Best Update: March 2014

Cala Macarelleta, Menorca

Menorca is the perfect place if you like beaches.  The size of the island is perfect for visiting one beach in a day. You can go to a beach like Macarelleta on the south and easily go to an entirely different kind of beach like Pregonda on the north side in the afternoon.  This is especially handy when you find your self on a windy beach and need to make a change. At the moment, Macarelleta is my favorite beach by far in Spain. This small sandy cala is just a short beautiful hike from Galdana.  It truly feels like you’re in an exotic place.

Playa de ses Illetes, Formetera and Playa de las Catedrales, Ribadeo

I thought these two would be good to mention.  I have friends who have been here but I have not made it to either one yet.  Playa de ses Illetes just made the top ten list on Tripadvisor’s best beaches in the world. Playa de las Catedrales took the 15 position on the list.  They are worth taking a look at.

Spain has 4964 kilometers of coastline and between 150 and 300 days of sun, depending on where you are, to enjoy them.  Unfortunately not all the beaches are beautiful, many are rammed with people lying about like sea lions in front of miles and miles of unattractive hotels and out dated apartment buildings near the big cities.  Once you adventure away from those places you can discover plenty of unspoiled beaches in every corner of Spain. From cold-water sandy beaches in the north, rock covered calas in the islands, to pine covered dunes in the south there are beaches for every kind of beach goer. Here is a great site for more details on the best beaches in Spain.

I prefer low occupancy, beautiful, isolated beaches that are worth going the extra mile for.  If I wanted to feel like a sunburnt sea lion fighting for space on the sand I would go to Playa Barceloneta at mid-day. (please take note I have enjoyed that beach at times and it totally served its purpose but everything is relative)  So with that said here are my favorites with a couple must visits at the end:

Calo des Moro, near Llombars, Mallorca.  This little inlet has blue crystalline water like I have never seen in Europe, it was a complete surprise.  Of course I found out through my local friend who said don’t tell anyone.  Sorry Marta…Its tiny but brilliant.  I could safely say there were only locals there.  The calo is tight on space but the sand is like powdered sugar which you really do not see much in Spain.  The peninsula is big enough to go for a hike and there a  few coves to swim and a good spot to rock climb and dive.

Cala Torta, Artà, Mallorca.  In the north east part of Mallorca there is a natural park that has no hotels or homes.  You need a car to get there.  This cala is much larger than Calo des Moro, flat and sandy.  The water is nowhere near as turquoise blue but just as refreshing.  Enough people visit that it warrants a Chiringito that serves lunch and refreshments.  This beach makes for a good base to hike over to a few of the smaller beaches to the west; you will need shoes and plenty of water because it gets extraordinarily hot on the rocky shore between beaches.

Es Caló, Artà, Mallorca.  This is the epitome of “going the extra mile”, you will have to rent a 4×4 to be able to drive to this beach, which is really stone and sand.  If you go in a car be prepared to take a long hike, beautiful with incredible views, but a long one that I thought was well worth the effort.  This cala is all about the sunset so pack some wine or cava and ice packs for a sunset drink.  The only way to top this beach is if you can visit by boat!

Playa Bolonia,Tarifa,Cadiz.  Those who know of this beach in Cadiz almost all agree it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean.  A few miles north on the Atlantic coast Bolonia is a beautiful wide, sandy stretch of beach that plays host to its own Roman ruins.  Towards the north end it rises into high dunes that are slowly taking over a pine forest that borders the water.  The view from the top looks down beach spotted with wind surfers all the way to Tarifa and Africa beyond.  Its a special place in the sun at the outer limits of the European continent.

Playa de Covachos, Sant Cruz de Bezana, Cantabria. In the north on the chilly Atlantic this beach is on my must visit.  Its come highly recommended to me be by several who know their way around the Spanish coastline.  There usually are not too many people to clutter up this magical spot.