is part of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park near Almería. You’d be forgiven for mistaking one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain for the Caribbean!
This part has white sand, crystal-clear water, and giant rock formations. Getting there requires a hike but the reward is a dramatic beach untouched by modern development.
Note that the waves are fierce at beaches in Cabo de Gata. Pay attention to the flags and stay clear of the water on a red day.
How to get to Playa de los Muertos
It’s much easier to rent a car and visit the beach in conjunction with other points of interest. Otherwise, you can catch bus M-212 from Generalife Park in Almería and enlist a tour or taxi from San José town.
Sailing and kayaking tours are a fantastic way to experience Playa de los Muertos and the surrounding area.
Alicante and the Costa Blanca in general are home to many beautiful beaches.
14. Playa de la Rada (Estepona)
Playa de la Rada and its neighbor Playa del Cristo are two of the best beaches in southern Spain. These are located in the Costa del Sol resort of Estepona on either side of the port.
Of the two, Playa de la Rada is the liveliest with more amenities including food, drink, and watersports. The more sheltered Playa del Cristo is one of the best beaches in Spain for families although both are child-friendly.
This Blue Flag beach is backed by the Paseo Marítimo and offers the perfect combination of nature and modern conveniences.
How to get to Playa de la Rada
Playa de la Rada is walkable from central hotels in Estepona. Otherwise, with a rental car you can drive there from Marbella (30 minutes) or Málaga (1 hour).