Cadaqués This seaside town on the Costa Brava is one of Spain's prettiest.
With some 8,000km (4,970 miles) of coastline, Spain has more seaside towns than you could visit in a lifetime.
From dinky fishing villages to historical old towns, each one has its own sun-drenched beaches, mouthwatering seafood and captivating architecture.
Whether you’re looking to leave the resorts behind or you want to show your camera roll a good time, here are nine lovely seaside towns in Spain to explore.
1. Cadaqués, Costa Brava
You don’t need a glass of cava to see Cadaqués sparkle. Whitewashed buildings surround pockets of golden sand on the Cap de Creus Peninsula. Add rolling mountains to the picture and you’ll understand why it was a muse for Dalí, Picasso and Miró.
There’s only one road in – a ploy by locals to keep the town’s bohemian glamour under wraps. Within, you’ll find flower-fringed lanes lined with art galleries and boutiques.
Come evening, settle in for squid ink paella and taps dolcos – sweet pastries shaped like champagne corks.
How to get to Cadaqués: Girona–Costa Brava is the closest airport to Cadaqués. The drive takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.
2. Estepona, Costa del Sol
Nicknamed the ‘Garden of the Costa del Sol’, Estepona is the Eden of Spain’s seaside towns. Flower baskets and plant pots plaster the walls while giant palms fringe the promenade. The floral centrepiece is an orchid house blanketed with more than 5,000 tropical plants.
Despite its popularity, Estepona has preserved its pueblo charm, with a local Sunday market and independent shops and tapas bars.
When you’re not sipping spritzes in Plaza de las Flores, there are churches to admire, yachts to watch and 21km (13 miles) of shoreline to siesta on.
How to get to Estepona: Málaga is the best airport to fly to, approximately one hour away by car.
3. Moraira, Costa Blanca
Moraira is what Benidorm isn’t – quiet, quaint and blissfully low-key. This former fishing village has kept its soul, with small, sheltered beaches and a marina that still brings in the day’s catch.
There are no high-rises here, just pastel-hued homes tumbling down a pine-covered hillside to the sea.
Still, there’s plenty going on: a lively Friday market, a funfair for little ones, and gin-clear coves perfect for snorkelling.
How to get to Moraira: Fly into Alicante, then drive an hour and ten minutes to Moraira.
4. Tarifa, Costa de la Luz
A hub of whitewashed houses, Moorish architecture and mile-long beaches, Tarifa looks lovely without trying.
But it’s not just good looks that put it on the map. On the tip of the Iberian Peninsula, it's touted as the ‘wind capital of Europe’ and Spain’s best seaside town for wind and kitesurfing.
Beyond the billowing sails, narrow streets are crammed with shabby-chic shops and boho bars. When the sun starts to set, pitch up at a chiringuito (beach bar) for sangria with a view.
How to get to Tarifa: Málaga is the closest airport to Tarifa that flies to the UK. Expect a drive time of 2 hours and 20 minutes.
5. Llanes, Basque Coast
Wedged between mountain and ocean, Llanes stands out on Spain’s rugged northern coast.
While its picturesque marina wouldn’t look out of place in Marbella, Llanes is a world away from the busy beach resorts on the Costa del Sol. Its medieval city walls hold a time capsule of gothic churches, a 17th-century palace and colourful Indianos houses – mansions built by Asturians in the 20th century upon returning from America.
Its coast is an open air gallery in itself thanks to the mural of breakwater blocks painted by local artist, Augustin Ibarrola, and striking sea cliffs.
How to get to Llanes: Fly direct from the UK into Asturias Airport. From here, it’s a 1 hour and 15-minute drive to Llanes.
6. Garachico, Tenerife
The golden oldie of Spanish seaside towns, not only is Garachico pretty – think traditional Canarian houses bordered by sapphire rock pools – it’s also one of Tenerife’s oldest villages.
It’s accumulated a wealth of riches since its 15th-century origin. Each of the town’s cobbled streets will lead you to something beautiful, be it a monastery, church, castle or plaza. A handful of boutique hotels and innovative restaurants keep it in tune with modern trends.
There’s little in the way of beaches, but the natural sea pools, created by volcanic lava, make for an unforgettable swim spot.
How to get to Garachico: Tenerife’s North Airport is a 50-minute drive from Garachico.
7. Puerto de Mogán, Gran Canaria
Looking for a dose of dolce vita on your Spain holiday? You’ll find it in Puerto de Mogán. Often called the ‘Little Venice’ of Gran Canaria, this quaint fishing town instantly seduces with its canals and bougainvillea-draped houses.
Days are unhurried, dictated by lazy afternoons on the beach – a sun-trap of soft, caramel sand – and working your way around the marina’s fish restaurants to enjoy the latest catch.
Take a boat trip to admire the town from across the Atlantic, or go one step further with a submarine tour.
How to get to Puerto de Mogán: Puerto de Mogán is located 40 minutes from Gran Canaria Airport.
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8. Puerto de Sóller, Majorca
Puerto de Sóller doesn’t need to convince you of its loveliness. Wooden fishing boats bob in a topaz bay, framed by houses painted in various shades of peach. Behind, orange groves and the Tramuntana Mountains keep the town's enchantment exclusive.
Though small in size, there’s no shortage of seaside action. Build sandcastles, rent paddleboards, eat ice creams and watch sunsets from the Far des Cap Gros lighthouse.
A ride on the vintage tram will have you questioning why you’d want to leave.
How to get to Puerto de Sóller: From Palma de Majorca Airport, it’s a 45-minute drive to Puerto de Sóller.
9. Fornells, Menorca
Across the sea, Fornells promises a seaside stay just as serene. You’ll find it on the edge of a bay on Menorca’s north coast, recognisable by the terracotta-roofed houses that flank the waterfront.
Its sheltered position and calm waters have made it popular for watersports. Sailing, scuba diving and windsurfing are all on the cards here.
All that activity is bound to work up an appetite. Luckily, Fornells’s fish restaurants are somewhat of an island celebrity. Fill up on hearty portions of Caldera de Langosta – the speciality lobster stew.
How to get to Fornells: The drive from Menorca Airport to Fornells takes just 30 minutes.
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