Even though Ibiza is famous for having the best nightlife and crystal-clear waters, Spain’s expansive coastlines have many other beautiful beach towns that are not as crowded. These hidden coastal gems provide authentic Spanish culture, pristine beaches, and remarkable landscapes that often surpass their famous counterparts.
Here is a list of 15 secret beach towns in Spain that deserve your attention on your next Mediterranean adventure.
Zahara de los Atunes
This is a small fishing village in the southern region of Andalusia with some of the best sands in Spain. It is still fairly quiet, even in the summer. The beach stretches for miles with crystal clear water, which is perfect for swimming.
Local restaurants serve up the freshest tuna caught using traditional almadraba methods, which can be traced back to the Phoenicians.
Cudillero
Cudillero is located in a natural amphitheater of brightly colored houses leading down to a picturesque harbor. It looks more like an Italian coastal village than a Spanish one. The small fishing port has a lot of bright buildings that are located on top of each other – it is a perfect place for a photographer.
Its seafood is famous among Spanish foodies, and the small harbor-side restaurants compete with the best of them to offer the catch of the day.
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Moraira
This was previously a small fishing village and has grown into a quiet but sophisticated coastal town without looking too overdeveloped. The area has two main beaches that have been certified as Blue Flags and a number of pedestrian-only coves.
It has not been developed as closely as neighboring Benidorm and has strict building rules that prevent it from having tall buildings that would spoil the Mediterranean view.
Aigua Blava
This tiny bay with turquoise waters lives up to its name, which translates to ‘blue water’ in Catalan. The small cove is in the shape of a horseshoe and is surrounded by pine trees – it creates a natural swimming pool with beautifully clear water.
The hotels in the area are more boutique rather than resort to help maintain the size of the town.
Cadaqués
The white-washed town of Salvador Dali is situated on the Cap de Creus peninsula, the easternmost part of the mainland of Spain. The only way to get there is to drive along the mountain roads which have not been developed, and this has preserved it from mass tourism.
The pebble beaches and the crystal clear water with the dramatic surroundings were the perfect inspiration for many artists, including, but not limited to, Dalí.
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Altea
Altea is a town on the Costa Blanca with a characteristic blue domed church overlooking the Mediterranean. The old town has narrow, stone-paved streets, white houses, and shops selling handmade products.
Its beaches are usually not as crowded as in other tourist areas, and the water is ideal for paddle boarding and kayaking.
Llafranc
This is a small beach town on the Costa Brava that is perfectly located to combine sophistication with the life of a coastal town. The shape of the beach is a semicircle, the sand is golden, and the water depth is shallow.
A nice promenade that leads to the sea leads to the neighboring town of Calella de Palafrugell, ideal for a stroll during the sunset.
Comillas
Comillas is situated in Cantabria in the north of Spain and has beautiful beaches and the interesting architecture of Gaudí’s El Capricho. The only beach has golden sand, and the only things surrounding it are green hills and not concrete structures.
The town has its own microclimate and is quite pleasant when other beaches of the region are rather cool.
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Chipiona
Chipiona is home to the highest lighthouse in Spain and has 4 miles of beautiful beaches on the mouth of the Guadalquivir River. At low tide, the shallows become natural swimming pools, which are ideal for children.
This area is also famous for producing excellent Moscatel wine, which adds to the already authentic feel of the town.
Getaria
This Basque fishing village is famous for its gastronomy, incredible coastal views, and the production of txakoli wine. The town is situated on the peninsula and has two beaches and a distinctive mouse-shaped mountain – the Ratón de Getaria – which can be accessed from the mainland.
It is famous for being the birthplace of the fashion designer Balenciaga and offers culture as well as natural scenery.
Tossa de Mar
The only thing that makes Tossa de Mar beautiful is that its medieval walls taper off to a beautiful sandy beach. Only Vila Vella, a 12th-century walled town on the Catalan coast, still stands.
Even though it is quite easily accessible from Barcelona, it has a more real feel than other Costa Brava places.
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Mojácar
The whitewashed old town of Mojácar stands atop a steep mountain overlooking the Mediterranean. The beach is stretched out for several miles and has various amounts of development, from highly developed to relatively wild.
The town is a good example of the Moorish architectural style in combination with typical Spanish coastal architecture.
Ribadesella
This is an Asturian beauty that lies where the Sella River meets the Cantabrian Sea to form a beautiful natural harbor surrounded by mountains. The urban beach is the main one and has golden sand and moderate waves that are ideal for beginners when it comes to surfing.
The surrounding caves have prehistoric paintings which add historical relevance to an already attractive coastal area.
San José
San José is located within the Cabo de Gata Natural Park and provides access to some of the least developed and most beautiful beaches in Spain. The surrounding volcanic landscape creates unique black sand coves and crystal clear waters that are great for snorkeling.
The protection of the environment has not allowed the development to go too far, so the area looks untouched.
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Salobreña
Salobreña is a town that climbs from sugar cane fields up to a hilltop Moorish castle to form a striking silhouette against the Mediterranean. It is located on the Costa Tropical, and due to its microclimate, it can grow tropical fruits that cannot be grown in other areas of Europe.
Its pebbled beaches are still relatively untouched, even during peak season, and the water is inevitably warm for swimming almost all year round.
Beyond the Tourist Trail
These lesser-known coastal towns of Spain uncover the real marine spirit of the country, where fishing still goes hand in hand with tourism, and the life of locals keeps its natural rhythm even during the season. It is because these hidden gems maintain the architectural, culinary, and natural identity that is gradually lost in the more famous places.
When you are in the mood for Mediterranean beaches, you might want to replace Ibiza’s famous coast with these alternatives where Spanish coastal charm is at its purest.
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