Quick answer: Spain’s best beaches include Ses Illetes on Formentera, Es Trenc and Cala Agulla on Mallorca, La Concha in San Sebastián, Bolonia near Tarifa, Los Genoveses in Cabo de Gata and the rock arches of As Catedrais (Las Catedrales) in Galicia. The Mediterranean and southern beaches are warmest from about June to September, while the Canary Islands are mild all year. Some beaches have access rules: As Catedrais needs a free permit at Easter and from July to September, and car access to some protected coves is limited in summer.
When people plan a trip to Spain, Barcelona, Madrid and Seville usually come first. But Spain also has several thousand kilometres of coastline, from the green Atlantic shores of Galicia and Asturias to the Mediterranean coves of Andalusia and the Balearic Islands, and the volcanic Canary Islands off Africa. Here are 15 of the best beaches in Spain, with what makes each one special and what to know before you go.
An earlier version of this article said Spain has “nearly 5,000 miles” of coastline. Estimates vary with the method used; one widely cited figure is about 5,755 kilometres (about 3,576 miles), including the islands.
The best beaches in Spain at a glance
| Beach | Region | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ses Illetes | Formentera, Balearic Islands | Turquoise water, day trips from Ibiza |
| La Concha | San Sebastián, Basque Country | City beach, families |
| Port de Pollença | Mallorca | Long bay, walks |
| Sotavento | Fuerteventura, Canary Islands | Windsurfing, year-round sun |
| Es Trenc | Mallorca | Undeveloped white sand |
| Bayas | Asturias | Surfing, wild scenery |
| Playa del Silencio | Asturias | Dramatic rock scenery |
| El Cristo | Estepona, Costa del Sol | Calm water for children |
| Bolonia | Tarifa, Cádiz | Dunes, Roman ruins, wind sports |
| Los Genoveses | Cabo de Gata, Almería | Natural park, quiet |
| Cala Agulla | Mallorca | White-sand cove |
| La Herradura | Almuñécar, Granada | Diving, history |
| Alcúdia | Mallorca | Long resort beach, families |
| As Catedrais (Las Catedrales) | Ribadeo, Galicia | Rock arches at low tide |
| El Cañuelo | Maro cliffs, Málaga–Granada border | Secluded cove, snorkelling |
15 best beaches in Spain
1. Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera
Ses Illetes, on the small Balearic island of Formentera, is often named among Spain’s most beautiful beaches: a narrow strip of white sand with clear turquoise water on both sides. Formentera is reached by ferry from Ibiza port; crossings take about 30 minutes and run as often as every half hour in high season, which makes Ses Illetes an easy day trip if you are staying on Ibiza. Beach clubs, bars and restaurants nearby keep it lively in summer. Go early in peak season, as it gets busy.
2. La Concha, San Sebastián
La Concha is the curving city beach of San Sebastián (Donostia) in the Basque Country, set in the shell-shaped bay that gives it its name. The beach is about 1,350 metres long, with fine golden sand. Because the surrounding mountains shelter it from the wind, the official Spain tourism portal recommends it for families with small children. Santa Clara Island sits in the middle of the bay between Mount Urgull and Mount Igueldo, and the elegant seafront promenade, bars and shops are right behind the sand.
An earlier version of this article described La Concha mainly as a party beach. It is better known as a sheltered city beach, so that description has been changed.
3. Port de Pollença (Puerto Pollensa), Mallorca
Port de Pollença sits on a wide, horseshoe-shaped bay in the north of Mallorca, with the Serra de Tramuntana mountains rising behind. The town beach is about 2,400 metres long and lined with palms, pines, cafés and restaurants. The seafront Pine Walk and the walk through the Boquer Valley to the cove of Cala Boquer give some of the best views of the bay. Boats also cross from the port to Cala Formentor.
4. Sotavento, Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands, is known for long beaches, cycling and hiking trails, and year-round sunshine. Sotavento, on the south-east coast of the island in the municipality of Pájara, is a long sandy beach with calm water and steady wind. The official Spain tourism portal names it among Spain’s best-known windsurfing spots, and it has hosted windsurfing world championship events. Families can enjoy the shallow water when the wind is light.
5. Es Trenc, Mallorca
Es Trenc, in the municipality of Campos on the south coast of Mallorca, is often compared to the Caribbean for its white sand and turquoise water. It runs for about 3 kilometres around the bay between Sa Ràpita and Colònia de Sant Jordi and is described as the last undeveloped beach in the area; together with the nearby Salobrar de Campos salt flats it forms a protected area of about 1,492 hectares. Sunshades and loungers can be rented, there are toilets, and nudism is practised in one section. It is busy in summer.
6. Playón de Bayas, Asturias
Playón de Bayas, in the municipality of Castrillón, is described as the longest sandy beach in Asturias, at about 2.8 to 3 kilometres. It is backed by dunes and forms part of a protected natural monument, with a rich variety of coastal plants. The waves are strong, which makes it popular with surfers; swimmers should take care. The beach has a wild, isolated feel and starts at a viewpoint reached by stairs from the neighbouring beach of San Juan.
7. Playa del Silencio, Asturias
Playa del Silencio, “the Beach of Silence”, near Cudillero in western Asturias, is a cove about 500 metres long backed by tall cliffs, with rock formations rising out of clear water and a shore of grey-silver pebbles and sand. It is reached on foot by a path down the cliff. With moderate waves and a rocky shore, it is more a place to walk, sit in the sun and take photographs than for long swims.
An earlier version of this article said Spain declared the beach a landmark. We could not confirm a formal designation, so that has been removed.
8. Playa del Cristo, Estepona
Playa del Cristo is a small, sheltered cove of about 700 metres in Estepona, on the Costa del Sol in Málaga province, right next to the marina. The water is usually calm, which makes it a favourite with families. Facilities include a Red Cross post, sunshade and lounger rental, toilets, showers and a children’s play area. The original article suggested visiting from April to September; expect it to be busy in high summer.
An earlier version of this article placed Playa del Cristo in Málaga city and described it as Blue Flag-certified. It is in Estepona; Blue Flag awards are renewed each year, so check the current list if that matters to you.
9. Playa de Bolonia, Tarifa
Bolonia is a beach of about 3.8 kilometres in the municipality of Tarifa, in Cádiz province, on the Atlantic coast near the Strait of Gibraltar. Right next to it are the ruins of Baelo Claudia, a well-preserved Roman town that is one of the most complete Roman sites in Spain. Climb the large sand dune for views over the pine trees and the bay. The official Spain tourism portal calls Bolonia one of the best windsurfing spots because of its strong wind, and the Atlantic coast around Tarifa is one of Spain’s best-known areas for kitesurfing. Part of the beach is a naturist area.
10. Playa de los Genoveses, Cabo de Gata
Los Genoveses, in the municipality of Níjar in Almería, is a wide, unspoilt beach of about 1,180 metres within the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, about 2 kilometres from the village of San José. You walk to it through desert plants, low sand dunes and rock. With no buildings on the bay, it is one of the quietest and most natural beaches on the Mediterranean, and good for swimming and snorkelling. Spring, as the original article suggested, is a pleasant time to visit before the summer heat. In summer, vehicle access to some Cabo de Gata beaches may be restricted, so check locally.
11. Cala Agulla, Mallorca
Cala Agulla, in Capdepera near Cala Ratjada on Mallorca’s north-east coast, is a white-sand cove about 520 metres long, framed by pine woods, with wide views of the open sea. You can rent sunshades, loungers and watercraft, and there are toilets and showers. The water level here can rise and fall noticeably with the wind. June to September is peak season, and it gets busy.
12. La Herradura, Almuñécar
La Herradura, a horseshoe-shaped bay in Almuñécar on Granada’s Costa Tropical, is one of the best places in Andalusia for scuba diving and windsurfing, with beach restaurants along the shore. Its history is dramatic: on 19 October 1562, a storm drove a Spanish galley fleet sailing to relieve Oran into the bay, and 25 of its 28 galleys were wrecked against the rocks of the Punta de la Mona headland, with thousands of lives lost. An underwater reserve now protects the area’s marine life, and a bronze monument on the seafront remembers the disaster. The bay can be enjoyed all year round.
An earlier version of this article described La Herradura as an “800 km long Andalusian shore”. The bay is only a couple of kilometres across; the figure has been removed.
13. Playa de Alcúdia, Mallorca
Alcúdia beach, on the bay of Alcúdia in northern Mallorca, is a long resort beach of about 3.4 kilometres with white sand, calm water and a pine grove running behind it. Facilities are extensive: a Red Cross post, rentals, water sports, a children’s play area and many hotels, bars and restaurants nearby. Book accommodation early for summer, as demand is high.
An earlier version of this article called Alcúdia the largest beach in the Balearic Islands. We could not verify that, so it has been removed.
14. Praia As Catedrais (Las Catedrales), Galicia
As Catedrais, about 10 kilometres west of Ribadeo in Lugo province, Galicia, is famous for its slate and schist cliffs, carved into arches up to about 30 metres high that resemble the flying buttresses of a cathedral, with caves and sand corridors between them. The arches can only be explored at low tide, so check the tide times. The beach has been declared a Natural Monument by the Galician regional government (Xunta de Galicia).
To protect the site, the Xunta requires a free access permit during Holy Week (Semana Santa) and from 1 July to 30 September; book it in advance on the official reservation site (ascatedrais.xunta.gal). The weather on this coast is changeable, so pack a layer even in summer.
15. Cala del Cañuelo, Málaga–Granada border
El Cañuelo is a secluded pebble-and-sand cove under the Maro cliffs, east of Nerja, near the border between Málaga and Granada provinces. The clear water makes it good for snorkelling and swimming. Private cars cannot drive down to the beach: visitors park at the top of the cliffs, near kilometre 302 of the N-340 road, and either walk down a steep road or take the seasonal shuttle, which reports say runs at weekends in May and daily until the end of September. Check the current timetable locally, wear sturdy shoes, and go early on weekdays to avoid crowds.
When to visit Spain’s beaches
- Mediterranean and southern Spain: warmest from about June to September; spring and autumn are quieter and pleasant for walking and sightseeing.
- Atlantic north (Galicia, Asturias, Basque Country): cooler and greener; July and August are the most reliable months for beach weather.
- Canary Islands: mild all year, which makes them popular in winter.
Planning a beach holiday further afield? Compare these with the best beaches in Thailand, the best beaches in the UK and the best beaches in Malaysia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Spain?
For sightseeing, spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are pleasant. For beach holidays, June to September is warmest on the Mediterranean and in the south; the Canary Islands are mild all year.
Which are the best beaches in northern Spain?
As Catedrais (Las Catedrales) in Galicia, Playa del Silencio and Playón de Bayas in Asturias, and La Concha in San Sebastián are among the best. The earlier version of this answer also listed Ses Illetes, which is in the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, not northern Spain.
Which are the best beaches in southern Spain?
Bolonia near Tarifa, Los Genoveses in Cabo de Gata, Playa del Cristo in Estepona, La Herradura in Almuñécar and El Cañuelo near Nerja. Torremolinos, on the Costa del Sol, is a popular resort option.
Do you need a permit to visit Las Catedrales beach?
Yes, during Holy Week and from 1 July to 30 September. The permit is free and is booked through the Xunta de Galicia’s official reservation site.
Details checked in October 2026 against the official Spain tourism portal (spain.info), the Xunta de Galicia’s As Catedrais reservation site and published records of each beach and its history. Access rules, shuttles and permits change, so check before you travel.
