MADRID – In a country with a coastline of almost 8,000 kilometres, it is still quite a challenge to choose the best beach. Fortunately, the magazine Condé Nast Traveller has already done a pre-selection. Therefore, the dilema has been considerably reduced.
Until May 30 you can vote for the best beach in Spain. Furthermore, all voters also have a chance to win a prize. The editors of Condé Nast Traveller have explored Spain’s coasts north to south and east to west to arrive at the current finalists. But because only one beach can be the winner, the polls are open until May 30. So quickly cast your vote for your favourite beach in Spain!
Numerous paradisiacal beaches
The summer with its accompanying period of freedom invites you to enjoy the place par excellence: the beach. And for a paradise beach, you don’t have to fly to the Caribbean, Mexico or Thailand. Spain has many beautiful coasts with wide and elongated beaches, hidden coves, pebble beaches, city beaches, secluded or nudist beaches, beaches hidden behind dunes and so on. Hence this election. Consequently, perhaps the finalists will inspire you to determine your next holiday destination.
In 2021, Valdevaqueros in Tarifa (Cádiz) was voted the best beach in Spain. A year earlier, that honour went to the beach of San Antonio del Mar in Asturias and in 2019 Playa Papagayo in Lanzarote was the best beach in Spain. Which one will take the honours this year?
The price for participation
Traveller rewards one of the voters with a voucher of €300 to spend when booking a motorhome at Roadsurfer. A motorhome holiday in Spain offers you every opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful beaches in a flexible way.
Also read: The increasingly popular motorhome holidays in Spain
The 10 finalists
Playa de Bolonia (Tarifa, Cadiz, Andalucia)
An elongated beach that ends in a high dune in a nature reserve. The water is clear, and the village of El Lentiscal is messy but offers plenty of restaurants and nice accommodations. And unique is the great Roman site of Baelo Claudia. Walk between columns, walls of 2,000 years old with the Atlantic Ocean as a stunning backdrop.
Ses Illetes (Formentera, Balearic Islands)
Beach number two is located on the smallest island of the Balearic Islands, Formentera near Ibiza. There is still a soothing tranquillity on Formentera. And, like Playa Bolonia, the beach of Ses Illetes is also located in a natural park. A visit is worth it just to experience the sapphire blue sea water that owes its colour to the natural purification by the seagrass.
Playa de Cofete (Fuerteventura, Canary Islands)
The very wide twelve-kilometre-long sandy beach of Cofete on the Canary Island of Fuerteventura is an ideal location for a beach walk on the golden sand. There are no buildings to be seen in fields or roads, nor is there a paved road to reach the beach. However, the strong current makes the sea at this beach less suitable for swimming. For swimming it is better to go to the nearby beach of Juan Gómez.
Playa de Oyambre (Comillas, Cantabria)
This beautiful, long and golden sandy beach is located in the protected natural park of Oyambre. Here, you will also find dunes, marshes, cliffs and forests that are home to rich biodiversity. Moreover, free parking spaces are available just 500 metres from the beach. however, because the sea current can be treacherous, it is advisable to keep a close eye on the warning flags. Surfers, on the other hand, like to use the rough sea.
Cala de Aiguablava (Begur, Girona, Catalonia)
Cala de Aiguablava is a beautiful bay near Begur. The name “Aiguablava” literally means “blue water” in Catalan. The beach is known for its turquoise waters that are so clear that snorkelling and diving are a joy. The beach has fine sand and enough facilities to make your day enjoyable. Furthermore, the idyllic and pristine surroundings complete your experience. However, it is useful to come early in high season to secur a nice spot.
Playa de la Granadella (Jávea, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana)
This beach is more often referred to as the most beautiful beach on the Costa Blanca. It is located in an idyllic, small bay, shielded by impressive cliffs and lush Mediterranean vegetation. The crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea and soft sand make it a perfect destination for swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling and diving. Under water you will find a rich world with colourful fish and interesting rock formations.
Playa de Rodas (Islas Cíes, Pontevedra, Galicia)
This beach is located on the Cíes Islands, an archipelago off the coast of Galicia. The sand is snow-white and the sea water is unusually clear. Rodas is located in the National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia, a protected natural area where it is prohibited to take natural objects such as shells. Furthermore, the beach can only be reached by boat and to protect it there is a maximum number of daily beach guests and you need to make a reservation.
Playa de la Concha (San Sebastián, Guipuzcoa, Basque Country)
This is perhaps the most famous city beach in Spain. It is located in San Sebastián and from the beach, you have a view of the horseshoe-shaped bay that is enclosed by decorative, green-covered hills. Also, the island of Santa Clara is located in the middle of the bay. Boats sail here. And when you’re done lazing around, the historic centre of the city and also the best area to eat the famous Basque tapas is just a stone’s throw away.
Playa del Silencio (Cudillero, Asturias)
This gem on the Asturian coast takes its name (silencio means silence) from the serene and quiet environment it offers. Surrounded by high cliffs and lush green hills, it is protected from the wind and waves, making it an ideal place to relax and swim in crystal-clear waters. This also makes it an excellent place for snorkelling and diving. Moreover, because you have to walk around 15 minutes to reach the beach, it is never overcrowded. However, bring your food and drinks, because there are no facilities.
Cala Cortina (Cartagena, Region of Murcia)
This fine sandy beach on the southeastern Spanish coast is surrounded by beautiful rock formations and has clear blue waters, making it an ideal place for swimming and snorkelling. It is quite large and offers enough space for relaxation even in busy months. The water in the bay is calm, making it a popular place to get out on your paddle surfboard or kayak.
Also read: These are all non-smoking beaches in Spain
