Best 25+ Spain Beaches

By The Beach Guide | Last Updated: September 14, 2023

Contents

Cala Saona
Aguas Blancas Beach
El Papagayo Beach
Las Teresitas
Bolonia
Playa de Anfi del Mar
Playa Meloneras
Playa de Puerto Rico
Playa de Fañabé
Playa de los Alemanes
Cala en Turqueta
Caló des Moro
Playa de las Catedrales
El Bollullo Beach
Playa de Ses Illetes
Spain beach map

Boasting 5,000 miles of coastline, most of which is blessed with soft sandy beaches, it’s no surprise that Spain has long been a favourite with holidaymakers in search of Mediterranean relaxation. With sun, sea, sand and sangria, Spain is the quintessential beach holiday destination.

From sun drenched golden sands to secluded rocky bays, the only worry you’ll have is deciding which one to visit. And although many tourists head to the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and Balearic Islands, there are beautiful beaches all over Spain to discover.

1. Cala Saona // Formentera
Great for:
- Swimming
Small but perfectly formed Formentera is known for its superb beaches and being a relaxing getaway from its noisy neighbour Ibiza.

The beach of Cala Saona sits within a small bay surrounded by red rocks where the soft white sands are gently lapped by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. It is very much a haven for peace and relaxation, although there are a few beachside restaurants.
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2. Aguas Blancas Beach // Ibiza

© lunamarina / CanStockPhoto

The often quiet, secluded Aguas Blancas beach is a far cry from the resort towns on the south of the island. This long beach of fine sand gets its name (meaning "white water") from the white horse's that frequently crest the waves on choppy days. However, these prevailing winds that blow throughout the year become a welcome breeze in the summer months when this beach comes into its own.
Aguas Blancas… read more »
3. El Papagayo Beach // Lanzarote

© Tono Balaguer / 123RF

Set in Los Ajaches Nature Reserve near the southern tip of Lanzarote is El Papagayo beach. Actually there are four beaches collectively termed the Coasta de Papagayo but it is Playa de la Cera that is the best known. Frequently described as the most beautiful beach on Lanzarote Papagayo comprises a small crescent of white sand protected by cliffs to either side. Unlike many of the islands beaches Playa de… read more »
4. Las Teresitas // Tenerife

© Victor Pelaez Torres
Great for:
- Swimming
Sitting at the foot of the Anaga mountains in the north west of Tenerife is Las Teresitas beach. Despite the mile long sweeping curve of golden sand Las Teresitas manages to just slip under the tourist radar - strange when it has probably featured on more postcards than any other beach on the island!
That isn't to say it doesn't get busy; it is popular with locals and plenty of visitors… read more »
5. Bolonia // Costa de la Luz
Great for:
- Kitesurfing
In the province of Cadiz in Andalucia are the white sands of Bolonia beach which stretch out far along the coastline. Untouched and secluded, the soft sandy beach is backed by the remains of the Roman city of Baelo Claudia, which are worth exploring.
There is also a nudist section of the beach at the southern end of the bay.
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6. Playa de Anfi del Mar // Gran Canaria

© FrodeCJ
Great for:
- Swimming
This cosy little bay is nestled snugly along Gran Canaria's south coast.
The beach is an ice white sandy strip that draws families in, partly due to the calm and clear water, which is ideal for young children taking a paddle, and partly due to the family-friendly atmosphere here.
Sunbeds and parasols can be rented on the sands, and there's a watersports centre on the beach too, where you can hire jet-skis,… read more »
7. Playa Meloneras // Gran Canaria
Great for:
- Swimming
Tucked away in Gran Canaria's southwestern corner, just a short way up the coast from Maspalomas' sand dunes, you'll find the soft golden sands at Playa de Meloneras.
This 500-metre stretch of family-friendly beach rarely gets too crowded, with most tourists opting for the larger, busier spots along the coast, so it's ideal if you like plenty of wriggle room while you're catching the rays.
The waters are warm and calm,… read more »
8. Playa de Puerto Rico // Gran Canaria
Great for:
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
This family-friendly beach on Gran Canaria's southwest coast is probably best known for being the island's sunniest spot, with more hours of sunshine than anywhere else.
Combine this with a sheltered sandy beach and it's no surprise to know that it's an extremely popular spot with tourists, but it can get busy quite quickly.
Adrenaline-filled watersports are big business here, with usual suspects like jet-skiing and windsurfing on the cards. If you… read more »
9. Playa de Fañabé // Tenerife

Falco Ermert
Great for:
- Swimming
A long ribbon of dark sand on the Costa Adeje of Tenerife's southwest coast, Playa Fanabe is one of the best all-round beaches on this side of the island. Calm waters make paddling with little ones a joy, while a lifeguard presence provides an extra feeling of security.
Another of Tenerife's Blue Flag beaches, Playa Fanabe is also one of its more upmarket options, meaning it generally has a quieter vibe… read more »
10. Playa de los Alemanes // Costa de la Luz

Benjamincebrian

Located next to the village of Zahara isPlaya de los Alemanes, a largely unspoilt stretch of golden sand. Reaching about 1,500 metres (a mile) in width, the beach would never get crowded, even if it was on the beaten track.
Backed by a gently sloping hillside dotted with upmarket villas the wide bay still retains much of its natural appeal. There isn't much in the way of facilities here either -… read more »
11. Cala en Turqueta // Menorca

hugos007
Great for:
- Snorkeling
Cala en Turqueta is arguably the most beautiful cala (cove) on Menorca. The beach is set in a deep, rocky inlet with pine forests to all sides. The sand here is fine and near white whilst the crystalline water is a beautiful mix of blues and turquoise. This is where the beach gets its name, and it certainly lives up to it.
The beach is sheltered from most of the wind… read more »
12. Caló des Moro // Mallorca

© facundohimself
Great for:
- Swimming
Hidden away in a deep rocky inlet near Mallorca's southern tip is the picturesque little cove of Caló des Moro. For many years this was one of the island's true hidden gems, but over the years, as photos surfaced in the travel media this idyllic spot's cover has been well and truly blown. With images of bright white sand and crystal clear turquoise water framed by steep, tree-topped cliffs it… read more »
13. Playa de las Catedrales // Galicia

© makasanaphoto

Playa de las Catedrales is subdivided into two parts by a series of majestic natural rock arches from which the beach in northern Spain takes its name. A Galician Natural Monument under its official name of Praia de Augas Santas (Beach of the Holy Waters), it is located approximately 10 kilometres (six miles) west of the town of Ribadeo.
During high tides, Playa de las Catedrales loses much of its breadth… read more »
14. El Bollullo Beach // Tenerife

© Tono Balaguer / 123RF

El Bollullo beach is located on Tenerife's north coast, a world away from the package-tours and resorts the island is often associated with. This small cove has a wild, natural feel right down to the black volcanic sand - there's no sprinkling golden sand imported from the Sahara here like on some of Tenerife's beaches.

Set in the island's picturesque La Orotava Valley, the journey to El Bollullo involves navigating… read more »
15. Playa de Ses Illetes // Formentera

© Tono Balaguer / 123RF
Great for:
- Swimming
Located just a stones throw away from the party island of Ibiza is the small island of Formentera. Despite its proximity Formentera can only be reached by boat and feels like a different world. There are several beautiful beaches around this unspoilt island but the Playa de Ses Illetes is the best of the bunch with its fine white sand and crystal clear turquoise waters.
The beaches name comes from… read more »