I’d argue it’s a requirement to check out a few Spain beaches when you visit this majestic Mediterranean country during the summer.
From the north all the way down the southern coast, there are heaps of beautiful beaches around Spain. There is a mix of serene hidden coves without another soul in sight and frenzied shorelines with tons of activities.
I spent months exploring the best places around Spain, including the nicest beaches. In this guide, I share my top picks. Let’s find you a dreamy ocean escape!
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17 Best Beaches In Spain
Cala Bassa
A heavenly beach with calm, bright-blue waters that are perfect for swimming or snorkeling in Ibiza.
📍 Google Maps | Cala Bassa Website | 🅿️ Parking: Parking available for €6 per vehicle | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: 7Pines Resort Ibiza
Ibiza has no shortage of beautiful beaches that look like they were ripped from a postcard, but one of the very best is Cala Bassa.
The main feature of this beach is its surrounding high-end beach club that oozes extravagance. It’s the place to go for travelers who want to treat themselves. Cala Bassa Beach offers a luxury lounge experience here for visitors who want to shell out the dough.
Even if you’re not a billionaire or celebrity, you can still enjoy the gorgeous cove at Cala Bassa. The beach is pumped full of energy with music all around and vividly blue water.
There are street vendors nearby as a replacement for the expensive restaurant and beach bar. Cala Bassa can be a picturesque afternoon in the sun for any type of beach-goer.
La Concha Beach
A breathtaking bend of beach with plenty of room to relax and plenty of amenities in Northern Spain.
📍 Google Maps | La Concha Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Paid underground car park available near the beach | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Zenit Convento San Martin
The enormous La Concha Beach hugs the edge of San Sebastian, one of the most popular resort towns in Northern Spain. No matter when you visit Spain, La Concha remains an alluring destination for beach-goers.
There is just so much room on this bend of beach that even on the busiest summer days, there will be space for you and your family.
Despite its popularity among locals and tourists, La Concha doesn’t get overwhelming like many other beaches around Spain. It’s more of a relaxing seashore, with less intense music and beach bars to deal with. This makes it the ideal alternative for families who want a peaceful beach vacay.
Platges de Comte
A surreal beach with fine golden sand, surrounded by beach bars on the West Coast of Ibiza.
📍 Google Maps | Platges de Comte Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free parking nearby but spots fill up fast | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: 7Pines Resort Ibiza
Remember my earlier comment about the infinite number of stunning tropical beaches in Ibiza? Well, then it should come as no surprise that two different beaches on this magical piece of the Balearic Islands made the cut.
Platges de Comtes is a golden sand beach situated on the western side of Ibiza. It’s a bit outside the main part of Ibiza town, but still less than 30 minutes away by car.
Thanks to its western locale, Platges de Comte is one of Spain’s best beaches for watching the sunset. Visitors who need an extra burst of excitement can opt to rent a jet ski at Platges de Comte during the day.
There are some restaurants and bars right next to the shore, but I’d recommend taking the 10-minute walk to Restaurant s’Illa des Bosc. It has ethereal views over the coast and top-quality fresh seafood.
Playa de la Victoria
A wide-open city beach in Cadiz with tons of restaurants and hotels mere steps away.
📍 Google Maps | Playa de la Victoria Website | 🅿️ Parking: Small parking lot with very limited spots | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Hotel Cádiz Bahía
Playa de la Victoria isn’t a name you’ll see popping up on many beach lists because it’s more of a hidden gem in the country. Located in the Andalusian city of Cadiz, Playa de la Victoria is a sandy beach that spans the coastline of the city.
This beach is certifiably huge and doesn’t get too crazy with visitors. Its size makes it an excellent option for those who need their own space on a beach outing, but still want to be close to civilization.
Playa de la Victoria is a very family-friendly beach with plenty of useful amenities, like showers and rentable sunbeds that won’t break the bank.
Dotted along the beach, you’ll find tons of top-tier beachside hotels, like the Hotel Regio Cádizand Hotel Cádiz Bahía. These accommodations are perfect if you want to be mere steps away from one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain.
La Franca Beach
One of the most popular beaches in the region of Asturias engulfed in rocky cliffs.
📍 Google Maps | La Franca Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Parking available for €4 | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Hotel Mirador de La Franca
La Franca is a bay beach located in the Asturias region of northern Spain. It catches visitors’ eyes for quite a few reasons.
First off, La Franca has an appealing shoreline with vivid blue waters that are calm enough to get a swim in. Secondly, La Franca is filled with rock and cave formations that are equally as fun to explore. Just make sure you go during low tide or you won’t be able to walk through any of these interesting natural wonders.
Burriana Beach
A still-watered beach with kayak rentals, lots of amenities, and the resort town of Nerja nearby.
📍 Google Maps | Burriana Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free and paid parking available | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Hotel Paraíso Del Mar
Sometimes you don’t want a beach that’s so peaceful it borders on boring; you want one with loads of activity. When that feeling surfaces, visit Burriana Beach right near the town of Nerja on Costa del Sol.
This fine sand beach is right on the edge of town within walking distance from some excellent eateries, like Rincon del Sol Bar Chill-Out and Restaurante Paco El Churretero. The main attraction on Burriana Beach, though, is all the exciting things to do nearby.
When I visited Burriana, I went on a guided kayaking tour around the coast’s rock formations and it was a blast. I joined this , to be specific. There are also boat tours and other water sports available at Burriana Beach.
👉 My perfectly planned 10-day Spain itinerary includes a stop at Burriana Beach. Get a free, printable version of my Spain itinerary here!
Bolonia Beach
A wild, isolated, beautiful sand dune beach on the bottom tip of Southern Spain.
📍 Google Maps | Bolonia Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free to cheap parking available | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: El Cortijo de Zahara by QHotels
Bolonia Beach on Costa de la Luz is a little less tame than some of the other Spanish beaches on this list, but that’s a big part of its charm. It is covered in fine white sand dunes that go on for miles and miles. Visitors who want privacy will adore Bolonia Beach.
This isolated paradise is located all the way at the very southern tip of Spain. It’s so far down there that you can actually catch a glimpse of Africa on clear days.
The thing about Bolonia Beach is that it doesn’t come with too many nearby restaurants or amenities. You’ll be roughing it so to speak. You’ll also likely need your own vehicle to reach this beach because it’s pretty out there.
As Catedrais Beach
A captivating coastline loaded with interesting rock formations in the Galicia region.
📍 Google Maps | As Catedrais Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free parking available | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Solarena Bistrot
Another beach that’s filled with photo-worthy rock formations is As Catedrais in the Galicia region. These structures are often dubbed as the shoreline’s natural cathedrals and they attract a lot of attention from visitors.
It can get so crowded here during the high season that you actually need to make a reservation to visit As Catedrais during the summer.
The best time to visit is during low tide when you can actually walk around the beach. This beach is a fantastic location for shooting photos and appreciating the landscape. However, the water is pretty cold even during the summer. So, swimming might not be on the agenda at As Catedrais.
Zurriola Beach
A surfing hotspot with lots of schools around to teach you the water sport in Northern Spain.
📍 Google Maps | Zurriola Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Paid underground car parks available | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Leonardo Boutique Hotel San Sebastián
Surfers in Spain should head straight to Zurriola Beach in the northern part of the country. It’s a memorable location for even the most experienced surfers. However, visitors who aren’t surfing pros can still partake in the fun and try out the sport here.
There are a number of reliable surf schools and rental places around Zurriola Beach, such as Bera Bera and Zurriola Surf Eskola.
While it’s a favorite location of surfers, the waves aren’t so intense that you can’t swim in them. It actually makes for the perfect dip.
There is an overall entertaining atmosphere at this beach. There are occasional live music performances and other types of events happening around. This stuff really brings some life to the shore.
Barceloneta Beach
A clean, breezy beachside escape just 15 minutes outside Barcelona’s city center.
📍 Google Maps | Barceloneta Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Paid underground car park nearby | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Hotel Oasis
There are a lot of exciting things to do in Barcelona, including a number of enticing beaches. That’s the nice thing about Barcelona – you get all the benefits of a major urban city with tons of natural attractions. One of the best city beaches in Barcelona is Barceloneta Beach.
It may even pull in the title of the most beautiful city beach in Spain with its mountainous city skyline views. Barceloneta is a high-energy beach with lots of eager visitors, especially during the summer. So, this might not be the beach for you if you prefer quieter, less busy beach experiences.
📚 Related Reading: La Barceloneta is actually one of the top places to stay in Barcelona when you’re visiting the iconic. You may want to consider investing in a hotel around this area if you’re a die-hard beach fan.
San Sebastian Beach
A more chill alternative to big Barcelona beaches near some of the city’s top luxury hotels.
📍 Google Maps | San Sebastian Beach Website | 🅿️ Paid parking nearby | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: W Barcelona
A more laid-back alternative to Barcelona’s busier Barceloneta Beach is San Sebastian Beach just a five-minute walk away. It’s a little less populated over here with plenty of room to find your own little beach spot.
San Sebastian Beach is also known for being located right next to the luxurious W Barcelona. There are quite a few good restaurants near the beach too, like Maná 75 and Gallito.
Platja de Lloret de Mar
A dreamy slice of beach heaven on Costa Brava with golden sands, warm waters, and plenty of restaurants nearby.
📍 Google Maps | Platja de Lloret de Mar Website | 🅿️ Parking: Paid parking available | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Hotel Delamar for Adults
Platja de Lloret de Mar on Costa Brava can provide any type of beach vacation you’re craving. Are you a young partier who wants to enjoy some sangria on the beach and live your best life? You can do that here. Just head over to beach bars, like Piccadilly Pub or Maui Bar.
Are you a family looking for manageably calm waters for your kids to go snorkeling? Yup, Platja de Lloret de Mar is great for that as well.
There are beach showers and toilets readily available, too. Even if you just want a simple, relaxing day on the beach without any extras, Platja de Lloret de Mar can provide that, too.
Playa San Juan
A beautiful beach on the Canary Islands right near the city’s port and many delicious restaurants.
📍 Google Maps | Playa San Juan Website | 🅿️ Large parking lot available | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Gran Melia Palacio de Isora Resort & Spa
Tucked away on the western coast of Tenerife, you’ll find Playa San Juan. Tenerife is the biggest Island in the Canary Islands.
You’ll find a lot of incredible beaches to discover here, but the stone-covered beach of Playa San Juan is something special. Most of the island’s beaches are super hectic, but Playa San Juan is kept a little more of a low-key secret beach.
Playa San Juan is right next to the area’s main port, so you’ll have clear views of all the boats coming into the dock. The waters are shallow and calm, so they can be a good fit for families with young kids.
However, you should all have on some water shoes because the seafloor is pretty pebble-y. When you get hungry, don’t miss Restaurante Lúpulo esencia right near the beach.
Bollullo Beach
An isolated stretch of black sand beach on the northern coast of Tenerife with very few crowds.
📍 Google Maps | Bollullo Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking available for €3 | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Hotel Best Semiramis
Okay, this Spanish beach is a little different from all the others I’ve covered so far. Bollullo Beach isn’t one of those white sandy beaches, quite the opposite in fact. It’s a volcanic black sand beach in the Canary Islands.
The waves here are powerful, making it a top location in the region for surfing. However, it may be a little too intense for a mellow swimming day. It’s more of a photography and exploration beach than a relaxing one.
👉 Pro Tip: To reach Bollullo Beach, you’ll need to make your way down a fairly long staircase. Visitors with mobility issues may want to choose a different beach.
Playa de Amadores
A crescent-shaped shoreline with plenty of space and amenities on Gran Canaria of the Canary Islands.
📍 Google Maps | Amadores Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free public parking available | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Gloria Palace Royal Hotel & Spa
Playa de Amadores in Gran Canaria is often called the best beach in the Canary Islands, which is a pretty impressive title to hold. Located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, Playa de Amadores is a curved beach that’s extremely well-managed.
It’s clean, provides ample bathroom/shower facilities, and there are restaurants everywhere. Some of the best spots to eat only a few steps away from the beach are Restaurante Flipper and Restaurant Monaco Steak House.
If you forgot any of the essentials at home, this beach has you covered. There are plenty of shops around to pick up any of the necessities, plus sunbeds and umbrellas available to rent on these intensely sunny days. All in all, Playa Amadores makes it effortless to have a fun beach day in Spain.
Cabopino Beach
A free, nudist beach with lots of places to get comfortable on Costa del Sol between the cities of Malaga and Marbella.
📍 Google Maps | Cabopino Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: Free parking available | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: VIME La Reserva de Marbella
When Americans picture a hot summer day in Europe, their imaginations usually drift off to a nudist beach. This is a bit of a stereotype. However, there are plenty of nudist beaches to peruse if that is your thing.
Try Cabopino Beach on Costa del Sol between Marbella and Malaga. Whether you prefer to wear clothes or go free, Cabopino Beach will welcome you.
It’s a white sandy nudist beach that faces the perfect direction for watching the sun dip down below the horizon at dusk. There are plenty of facilities nearby, like restaurants and bars. If you’re feeling the need to be extra cozy, you can even rent a hammock on the beach for a small fee.
📚 Related Reading: Where to Stay in Malaga
Platja del Cabanyal
A huge beach with shallow waters and lots of activities that are great for kids near the Port of Valencia.
📍 Google Maps | Playa del Cabanyal Website | 🅿️ Parking: Limited free parking available | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Hotel Boutique Balandret
Even though Valencia is on Spain’s coast, it’s not really regarded as a rejuvenating beach destination. However, Valencia is actually home to quite a few gorgeous beaches, such as Platja del Cabanyal. It’s actually one of the best things to do in Valencia.
Located just a 15-minute drive outside of the city center, Platja del Cabanyal provides a wide stretch of beach with gentle waters. There are lots of spots to grab a bite to eat or rent equipment like umbrellas.
It’s a favorite attraction in Valencia for families thanks to its sizable shortline and calmer waves. Even if you don’t have kids, Platja del Cabanyal is a nice break from exploring a big city for days on end.
📚 Related Reading: Where to Stay in Valencia
FAQs about Beaches in Spain
What is the nicest beach in Spain?
The nicest beach in Spain is La Concha Beach in northern Spain. It’s huge, clean, and provides plenty of amenities for visitors. The water is a little chilly during the off-season, but in the summer it’s the perfect way to cool off after being out in the sun. While La Concha is an extremely popular beach in Spain, it doesn’t get too crowded because there is plenty of space for people to spread out. All in all, La Conca is the nicest beach in Spain because it can appeal to any type of traveler.
Which area of Spain has the best beaches?
The most beautiful beaches in Spain are located on Costa de Sol. This area spans the southern coast of Spain from La Linea de la Concepcion all the way to the village of Nerja. Inside this region, there are stunning beaches with tons of activities like Burriana Beach and Cabopino Beach.
What is the number 1 beach in Spain?
The #1 beach in Spain is Cala Bassa on the island of Ibiza. The luxurious Cala Bassa is the best beach in Spain for its natural beauty and well-managed coastline. It’s ideal for any type of traveler from young people on spring break to families with kids on their yearly vacation.
However, there are lots of beaches in Spain and some are better for other things. For example, Zurriola Beach is the #1 beach for surfing in Spain and Bolonia Beach is the #1 beach for privacy.
Is Spain known for beaches?
Spain is very well-known for its beaches. One of the best things to do in Spain is to visit its magical shorelines. It’s one of the top beach destinations in Europe with more than 3,000 different beaches across the country. There are tropical beaches, cliffside beaches, and even volcanic black sand beaches in Spain.
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Now, put on your bathing suit and sunscreen and get ready to discover Spain’s beautiful beaches! Next, read my Spain packing list to help you prepare for your trip.
🖨️ Get a free, printable version of our Spain packing list here.
