11 Best Beach Towns in Spain to Visit This Summer

There’s no other place like Maspalomas. This beach town south of Gran Canaria island perfectly combines mesmerizing nature and holiday resort comfort. Its main selling point is Maspalomas Dunes, a sublime Sahara-like desert landscape that meets the Atlantic Ocean waters. Usually, you’d need to embark on a day trip or get transport to reach such a place. Here, it’s just a short walk from your hotel. This juxtaposition of modern amenities and semi-wild nature makes Maspalomas one of the best beach towns in Spain. Long, sandy Playa del Ingles is among the country’s best stretches, perfect for lounging and water sports. And don’t miss the spectacular sunsets from Maspalomas Lighthouse set in the middle of a lovely promenade.

Spain’s answer to Santorini, Altea is a photogenic marvel of a beach town. The whitewashed Old Town here is perched on a hill with the best views of the Alboran Sea. Cats roam freely unbothered by tourists, the terraces of tavernas are full of tapas-consuming folk and everywhere you look is an Instagrammable scene. Beautiful Santa Maria del Consol d’Altea Church tops the hill with the sun reflecting from its blue-tiled domes. Altea does inspiring visuals very well. But it’s not only the narrow streets and balconies drowning in flowers here; Altea is also a serious beach town with some of the best stretches in Costa Blanca. 500-meter-long Playa La Roda is perfect for a quick dip after exploring the Old Town. For something more secluded, go to coved Mascarat Beach, protected by the rocks.

Are you looking for a quieter Spanish beach town experience? Then Villajoyosa in the province of Alicante is a great pick. With over 2 miles of gorgeous Mediterranean beaches, this small Costa Blanca destination is ideal for an unhurried and affordable break. Also, it’s very scenic here. The trademark vista of Villajoyosa is one of the coastal houses painted in different colors. Behind, you’ve got a cozy old town with labyrinthine streets and infinite siesta feels in the air. While skyscraper-dotted Benidorm is just a few miles away, Villajoyosa feels very serene and relaxing. Distances are short if you stay in town and the glorious pebbly Playa Centro is never too far. Go on a kayak tour to reach charming Cala Fonda and Racó del Conill, two coves with a stunning mountain background near Villajoyosa.

Set on the northern coast of Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz serves dramatic views. With Mount Teide active volcano towering over, this town is known for its black beaches formed by lava. The deal here is the all-year-round leisure thanks to the mild climate of the Canary’s largest island. The town is also a great place to base yourself for discovering the marvels of Tenerife’s northern coast, such as Telde National Park, Icod de los Vinos vineyards and numerous charcos (natural pools of volcanic origin). As for the beaches, San Telmo is a Blue Flag black sand stretch with natural rocky pools. Head to Playa Maria Jiménez overlooking the colorful Punta Brava neighborhood for the most scenic panoramas.

“Out beyond where the headlands of the Concha almost met to form the harbor there was a white line of breakers and the open sea,” wrote Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises. The writer was a fan of Donostia-San Sebastian and this Basque Country seaside gem got a loving feature in Hemingway’s first novel. And you can experience it in the same hedonistic way the book’s protagonist did. San Sebastián is for slow promenade walking, inspired terrace coffee-sipping and long ocean bathing. Also, it’s among Spain’s culinary strongholds with many top-notch eateries serving the best meals of seafood-heavy Basque cuisine. Have fresh oysters, try Basque cod in pil-pil sauce (a mix of garlic, olive oil, and herbs) and savor the txangurro (or a spider crab).

You can’t go wrong with Alicante as it’s where the Spanish beach town bliss is. First of all, this city is beautiful. The medieval castle crowns the mighty Mount Benacantil, offering fantastic views over the white beaches of the Levantine coast. The local streets are bustling with life and greet you with numerous bars and restaurants where terraces never stand empty. Passeig de l’Esplanada d’Espanya promenade is dotted with palm trees and sports iconic wavy tiles. A superb sandy Playa del Postiguet is right at the end of the city center, so access to Mediterranean waters is very straightforward. Also, Alicante is well-connected to other Costa Blanca towns such as Santa Pola, Calp and Denia, giving you many day trip beach options.

Electronic music hits have immortalized this Balearic island as the world’s best place for unlimited partying. But Ibiza (also known as Eivissa) is much more than just a night out. The island’s eponymous capital city may well be the most beautiful beach destination in the country. It welcomes you with an epic Dalt Vila, the medieval walled Upper Town with the Gothic-Baroque Catedral de Santa Maria. Walk through the cobblestone streets, check out the hole-in-the-wall bar hangouts and visit small art museums like Museu Puget. Then there are iconic Ibiza white-sand stretches. Talamanca, Figueretes and the legendary ďen Bossa (where the top clubs like Ushuaïa are located) offer exemplary Balearic beach experiences. Come in May or September for the best balance between busy (but not overcrowded) nightlife and beach leisure.

It’s easy to fall in love with Málaga. The capital of Costa del Sol and the leisure heart of Andalusia are all charms. Even though it’s far from a small town (half a million people live here), the city feels relaxed and welcoming. Maybe 16 beaches help keep things laid back. Málaga is great for a complete South of Spain experience. You’ll start your day with a tostada con tomate y aceite (a toast with tomato spread and olive oil) and a cafe con leche (coffee with milk) on a terrace in the heart of the Old Town. Then, explore the rich Moorish heritage of Alcazaba palace and enjoy dramatic views from Gibralfaro Castle. For culture, explore the Soho neighborhood, visit Museo Picasso (the painter was born in Málaga) and check out Centre Pompidou for contemporary art. Sunsets are best enjoyed sitting on the sand of superb Malagueta Beach or eating sardine skewers at chiringuitos (beach bars with open-air grills). Málaga is a delight.

Green is a dominant color in the northern Spanish region of Asturias. Here, the mighty peaks of Picos de Europa National Park tower over idyllic fishing towns hugged by the Cantabrian Sea. Ribadesella is arguably the most striking of them all, with its long sandy beaches, hidden coves and proximity to all the top natural sights of the region. The bridge over the Sella River divides the town into two parts. Every year, on the first Saturday of August, the waterway hosts the Sella River Canoe Descent, one of the highlights of Astrurias’ festival agenda. If you enjoy walking next to the ocean, explore Acantilados del Infierno, among Spain’s most dramatic cliffside hikes.

Brava’s most treasured gem, it has been a seaside refuge for many celebrated artists. Salvador Dalí lived and painted here (you can visit his Portlligat house-museum). Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Marcel Duchamp and even Walt Disney spent summers surrounded by the beauty of the gentle Cap de Creus peninsula. Gabriel García Márquez wrote about Cadaqués in his Strange Pilgrims stories. In other words, this town is as artistic as it gets. Old white houses with blue windows cinematically climb over a hill and pebbly coves invite discreet bathing. Don’t forget to taste the culinary hits such as cuttlefish with peas and fish suquet with locally-produced rosé on the side.

If you were to choose the Spanish beach town with the most postcard-worthy view, it must be Peñíscola. This destination is a photogenic marvel set in Castellón province north of Valencia. The walled medieval quarter mixes Islamic and Christian influences with the hilltop Castell de Peñíscola overlooking the long sandy playa. Getting lost among the narrow labyrinthine streets is a must. Afterward, it’s best to head straight to one of the local beaches. Plage Nord is the longest, with dramatic vistas of the castle “emerging” from the water. Platja Sur is for a more laid-back, family-friendly vibe with calm surf and many traditional restaurants on the promenade.