5 of Spain’s Best Beach Destinations for Any Kind of Summer Holiday

Spain’s summer appeal is endless. Benidorm, Barcelona and Magaluf are just a few of the country’s most famous beach getaways, but the mainland and island coastlines run the gamut from idyllic Mediterranean isle coves and mountain-backed shores to urban beaches fronting culinary capitals and Atlantic-pounded surf hubs. Heading to the beach is part of Spain’s summer DNA, and there’s a seaside retreat suited to every kind of sun-seeker. 

From the southern Costa del Sol to Catalonia’s Costa Blanca, the verdant northern shores and the Balearic and Canary Islands, you can take your pick of almost any type of landscape, sand, accommodation and activity. No matter where you lay your towel, you’re sure to encounter a laid-back summer lifestyle and delicious regional seafood dishes. Here are five gorgeous beach destinations in Spain to pair with your preferred summer plans. 

The Canary Islands

Best for island beaches and sizzling sun 

Geographically closer to the Western Sahara than Spain, the eight main Canary Islands are a favourite sun, sea and sand getaway. One of Spain’s hottest summer coastal destinations, yet kept somewhat fresh by the Atlantic Ocean breeze, the archipelago is packed with experiences. Between splashing around in Fuerteventura’s crystal-clear waters, you could spot dolphins in the deep blue. Adventures? Hike volcanic landscapes in Lanzarote’s national park or Gran Canaria’s Roque Nublo. Or enjoy island life, culture and architecture in pretty towns such as Tenerife’s UNESCO-listed Cristóbal de la Laguna.

The beach scene is first-class, with sweeps of sands, craggy coves and dune-laced swathes. From the vast Dunas de Maspalomas ecosystems to the almost otherworldly Playa de Cofete on Fuerteventura, there are plenty of endless golden sands for those with restless feet. Family-friendly blue-fag beaches, such as sheltered Playa de Amadores, are also plentiful.  

Plan your trip: Founded by a local family nearly 75 years ago and now with hotels across four of the Canary Islands, HD Hotels is a great pick for Canarian hospitality – and to skip the international chains and tourism rentals, which are causing a lot of local resentment. Hotels are either adult-only or family-friendly environments, and I like that they offer “all-inclusive day passes” so even if you aren’t staying at a resort, you can still dip into the lifestyle for a day or two.  

San Sebastián

Best for coastal cuisine and city culture 

The Basque Country’s culinary capital of San Sebastián, on the Bay of Biscay, just a short hop from the French border, is about as close to a perfect, urban summer beach break as you’ll get. Plus, when southern Spain sizzles, the north coast is in its comfortable but sunny element. Renowned as one of the best cities in Spain – and indeed the world – for food, San Sebastián’s culinary reputation is hard to beat. Pintxos, a form of small paid-for tapas, are the city’s bar-topping winners, with plenty more underground culinary clubs and haute cuisine to sink your teeth into. Combine these plates with some sweeping bay vistas, and you get one of the best beach destinations in Spain for a weekend getaway.

You won’t need to stray far to start topping up your tan. Flanking both sides of the historic centre are a couple of gorgeous sandy bays: La Concha and Zurriola. With promenade strolls, fantastic views of the rocky outcrops in the bay, and everything you need (to eat) just moments away, it’s easy to enjoy the best of both.

Plan your trip: If you’re short on time, a long weekend in San Sebastián should tick all the boxes as everything is compact and within walking distance. If you’re coming from the UK or Ireland, you can also opt for an overnight ferry to arrive, and the flight time to Bilbao is half that to reach the Canary Islands. 

Costa Brava

Best for seaside villages

This stretch of northeastern Spain’s Catalonian coast is packed with pretty views, villages and playas, making the Costa Brava perfect for a road trip. Running from the beach town of Blanes right along to the French border, it’s long been a favourite for Brits looking for a fly-and-flop holiday. But the Costa Brava is a prime cultural destination too, being the birthplace of Salvador Dalí, and there are natural parks, wineries and first-class restaurants. Gorgeous coastal villages like Tossa de Mar, with its medieval Vila Vella fortress and Sa Roqueta fishing neighbourhood, or pretty Palafrugell with its turquoise-water beach, are two of the best. 

Beautiful beaches? Bountiful. Idyllic Rose’s town-fronting bay is splendid, as are the urban beaches around Lloret de Mar. But the joy of having a car is that you can pick any of the more secluded shores along this 200 kilometres of coast, such as the pebbly cove of Cala Jugadora or vegetation-backed golden sands of Platja de Castell.

Plan your trip: Girona is the nearest airport, or you could collect your car rental in Barcelona and in under 90 minutes you’ll be in Tossa de Mar. 

Tarifa

Best for beginner surfers and laid-back vibes

At Spain’s southern tip, surveying the Strait of Gibraltar, Tarifa is all winds, views and surfer vibes with wide sandy beaches and wild dunes. The laid-back town has a different rhythm to much of Andalucia, and with Morocco’s mountains visible across the ocean and sea (Punta de Tarifa is the point where the Atlantic and Mediterranean collide, with a noticeable colour change), it feels a world away from Seville or even nearby Cadiz.

Surf schools are plentiful, and it’s a great spot for learners as the waves and breaks aren’t too challenging. It’s also a fantastic destination for kitesurfing and windsurfing, arguably more so than catching a wave on a board. The best part is the town fizzles out in either direction along the sandy shores, so a beach shack restaurant or bar is never far away, yet there’s no high-rises or comparisons to the likes of Benidorm. 

Plan your trip: One of the coolest things about Tarifa is how close it is to Tangier, Morocco. So much so, you could even take a day trip over from the central port – or make this a twin-country (and continent) beach vacation. It’s all pretty straightforward, as passport control is done on the boat en route to Tangier – here’s how I took the Spain to Morocco ferry from Tarifa.

Costa Verde

Best for green scenes and pleasant temperatures 

Backed by vegetarian-clad hills, sloping vineyards and ribbons of golden sands, Northern Spain holds its own in summer. The aptly named Costa Verde, with verdant hills and lofty peaks just behind, stretches along the Cantabrian Sea. It’s best known as the coastal area of Asturias, but it’s loosely enough designated that the shores in the neighbouring communities of Galicia and Cantabria are often considered a part of it. 

Laid-back and postcard-perfect villages such as Cudillero are a good bet, as is the sweeping Playa de Gerra near Santander. The further west you head, the more wind-weathered and dramatic the coastline becomes. The Art Nouveau heavy city of Gijón and its urban beaches also mean city-seekers don’t have to venture far for a sandy sunbathing session. The further west you venture, the more dramatic the coast becomes. Wind-battered Cabo Fisterra, with its myths and legends, is a cinematic standout, as is the slightly sheltered Playa de Langosteira, a sensational white sand swim on a summer’s day. 

Plan your trip: With the summer temperatures in the north being pleasant and not too hot, it’s well worth taking some detours inland. Oviedo, in Asturias, is one of Spain’s prettiest and cleanest cities, while the rugged peaks of Picos de Europa National Park are ideal for combining hiking and sunbathing.