The wonders of Spain ’s many beaches are one of the country’s worst-kept secrets. Hundreds of thousands descend on the roughly 5,000 miles of Spain’s Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines every summer, whether it’s for a fly-and-flop all-inclusive in the Canaries, a last-minute city break in Barcelona or a beach-day, club-night holiday in Ibiza or Mallorca . Golden sands and deep blue waters line the shores of cities like San Sebastian and Valencia , while the less popular tourist destinations such as Galicia or Cantabria are home to dazzling landscapes that surround white sands and emerald seas.
Choosing the best beaches to visit can feel almost impossible in a country with Mediterranean archipelagos, beach towns and sun-drenched islands as far south as North Africa . Fortunately, we’ve curated a list of some of the best. Read more: This exclusive Mallorca village is a must-visit spot in the Balearics The trio of Sant Sebastia, Sant Miquel and Barceloneta form the main ‘city beaches’ in Barcelona , meaning they’re easily accessible on foot from the city centre.
Though Sant Miquel is one of the oldest beaches in the city – the area was transformed in 1755 – nowadays it is often lumped together with Sant Sebastia; in any case, the two areas offer over a kilometre of soft golden sand and blissfully calm waters that are ideal for relaxed swims. While Bogatell or Mar Bella may be quieter, the restaurants and chiringuitos that sit on the sands or line the prome.