Spain Beaches: 50 million People Can't Be Wrong!

Spain beaches are of the main reasons why this country receives over fifty million visitors every year, making Spain one of the premier vacation destinations in the world. With over 5,000 miles of coastline, you can be certain to find whatever it is that you are looking for: whether it is fun, busy beaches or secluded spots, shallow sandy waters or deep coves, fine sandy beaches or rocky grounds, Spain beaches will leave you entirely happy that you chose this Mediterranean country as your vacation destination.

It would probably take dozens of pages to go through all the beaches that are worth visiting in Spain, so we'll take a look at some of the most popular destinations that are a must.

Costa del Sol

Some of the most popular Spain beaches are located on this 100-mile stretch of coast on the south of the country. Málaga, Marbella, Estepona or Fuengirola are some of the main tourist destinations here, offering perfect weather, dozens of warm, beautiful beaches, fantastic food and the traditional hospitality of Spanish people, which is at its best here in the south.

Costa del Sol is also within short distance of some major destinations like Seville, Granada or Cordoba, which are must sees for anybody visiting Spain. You will find an endless array of possible accommodations here, so you only need to find whatever suits you best depending on your budget and your preferences. Costa del Sol and the whole Andalusia region offer some of the most best examples of that "traditional Spain" that you probably have in mind when you think about the country, so if that's what you're looking for then this is definitely the place for you.

Costa Brava

For me personally, the most beautiful Spain beaches are located on this area of the country, on the northern part of the Catalonia region bordering with France. While Costa Brava offers some of the most crowded, tourist overran places you will find, such as Lloret or Platja d'Aro (unless you're under 20, single and wanting to get drunk every night, you will probably want to avoid those places on high season), the real gems of Costa Brava are hidden at the small fishing villages which populate this part of Spain.

In here you will find dozens of secluded beaches away from the crowds, with crystal clear waters perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving. This is relaxing as its best, where you can just wonder through small towns, eat delicious fresh fish which just came out of the water a few hours away and simply enjoy what a vacation should be, completely stress-free.

Some of the places I would recommend here are Figueres (not on the coast but a beautiful town which host the world famous Dalí museum), Palamós, Empuriabrava, Cadaqués, Roses, L'Escala and my personal favorite, Port de la Selva, a tiny fishing town very close to the French border where you will find all the peace and quiet you are looking for. Needless to say, Costa Brava's proximity to Barcelona also makes it a perfect spot to go visit the coolest city in Spain (trust me,it is).

Costa Dorada

This area is characterized by shallow waters and long beaches, with fine, golden sand. Costa Dorada (or Golden Coast) is a very popular holiday destination, attracting over three million visitors each year, mainly in the area around Tarragona and Salou. As such, this area offers all types of accommodations including hotels, beach resorts and camping areas, making it a perfect spot for a family vacation.

Going inland, there are also several towns worth visiting such as Reus, Tortosa and Valls where you can get a glimpse of this special part of Spain, or you can go see medieval monasteries such as the one in Poblet. Costa Dorada not only offers some of the nicest Spain beaches, but it is also relatively close to Catalonia's wine country, which makes for a lovely trip. Finally, just like in Costa Brava, the proximity to Barcelona makes a visit to the Mediterranean capital very easy and accessible.

Balearic Islands

Some of the finest Spain beaches are located on this group of islands some 120 miles east of the Mediterranean coast. You will find all kinds here: from long, fine sand beaches buzzing with tourists to some amazing, hidden coves that you can only reach by boat.

The main destination is Majorca, which is the largest island by far. Its capital, Palma de Mallorca, is the island's cultural and economic center, with a beautiful old historic town and attracting millions of visitors. Just beware, this is the main destination for German vacationers so you may need to learn some German if you want to order a meal in some places! :)

Other than Majorca, the other main tourist destination is Ibiza. Ibiza is known as one of the hottest, if not the most, party spots in the world. Ibiza boasts some of the most popular night clubs and has an incomparable atmosphere, specially at night, where the trendiest crowds from all over the world makes this little island the place to be if you want to have a good time. Luckily, if you're not so much into the night club scene, Ibiza also offers lots of small, quiet beaches where you will be able to relax away from everything.

Finally, you can also visit the lesser known islands of Minorca and Formentera. Formentera is the smallest of all the Balearic islands, but it's rapidly becoming a major tourist destination thanks to its unspoiled natural beauty.

Canary Islands

Another major vacation destination which offers some of the best Spain beaches you will find and which attracts over ten million visitors every year. The Canary Islands' location, some 60 miles off the African coast and relatively close to the Equator, provide these islands with warm, perfect weather all year long, so if you think spending Christmas Eve in your swimsuit sounds like fun, then you this is the place for you.

The Canary Islands not only offer hundreds of miles of perfect beaches with crystal clear water, but also a stunning variety of landscapes, which has granted several areas the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation. Here, the visitor can find beaches of volcanic origin, explore hundreds of miles of trails, either by foot or by bike, see whales or dolphins in their natural habitat or practice all kind of water sports such as windsurfing, hang gliding or scuba diving. The main islands are Tenerife and Gran canaria, and as such, they can get pretty crowded. Fortunately, owing to its temperate weather, you can enjoy a beach vacation here all year long, which it makes it easier to escape from the crowds while still being able to relax under the sun with a drink in your hand.

Like I mentioned before, it would take us endless hours to go through all the beach destinations that are worth visiting in Spain, but at least I hope that now you have a better idea about some of the most popular Spain beaches. There are plenty more costas all around Spain's seashore, each own with its name and local attractions. If you want to know more about them, you can check this map.

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