Spain is for sunseekers.
Tenerife. La Palma. Gran Canaria. Lanzarote.
We’re all about that island life and we’ve got the tanlines to prove it.
When travelers picture the best beaches in Spain, they envision the sun-soaked Canary Islands or the dreamy Mediterranean beaches on the Balearic Islands. These archipelagos are awesome but they’re not the only sandy shorelines in Spain.
Some of the best beaches in Spain are also on the mainland, an easy train ride away from Madrid.
Image Credit: Getty Images. Image Location: San Juan Playa, Alicante, Spain.
Best Beaches in Spain’s Mainland
Best beaches on Spain’s eastern coast
When it comes to tanning on Spain’s east coast, Costa Blanca has some of the best spots under the sun. The Alicante province cradles this shoreline that stretches from Dénia to Pilar de la Horadada. Our picks on this 125-mile coastline:
San Juan Playa
Nearest station: Alacant-Terminal
Why: White sand beaches and volleyball, both near downtown Alicante’s sweet turrón shops.
Playa de las Higuericas
Nearest station: Balsicas-Mar Menor
Why: Spend all night drinking at the beachside chiringuitos then watch an immaculate sunrise.
Image Credit: Getty Images. Image Location: Bay of La Concha, San Sebastián, Spain.
Best beaches on Spain’s northern coast
Don’t let France hog the Bay of Biscay. With so much going on in the South of Spain, it’s easy to forget about the beaches on Spain’s northern coastline. Here are two of our faves between Bilbao and Betanzos.
Bay of La Concha
Nearest station: San Sebastián
Why: Named "Concha" for its symmetrical shape, San Sebastian's beach is renowned for its 19th-century elegance and scenic beauty, making it one of Europe's most famous urban beaches.
Lapas Beach
Nearest station: A Coruña
Why: While not necessarily the largest or most noteworthy beach in A Coruña, the Ancient Roman Torre de Hércules will instantly become your favorite lighthouse in the world.
Arnía Beach
Nearest station: Santander
Why: Rock formations jut out of the blue Bay of Biscaye, cradling a small beach that locals tend to keep secret.
Best beaches in South of Spain
Summer in the South of Spain is as sexy as it sounds. Some of the best beach towns in Spain sprawled out mere footsteps away from big cities. Consider this a tiny sampling of the many perfect playas in this region.
Playa del Castillo
Nearest station: Cadiz
Why: Look southwest and you’ll see an ancient temple on an island; look northeast and you’ll find a concert venue where you can rock out all summer long.
Playa de la Misericordia
Nearest station: Malaga
Why: This waterfront promenade near the city center is abuzz day and night. Sunbathe, people watch, and get in on a game of beach volleyball.
Your Ultimate Spanish Beach Itinerary
From the platform to the playa (beach in Spanish), here’s our ultimate Spanish beach itinerary that helps you make the most of an unlimited train pass through Spain.
Madrid to Alicante
Average train time: 2h 30m
Beach: Playa del Postiguet
Kick it beneath the Castell de la Santa Bàrbara, watching the ships disappear into the eternal blue horizon.
Alicante to Valencia
Average train time: 2h
Beach: Pinedo Beach
Warm yourself on the sands near the Port of Valencia then find shade with a walk down into the forested shoreline where you might stumble upon some wildlife.
Valencia to Castellón de la Plana
Average train time: 45m
Beach: Platja del Pinar
With your tongue loosened up to the local language, visit Platja del Pinar and ask if you can kick the football around with some new friends.
Castellón de la Plana to Tarragona
Average train time: 90m
Beach: Platja Llarga to Cala de la Mora
Fancy a bit of an adventure? Start at Platja Llarga’s wide open sands walk into the Cala Fonda nature preserve. Along the way to Cala de la Mora on the opposite end, you’ll find a naturalist beach where you can free yourself from those pesky tanlines.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Prasit photo. Image Location: Barceloneta Beach, Barcelona, Spain.
Tarragona to Barcelona
Average train time: 30m
Beach: Barceloneta Beach
Barceloneta Beach is the beach to visit in Barcelona. The lively crowds are predictable but you didn’t come to the capital of Catalonia to sit alone in silence. Bask in the sunshine, spending time drinking and dancing with locals.
And once you’ve had your fill of mainland beaches, take the ferry to Spain’s best Mediterranean beaches on the Balearic Islands:
- Las Salinas, Ibiza
- Playa de Muro, Mallorca
- Bellavista, Menorca
- Playa de Illetes, Formentera
All you need is sunscreen and a smartphone to take an amazing beach vacation in Spain that’ll outlast even your darkest tan (and peeliest sunburn). Download the Trainline app to purchase train e-tickets for endless fun under the Spanish sun.