Spain, located on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, is divided into 17 autonomous regions, each with its environment and culture. The Royal Palace and the Prado Museum, both in Madrid’s capital, house works by European masters. Segovia has a medieval fortress (the Alcázar) and a Roman aqueduct that is still in good condition. There are some exceptional beaches in Spain as well, we are talking about the same in this article today. So, let’s check out our selections for the greatest beaches in Spain.

Best Beaches in Spain

Many visitors to Spain come to view the country’s famous sights in cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville. However, for many other vacationers, Spain’s breathtaking beaches are the main attraction. With hundreds of miles of coastline to choose from, travelers can tan on crowded urban beaches or relax along secluded stretches of velvety sand.

Cala Agulla

Cala Agulla, on the Balearic Island of Majorca, is one of the nicest beaches in September, with unblemished golden sand, lush green foliage, and mountains in the background. It is the largest tip on the eastern edge of the island, measuring 500 meters in length, and is a great area to enjoy the tropical weather and a variety of water sports.

La Kontxa, San Sebastián

San Sebastián’s iconic seashell-shaped bridge is popular with both locals and visitors. La Kontxa is one of the most well-known urban beaches in the world, rivaling Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana and Barcelona’s Barceloneta. La Kontxa is centrally located in the Spanish Basque Country’s food lovers’ capital of San Sebastián and is named for the peculiar crescent, or seashell, the form of gorgeous Kontxa Bay (the Basque term kontxa, or concha in Spanish, translates as seashell). The beach, with just under a mile of white sand, is extraordinarily vast, and although it attracts everyone from locals and tourists to families with small children, senior couples, and groups of friends, it is rarely crowded–even during peak season.

La Kontxa’s water is nearly always calm, protected from the elements by Urgull hill on one side and Igueldo hill on the other, and facing Santa Clara island across a short length of water, making it a perfect site for swimming, canoeing, and sunbathing.

Playa De Silencio

One of Spain’s most stunning beaches is Playa de Silencio, or “The Beach of Silence.” Its magnificent shoreline, which is adorned with silver sand and natural rock formations, has been named a monument and is thus fully virgin. This beach is not suitable for swimming due to its rocky topography, but it is ideal for a stroll through its immaculate sand or basking in the sunshine amidst the tranquil surroundings.

Illas Cies, Ria de Vigo, Galicia

The beautiful Illas Cies, also known as the “Galician Caribbean,” is a trio of virgin islands in Spain’s northwest province of Galicia. The three islands are partially exposed to the Atlantic Ocean’s pounding surf, but their other sides face the Ria de Vigo, a calm estuary, and are wonderfully protected.

Visitors should proceed to the two main isles, Illa do Monte Ayudo and Illa do Faro, which can be reached by ferry from Vigo. Rodas Beach, a strip of sand encircling a secluded lagoon, connects these islands.

Rodas Beach is perhaps Spain’s most beautiful, with its dazzling blue ocean and powder-white sands attracting thousands of visitors every day. Despite their popularity, the islands have been designated as a natural parks, so they remain blissfully unspoiled. Visitors will still find a few beach bars, a campground (with reservations), a rudimentary market, and a restaurant.

Es Trenc, Mallorca, Balearic Islands

Mallorca is home to some of Spain’s most beautiful natural settings, including Es Trenc, the island’s most recognized beach. Es Trenc is alone, surrounded by windswept dunes and a pine forest, although many of Spain’s beaches are part of big resort complexes.

Es Trenc’s beautiful golden sands meet softly lapping sapphire-blue and turquoise waves, which many visitors compared to those seen on a Caribbean beach. This beach is popular with families with small children because of the shallow, calm water.

Cala Comte

Are you planning a beach holiday in Spain? Then don’t forget to add the beach of Cala Comte to your agenda. This golden sand beach is one of the nicest beaches in Spain in October, with a magnificent backdrop of cliffs and dunes. This site is often bustling with a diverse throng who come to see the magnificent sunsets from its coastlines.

Bogatell, Barcelona

Although Barceloneta is the most well-known of Barcelona’s metropolitan beaches, Bogatell remains the preferred beach among residents. Why? It is not only less busy than the touristy Barceloneta, but it is also cleaner and less frequented by pickpockets. On the other hand, it does necessitate a little longer walk from the city center. Unlike Barceloneta, which is only a 20-minute walk from La Rambla and Barcelona’s Old Port, Bogatell will take you an extra 15 minutes on foot (or five in a cab). But it’s well worth the effort once you’re there, with cleaner water, greater space, and significantly nicer amenities.

Ses Salines, Ibiza

During the summer, the achingly stylish Ibiza is by far the most lively island in Spain. The island attracts a unique mix of top DJs and die-hard partygoers on the one hand, and well-heeled travelers and strung-out fashionistas on the other, thanks to its combination of some of the best nightlife in the world with some of the most exclusive rural getaways and wellness retreats money can buy. They can all agree, however, that Ibiza is home to some of Europe’s best beaches. Ses Salines, with its crystal-clear sea, beautiful sand, and stylish beach bars like the legendary Malibu Beach Club and the more laid-back, chiringuito-style Jockey Club Salinas, is one of the most famous.

Ses Salines is a cool hangout for the cool kids. It’s easy to get to and surprisingly undeveloped, making it one of the best spots to see and be seen in Ibiza.

Es Trenc, Mallorca

Believe again if you think Mallorca is all about crowded beaches, run-down resorts, and burnt visitors. The largest of the Balearic Islands has a lesser-known and far more refined aspect that few visitors witness. You can get a peek of Es Trenc, one of the island’s few lengthy beaches that have escaped resort development. The water is crystal pure, and the smooth white sand is immaculate and untouched. Es Trenc, although being less than an hour south of Palma de Mallorca and roughly 30 minutes from the tourist traps of Playa de Palma and S’Arenal, harkens back to a simpler time.

Although the beach is not connected to a hotel, it offers good amenities such as rental loungers and umbrellas, lifeguards, restrooms, accessibility ramps, and a selection of restaurants and beach bars. Es Trenc, a popular hangout for nudists and day-trippers, has a wild and natural vibe and is a great place to let it all hang out if that’s your thing.

Cies Islands

Cies Island, off the northwest coast of Spain in Galicia, at the mouth of the Ria de Vigo, is one of Spain’s best beaches. Its peaceful surroundings, unblemished beach, and calm waves make it suitable for both families and couples. Swimming and sunbathing on the sunbeds are the greatest things to do in this tropical paradise, which does not have many water activities.

Frequently Asked Questions about Beaches in Spain

What is the best time to visit Spain?

Spring and Fall, i.e. April to June and September to October, are the greatest times to visit Spain because the weather is good, making sightseeing and outdoor activities much more pleasurable.

Which are the best beaches in Spain for families?

There are several beaches in Spain for families, but some of the bests are the Cies Islands, Playa Del Cristo, Cala Galdana, and Playa De Sant Elm.

Which are the best beaches in Spain near Madrid?

There are many beaches in Spain near Madrid, and some of the best beaches to visit include Alberche Beach, Embalse de Picadas, La Lancha del Yelmo, and Valencia.

Which are the best beaches in Northern Spain?

There are numerous beaches in Northern Spain, with some of the greatest being Playa de ses Illetes, Playa del Silencio, Praia As Catedrais, and Playa de Gulpiyuri.

Which are the best beaches in Southern Spain?

There are several beaches in Southern Spain, but some of the greatest are Playa del Cristo, Bolonia, Torremolinos, Playa de los Genoveses, and Playa La Herradura.

Are you looking for a new favorite city in New Zealand? New Zealand not only features some of the most beautiful and diverse scenery you’ll ever see, but it also has some fairly cool cities. Cities on the coast, cities surrounded by volcanoes, cities with a geothermal park as a city park… Knowing New Zealand’s major cities is not only useful for understanding the country’s geography, but it also comes in handy when visiting or planning to settle down for a time on a working trip.

11 Biggest cities in New Zealand

Work options abound in New Zealand’s cities, which are great for saving money for the next part of your journey. They’re also a fantastic spot to have fun. As a result, we’ve put up some local accommodation recommendations to assist you in settling in, as well as valuable resources on things to do in each city, public transportation, and other topics.

So choose your city from this list of New Zealand’s “major” cities and get planning! Please keep in mind that the population figures are estimates based on the urban population of the cities.

Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, with a population of slightly under 1.5 million people. When it comes to shopping, dining, and entertainment, it ranks among the top cities in the world. Auckland’s bustling nightlife and restaurant scene, with Michelin-starred restaurants and some of the best fish and chips in the world, is a big draw for many, but for the majority, it’s the amazing waterfront location and access to golden sandy beaches or trips out to discover the amazing marine life that also calls Auckland home.

Wellington

New Zealand’s capital city is ranked second among the world’s largest cities and is frequently referred to as one of the world’s ‘coolest’ cities (we’re not sure if they mean cool like the Fonz!). Wellington is a fantastic place to visit and another of our wonderful seaside cities, although it can get a little windy. Wellington is also the site of some of New Zealand’s best museums, as well as the annual World of Wearable Art Show.

Christchurch

Christchurch is the third New Zealand city on this list. Not only does the South Island’s main city have many job options for travelers, but the artwork, vistas from the Port Hills, and surf beaches all tempt visitors to visit. For ideas on what to do in Christchurch, check out The Complete Guide to Christchurch.

Take a look at our Accommodation Guide to Christchurch City Central and Accommodation Guide to Christchurch whether you’re seeking short-term or long-term accommodation in Christchurch.

Hamilton

Hamilton, or ‘the Tron’ as it is affectionately known, ranks fourth on the list of New Zealand’s largest cities. Hamilton is the main city in the Waikato area, located on the banks of the huge Waikato River. It’s an excellent location to stop on your way to Raglan, Waitomo, or even further south to Taupo or Rotorua. The annual hot air balloon festival is usually a hit, with visitors coming from all over the country to marvel at the aerial displays.

Tauranga

Tauranga is number five on our list of significant cities in New Zealand. Tauranga, a coastal city, is adjacent to various fruit-picking jobs as well as the popular beaches of Mt Maunganui and Papamoa. In the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park, take a road trip to see glowworm dells and waterfalls. The Complete Guide to Tauranga contains more information.

Lower Hutt

Lower Hutt comes in at number seven on our list of New Zealand’s largest cities. The city is a bustling center for the Wellington workforce, as it is located in the broader Wellington region. It’s also a great place to start exploring the Wairarapa region. The Complete Guide to Hutt Valley contains more information.

Dunedin

Dunedin is the next city on our list of New Zealand’s largest cities. Wildlife spotting on the Otago Peninsula, exploring the world’s steepest street, motorcycling the Otago Central Rail Trail, and going back in time in what may be regarded as New Zealand’s most European-style city are all available in the student city.

New Plymouth

New Plymouth boasts the best of both worlds, with pounding surf on one side and the magnificent cone-shaped Mt Taranaki on the other. You’ll have access to the best of New Zealand’s countryside while living in a traditional New Zealand metropolis. It’s no surprise that so many Kiwis call it home. New Plymouth not only has a wealth of outdoor adventures to offer, but it also places a strong emphasis on the arts, with a variety of art galleries and street art to be seen throughout the city.

Palmerston North

Travelers frequently overlook it. Palmerston North is a well-known city in New Zealand. Palmerston North, the Manawatu region’s hub, is an exceedingly affordable city to settle for a while, work, and play. Explore the Manawatu Gorge on foot, explore the Te Apiti Windfarm, visit beaches, and more!

Napier and Hastings

Napier and Hastings are popular destinations for travelers searching for work and sun because they are surrounded by vineyards and are close to beaches, bike trips, and walks. Explore Napier’s art deco buildings, or rent a bike and tour the Hastings area while sampling wonderful food and wine.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a geothermal powerhouse. Even in metropolitan parks, the bubbling mud can be seen when the earth’s heat rises to the surface. This North Island city has geothermal parks, mountain biking, Maori culture, hikes, and more to offer.