The 10 best beaches in Spain

Are you dreaming of topping up your tan on one of the best beaches in Spain? We certainly are! With an extraordinarily beautiful coastline, Spain has long been the go-to destination for anyone seeking clean waters, temptingly soft sand and all-but guaranteed sunshine. From family-friendly beaches, to stretches of ruggedly isolated coastline, there’s something for everyone. So if you’re ready to find your ultimate break, then head there with HomeExchange, and discover the loveliest beaches in Spain.

1: Palafrugell - for when one beach just isn’t enough!

The small coastal town of Calella de Palafrugell is home to not just one lovely beach, but a series of gorgeous sandy stretches, many of which are linked by the promenade. The locals often claim that this is one of the most beautiful towns in the Costa Brava, and they may have a point. With white-washed houses, some really great restaurants, and the softest golden sand, you could easily spend your entire vacation here!

If you want to stay close to town, Port Pelegrí is a picturesque cove with quaint fisherman’s huts that’s hugely popular with families due its great facilities and diving opportunities. There are often lifeguards on duty, but if you’re not confident in the water, you can enlist the help of one of the local diving companies.

Alternatively, follow the Camino de Ronda hiking route out of town, and you’ll reach El Golfet, which is Palafrugell’s most remote, but possibly most beautiful beach. Take a picnic and everything you need for the day, as it’s a 35-minute walk back into town!

2: Santander - a Spain beach holiday that promises year-round fun

Many people think of Spain as having scorching summers, but if you prefer a more moderate climate, head for the lovely northern region of Santander, which offers 13 beaches, many of which are ideal for families and adrenaline-junkies alike.
Playa Sardinero in Santander offers exceptional facilities. As possibly Spain’s prettiest city beach, it’s popular year-round, as sun-worshippers and sandcastle-builders enjoy the soft golden sand in the hotter months, while it offers some great surfing opportunities, particularly during the winter.

Just a short stroll from town, two other family-friendly beaches are Playa de los Bikinis and Playa de los Peligros. Both of these are perfect for children as they’re sheltered from the waves, plus they’re a little less blustery for a windy winter walk.

If you want a change of scenery, then hop on the ferry to travel the short distance to the surfer-town of Somo. It makes for a great day-trip, and there’s yet another lovely beach here.

3: Tenerife - home to the most child-friendly beaches

Let’s be honest here, if you’re holidaying with children – particularly younger ones or those who are less confident in the water – then you want to find somewhere with great paddling opportunities, a lifeguard and convenient facilities. This is where slightly more touristy destinations such as Tenerife come into their own, as you can be sure of finding child-friendly facilities.

With three sheltered bays and plenty of child-friendly restaurants nearby, Playa Paraiso is regularly cited as one of the most family-friendly beaches in Spain. Combining the perfect mix of clean sand and water-based activities for kids of all ages, it’s a delight. Plus the whole family will enjoy the saltwater lido, before exploring the seafront promenade for ice cream and churros dipped in chocolate!

4: La Caleta in Cadiz - one of the best beaches in Spain for a romantic break

Tucked away in southern Spain is Cádiz, which is home to some of the loveliest beaches in the country – in fact, many would argue that Cádiz’s epic 260km coastline makes for some of the best Spain beach holidays in Spain. La Caleta is one such example. As the city’s smallest yet most central beach, it’s located in the historical heart of Cadiz, so it’s backed by exquisite architecture, plenty of romantic bars and restaurants, and a good handful of flamenco clubs!

During the day, it’s the perfect spot for a gentle swim or a little sunbathing. But by night be prepared for an unexpected delight - impromptu games of bingo and cards! Explore the shoreline, and you’ll often find groups of friends bringing little tables and chairs onto the sand to play together. Or you could just bypass the fun vibes and have a romantic moonlit stroll with your plus one…

5: Cala Pada in Ibiza - the most surprisingly secluded Spanish beach

Spain is one of the best tourist destinations in the world, so it’s hardly surprising that many of its beaches can get pretty crowded. Lots of travelers thrive on the fun dynamic of a busier beach, but if you’d rather not be disturbed by other holiday-makers, there are two ways to handle this. You could either consider visiting outside the peak months (June to September) or you could get off the beaten track to explore the lesser-known beaches.

Admittedly, a destination that you’d never normally associate with a secluded retreat is Ibiza - but Pala Cada is something else. This gorgeous stretch of sand is a relatively undeveloped beach – no party bars (other than a couple of understated snack bars), no thumping music and very few people, as long as you don’t visit in August.

The upshot of this is that it’s a great option if you’ve gone to Ibiza looking for a good time, and you need to step away from the fun for a bit of peaceful contemplation in truly beautiful surroundings. Cala d’en Serra (also in Ibiza) is another great spot for quieter sands and swimming opportunities.

6: La Concha - the best Spanish beach for a foodie break

San Sebastián (also known by the locals as Donostia) should get a nod for hosting some of the best Spanish beaches.

Just over the border from the South of France’s Biarritz, this chichi destination hosts the delightful combination of knockout food plus stunning stretches of sand. There are three main beaches in the crescent-shaped bay, plus a dinky little island that can be reached by boat. Santa Clara (the island’s beach) is undeniably gorgeous (and great for a little me-time), but if you’re here for the food scene, then we’d suggest staying on the mainland where you’ll be spoilt for choice.

La Concha Bay is perhaps the best known of the beaches, as it benefits from serene waters thanks to Santa Clara breaking the impact of the waves. There’s also an impressive array of great eating options in the vicinity – try La Madame for an exceptional dining experience or Restaurante Biarritz for Basque-influenced dishes. If you fancy something lighter, then pinxto are the way forward – these delicious little nibbles are small bites that have usually been skewered with a cocktail stick, so many people choose to drift from bar-to-bar, sam­pling the goods as they go!

7: Bolonia - the best beach vacation in Spain for water sports enthusiasts

At 4km long and with views of the mountains in Africa in the distance, Bolonia is one of the best Andalucian beaches for those seeking to escape the crowds - because while Bolonia’s popularity is growing (mainly with locals and Spanish tourists) it’s such a huge, wide and untamed space that you’ll never feel boxed-in!

Located at the southern tip of Spain, these beautiful sand dunes provide a dramatic backdrop for the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia. Located on the outskirts of Tarifa, which is one of Spain’s most surfer-friendly towns, this is the place to be if you love watersports!

There are a few facilities at the beach, like restaurants and showers, but it’s refreshingly ‘untouristy’ here. A key tip is to bring some shade from both the sun and the wind, then get stuck into watersports like snorkeling, bodyboarding, kitesurfing and windsurfing. Don’t worry if you don’t have your own equipment with you, as you can rent it when you’re there.

8: Barceloneta - one of the best options for a city and beach holiday in Spain

In Barcelona, there are 4.5kms of golden coastline to explore, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when you're not making the most of the city's incredible nightlife! Many people head straight for Barceloneta Beach which could be considered to be one of the best beaches in Spain. From lockers and accessible showers to playgrounds, bicycle hire and volleyball nets, it really is an impressive option.

For something a little quieter (but with less facilities) you could consider exploring Llevant Beach which has a laid-back vibe, or enjoy the calm waters at Nova Icària Beach.

These beaches are impressive, but for us, Nova Mar Bella Beach really steals the show. With walkways crossing the sand all the way to the sea, this is a favourite for anyone with accessibility issues, and you can even pre-arrange for a volunteer to be on hand to assist you.

9: Valencia - the ultimate Spanish beach destination for your dog!

Valencia has some of the best beaches in Spain. With a number of dog-friendly beaches, the whole family can enjoy time together. Our particular favourite is the lovely 2km of sands at Playa El Brosquil in Callera (just outside of central Valencia), while the smaller but delightfully clean Playa D’Aiguaoliva in Vinaròs offers the prospect of waves for adventurous pups! For more info, take a look at this helpful round-up of dog-friendly beaches In Valencia.

Of course, Valencia also offers plenty of stunning options for humans too! Looking for plenty of space away from the city centre? Then Patacona Beach near Alboraya is beautiful, while 2km out of central Valencia you’ll find Las Arena, which is a lovely option, though it can get busy in peak times. For something a little unique, you can’t go wrong with El Saler beach which can be reached on bus from Valencia. Around 13km out of the city centre, it’s a big favourite with water-sports enthusiasts - and of course, their doggie friends!

10: Bay of Alcúdia - for those who are looking for a party!

Located in the north east of Mallorca, the Bay of Alcúdia is an excellent option for anyone who wants to socialise while they’re on holiday! Admittedly it can get busy here, but that’s part of the charm if you’re looking for a fun atmosphere during your beach days.

Playa de Alcúdia is the longest and busiest beach, and during the most popular summer months (June to early September), you can choose from rows of sunloungers, great facilities and a dynamic vibe.If you want to get involved in a game of beach volleyball or dig a few sandcastles, you’ll find plenty of children vying to get involved - and that’s a key part of Alcúdia’s appeal, because kids will always be entertained! Plus they’ll love the shallow turquoise waters and golden sand.

If you’re looking for somewhere to base yourself, consider taking a short 5-10 minute drive inland where you’ll find the lovely walled town of Alcúdia. Dating back to Medieval times, the pretty architecture of the town is offset by loads of tapas restaurants and bars, so you’ll never run out of entertainment options both on and off the sand.

Discover the best beaches in Spain with HomeExchange!

Are you ready to start planning your dream summer vacation in Spain? Then you’re in the right place! As the world’s largest (and best!) home swapping network, our members are ready to exchange their gorgeous beach homes with you now. Sign up today to start browsing homes near the best beaches in Spain. From Santander to San Sebastian, there’s a great vacation waiting for you. Our members look forward to welcoming you soon!