Spain is one of Europe’s most popular summer holiday destinations because it can offer its visitors not only a great cultural and artistic heritage, but also beautiful beaches scattered along the more than 8,000 kilometers of coastline bathed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
But which are the 7 best beaches in Spain? Usually tourists tend to crowd the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol, but there are beautiful beaches along all the Spanish coastlines. Choosing the most beautiful beaches in Spain is not easy, but we try to make a small classification, recommending what we think are the beaches to visit during a holiday in Spain.
1. Playa La Concha
This Basque Country beach is located in San Sebastian, in the northeast of Spain, and offers its visitors a fantastic setting! La Concha beach, which is about 1,350 metres long, is embraced by two mountains (Urgull and Igueldo), which create a spectacular contrast to the golden colour of the sand.
La Concha beach overlooks the beautiful Bay of La Concha, which is also overlooked by the beach of Ondarreta. In the bay rises up to a height of 48 meters the island of Santa Clara, characterized by steep walls and thick vegetation. The size of the beach varies according to the tides.
This beautiful beach, for many people the most beautiful in Spain, is very popular with surfers.
2. Playa De Alcudia
Let’s move to Mallorca, where we find the Playa De Alcudia, a long white sandy beach located in the north of the island. With its 3.5 kilometres of sand, it is the largest beach in the Balearic Islands and also one of the prestigious ones, so much so that it has been awarded the Blue Flag.
The beach of Alcudia begins near the port of the city and descends southwards until it meets the nearby Playa de Muro, with which it originates an expanse of sand of about 7 kilometres. The sea is clear, turquoise, and thanks to the shallow waters it is very safe and suitable for families with children.
3. Playa de Silencio
Playa de Silencio, which translated means “beach of silence”, is one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain. It is located in the rugged region of Asturias, in the north of the country. The beach, which stretches for about 330 meters in length, is located in a spectacular coastal stretch characterized by high rock formations. The sand has a silvery colour that comes from the geological conformation of this area.
The beach can only be reached on foot, taking a long walk surrounded by nature. For this reason it is not frequented by mass tourism and has earned the nickname of “beach of silence”. There are no lifeguards, services, bars and restaurants on the beach, and it is this unspoilt nature that makes it so special.
If you decide to visit the Playa de Silencio, remember that on the way out the walk is downhill, while on the way back it will face a nice climb, but it’s definitely worth it!
4. Playa De Bolonia
In Andalusia, just a short walk from the city of Tarifa, is the Playa De Bolonia, a pristine beach of golden sand that stretches for almost 4 kilometers along the Costa de la Luz. This beautiful beach is famous for its sand dunes, the largest of which is located at the northern end of the beach, where it rises to a height of over 30 meters.
Playa De Bolonia is very popular with tourists who stroll through the sand dunes enjoying the breathtaking view of the calm waters in front of it. Strong winds often blow in this area, and in fact the beach is very popular among kitesurfers.
Bolonia is also famous for the Roman ruins of the city of Baelo Claudia, with its Roman theatre and forum, and is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the whole of Andalusia.
5. Playa De Ses Illetes
On the island of Formentera we find the Playa De Ses Illetes, which thanks to its white sand and turquoise sea resembles a Caribbean beach. The name of the beach, translated, literally means the “beach of the islets”. Playa De Ses Illetes in fact owes its name to the different islets that surround the bay. The beach is located on the western side of the Trucador peninsula, about 4 kilometers from La Savina.
Playa De Ses Illetes is particularly appreciated by snorkelers, who can admire the beauty of the seabed surrounding the beach. This area is often beaten by the wind, which is why it is also frequented by surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers.
6. Playa De Los Genoveses
Among the best beaches in Spain is also the Playa De Los Genoveses, which is located near Almeria. The beach, which, viewed from above, has an unusual horseshoe shape, is a true paradise for nature lovers, because it is located in the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Níjar and is totally untouched. The beach, which is formed by dunes of fine golden sand, is located 2 kilometers from the small and charming town of San José.
All you want to know for the origin of its name is that it comes from the invasion of a Genoese fleet that helped the Castilian troops in their fight against the Muslims and that landed there in the distant 1,147. From that moment the flag of Almeria is the same as that of Genoa.
7. Playa de Gandia
Along the Costa Blanca, near Valencia, there is the Playa de Gandia, a very long and wide beach of golden sand, super-equipped and very suitable for families with children. Thanks to the many services it offers to tourists, this beach on the Valencian coast is awarded every year for its quality. During the high season the Playa de Gandia is literally stormed by bathers.
