The 6 Most Stunning Beaches in Spain You Need to Visit

 There are few places on Earth where the beach is as much a part of daily life as in Spain. From the rugged coastlines of the north to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean, there is little in Spain more revered than time spent in the waves. The Spaniards have perfected the seaside holiday. To go to the beach in Spain is to indulge in a day-long celebration of life, beginning with a quick morning dip, followed by two-hour lunches of seafood, and finished with a refreshing glass of sangria as the sun sets below the horizon. Whether you seek crystal-clear swimming lagoons, swanky beach clubs with deep house music playing, or secluded beaches where you can lie out alone in the sun, here are the best beaches in Spain.

Platja de Ses Illetes

Has your eye been caught by a photograph of a beach that seems too beautiful to exist? It’s probably Platja de Ses Illetes. Situated on a sandbar within the Ses Salines Natural Park, in the north of Formentera, it has been voted one of the best beaches in the Mediterranean many times over. As the peninsula is thin, you can look out to brilliant blue water either side. Posidonia oceanica (a UNESCO protected seagrass) forms thick underwater meadows which filter the water to give it a clear, pool-like quality. The sand is fine, almost powdery and pale, flecked with delicate pink streaks of crushed coral.

​Cala Macarelleta

Menorca is the more peaceful, verdant sibling to Mallorca and Ibiza, and Cala Macarelleta is the crown jewel. Located on the south coast of the island, the small inlet is a natural amphitheater surrounded by limestone rocks and pine trees that fall almost vertically down to the shoreline.

The water here is very calm, blue-green and azure and very clear; you can see the shadows of the catamarans that are moored there. Like on many beaches across Spain, clothing is totally optional here and the vibe is super grounded and relaxed.

​Playa de Bolonia

Bolonia beach is the best option if you like spacious, surfy beaches. The beach at Bolonia is located in the southwest corner of Andalusia, near the tip of continental Europe. It is almost four kilometers long. The main feature of the beach is the Duna de Bolonia, a 30 meter high sand dune that borders pine trees. To get to the top of the dune in your swimsuit, you need to have some strong calves, but the view from the dune, looking over the Strait of Gibraltar to the mountains of Morocco when the weather is good, is worth it. Behind the beach lies the archaeological site of Baelo Claudia, a Roman town from the second century BC that is well preserved.

Cala Comte

While Ibiza has dozens of beaches that are up there with the best in the world, Cala Comte (or Cala Conta) is often cited by both residents and visitors as being the best beach on the island. Located on the western tip of Ibiza, Comte is actually several small coves and rocky sunning platforms surrounding a group of tiny, uninhabited islands. The sea colour changes from neon turquoise to deep blue over shallow sandbanks and hidden underwater reefs, which makes it the perfect location for a spontaneous dip with a snorkel. In the late afternoon, these rocks become the best place in Spain for watching the sunset while listening to chill-out tunes wafting up from the Sunset Ashram bar down below.

Playa de Mónsul

Bathed in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, which is Europe’s only genuine desert marine reserve, Playa de Mónsul makes you feel like you’re lying on a different planet. Born from volcanic eruptions eons ago, the beach is distinguished by the Peineta de Mónsul, an incredibly large sculptural wave of volcanic rock that protrudes out from the water, giving it a natural shade from the strong Andalusian sun. Film directors love this beach (the Indiana Jones films were shot here by Steven Spielberg, among others), yet thanks to regional laws, there are no buildings, paved walkways or loud chiringuitos.

Playa de Rodas

Most people think of southern Spain when they hear the word, but hidden away along the northwest coast lies one of Spain’s best kept secrets. Situated off the coast of Vigo in Galicia, the Cíes Islands are a nature reserve and national park that could easily be mistaken for somewhere in the Caribbean. Playa de Rodas is a crescent of sparkling white sand that serves as a natural land bridge between Monteagudo and do Faro. The sea is clear, still and turquoise-blue, although fair warning because it is directly connected to the Atlantic, it’s cold enough to shock you out of a deep sleep. Lying in the sun on the beach with eucalyptus trees and jagged rocks behind you will be nothing short of spectacular.