The beautiful, secluded beaches that are an hour’s drive from civilization are fine, but there’s usually not much you can do other than lie on the beach and soak up the sun.
If you’re not that much of a beach person, but still want to get your fill during your Spanish vacation, you may prefer to visit one of Spain’s excellent urban beaches. This gives you the opportunity to try some of the most famous beaches in Spain, but then enjoy the culture of one of the country’s metropolises at the same time.
Whether you enjoy Barcelona’s Gaudí architecture, sample local cuisine in Valencia, or explore the Cadiz peninsula, you will find that a satisfying swim in the ocean is always just minutes away. Truly the best of both worlds!
On this page, you will find a list of the beaches of my favorite city in Spain. You can also plan your trip using our guides to the best beaches in Spain, nude beaches in Spain (for the more adventurous types), and the best cities in Spain .
San Sebastian
Possibly the best city beach in Europe, much less Spain. Sample excellent local pintxos (the Basque name for tapas) and climb Mount Urgull and Mount Igueld for great views of the city. Don’t forget to read our San Sebastián Tourist Guide if you visit the area. You can also take a tour of San Sebastián and neighboring Biarritz for sunbathing and culture.
Valencia
Even if you’re not in Valencia for Las Fallas or Tomatina Tomato Fight , you’ll still find plenty to do once you’ve had fun in the sun (read our Valencia City Guide for more information). The beaches are not as close as in other cities, but a short bus ride will take you directly to the sea. You can even take a day cruise along the beaches and get a full view of the city from the water.
Cadiz
The small peninsula of Cádiz is an excellent refuge from nearby Seville. Since it is located on the southern coast of Spain, Cádiz may have sunshine at times when some of the other cities on this page may be suffering from bad weather. On the other hand, the fact that the city is surrounded by the sea on three sides means that it is rarely too hot. The old town of Cádiz is a real treat: don’t forget to try the city’s famous fried fish! The region is also known for its sherry, which you can try by taking a wine tasting tour of its famous vineyards.
In a 2013 Best Beach in Spain survey in a Spanish newspaper, the only two beaches on the list were both near Cádiz.
Barcelona
Barcelona’s beaches are not at the top of this list, but we definitely recommend visiting them, as it is the quintessential Spanish beach city. If you have time during your stay, it would be much better to take a short train ride from Barcelona to Sitges , but when you are in a pinch, Barcelona beach will do the trick. We have a comprehensive guide to Barcelona’s beaches , as well as our handy list of 100 things to do in Barcelona .
If you really want to take the destination into your own hands, you can rent a boat on the beach and cruise the coast of the city at your own pace.
Barcelona has some of the most interesting hotels in Spain – be sure to book in advance to make the most of the city’s popular summer months.
Malaga
In my opinion, Malaga is a seriously overrated city: there are much better places to visit in Andalusia. But it is a city and it has a beach, and (as with Cádiz), its location on the south coast makes it more likely that you will enjoy uninterrupted sun during your stay. We have put together a list of the beaches in Malaga so you can make the most of your stay there. There’s also a private panoramic city tour (complete with tapas!) So you can do a bit of sightseeing.
