Spanish beaches that are not the Caribbean… nor they need to!
When we praise Spanish beaches, we tend to compare them with their sisters from other countries, as if they were not worthy on their own. There is no doubt that the Caribbean, with its unbelievably blue waters and golden sand, is an excellent place to be. However, the Spanish coast does not need a Caribbean dress to look just as beautiful, delightful, and interesting. Hence, this list is comprised of stunning beaches which do not belong to the tropical sea, because they do not need to. They are good enough just as they are.
Playa de Benijo. | Shutterstock
There is a beach in the north of Tenerife, near the town Taganana, which offers incredible pictures such as the one above. Considering its secluded location, in order to reach it we will need to walk through a trail. This wild beach with dark sand is guarded by Roque Benijo and Roque la Rapadura, and one should visit it when the tide is low and the sea reveals its rocky formations. When the night begins to crawl across the water, the beams glistening between the rocks and the setting sun paint a beautiful, delicate picture.
Playa de Rodas. | Shutterstock
The Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park holds such incredible landscapes as this beach. It lies between the islands of Monteagudo and Faro, both connected through this sandbank that is more than a kilometre long and 60 metres wide. Its white silky sand, as well as its crystal-clear emerald water, make it worth being one of the most highly valued beaches in the whole world.
The Beach of the Silence. | Shutterstock
Playa del Silencio, or the Beach of the Silence, is one of the most beautiful beaches on the coast of Asturias. It’s actually called Playa d’El Gavieiru, but due to its location between impressive rocky cliffs, the nickname has become more popular than the real name. The Beach of the Silence is called that way because of those cliffs sheltering it from the wind and the waves, and that’s why the beach rests surrounded by calm, silent waters. This unspoilt beach spreads for 300 metres covered by pebbles. The lack of sand allows its water to have a unusual colour for the Cantabrian Sea, a beautiful, crystalline, emerald green.
The beaches of Oyambre and La Rabia. | Shutterstock
At the heart of the Oyambre Natural Park in Cantabria, we find these two beaches that seem to be one. They could be separated, but unity makes strength. In this case, we can visit both of them at once, walking through more than two kilometres of fine, golden sand, perfectly well-preserved, with soft waves and, once again, beautiful emerald water. Watching it from afar is priceless.
The beach of Azkorri. | Shutterstock
There are magnificent beaches in the Basque Country, but in this list we chose the beach of Gorrondatxe, the fourth beach in Getxo, commonly known as the beach of Aizkorri. This place truly is special, with its own dunes, vegetation, a curious shape and endless possibilities for enjoying the sea. There raise the perfect waves for surf lovers, as well as for those prefer to enjoy the natural setting.
Cala Aiguablava. | Shutterstock
“Aigua blava” means blue water in Catalan, which forecasts the colours we will find on this beach, which is only 80 metres long and 40 metres wide. Being a small-sized cove, Aiguablava tends to get crowded in summer. It welcomes the ocean waves with kindness, sheltered between rosy cliffs covered in rich vegetation. The views there ara amazing, specially from below. When one dives into the Mediterranean Sea, the clear water allows them to see and explore the seabed.
Cala Moraig. | Shutterstock
In the past years Cala Moraig has become quite popular, and it makes perfect sense. Just like it happens in the former beach, this one is considerably small, therefore it has a limited capacity. However, it’s really worth it, mainly due to the vast beauty and Mediterranean calm. Lying in Poble Nou de Benitatxell, at the foot of the massif of Puig Llorença, this cove is not made of sand, but of pebbles, aligned with its surrounding. That is to say, that around the beach we find rocky cliffs with lovely hiking paths. This is one of those places in Spain that are perfect for taking pictures.
Playa de los Cocedores. | Shutterstock
In Águilas, in the Region od Murcia, we find this peculiar beach known as Playa de los Cocedores. Apart from the colour, taste, smell, and calm of the Mediterranean Sea, its main attraction is probably the eye-catching rocky formations around it. The erosion of the sea has modelled the rocks sheltering this cove that is 150 metres long, creating wonderful cavities we can admire today.
The Beach of the Dead. | Shutterstock
Between Agua Amarga and Carboneras, in Cabo de Gata, Playa de los Muertos (or the “Beach of the Dead”) stands out for its incredible beauty. It has a long sandbank extending for a kilometre on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea; a calm, blue, crystalline haven. The gentle pebbles get smaller as we walk close to the water. This area is perfect for going for a nice swim.
Ses Illetes. | Shutterstock
Some believe the coast of Formentera has the best water in Spain. If we look at the colour of the water in this beach in the Natural Park of Eivissa and Formentera, we will quickly realise why. This dream sandbank is located in the north of the island, covering almost a kilometre, yet divided into two sections by a small rocky area. Its name refers to the islets resting in front of the beach. These small islands, altogether with the white sand, the ships peacefully crossing the sea, and the turquoise shades of the water, make this one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole country.
Playa Papagayo. | Shutterstock
We began this trip in the Canary Islands and we will end there too, going from Tenerife to Lanzarote. In this article, we have briefly toured the Spanish geography, proving that our spaces do not need any comparison to discuss its value. The same happens with Playa Papagayo, another charming white sand cove of small size but great beauty nonetheless. Its clear waters are a window to the sea depths. It’s located in a wild landscape, sheltered from the wind, always ready to display dreamlike sunsets.
