Beaches · May to October
The most beautiful beaches in Spain
Turquoise coves in the Balearics, wild stretches of sand on the Atlantic, volcanic beaches in the Canaries and rock arches on the Cantabrian coast: Spain has thousands of kilometres of coastline and some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Here are the areas where you’ll find them, each with its guide so you know when to go and what to bear in mind.
Updated 20 October 2026 · How we make our guides
Balearic Islands
Crystal-clear water thanks to the seagrass meadows, and coves among the pines.
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SpainFormentera
Ses Illetes and Llevant, tongues of white sand between two turquoise seas, in a natural park.
What to see in Formentera -
SpainMenorca
The unspoilt coves of the south, such as Macarella, Turqueta and Mitjana, among pine woods and cliffs, on an island that is a biosphere reserve. In summer, arrive early or take the bus.
What to see in Menorca -
SpainMallorca
The natural sands of Es Trenc, small coves such as Caló des Moro and the Formentor peninsula.
What to see in Mallorca -
SpainIbiza
Cala Comte at sunset, Cala Salada and Cala d’Hort facing the islet of Es Vedrà.
What to see in Ibiza
The mainland Mediterranean
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SpainCabo de Gata
Mónsul and Los Genoveses, unspoilt beaches between volcanic rock and dunes. In summer, car access is limited and there is a bus.
What to see in Cabo de Gata -
SpainCalella de Palafrugell
Costa Brava coves linked by clifftop paths along the sea, with fishing boats on the sand.
What to see in Calella de Palafrugell -
SpainCadaqués
Rocky coves and crystal-clear water on Cap de Creus, the easternmost point of the peninsula.
What to see in Cadaqués -
SpainJávea
La Granadella and El Portitxol, coves of clear water beneath the cliffs of the Marina Alta.
What to see in Jávea
Atlantic and Cantabrian coasts
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SpainTarifa
Bolonia, with its great dune and the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia by the sand, and Valdevaqueros, a kitesurfing paradise.
What to see in Tarifa -
SpainZahara de los Atunes
Kilometres of golden sand on a lightly built-up coast, with sunsets facing the Strait.
What to see in Zahara de los Atunes -
SpainVigo
Rodas, on the Cíes Islands, one of the most famous beaches in Spain. In season you need a permit from the Galician government (Xunta) as well as a boat ticket.
What to see in Vigo -
SpainRibadeo
The Cathedrals beach, with rock arches tens of metres high that you can only walk through at low tide.
What to see in Ribadeo -
SpainLlanes
More than thirty beaches, including Gulpiyuri, an inland beach with no sea in sight, and the shell-shaped Torimbia.
What to see in Llanes -
SpainSan Sebastián
La Concha, one of the most beautiful city beaches in Europe, with Santa Clara island in the middle of the bay.
What to see in San Sebastián
Canary Islands
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SpainFuerteventura
The Corralejo dunes, wild Cofete and the Sotavento lagoon, with turquoise water all year round.
What to see in Fuerteventura -
SpainLanzarote
The Papagayo coves, golden sand between cliffs, in a protected area in the south of the island.
What to see in Lanzarote -
SpainLa Graciosa
Almost empty beaches such as Playa de las Conchas, facing the northern islets, on an island without tarmac.
What to see in La Graciosa
Frequently asked questions
What is the most beautiful beach in Spain?
It depends on what you’re after: Ses Illetes (Formentera) and the coves of Menorca for their water, Mónsul in Cabo de Gata for its volcanic landscape, Rodas on the Cíes Islands, Bolonia in Tarifa or the Cathedrals beach in Ribadeo.
Which beaches need booking?
The Cíes Islands in season (a permit from the Xunta and a boat ticket) and the Cathedrals beach at Easter, in summer and on some long weekends. In Menorca and Cabo de Gata, car access is limited in summer.
When is the best time for the beach in Spain?
June to September on the mainland and in the Balearics; May and October are quieter and the water is still pleasant. In the Canaries you can go to the beach all year round.
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Reviewed 20 October 2026. Dates and seasonal warnings: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.
Cover photo: Ana Ulin (CC BY-SA 2.0), Wikimedia Commons.