Writer: Helena Bergström
Updated: August 2026 | Spain has thousands of beaches, from long sandy beaches on the Mediterranean to windswept surf beaches in the north. During our motorhome trips we have visited many different parts of the Spanish coast. Here we have collected seven beaches that we ourselves have fallen in love with – from Zarautz in the Basque Country to Tarifa in the far south. Our personal favorite was the beach at El Templo del Sol south of Tarragona.
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Beautiful beaches in Spain
Which are the most beautiful beaches in Spain is of course a matter of taste. Here we have collected seven beaches that we have personally fallen in love with during our travels – from the Basque surf coast in the north to the beaches of Andalusia in the south.
1. Platja del Torn at El Templo del Sol – our favorite
Platja del Torn is located near L'Hospitalet de l'Infant, about 40 km southwest of Tarragona. The long beach is framed by cliffs, greenery and mountains, and here you can avoid the dense hotel development that can be found at many other Spanish seaside resorts. Next to the beach is the naturist campsite El Templo del Sol, where we stayed during our visit. Of all the beaches we saw during this trip, this was our personal favorite.
READ MORE: El Templo del Sol – Spanish naturist campsite
2. Zarautz – surfing beach between the mountains
The beach in Zarautz is beautifully situated between green mountains on the Basque coast in northern Spain. It is long, wide and popular with surfers, but also great for walking and regular beach life. We stayed at Gran Camping high above the town and had a fantastic view of both the beach and the sea.
READ MORE: Zarautz and Gran Camping with panoramic views
3. Tarifa – beach life at the southern tip of Europe
Tarifa is the southernmost point on the Spanish mainland, with Morocco visible across the Strait of Gibraltar on clear days. It has long sandy beaches and an open, windswept landscape that attracts kite and windsurfers. We especially liked the feeling of being where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic.
READ MORE: Tarifa in Spain – Europe's southernmost city
4. Peñíscola – sandy beach with castle in the background
Peñíscola’s long sandy beach is given an extra special setting by the historic old town and the mighty castle that rises on the cliff by the sea. We were really unlucky with the weather when we were here – the rain poured down – but even in grey weather we could see why the place is so popular. In the sunshine, the combination of beach and medieval skyline is hard to beat.
READ MORE: Peniscola – historic coastal town with a mighty castle
5. Benidorm – beach amidst skyscrapers
Benidorm is perfect for those who like the combination of beach life and a big city feel. The long sandy beaches of Playa de Levante and Playa de Poniente are located right in front of the city's characteristic skyline with tall skyscrapers. It's a completely different type of beach experience than in smaller-scale seaside resorts - but it's the contrast that makes Benidorm special.
READ MORE: 10 things to do in Benidormm
6. Torre del Mar – long beach and promenade
Torre del Mar has a long and wide beach with darker and slightly coarser sand than many other Spanish seaside resorts. Just above the beach runs a pleasant promenade that is perfect for walking, jogging and stopping at one of the restaurants or beach bars. The resort has a relaxed feel and works well for those who want to combine beach life with a calmer everyday life.
READ MORE: Torre del Mar – beach life on the Costa del Sol
7. Roquetas de Mar – beach life on the Costa de Almería
Roquetas de Mar offers a long stretch of coastline with wide beaches, palm trees and a promenade that continues through much of the resort. The surface varies between dark sand, pebbles and gravel, but there is plenty of space and a distinct holiday feel. We stayed at a campsite near the beach and found the resort to be a good place to stop off for a relaxing break along the southern coast of Spain.
READ MORE: Rouquetas de Mar – beach life on the Costa de Almería
Do you have a suggestion for the most beautiful beach in Spain? Please tell us!
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BP says:
Miami Beach, Sopot/Gdansk, Jurmala/Riga and yes, I love Benidorm's framed clean beaches. A little culture clash over them as well:-)
26 March 2015 - 18:16
Matts Torebring says:
This is exactly the kind of beach we like. The opposite is Camping Rubicone, Italy with 3 m2 to share, for two men under a parasol. That's why we never go back there. Have a good time
26 March 2015 - 21:04
Steve says:
I like what I see in the first picture.
26 March 2015 - 23:10
JoY says:
Beautiful beach, that's how I want a beach to be, long sandy beach and deserted or a little bit crowded.
Hugs
26 March 2015 - 23:31
Nils-Åke Hansson says:
Tavira - Santa Luzia Barril a place to remember.
Barril beach is one of the calmest beaches in the Algarve's South coast, even escaping from the high season floods that unfortunately are common to other beaches of the region. Its waters are calm and warm during
Nisse
27 March 2015 - 0:33
Casa Annika says:
It looks lovely! Wonderful colour of the water!
My favourite beach is here in "my" part of Spain:-)
I don't know its name but it's located between Matalascañas and Mazagón. It's a bit scary to get down using a rope, but worth it! Although with the little one, it will probably take until the next visit...
I see no charm all with beaches surrounded by ugly high-rise buildings.
Here I wrote about my favourite beach: http://casaannika.blogspot.com.es/2012/04/den-storslagna-stranden.html
27 March 2015 - 2:03
Marina says:
I've been to very little in Spain, and certainly not to any beautiful beaches, so I'm happy to follow you on so that when I go there I can choose the best places!
27 March 2015 - 3:42
admin says:
BP, I think more natural beaches are more beautiful, but there is a point to sunbathing and swimming at a bigger city like Benidorm too!
Matts, isn't it hard when it's so crowded? Now there are different seasons too, but I still don't think it will be that crowded, there is hardly anything around....
JoY, agree!
Nils-Åke, Portugal has very nice beaches! We liked the beach in Gale at Albufeira. In Tavira we were never at the beach (except in the surroundings a bit) but we have seen pictures! Seems very nice!
Casa Annika, oh it sounds very dramatic with a rope to get down! But then it will probably not be so crowded with people!!!? Will go into the link as soon as I finish writing here.
Marina, it's so nice to have you join us!
27 March 2015 - 8:07
Ditte says:
What a lovely beach and of course I want sand and not gravel. Have noted the name for future needs.
At La Mata, in the northern part of Torrevieja, the beach is several kilometres long and wide, with lovely sand dunes and beautiful greenery. But your beach looked more beautiful to me.
But when it comes to beaches in the world, I choose one in Fiji, an atoll with chalk-white sand and turquoise water and virtually no buildings.
27 March 2015 - 11:38
Kors och Tvärs says:
In itself, I have not seen so many of Spain's beaches, but our favourite beach in Spain is below camping CalaGogo just north of Platja D´Aro. There is the beach and nature around as if you are in Croatia 🙂.
27 March 2015 - 18:18
admin says:
Ditte, I suspect there may be some nice beaches here and there in Spain, if you know about them. Note that this beach is probably a naturist beach (although it's mostly empty right now), but there are probably equally nice beaches around. However, I have been a bit surprised that so many beaches in Spain are gravel beaches!
Kors and Tvärs, thanks for the tips! Will have to look at a map to see where it is!
27 March 2015 - 18:43
Inga M says:
Nice beach it was! Well, I never travel so there have not been so many beaches, mostly the one at Östra Silen and they are nice but not so big. as a young man I was of course once in the Canary Islands and there was a nice beach at Maspalomas.
29 March 2015 - 8:43