12 Best Beaches in Spain That You Can’t-Miss

Best Beaches in Spain That You Can’t-Miss – From the buzzing beach clubs of Ibiza to the exquisite virgin dunes of Tarifa, North to South.

Spain’s beaches are not just places to lay your towel—they’re cultural entry points. From the food stalls in San Sebastián to the cliff hikes in Menorca, each coast has a rhythm of its own. Skip the generic travel advice. Choose your beach based on what you want most—peace, parties, or something in between—and go at the right time. Your sunscreen might be the same, but your experience won’t be.

Spain has something for every beach lover. Not only does Spain have a gorgeous coastline, but it is also the country with the most Blue Flag beaches in the world.

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You may feel spoiled for choice with so many strips of sand to choose from. So, to help you out, we have rounded up the 8 best beaches in Spain for your bucket list.

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When to Go: A Quick Seasonal Breakdown

Spring (March-May): Perfect for active travelers and fewer crowds.

Summer (June-August): Ideal for sunbathers, but expect crowds in July and August.

Autumn (September-October): Arguably the best time—warm waters, fewer tourists.

Winter (November-February): Best for the Canary Islands; elsewhere can be cool and windy.

Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming all beaches are accessible year-round: Some shut for conservation or become difficult to access in winter.

Underestimating distances: Spain is bigger than it seems. Just because beaches are in the same region doesn’t mean they’re a quick hop apart.

Skipping tide schedules: Especially important for northern beaches like Las Catedrales.

Not booking early: For Balearic and southern Andalusian beaches, accommodation fills up months in advance.

Best Beaches in Spain

1. La Concha, San Sebastián

Rivalling the likes of Barceloneta in Barcelona and Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, La Concha is often ranked as one of the best urban beaches in the world.

This emblematic seashell-shaped beach in San Sebastián is popular with locals and tourists alike. It’s also one of the must-stops for pilgrims walking the Camino del Norte.

Despite the fact that the beach attracts everyone from groups of friends to elderly couples and families with children, it rarely gets packed—even at the height of summer. La Concha is incredibly spacious, boasting just under a mile of white sand.

The water here is nearly always calm, as the beach is sheltered from the elements by Igueldo hill on one side and Urgull hill on the other. This makes it an excellent spot for sunbathing, paddling, and swimming.

The town itself is a true paradise. Many consider San Sebastián to be the food capital of Basque Country.

A crescent-shaped urban beach, Playa de la Concha merges culture and coastline. Located in the heart of San Sebastián, it’s framed by elegant architecture, a lively promenade, and some of the best food in Spain. It’s not the warmest water in Spain, but few city beaches blend beauty and vibrancy like this one.

Best Time to Visit: July and August for warmth; September for fewer tourists.

2. Bogatell, Barcelona

Bogatell is the beach of choice among locals, despite the fact that Barceloneta is the most famous of Barcelona’s beaches. Why? It’s cleaner and less popular with pickpockets—on top of being less crowded than the tourist-heavy Barceloneta.

While it requires a slightly longer walk from the city centre, it is undoubtedly well worth it. If you are located near the Port Vell, it takes about 30 minutes on foot to get to the beach.

But, once you get there, you’ll be rewarded with better facilities (read: shorter queues for the toilets), considerably more space, and cleaner water.

3. Playa Las Arenas, Valencia

Las Playas Arenas, the most popular beach in Valencia, is blessed with some pristine golden powder. Given that Las Arenas literally means “the sands,” it comes as no surprise.

Calm and shallow, the water at Las Arenas is suitable for beachgoers of all abilities and ages, as well as sailors and windsurfers.

Alongside the grand beach, there is a wide, busy promenade. It is packed with excellent restaurants and bars. While you are here, make sure to try paella—a famous Spanish dish that is native to Valencia.

4. Playa de Bolonia, Tarifa

Located in the tiny fishing village of Bolonia, Playa de Bolonia is one of the most idyllic beaches in the country.

Since the village only numbers around 110 inhabitants, the beach is largely untouched by tourists. It is still charmingly old fashioned. Unlike many Spanish beach towns, Bolonia has managed to resist high-rise construction.

The dunes along the bay protect the beautiful vegetation and the sand is powdery white. It’s the perfect tranquil hang-out spot for beach bums.

The beach area is within the boundaries of the Estrecho Natural Park. Near Playa de Bolonia, you’ll find the ruins of the Roman town of Baelo Claudia.

Bolonia feels untouched, with soft white sand, a dramatic dune, and Roman ruins (Baelo Claudia) just steps from the sea. You can easily spend your day hiking the sand dunes, exploring ancient ruins, and swimming in the crystal waters. With almost no urban development nearby, it attracts day-trippers and those seeking raw beauty.

Best Time to Visit: June and September are perfect. Avoid August, when Spanish tourists descend in droves.

MORE OF THE BEST BEACHES IN SPAIN

5. Ses Salines, Ibiza

During the summer months, Ibiza is by far the busiest and trendiest island in Spain. Combining the most exclusive rural getaways with some of the best nightlife there is, Ibiza continues to attract fashionistas, well-heeled travellers, die-hard partygoers, and famous DJs.

The island is home to some of the best beaches in Europe. This includes the iconic Ses Salines.

It is known for fashionable beach bars, including the chiringuito-style Jockey Club Salinas and the emblematic Malibu Beach Club, as well as fine sand and crystal clear water. Surprisingly chill and easy to reach, it is one of the best places to see and be seen on the island.

6. Carvajal, Fuengirola

Thanks to its excellent water quality and quiet atmosphere, this Blue Flag beach is particularly popular with both visiting and local families. It is characterised by coarse, dark sand and measures just over a quarter of a mile.

The western part of the beach is close to the centre of Fuengirola—one of the most popular towns along Costa del Sol. Because of this, it can get a bit busy in the high season. Still, it’s much calmer than the neighbouring beaches.

The beach has a broad, sunny boardwalk and a variety of bars and restaurants, including Los Marinos José, an upscale seafood eatery, and La Cubana, a lovely, colourful beach bar.

7. Playa del Moro, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are an unrivaled sun-and-sea destination, thanks to their year-round outstanding weather. Situated only 100 miles off the Moroccan coastline, Fuerteventura is the second-largest island of the Canaries.

Like Morocco, it also enjoys a dry climate. Because of this, it is particularly popular among European tourists seeking a bit of warmth in the depths of winter. 

The gorgeous Playa del Moro is a part of the Corralejo Natural Park. Sand from the Sahara Desert has been building up on the beach for thousands of years, resulting in spectacular sand dunes.

The beach offers crystal-clear turquoise water and pristine white powder sand. Right by the beach, you will find many snack bars and comfy hotels. Still, Playa del Moro is quite expansive, so you won’t have a hard time finding a private spot.

Best Time to Visit: Anytime. The Canary Islands enjoy a mild climate year-round, though December to March is ideal for avoiding mainland Spain’s winter.

8. El Playazo, Costa de Almería

El Playazo is located within the Cabo de Gata nature reserve, one of the few surviving wild and unspoiled places in Europe. Since 1997, the natural park has been a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Its arid, wild landscape is a mix of jagged cliffs, secluded rocky coves, and scenic beaches—El Playazo being the most beautiful one.

El Playazo is a 1300-feet long stretch of yellow sand located near the small village of Rodalquilar. The beach is surrounded by an 18th-century fortress and ocher-coloured volcanic rock.

The sparkling-clean water is lovely for swimming and there is plenty of space for everyone. It’s also a great place for snorkeling, thanks to the offshore rocks.

The nature park is very popular among eco-minded travelers. From wildlife photography to bird-watching, it offers a wide range of sustainable outdoor pursuits.

Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall. Summer can be extremely hot with minimal shade.

9. Playa de las Catedrales, Lugo (Galicia)

This beach is more about awe than sunbathing. Known for its cathedral-like rock formations, it’s best explored during low tide when you can walk among natural stone arches. You need a free permit during high season, and timing your visit with the tide chart is essential.

Best Time to Visit: Summer months for accessibility; check tidal schedules.

10. Playa de Cofete, Fuerteventura (Canary Islands)

Remote and wild, Playa de Cofete is not for casual beachgoers. A long, bumpy drive leads you to a vast stretch of sand flanked by misty mountains. Swimming is not recommended due to strong currents, but the isolation and scenery are reward enough.

Best Time to Visit: Late spring and early autumn offer the best balance of weather and solitude.

11. Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera (Balearic Islands)

This narrow strip of sand surrounded by turquoise waters on both sides is what draws people to Formentera. It often ranks among Europe’s best beaches. It’s walkable or bikeable from the port, making it both scenic and accessible. The shallow waters are ideal for swimming.

Best Time to Visit: May, early June, or mid-September to avoid peak crowds.

12. Playa de Torimbia, Asturias

Nestled among green cliffs and forests, this nudist-friendly beach is one of northern Spain’s best-kept secrets. The walk down can be steep but manageable. It’s known for being peaceful, clean, and extremely scenic. A true escape from overdeveloped coasts.

Best Time to Visit: July and August when northern Spain sees its best weather.