Cala San Vicente, Ibiza
Cala San Vicente is in the northeast of Ibiza and you can reach it by car or bus. It’s set in a curve amongst the pine trees. At 30 meters wide there’s plenty of room for sunbathing on the fine golden sand and swimming in the azure waters.
If you feel like a change of scenery, take a short stroll along the promenade, and browse the shops and restaurants. Or you can hop back in the car for the 10-minute drive to the village of San Juan.
Playa El Roche, Conil, Cadiz, Andalucia
Conil is in the province of Cadiz and here you’ll find some of the best beaches in southern Spain. The beaches at Conil are well-known for their rolling hills and sandy coves.
The beach at El Roche is in the north of Conil and is set in a wide cove surrounded by pine-clad hills. It has fine sand stretching for around 2 kilometers and crystal clear blue water with a gentle incline.
You can rent sunshades and beds. If you want some refreshment or a bite to eat there’s a wooden beach bar on the sand at the end of the stretch.
Playa Es Ribell, Son Severa -Cala Millor, Mallorca
You’ll find Cala Millor on the east side of the island of Mallorca. The beach is just 20 meters wide and surrounded by pine trees. It’s a good choice if you want to avoid crowds and watch the sunset. Relax on the fine white sand or swim in the crystal clear blue waters.
You take a walk along the promenade and eat or drink in one of the beachfront restaurants. If you want to explore nearby then visit Cala Millor, a lively beach resort about a 7-minute drive along the coast.
Playa de Portil Punta Umbria, Huelva, Andalucia
The beach itself is between Punta Umbria and Cartaya in the south of Spain facing the Atlantic Ocean in Huelva. However, the sea in this area is less windy and much calmer than in other resorts which makes it perfect for families. It’s also close to the Portil nature reserve which is known for its population of chameleons and bird life.
The beach has fine deep white sand which stretches for 4 kilometers. The El Portil end of the beach has more shops, restaurants, and bars while the Nuevo Portil end has rocky unspoilt slopes covered with vegetation.
Playa Altafulla, Tarragona, Costa Dorada
You’ll find Playa Altafulla within a 10-minute drive from the center of Tarragona. It’s got soft golden sand and stretches along the coast for 1,100 meters which means you’ll always find a good spot for sunbathing. The sea is calm and there are plenty of facilities including bars, restaurants, public toilets, and water sports hire.
If you want an hour or so off the beach you can visit the nearby town of Altafulla with its beautiful old quarter and ancient castle.
Playa Llafranc, Llafranc, Girona, Costa Brava
Llafranc is a charming coastal village and its small beach stretches around a pleasant cove. It is an authentic Spanish resort and in July and August, it does get crowded. But at other times of the year, you’ll find a spot without a problem.
The beach has fine golden sand and a calm sea. It has every facility you will need for a day out including public toilets, showers, bars, and restaurants. Away from the beach, Llanfranc village is an easy 20-minute walk. There’s a small marina and you can admire the views from the top of the San Sebastian lighthouse.
Playa Las Canteras, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
You’ll find the beach at Las Canteras in the town of Las Palmas, which is on the northeast of the island. The azure waters contain an abundance of marine life and that makes it a popular snorkeling spot.
The sand is deep and golden and stretches over two kilometers. There are plenty of amenities including sports hire locations and children’s playgrounds. It’s also a great place to watch the sun go down from one of the beachfront terraces
Off the beach, Las Palmas is the capital city of this Canary Island and you can visit the town for shopping or stop at the port to admire the boats.
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Playa De San Juan, Alicante, Costa Blanca
If you love long stretches of sand then the beach at San Juan will be perfect for you. It begins at the Cabo de las Huertas and extends along the coast to the town of El Campello. In fact, the beach is so big it has two names. The Playa de Juan is part of Alicante and is the first three kilometers to the south.
The facilities are as you would expect of a large blue flag beach. Watersports availability, toilets, showers, sunbed hire, and plenty of bars and restaurants. The sand is fine and golden and the sea is calm. Come at the end of June if you want to take part in the Festival de San Juan on the 24th of June. There are bonfires on the beach, fireworks and lots of singing and dancing.
Playa Tombo De Gato, Vigo, Pontevedra, Galicia
Vigo is on the northwest coast of Spain, close to the border with Portugal but separated from it by the Vigo Estuary. The beach of Tombo de Gato is on the Atlantic Ocean but this picturesque cove is sheltered from the wind by a hilly outcrop of trees.
The sand is fine and white and the sea is a crystal clear blue. Playa De Tombo is mostly used by locals or Spanish tourists so you won’t find it too crowded, except for maybe in July and August.
Despite it being a fairly small beach, it’s 180 meters long and 25 meters wide, it has all the facilities you’d expect for a day out at the beach including bars, restaurants, toilets, and showers.
Playa de Primera de Sandinero, Santander, Cantabria
Santander is on the north coast of Spain and you’ll find the Playa Sandinero in the northeast of Santander. It is a long, wide beach stretching around a pleasant bay with a promenade occupied with beach bars, restaurants, and small shops.
The beach has golden white sand and blue waters, which can be choppy at times due to the wind, but during the summer months, it’s a popular beach with couples and families.
Off the beach, you can visit the capital city of Santander and its famous cathedral and the Palacio de la Magdalena.
All the above beaches have blue flags and we have deliberately chosen locations that are out of the way of the usual tourist spots like Benidorm and Torremolinos (although they have great beaches too). But you’ll find each location easy to get to by car as all of the places aren’t too far away from the airport.
