Last Updated: May 18, 2022
Best Beach Towns In Spain
The Spanish coastline runs for some 3000 miles and it includes 60 islands too, so it should hardly be surprising that Spain is packed full of some of the most beautiful coastal towns. Not only does each coastal town have its own charm but the picturesque beaches that go with them are the cherry on top.
If you are thinking about traveling to Spain this summer, you are going to want to check out the best beach towns in Spain, and we have them all here for you. From large picturesque towns to quaint fishing villages, you will be dazzled by what the best beach towns in Spain have to offer.
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Malaga
Malaga sits in southern Spain on the Costa Del Sol, which means the Sunshine Coast. Life on the Costa Del Sol is one full of light and instead of landing in Malaga and heading to a remote part of Andalucia in Southeast Spain, we’d highly recommend staying in Malaga for a few nights.
Malaga is packed full of art and culture and being the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, you can visit a museum dedicated to him as well as numerous other museums too. There is art on every corner of this beach town and old traditional architecture blends in well with the new modern cityscape.
If you love live performances, you should catch a world-class flamenco or ballet at the Cervantes Theater and spend some time on the local beach La Malagueta. This is one of the more magical urban beaches in the world, covered with golden sands and some epic restaurants. The seafood is grilled in front of you and couldn’t get any fresher and it is absolutely delicious.
Alicante
Alicante sits in the southeast of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea and is renowned as one of the best beach towns in Spain if you want a chilled beach holiday.
Alicante is one of the beach cities in Spain that is renowned for catering to every need of a beach vacation whether it’s for a family vacation, romantic getaway, or a wild time with some friends.
Sitting at the heart of Spain’s Costa Blanca, Alicante is home to great architecture, beaches, restaurants, and lots more.
Some of the main sights to see include the marble-tiled promenades lined with palm trees, the views from the 9th century Santa Bárbara Castle, and a short distance from the city is the Castell de Sant Ferran, the remains of an early-19th-century castle.
A stroll around the port of Alicante is lovely and this is a great place to stop and eat at one of the many seafood restaurants, and the golden sand beaches to the north and south are great for swimming and sunbathing next to the Mediterranean and stroll around Albufera natural park is a must too.
Ibiza Town
Ibiza Town, the capital of the Balearic Island, is probably one of the most well-known beach towns in Spain, as it is renowned for, as I am sure you know, being the party capital of Europe’s summertime.
But we are not recommending Ibiza Town for the parties, there is a lot more to this quaint old town than most know about. It’s charming, full of culture, with beautiful architecture and amazing views over the Mediterranean.
Dalt Vila is a magical medieval town sitting on a clifftop that offers views of the sea that seem to go on forever onto 16th-century buildings. In fact, it is so impressive that it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A stroll around Ibiza Town will have you dripping in culture and you’ll discover quaint restaurants and bars, and you’ll see the real Ibiza.
Of course, you are never far from a beach when in a beach town, and the Playa de Talamanca in Ibiza Town is stunning. It is the perfect place for a walk and one of the best beaches for swimming in the Balearic Sea as it is well protected.
Cadiz
Sitting close to the southernmost tip of Spain is the wonderful beach town of Cadiz that is literally surrounded by sandy beaches and the Atlantic Ocean.
Cadiz is all about its location as it sits on a spit island off the coast of Spain and the beach town embraces the sea in every aspect from unique architecture to lifestyle, and more. The old town is built around the port which was the center of the locals’ lives in the past.
As you stroll around Cadiz you will notice elements that point to why this beach town is the oldest continually inhabited city in Spain. There are loads of lighthouses to check out, piers, and the port is stunning to stroll around.
The south side of Cadiz is lined with a beach that seems to just go on and on which makes sense since it’s an old town perched on an island in the sea. The white sand beaches are great for long walks, swimming, sitting out in the sun, and doing some watersports in the stunning turquoise waters.
San Sebastian
Sitting in Northern Spain close to the border with France is a gem of the Spanish coastline and one of the best coastal towns in the world in my opinion.
San Sebastian is one of the best beach towns in Spain without question as it has it all including amazing food, architecture, culture, beaches, and more.
Sitting on the coast of the Basque Country where mountains seem to fall into the sea, the backdrop of this old town is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
There are two beaches in town including the world-famous La Concha, one of the most beautiful beaches in an urban setting with rolling mountains behind it. You then have Zurriola where all the local surfers head to.
San Sebastian is best known for its food and is home to some 11 Michelin star restaurants and the food is fantastic everywhere you go. For a picturesque vacation with the best that Spain has to offer, head to San Sebastian.
Girona
Girona sits in the heart of the Costa Brava, an area that gets its name from the wild dramatic cliffs that fall into the sea. You will find it in the north of Spain on the eastern side and right on the Mediterranean.
The town of Girona isn’t quite like other coastal towns surrounded by sandy beaches, this small town is inland from the sea and the city center is full of medieval architecture and has a stunning river flowing through it.
The coastline is dotted with quaint coastal towns with excellent beaches, some of the best beaches on the Mediterranean coast of Spain in fact. Just imagine quaint fishing villages right on the pebbled shores with crystal clear waters and you will get the picture.
This area of Spain is an absolute delight and you can really immerse yourself in the traditional cultures of Spain if you get out of the busier areas and into the smaller villages off the beaten track.
Tarragona
The stunning town of Tarragona lies an hour south of Barcelona and it is renowned for its golden beaches and small city vibes. Tarragona is a port city that is right on the Mediterranean and it is the perfect place to experience a bit of everything that Spanish coastal towns have to offer.
Sitting in the heart of the Costa Dorada, you will find plenty to do in the city center from visiting museums, to galleries as well as trying out some of the city’s awesome restaurants too. The vibrant culture and vibrant nightlife of this city is pretty incredible too and you will enjoy going to the many bars and clubs if you are looking for a late-night or two.
That being said, there are also some delightfully quiet sides to Tarragona where you can relax, eat amazing food and live a healthy lifestyle surrounded by the ocean and in the sunshine. There are numerous hidden coves you can go explore and the sweeping views are to die for.
Barcelona
The city of Barcelona is one of the most popular cities in Spain when it comes to visitors as it is packed full of art, museums, culture, history, architecture, and some stunning beaches to boot. If there is a city that has it all in Spain, it is Barcelona.
The city’s beaches can get quite busy with tourists and locals in the summer, particularly San Sebastian beach and Barceloneta beach too. This often leads to some fun parties and you can of course get a tan and enjoy a swim too.
There are some small covers a bit further out from the city too including Platja de Sant Adrià de Besòs where you can relax on the beach, away from the crowds, and feel like you’re not in the city anymore.
One of the things this city is most famous for are its incredible parks which include Parc del Mirador del Poble Sec with its mountain views, botanical gardens, 17th-century fortress, and amazing views of the city.
Park Güell is also stunning with it’s blue buildings designed by Gaudi that are covered with both sculptures and mosaics.
Palma
Palma sits on the largest of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca and it is a city that was conquered again and again by anyone who sailed past due to its tactical position. This means Palma is packed full of architecture for a ton of different cultures and it is a dream to wander around.
Sitting up high on the cliffs, you get amazing views across the sea and you can see the sunset from the city too. Some of the sights you should see are the huge Santa Maria cathedral from the 13th century that stands tall over the bay.
The Moorish style Arab fortress that is now a royal residence is also stunning plus Bellver Castle, a medieval fortress on the west side of Palma is also worth a look too.
There aren’t too many beaches around the city but if you head east you will find the stunning Platja de s’Arenal, a magical beach with white sands, crystal clear waters, and a ton of water sports are on offer there too.
Tenerife
Tenerife isn’t quite a coastal town, it is actually an entire island that is a part of the Canary Islands close to Africa. The canary islands are stunning and Tenerife is one of the most popular islands to visit there.
Tenerife is actually a volcanic island and it is home to a huge range of different activities for visitors from surfing and deep-sea fishing to diving, hiking, and partying. The capital, Sant Cruz de Tenerife is packed full of nightclubs and a lot of people having a great time. The black sand beaches are great too.
One thing that has boomed in Tenerife of late is something called Astro-Tourism. There is an observatory on the top of the volcano, Mount Teide’s peak. This provides visitors with some incredible views of space as there is close to zero light pollution, clear skies, and it is at just the right angle too.
Marbella
Another wondering beach town on the Costa Del Sol of Andalucia is Marbella. Marbella is a summer hangout for the rich and famous of Europe and the docks are lined with superyachts and the streets with cars worth more than a Spanish house.
But, you only have to venture out of the center and into the old town to see what this town really has to offer. You will walk past orange trees, and sculptures by Salvador Dali, and can follow the promenade for lovely sea views.
The entire town is lined with beaches covered in golden sands and there is no better way to start your day than with a refreshing dip in the Atlantic.
This is also another Spanish beach town that is great for partying and the strip along the Golden Mile is packed with some of the best nightclubs in the country.
Ribadesella
Sitting in the province of Asturias, my favorite part of Spain is the stunning coastal town of Ribadesella. Ribadesella is stunning with its traditional whitewashed houses bordering the river with mountain views in the background, it is simply stunning.
Ribadesella is a quaint fishing village that is home to the Unesco World Heritage Site of Cueva de Tito Bustillo, a stunning port, clifftop views of the Atlantic, and a fine golden sand beach to boot.
The beach is excellent for surfing while the hiking trails along the cliff tops are quite breathtaking and dramatic as the ocean pounds into the cliffs. The climate in the north of Spain is also much fresher and more manageable than in the south.
The town is one of the largest cider-producing towns in the country and to go with it is some amazing seafood. Washing down fresh mussels, sardines, and more with a range of local ciders that you won’t have ever tasted.
Nerja
Nerja sits east of Malaga on the Costa Del Sol and it has a richer history than most coastal towns in Spain.
There are some amazing things to see such as a prehistoric network of limestone caves that it is believed reached Grenada at one point. You can even go and watch a concert in one of the caves as lots of concerts are held there, especially in the summer.
You should also visit the Balcón de Europa where you will find an incredible view over the seas that stretches on for miles and miles. It was designed as a lookout point so that locals could spot pirates and invaders from afar.
Not only is it packed full of history, this town is right on some beautiful beaches and you can access great hiking trails in the Andalucian hills behind.
Castellon
Castellon is a part of the Costa del Azahar located north of the Costa Brava and Valencia. It is a stunning coastal area of Spain with Mediterranean shores, beaches, and a lot of sights to see also.
The city of Castellon is full of culture as are the nearby cities of Morella and Peniscola. You will find museums, galleries, theatres and lots more.
A place you have to see is the awesome castle in Peniscola and if you are looking for a great beach to hang out at head to Torreblanca. For some delicious seafood go to Vinarois and go inland to Morella to find a walled city with a ton of almond and olive trees.
Sitges
Sitting just outside of Barcelona is the magical beach town of Sitges. This town is packed full of artists and hosts a cultural festival every year featuring music from around the world, films, and a great carnival too.
As well as a load of culture, you will also find some quaint restaurants by the sea, and relaxed pace of life, stunning beaches, and lots more that make this such a great beach town. It is a lot more relaxed than the big cities of Barcelona and Tarragona nearby but still has a great vibe.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
