The Official Guide to Spain’s Best Beaches

The 16 Spanish Costas (or coastal regions) beckon with some of the most incredible beaches in Europe. Long sandy shores, intimate turquoise coves, vibrant urban stretches and sublime remote island getaways—discover the best beaches in Spain.

While the mainland coasts are best enjoyed from late spring to early autumn, the beaches of the Canary Islands offer year-round sunshine and sea.

Dreamlike and breathtaking, Maspalomas Beach is a visual revelation. The Atlantic Ocean hugs nearly eight miles of golden sand, backed by Sahara-like high dunes that give this stretch its striking character. Needless to say, the sunrises and sunsets here are to die for. While it serves remote looks, Maspalomas Beach is highly accessible, sitting at the heart of the popular Gran Canaria resort town that shares its name.

It’s a kid-friendly beach with lifeguards, water sports, lounger rentals and showers. Wooden pathways ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. Starting at the town’s edge, Playa del Inglés is the most developed section, with beachside restaurants and shopping. And if you’re looking to bare it all, there’s a naturist section tucked between beach bars 3 and 4 in the dunes.

The scent of grilled sardines, dark sand and the blue Alboran Sea—welcome to Malagueta, the best urban beach in Spain. It’s the main stretch of Málaga, the coastal gem of southern Spain. Malagueta is perfect for lounging after exploring the city’s stunning Moorish sights. Take a dip, sunbathe, read a book or hop on a jet ski. Whatever you choose, don’t skip the xiringuito. These simple, traditional beach bars define coastal living across Spain. Order an obligatory sardine skewer and soak up the easygoing Mediterranean vibes of Málaga.

There’s a children’s playground to keep the little ones entertained and a water sports center for adrenaline seekers.

Cala Mondragó is for lovers of turquoise. Tucked within a beautiful natural reserve on Mallorca, this picture-perfect cove offers crystal clear waters, white cliffs and soft sands. It’s a slice of Balearic nature at its best—lush pine forest, magnificent sea views and excellent snorkeling near the rocks.

A beachside restaurant serves up grilled seafood and drinks, making it easy to spend the whole day here. For even more secluded beauty, take the coastal hiking path to Sa Font de N’Alis, another pristine cove with transparent waters.

Las Canteras is an epic city beach that might well be one of the world’s best. You have almost 2 miles of fine sand stretching along the promenade of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (the island’s capital). A natural breakwater reef (called La Barra) ensures perfect swimming conditions. You can also snorkel around the rocks to see the thrilling underwater world. Another highlight of Las Canteras is surfing. La Cícer Beach on the south end is among the best places to chase the waves on the island. As it’s a city beach, numerous food and shopping options are nearby.

This is one of the best beaches in Spain for kids. Located in Mallorca, Platja d’Alcúdia is a gorgeous, shallow stretch with white sand and azure waters. It’s also the island’s longest beach, so there’s always plenty of space. Some sections are backed by pine forest, offering welcome shade on sunny days.

Platja d’Alcúdia features a children’s playground, water sports rentals, an outdoor gym and showers. For a fun way to explore the bay, rent a kayak or SUP. The many boardwalk restaurants and bars are ideal for diving into Spain’s tapas culture—don’t miss sobrassada, a traditional Mallorcan cured pork sausage.

Far from resort towns and civilization, Papagayo is a stunner. Set against the barren brown landscape of Lanzarote and surrounded by dormant volcanoes, this beach is nothing short of spectacular. It’s only accessible via a dirt road (the ride’s a little bumpy), but the journey is well worth it.

Rugged cliffs tower above, the riff acts as a natural wavebreaker and the waters are calm enough for swimming. Unlike many beaches in the Canary Islands known for strong oceanic currents, Papagayo has a natural pool vibe. Don’t forget your snorkeling gear—the rocks are perfect for underwater exploration. There’s also a designated camping area where you can spend the night under the Milky Way, lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves.

Crescent-shaped La Concha is a fantastic reason to visit San Sebastián. Fine white sand, gentle waves and stunning green panoramas make this beach a true treat. You might recognize the name from Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises—the author spent some sun-soaked days beside this magical Basque bay.

Enjoying La Concha comes hand in hand with the rich gastronomic traditions of San Sebastián. Known for its restaurants, the city is home to 18 Michelin-starred institutions. If fine dining isn’t your thing, dive into pintxos, the local take on tapas, served in the many bars lining La Concha’s shores.

In winter, when Bay of Biscay winds pick up, the beach becomes a hotspot for surfers. For the best wave-conquering conditions, head to Ondarreta Beach at the western end of La Concha.

While located in a suburb of Lloret de Mar (aka the busy resort capital of Costa Brava), Sa Boadella has that secret beach feeling and wild allure. Surrounded on all sides by rich Mediterranean vegetation, it’s a paradisiac corner of the Spanish coast meant to be admired. The sea here is always a striking shade of cyan, the scent of pine trees fills your lungs with freshness and the golden sand is gentle on your skin.

It’s no surprise that the southern part of Sa Boadella is a naturist section—how can you resist the urge to take it all off in a place like this? The beach is also great for snorkeling, with plenty of small rocks to explore.

Ibiza is all about the “bests.” The island is home to the world’s most sought-after clubbing scene with a parade of top DJs annually descending to its shores to play in exclusive clubs. Also, some of Spain’s prettiest beaches are here offering a tranquil escape among delightful Med greenery. Cala Saladeta is where you go for the gentle waters and stunning coastal views. An idyllic sheltered cove on the west coast of Ibiza, it’s worlds away from the bass-pumping craze of the island’s capital beaches. It’s often paired with the neighboring pebbly stretch called Cala Salada, an equally ideal place for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling. 

Ses Illetes, on the Balearic island of Formentera, is a perfect example of the diversity of Spanish beaches. With the whitest sands and the bluest waters, it feels like you’ve been transported across the Atlantic to a beach in the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico. Set in a stunning, undeveloped area, it offers uninterrupted views of the sea and surrounding islets.

The easiest way to get here is by car or scooter, though ferries from Ibiza Town also bring in day-trippers. Ses Illetes is a popular starting point for snorkeling and diving excursions to explore the Posidonia meadows—the UNESCO-protected seagrass ecosystem unique to Formentera.

“Cinematic” is the best word to describe Mónsul Beach, just outside Almería. Located within the spectacular Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, it’s a remote stretch of fine sand framed by arid mountains and gargantuan boulders. The scenery is breathtaking—nature’s sculpting work at its finest.

This spot also has a curious relationship with cinema. The dramatic landscapes were featured in films like The NeverEnding Story and Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. With rugged beauty reminiscent of the Canary Islands or even the windswept Atlantic coast of Morocco, Playa de Mónsul feels wild and otherworldly. Yet it’s just under 30 minutes from the vibrant city center of Almería.

The emerald waters of the Bay of Biscay meet the green hills of northern Spain at Torimbia Beach, one of the true gems of the Asturias region. Remote and isolated, it’s also considered the premier nudist beach in the country. Its vast size and access via a one-kilometer downhill trail mean it rarely feels crowded.

Torimbia is perfect for those seeking a wild, unspoiled beach experience with no facilities or development in sight. Visiting can feel like stumbling upon the secret beach from the Leonardo DiCaprio film. For a more family-friendly and accessible option with the same epic scenery, head to Playa de Poo, just under seven miles away.