HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

With 589 Blue Flag beaches to choose from, Spain is a haven for those looking to soak up the sun and top up their tan.

The great thing about living here is that you are almost spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a spot to pitch up your parasol for the day.

A day at the beach also makes for a great family day out and is an excellent way to keep the little ones entertained.

After much research, we’ve come up with a list of what just may be the 12 best beaches in Spain.

So in no particular order, let’s take a look at the top 12 beaches that Spain has to offer.

1. CALA AGULLA - MALLORCA

Located on the east coast of the island of Mallorca, Cala Agulla is easily one of the best beaches in Spain.

Cala Agulla is a Blue Flag beach which is around 500 metres in length and is situated in an idyllic spot surrounded by lush green, pine forests and the Llevant Natural Park.

Image by lapping from Pixabay

2. LA CONCHA (LA KONTXA) - SAN SEBASTIAN

Located in San Sebastian in the Basque Country, La Concha beach is considered to be one of the best beaches in Spain.

Concha is Spanish for ‘shell’ and you can see why the beach was named as such given its shell-like shape. The promenade is filled with a multitude of bars, restaurants and tapas bars for you to sample when not soaking up the sun.

La Concha beach is almost one mile long and rarely gets packed, even during the busier summer months. As an added bonus, the waters are usually nice and calm which makes it ideal for swimming, paddle boarding and other water sports.

Image 123RF

3. CALA SANTA GALDANA - MENORCA

Located in Menorca, Cala Galdana is considered to be one of Spain’s loveliest beaches.

The beach was awarded the coveted Blue Flag in 2016 and it’s easy to see why. Cala Galdana is made up of soft white sand and is surrounded by fragrant pine trees and rugged cliffs.

The beach is well protected and there are lifeguards on duty so it is a great choice for families with children. There are also a number of beachside shops selling everything you need for a fun-packed day on this fabulous beach.

You will also find a good range of beach activities available to hire including kayaks, paddleboards and paddleboats.

Paul Stephenson / CC BY

4. PLATJA DE BARCELONETA - BARCELONA

Barceloneta beach is Barcelona’s oldest and best-loved. Located in the fishing district of the city, it’s a favourite of both locals and tourists who love to enjoy seafood and tapas during their visit.

Barcelona’s most famous beach has soft golden brown sand with all the amenities you could wish for including water sports, showers and toilets, lifeguards, beach volleyball, a children’s play area, restaurants and even a beach library. The beach is also close to the city centre so is in the perfect location for those using public transport.

Image Credit: CPG83 / CC BY-SA

5. CIES ISLANDS - PONTEVEDRA

The Cies Islands (Monteagudo, Do Faro and San Martín) are an archipelago located off the coast of Pontevedra in Galicia and feature what has to be some of Spain’s most beautiful beaches.

Sitting in the mouth of the Ria de Vigo, the three Islands are a part of the Galicia National Park and were declared a Nature Reserve in 1980.

There are a total of nine beaches to choose from including Playa de Rodas which was voted as one of the top 10 beaches of the world by UK newspaper, The Guardian.

Image by Juanjogo from Pixabay

6. LAS TERESITAS BEACH - TENERIFE

Playa de las Teresitas is possibly Tenerife’s biggest kept secret and a great reason to visit this popular holiday destination.

The beach is situated below the Anaga Mountains near the village of San Andrés and close to the capital, Santa Cruz.

The beach is covered in soft golden sand which is unusual for the beaches of Tenerife. The sand was actually imported from the Sahara and used to cover up the black volcanic sand which is usually found on the beaches of the island.

As the beach features a breakwater, the water is relatively calm and shallow which is great for those wishing to swim and younger children having a dip.

Image Source: https://pixy.org/430031/

7. PORTINATX BEACH - IBIZA

Portinatx comprises of three beaches that are located in the northernmost tip of the island.

The three beaches are S'Arenal Gros, S'Arenal Petit and Playa Porto Beach.

The beaches are in a quiet and secluded location and offer soft white sand, crystal clear water and stunning views across the bay.

There are also some lovely scenic walks to be found at these beaches so be sure to have your camera available for some great snaps.

The beaches can easily be reached by car, bus or ferry from San Antonio and are safe for children.

Image Credit: Peter Müller from Pixabay

8. CALA MACARELLETA - MENORCA 

The Balearic Island of Menorca is packed with beautiful bays that have the most beautiful electric blue waters and pale sandy beaches.

Sandwiched between pine-lined cliffs, the twin bays of Macarella and Macarelleta are just two of them.

A far less crowded beach than others close by, the shallow turquoise waters of Macarelleta gives the bay a tropical feel, making it a stunning place to swim and sunbathe.

Arguably one of the prettiest spots on the island (if not in the whole of the Mediterranean).

Image Credit: https://jujunatrip.com/menorca-guia-completo-da-ilha/ / CC BY-SA

9. PLAYA DE CALAHONDA - NERJA

Many of the postcards from Nerja contain an image of one of the areas most iconic and stunning beaches, Playa de Calahonda.

The small and sheltered beach sits next to Nerja’s most famous of attractions, the Balcón de Europa. Due to the size of the beach, it can get crowded during the summer months so get there early.

There are a large number of cafes, bars and restaurants close by for you to get a snack while overlooking the beach.

Image Credit: Rober Martinez / CC0

10. CALA GAT - MALLORCA

Mallorca offers so many stunning coves and any list would be incomplete without the addition of Cala Gat (Bay of Cats).

Cala Gat is located in the resort of Cala Ratjada on the east of the Island and features crystal clear turquoise waters and fine golden sands.

However, the beach is only around 40 metres wide and 20 metres deep meaning that space is at a premium, especially during the busier summer months.

Cala Gat is excellent for snorkelling and a day at the beach would not be complete without a stroll to the nearby lighthouse of Capdepera.

Source: Simon Dannhauer

11. CALA MITJANA - MENORCA 

Located on the beautiful southern coast of Menorca, Cala Mitjana is one of a pair of stunning coves, the other being Mitjaneta.

The wooded path that leads you down to the soft sandy beach, offers plenty of viewpoints that look out across the bay, where you can capture the beauty through your camera lens.

Once at the beach, the clear blue waters will make you feel like you are in the Caribbean, but the pine trees and rock formations that are typical of this area, bring you the natural beauty of Spain.

The unspoilt Cala Mitjana with its calm waters is the perfect place for snorkelling.

Image Credit: Wasquewhat / CC BY-SA

12. PLAYA DE CABOPINO - MARBELLA

Image Credit: Spain-Holiday

Located around 10 km east of Marbella, Cabopino has become very popular and is considered to be one of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol.

Measuring around 1,500 metres in length and around 30 metres deep, Cabopino features soft golden sand and beautiful clear and shallow waters making it popular with families.

The beach offers a chiringuito with many others to be found at the nearby Cabopino Port.

Of course, no article can ever list all of the best beaches in Spain, there are just far too many to mention.

Hopefully, our list has inspired you to venture out and visit one or two of these beaches or to go in search of others that may be off the beaten track.

So what’s your favourite beach? Let us know via our Facebook page.