Spain Beach Vacations for Every Type of Traveler

Whether you want to party or relax, Spain has a beach vacation for everyone.

Making up most of the Iberian peninsula, Spain is a perfect beach destination.

The country is blessed with long coastlines on the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea, as well as a group of islands off the Atlantic coast of Africa. It’s no wonder that hundreds of thousands of tourists descend upon the country as soon as it gets warm, seeking sun, sand, and sea.

Whether you want a party-filled vacation or some quiet time on the shore, these are the best Spain beach vacations for every traveler.

Best Spanish Beach Vacation for Party Animals: Playa d’en Bossa

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Location: Ibiza

Ibiza is one of the top destinations in Europe for summer beach parties. Electronic music pumps loudly at all hours of the day, while rabid spring breakers hop around from venue to venue.

If you want to visit many beach clubs but don’t want to move too much, go to Playa d’en Bossa. You’ll find Nassau Beach Club, Bora Bora, Beachhouse and more. Each beach club comes with similar amenities like food, drinks and beach chairs, but they all have their own distinct personality.

Choose the one that best fits you, and spend the day tanning, drinking and getting ready for a wild night out.

Best Spanish Beach Vacation for Chill Travelers: Playa de Llané Petit

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Location: Cadaques

In the 20th century, famed artists like Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse spent years living in the small seaside town of Cadaques. With fewer than 3,000 inhabitants, it’s one of the best beach towns in Europe.

Any beach here is perfect for travelers looking for a peacefully idyllic vacation on the Costa Brava. But if you really want to get away from it all, head to Playa de Llané Petit.

Here, you’re more likely to find local fishermen going about their day than other tourists.

Best Spanish Beach Vacation for First-Time Travelers: Barceloneta

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Location: Barcelona

If it’s your first time traveling to Spain, you’ll probably swing by charming Barcelona. Very close to the city center is Barceloneta Beach. While it is the city’s most crowded place to enjoy the sea, it’s also the easiest to reach by public transit or even walking.

You’ll have bars, shacks, shops and restaurants right next to the sand. Spend a whole day there without running out of things to do is very easy.

Best Spanish Beach Vacation for Luxury Travelers: Playa Meloneras

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Location: Gran Canaria

Treat yourself to a luxury Spain beach vacation in the breathtaking Gran Canaria. This group of islands off the coast of Africa offers different landscapes than what you find on the mainland.

Meloneras Beach is known for calm, warm water and golden sand — yes, sand. Here, you won’t have to deal with the pesky pebbles of Mediterranean beaches.

The beach acts as the front yard for the five-star H10 Playa Meloneras Palace. At this all-inclusive resort, you’ll enjoy a la carte fine dining, an infinity pool and a spa.

Best Spanish Beach Vacation for Families: Burriana

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Location: Nerja

Spain’s southern coast has too many gorgeous beaches to count. But if you’re traveling with the family, head to the town of Nerja. The town has Roman ruins, cave paintings and picturesque Burriana Beach.

When traveling with kids, amenities and convenience are two of the most important things you can have, and Burriana provides them. There are several shops and restaurants, as well as public restrooms, showers and children’s playgrounds — everything you need for a successful beach outing.

Best Spanish Beach Vacation for Couples: Playa de las Teresitas

Las Teresitas Beach Tenerife, Canary Islands

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Location: Tenerife

Tenerife is often regarded as the most romantic of the Canary Islands and as one of the best honeymoon spots in Spain.

Even if you’re not celebrating your nuptials, you’ll have a perfect vacation with your significant other on this breathtaking island known for its dramatic cliffs and pretty beaches.

For a charming day, visit Las Teresitas Beach. You can enjoy its golden sand and calm water while getting views of the mountains.

And with beach bars nearby, the vacation won’t be ruined by petty fights resulting from hanger.

Best Spanish Beach for Intrepid Travelers: Platja des Coll Baix

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Location: Mallorca

If you like to go where few travelers do and earn the right to enjoy beautiful places, prepare for an adventure to Mallorca’s Platja des Coll Baix.

Fairly inaccessible, the beach demands a 30-minute trek through rocks in the heat. Of course, this is all part of the adventure.

After walking for a while in the smoldering Balearic sun, you’ll be met with a quietly stunning beach of clear blue water. Though you have to walk (read: climb) down the rocks to reach it there’s a chance you’ll have it all to yourself.

Best Spanish Beach Vacation for Active Travelers: El Raco

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Location: Calpe

Laying on the sand sipping cocktails is great and all, but some people have jittery feet and want to be on the go go go during vacation. For these people, there’s no better place than Calpe, Spain’s best rock climbing spot.

While the entire town is great for being active, El Raco beach is our top pick. The rocky cove is known as a great diving spot, so your time on the water will be spent enjoying underwater life.

From the beach, you can also begin the Princesa de Asturias ecological walk and even visit the Peñón de Ifach, a large limestone outcrop that defines Calpe’s shoreline.

Best Spanish Beach Vacation for City Slickers: La Concha Beach

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Location: San Sebastian

A mid-sized city with medieval and Belle Epoque architecture, San Sebastian is one of Basque Country’s favored destinations. Pilgrims doing the Camino de Santiago find in it a respite from the arduous journey. And the jewel of the city is the beach.

By far, San Sebastian’s best and most famous beach is La Concha. Meaning “the seashell,” the beach has a crescent shape that creates a feeling of seclusion, even when you’re sharing the sand with other locals and tourists.

This is the perfect Spanish beach for those who don’t want to leave the city to enjoy some time in the water.

Best Spanish Beach Vacation for Naturists: Vera Beach

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Location: Almeria

Let the naturist in you run wild in Almeria’s Vera Playa.

The small village doesn’t just have a small nudist section — it’s an entire zone for those who don’t want to deal with clothes for days on end. Besides beaches, you’ll find clothing-optional restaurants, promenades and resorts.

Needless to say, this is not for those who are uncomfortable with nakedness. On the plus side, you won’t have to worry about tan lines after visiting this nude beach.