Dreaming of the best beaches in Spain? The Iberian Peninsula and Spain’s islands are among the top European destinations for a perfect beach vacation. Beyond the well-known Costa Brava, Costa Blanca, and Costa del Sol, Spain is home to countless stunning beaches. In this post, I’ve compiled an extensive map of them, highlighting not only the most popular spots but also the lesser-known gems that are still off the beaten path and far from the crowds.

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Amazing Lesser-known Beaches in Spain

Which part of Spain has the best beaches

Friends often ask me to recommend my favorite beaches for an epic Spanish vacation, and I’ll admit, I get a bit overwhelmed – there are just so many amazing beaches I’ve discovered over the past 15 years in Spain. Some are tucked away in less touristy spots, feeling like hidden gems, while others are more popular but still feel like a secret paradise if you visit off-season.

While many tourists flock to Costa Brava and Costa del Sol (which I do love, especially in the off-season), they’re not my personal top picks for beaches in Spain.

In my opinion, two destinations really stand out for that perfect paradise beach vibe: Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands and Formentera in the Balearic Islands. That said, there are countless beautiful beaches scattered throughout Spain, each with its own unique charm. However, if I were planning a holiday where I’d want to discover a new epic beach every day, I’d definitely book a flight to one of these two destinations.

Where is the clearest water in Spain?

Of all the beaches I’ve visited in Spain over more than 15 years, the clearest turquoise waters I’ve seen were in Formentera, Menorca, and Fuerteventura, as well as in a few coves along the Costa Blanca, such as Cala Moraig and Cala Racó de Conill. Menorca, in particular, stands out with stunning spots like Cala en Turqueta and Cala Macarella.

Which beach in Spain has the best white sand?

The beaches of Formentera are known as “the Caribbean of Spain”, thanks to their crystal-clear waters and white sands. The most famous one is Ses Illetes. Also, Las Teresitas Beach in Tenerife and Corralejo Beach in Fuerteventura have picture-perfect white sands.

What is the nicest beach town in Spain?

My favorite beach town in southern Spain is Tarifa, although Nerja, Cádiz, and Mojácar are also great choices for beach holidays in Spain. Also, Sitges, Benicassim, Altea, and Calpe are really charming, in my opinion.

Top 20 Popular Beaches in Spain

The best beaches in Spain are often awarded the prestigious Blue Flag, with around 600 beaches across the country having this distinction right now. Before we dive into some of Spain’s lesser-known gems, let’s take a look at the top 20 most famous beaches.

By clicking on each one, you can also read traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, so you can get my perspective along with others’ experiences and make the best choice for your beach getaway in Spain.

• Playa de Levante / Benidorm, Alicante
• Playa la Granadella / Jávea, Alicante
• Playa de la Fossa / Calpe, Alicante
• Playa del Portet / Moraira, Alicante
• Playa de la Malagueta / Málaga, Costa del Sol
• Playa de Bolonia / Tarifa, Cádiz
• Playa de los Genoveses / Cabo de Gata, Almería
• Playa de Alcudia / Mallorca, Balearic Islands
• Playa de Muro / Mallorca, Balearic Islands
• Cala Mondragó / Mallorca, Balearic Islands
• Cala Pregonda / Menorca, Balearic Islands
• Cala Macarella / Menorca, Balearic Islands
• Cala Mitjana / Menorca, Balearic Islands
• Cala en Turqueta / Menorca, Balearic Islands
• Cala Salada / Ibiza, Balearic Islands
• Cala d’Hort / Ibiza, Balearic Islands
• Playa de las Salinas / Ibiza, Balearic Islands
• Cala Gració / Ibiza, Balearic Islands
• Cala Comte / Ibiza, Balearic Islands
• Playa de Ses Illetes / Formentera, Balearic Islands

Map of the best beaches in Spain

The map below features a selection of top-rated beaches in Spain, along with some of my personal favorites. It’s ideal for first-timers, offering a curated list without overwhelming you with the full range of options. You can also save the complete map on Google here.

Epic lesser-known beaches in Spain

Beaches in Costa del Azahar

Costa del Azahar is the name for the coastal area in the less touristy province of Castellon, in the Province of Valencia. While the most popular spots among international visitors are Peñíscola, Alcossebre, and Oropesa, many locals prefer to focus their attention on Benicassim.

Although, if you’re a fan of festivals, you might have heard of Benicassim because of FIB (Festival Internacional de Benicàssim) or family-friendly Rototom Sunsplash.

Top Costa del Azahar beaches not to miss:

• Playa Norte in Peñíscola
• Playa Romana in Alcossebre
• Playa de La Concha in Oropesa
• Playa del Serradal in Benicassim
• Playa del Arenal in Burriana

Beaches of Costa de la Luz

Until recent years, Costa de la Luz was my personal undiscovered gem on the map of Spain. However, my trip to Cádiz changed that forever. Costa de la Luz is located in the southwestern part of Spain, along the Atlantic Ocean and includes the provinces of Cádi and Huelva. Its desert-like white sands are truly epic. Some of the most unique beaches of Costa de la Luz are Zahara de los Atunes, Bolonia, La Caleta, La Barrosa, Caños de Meca, La Ballena, and Palmar.

However, the small town of Tarifa deserves a special mention, as it holds a personal place in my heart. Tarifa is one of my favorite destinations in Spain and one of the best places to visit in Andalusia. While it may not boast warm, smooth waters (as Tarifa lies at the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic), it is known for long white-sand beaches with the African continent on the backdrop.

Top Costa de la Luz beaches not to miss:

• Playa de Bolonia in Tarifa
• Playa de los Caños de Meca
• Playa del Cabo de la Plata in Zahara de los Atunes
• Playa de la barrosa in Chiclana de la Frontera
• Playa de la Ballena between Rota y Chipiona

Beaches of Costa de Almeria

Situated in the southern province of Andalusia, Almería often gets overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, Costa del Sol. One of the biggest gems of Costa de Almería is Mojácar, undoubtedly the prettiest of Andalusia’s white villages. Additionally, Playa de los Muertos is one of the most stunning beaches I’ve visited in Spain, thanks to its unique atmosphere, crystal-clear water, and a 1,600-meter stretch of unspoiled sand.

Located in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, to reach it, you’ll need to navigate a steep, 800-meter path after parking nearby. But just look at this picture – isn’t it worth it?! Of course, Almería has many more beautiful beaches, including Monsul, Los Genoveses, Las Negras, Cala de Enmedio, and Aguadulce. For more travel tips, check out my Almería Holiday Guide.

Top Costa de Almeria beaches not to miss:

• Playa de los Muertos in Carboneras
• Playa de los Genoveses in Nijar
• Cala de Enmedioen in Nijar
• Playa de las Negras in Nijar
• Playa de Aguadulce in Roquetas de Mar

Beaches in Northern Spain

Another place with extremely beautiful beaches and stunning cliffs is Northern Spain. However, due to the frequent rainfall, you can’t always count on perfect sunny beach weather, even during the summer months. The last time we visited Asturias in July, it rained all week.

In contrast, during my trip to the Basque Country in August, we enjoyed four consecutive sunny days and even visited the popular Game of Thrones filming location, Zumaya Beach. While you might get lucky with the weather, let’s face it – statistically, rain is more likely. Read more about the beaches of Northern Spain in this post.

Beaches of the Balearic Islands

No doubt, one of the most romantic places in Spain is Formentera in the Balearic Islands. In my opinion, the best Caribbean-like beaches of Spain are all here. It’s a small island, accessible by ferry from Ibiza (and also from Valencia/Denia during the summer months). There aren’t many hotels on the island, and prices tend to be high.

Nevertheless, Formentera remains an exclusive natural paradise. It’s a favorite spot for celebrities and soccer players looking to escape the crowds. Many rent boats for even more privacy. While it may not be a completely off-the-beaten-path destination, it still maintains a sense of exclusivity. You can visit Formentera as a day trip from Ibiza, with some ferries allowing you to bring a car. Check this post for more details on my recent magical weekend in Formentera.

While Ibiza and Mallorca are popular beach destinations, visiting both in May or late September offers an entirely different experience. During these months, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Spanish islands almost to yourself. Also, if you choose Mallorca and Ibiza, make sure to avoid the capitals – you won’t believe how these islands change once the summer crowds are gone. If you want to combine beach time with occasional sightseeing (or maybe even parties), these islands might be perfect for you.

Another great alternative for sun-soaked shores and crystal-clear waters is Menorca. You can read more about my trip and the beaches there in this post.

Top beaches of the Balearic Islands not to miss:

• Ses Illetes in Formentera
• Aigües Blanques in Ibiza
• Caló del Moro in Mallorca
• Sa Calobra in Mallorca
• Playa de Cavalleria in Menorca
• Cala Macarella in Menorca
• Cala en Turqueta in Menorca

Beaches of the Canary Islands

When talking about the best beaches in Spain, you really can’t overlook the Canary Islands. These islands are my personal number one when it comes to stunning, otherworldly landscapes in Spain. Over the past few years, I’ve visited Lanzarote, Tenerife, and Fuerteventura several times. The only one I haven’t yet explored is Gran Canaria. While the waters in the Canary Islands are much colder than the Mediterranean, the volcanic landscapes and black sand beaches feel incredibly unique. Plus, technically, the Canary Islands are much closer to Africa than to Europe, giving them an exotic vibe. I visited Lanzarote and Tenerife in the summer, and neither felt as overcrowded as the Balearic Islands.

Playa de Aguila is one of the most picturesque beaches in Fuerteventura, and the island boasts over 150 beaches. You shouldn’t miss Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Sotavento, Cofete, Aljibe de la Cueva, and La Concha. As for Lanzarote, the trendiest beach on the island, Playa de Papagayo, is often packed, but the nearby Playa del Pozo was nearly empty during my visit. Another incredible Canarian beach experience is heading to La Graciosa Island – you can catch a ferry towards it from Orzola in the northeast of Lanzarote.

Tenerife, however, is the most impressive island in the Canary archipelago when it comes to landscapes, hiking, and activities. Its Playa de Las Teresitas is unforgettable. Other must-see beaches include Playa del Socorro, Playa de la Nea, Playa de Almaciga (near Playa Benijo), Playa de la Tejita, Playa Jardin, and Playa de las Vistas – all of which are truly unique.

Top beaches of the Balearic Islands not to miss:

• Playas Papagayo in Lanzarote
• Playa de Las Teresitas in Tenerife
• Playa del Bajo de la Burra in Fuerteventura
• Playa de Sotavento in Fuerteventura
• Playa de Maspalomas in Gran Canaria

Complete map of the beaches in Spain

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For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

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