Spain Best Beaches Information - Spain tourist information

SPAIN BEST BEACHES - SPAIN Tourist Information

VALDOVIÑO - GALICIA
A large sweep of golden sand on Galicia's Costa da Morte, near El Ferrol, Valdoviño is very popular with surfers, as it has some kind of rideable wave nearly every day. The water is clean, and also suitable for swimming as long as you take the advice of the lifeguards over where to take a dip, avoiding the rip currents. The surrounding area is full of spectacular Atlantic scenery.
There are several good hotels and paradors in the region and, as is typical for most of Galicia, fantastic seafood is served in most restaurants. A great base for exploring the region is the Parador de Ferrol (www.parador.es).
The surrounding area is blessed with several other fantastic beaches such as Campelo, Playa de San Jorge, Pantin and Doniños.
Coastal Galicia has a climate which is governed by the Gulf Stream. This means the weather can be very different from the south of Spain with its endless sunshine, but this can be rewarding when you see the sun burst through the clouds to reveal the beauty of the area.

CABO DE GATA - ALMERIA
The driest place in Europe, with an annual average of 100 millimetres of rain, Cabo de Gata also boasts some of Spain's best and least crowded beaches. The western side of the cape, where the eastern end of Almeria province meets the Mediterranean, has a great long, sandy beach, while round the corner there are lots of smaller coves. The area is ideal for snorkelling due to its very clear water, and is also popular with naturists. This is also a good spot for spotting thousands of migrating flamingos which congregate here on their way back to Africa in the autumn.

TAMARIU, COSTA BRAVA
Tamariu is the kind of place peope return to again and again. It is one of the unspoilt gems that dot the Costa Brava, unpretentiously sitting between the large high rise resorts, which seem a million miles away. The town is situated about 70 miles south of the border with France in a peaceful secluded bay between the nearby towns of Palafrugell and Begur. It has a series of small coves set among pine covered cliffs cascading down to meet the clear waters of the Mediterranean. Simple village houses and pavement cafes surround the lovely main beach which nestles in a sheltered bay.
Its fine golden sand extends nearly all the way around the bay, and the water is ideal for swimming as the beach, especially on the right hand side, shelves at a gentle angle. During the season, you can rent sailing boats, pedaloes and canoes. Windsurfing and golf are other popular pastimes, and visitors often make excursions to a nearby medieval village and the local fish market, which is the ideal place to check out what to have for dinner.

CALA LLENYA - IBIZA
A lovely, wide family beach, which provides a nice contrast to Ibiza's many coves, Cala Llenya is covered with fine white sand, and has clear calm waters. At either end of the beach there are interesting rock formations which offer good snorkelling. The beach's gentle gradient makes it especially familyfriendly. There are steep cliffs which bristle with tall pines encircling the bay, giving a sense of seclusion. The surrounding area is only lightly developed, and offers good country walks. You're unlikely to come across any 18-30 tours here.

CIES ISLAND, GALICIA
Take a ferry ride in the summer from either Cangas, Vigo or Baiona, on the west coast of Galicia. and enter a world that seems untouched by technology and progress. This impression however, is a testament to the regenerative powers of nature. and the huge effort made by Spanish volunteers to stem the black tide that leaked from the oil tanker Prestige, which soiled much of the coast in this area. The beaches here are pristine white sand. the water is breathtakingly coloured, and there is a beautiful sheltered lagoon. Two islands are accessible, the third is an off-limits bird sanctuary.

SAN VICENTE DE LA BARQUERA - CANTABRIA
Situated on a hill by the last bend in the meandering Rio Escudo, the town of San Vicente de la Barquera is linked by a long causeway to its fine town beach. Perfect for a family holiday, or for getting away from it all in the low season - it gets very busy with visitors from Madrid in the summer. After a hard day on the beach, visit the fabulous Boga-Boga restaurant for some delicious seafood with the beautiful background of the Picos de Europa mountains in the background. There are wilder and more remote beaches are accessible within a short drive.
Other places to visit in the area include 15,000 year old cave paintings at Altamira and the 16th century church of Santa Maria de Los Angeles, perched on the headland.

NIEMBRO - ASTURIAS
This eastern section of the Asturian Costa Verde is not well known to British visitors but is extremely popular with Madrilenos who flock here in the summer. The 'green coast' lives up to its name as incredibly lush farmland stops abruptly at steep cliffs, golden sands and sheltered coves. The lovely village of Niembro has several great beaches, many of which are ideal for children. Some are open to the full force of the Atlantic, however, and can offer good surfing. Other good beaches can be found at Ribadesella, Andrin and Llanes.

CALA SAHONA - FORMENTERA
This beautiful cove, on the west coast of Formentera, is one of several glorious beaches on the island. The waters are an impossibly vivid turquoise and as clear as gin. The sand is white and clean, and the smell of the pines and the chirping of cicadas finish off the perfect Mediterranean beach scene. Good for snorkelling and diving, and safe for children, Formentera is a great alternative to Ibiza which is seven kilometres away, either as a day trip or for a few days of calm seclusion. There are frequent ferries between the two islands. It also has some great seafood restaurants, and is small enough to be explored by bicycle or scooter.
Other great beaches on the island include Illetes, Levant and Mitjorn.
Away from the beaches, a trip to La Mola plateau on the far eastern side of the island is well worthwhile. There are fantastic views across to Ibiza, and at the end of the road there is a lighthouse at the top of the cliffs, and a plaque commemorating the fact that Jules Verne chose this spot for the blast-off in his novel From the Earth to the Moon.

ZAHARA DE LOS ATUNES - COSTA DE LA LUZ
A few miles up the Atlantic coast of Andalucia from Gibraltar and Tarifa, Zahara de [os Atunes is a charming fishing village which is just started to see some development and interest from outside Spain. Spaniards have been holidaying here for decades, drawn by the vast sweep of white sand, clear azure water and good windsurfing conditions. The village has some great seafood restaurants and a laidback atmosphere. The whole of this coast is a vast stretch of beach, so even at peak season, it's easy to get away from it all and find a spot to yourself.
It's also a good spot for surfing in the winter months, as are the neighbouring beaches of El Palmar, Co nil and Los Canos de Meca.
The surrounding countryside here is surprisingly verdant. It's prime bull-breeding country and you can see lots of the huge beasts grazing contentedly in the pastures, with white villag~s breaking up the greenery.

SES SALINES - IBIZA
Within easy reach of Ibiza town, Ses Salines is where the nocturnal club crowd come to pose and sunbathe during the days. Its fine white sands curves around a bay, and there are views across the azure water to Formentera. The beach is backed by dunes and pine trees, which have some great beach bars and cafes dotted among them. The best known of these is Sa Trincha, at the southern end of the beach, which is a well established part of the dance music scene, and has even released its own compilations of Balearic chill-out.
The prevailing atmosphere is one of relaxed hedonism, although there are a few energetic souls willing to windsurf or sail.
Just down the road is Es Cavallet, a quieter beach popular with gay visitors. The
southern ends of both beaches are popular with naturists.

Spain beaches information - Spain tourist information

SPAIN BEST BEACHES - SPAIN Tourist Information