8 of the best beach cities in Spain
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).
High-spirited northern surf hubs, relaxed Mediterranean-fronting neighbourhoods and glowing sands washed by the thundering Atlantic — mainland Spain's cities can offer all of this and more. Take your pick of these varied urban beauties, scattered around the country's 3,000-mile peninsular coast. Beaches in Spain can get packed everywhere during the high season, from July to August, so for the best chance of solitude and space, it's worth travelling in the quieter shoulder periods. 1. Donostia-San Sebastián
A pair of wide gold beaches, tucked into a crescent-moon bay between forested headlands, sets the scene for one of northern Spain's most popular coastal escapes. Many San Sebastián strolls begin on the promenade curving past Playa de Ondarreta and Playa de la Concha, both of which are good spots for swimming and paddleboarding, overlooking the Isla de Santa Clara. Just northeast of La Concha, beyond the walkable Parte Vieja and its overflowing pintxo bars, Playa de Zurriola has a more relaxed energy and offers great, beginner-friendly surfing. When you're done stretching out on the sand or catching Atlantic waves, San Sebastián's famous gastronomic world awaits.
A special stay: A converted belle époque villa gazing out across La Concha Bay houses the effortlessly cool Nobu Hotel San Sebastián, which has 17 luxurious rooms, a rooftop pool and a signature restaurant. From around €400 (£335), B&B. 2. Valencia
Spain's third-largest city is home to some of the most enticing and accessible urban beaches in the country, beyond which there are beautifully green parklands, busy fresh-produce markets, a range of top-tier galleries and lively neighbourhoods to discover. East of Valencia's old centre, the gentle waves of the Mediterranean swoosh onto several miles of soft, honey-coloured sand, officially divided into the Cabanyal, Malvarrosa and Patacona beaches. It's all bordered by a promenade with palm trees that makes walking, running and cycling here a joy. This is a slice of classic Spanish beach culture — and it's good fun. Expect a buzzing atmosphere and plenty of straw-topped umbrellas. Indulge in a long lunch of wood-fired paella at somewhere like Casa Carmela opposite Malvarrosa.
A special stay: In Valencia's historic centre, the five-star Caro Hotel is a stylishly transformed 19th-century mansion near Turia Garden. From €239 (£200). Backed by low, pastel-walled houses, the mellow-yellow Barceloneta beaches are Barcelona's most easily accessible patches of sand. For a more local atmosphere, head northeast to the beaches of Bogatell and Mar Bella. Photograph by Getty Images; Frederic Ferreri The public terraces at the Centro Botín, a contemporary art gallery on Santander's promenade, are a great place to take in the ocean view. Photograph by Getty Images; Ben Roberts 3. Barcelona
Whether you're going kayaking to catch the view at sunset or joining a volleyball game on the sand, this Catalan city embraces its seafront Mediterranean location no matter the time of year. Backed by low, pastel-walled houses, the mellow-yellow Barceloneta beaches are the city's most easily accessible patches of sand. For a more local atmosphere, it's better to head out along the palm-lined seafront promenade to the beaches of Bogatell and Mar Bella, further northeast. Or venture northeast again to the zona de banys (swimming zone) in El Fòrum, where ladders lead straight from a paved bathing area into the turquoise water. There are also plenty of beaches just a short train ride outside the city, such as Castelldefels, with three miles of open, cream-toned sand and a bit of surf, all 25 minutes away from central Barcelona.
A special stay: Glimpse the Marina Port Vell from the pool and rooftop bar at The Serras, an understated five-star hotel with great Catalan food. From €298 (£250). 4. Santander
A 25-minute ferry ride from central Santander's Los Reginas jetty takes you to Somo Beach, one of northern Spain's most popular surf hubs. Somo's pale-gold sands blend into El Puntal, an arrow-shaped beach jutting out into the bay, known locally for its relaxed summer-only restaurants. Santander, capital of the small Cantabria region, has plenty of other enticing beaches thanks to its estuary-side setting on the Bay of Biscay. Among them are El Sardinero, a mile-long sandy sweep; Playa de los Bikinis, named after the swimwear which, some say, was worn here for the first time in Spain; and the undeveloped Costa Quebrada coves north of the city. In the early 20th century, Santander was a favourite coastal escape for Spanish royalty; visit the grand Palacio de la Magdalena on a headland east of the old town.
A special stay: Jardín Secreto, a family-owned boutique bolthole, is a six-room retreat with a sunny back garden in central Santander. From €100 (£84). In Cádiz, locals enjoy the late spring sunshine at Playa de la Caleta, where there's a buzz even during the year's colder months. Photograph by Getty Images; Ben Roberts 5. Cádiz
Best known for its lively winter carnival, Cádiz sits on a sunny peninsula bathed by the Atlantic, an hour's drive south of Seville. Local beach culture revolves around several powdery, pale-taupe strands. Arguably the best is Playa de la Victoria, which extends for almost two miles south of the historic centre to meet wilder, dune-backed Playa de la Cortadura. Here, you'll find people surfing, setting up umbrellas on the broad sands and sipping fino sherry at waterside chiringuitos (beach restaurants). Alternatively, head to Playa de la Caleta on the Old Town's western edge; even during cooler months, there's a buzz around sunset. Off the sand, this ancient city founded by the Phoenicians invites exploration with highlights including the Museo de Cádiz and one of Andalucia's finest flamenco venues, Peña la Perla.
A special stay: The Parador de Cádiz, just north of Playa de la Caleta, offers Atlantic-view rooms, plus a pool that overlooks the water. From €162 (£135), B&B. 6. Tarifa
Catching a pastel-orange sunset over the Strait of Gibraltar from one of Tarifa's undeveloped beaches shows why this easygoing, surftown at Spain's southern tip is such a hit. It's situated on Cádiz's Costa de la Luz and its main beach is Playa de los Lances, which begins where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic and stretches across four miles of protected coastline. A 10-minute drive (or a summer shuttle bus) takes you to Punta Paloma Beach, where umbrella pines trickle down to the dunes. Tarifa's beaches have great swimming, but the Atlantic's breezes have also created a thriving kitesurfing and windsurfing culture. The small old town dates from the Moorish era and various coastal trails weave out towards viewpoints overlooking neighbouring Morocco.
A special stay: Hotel La Sacristía has peaceful rooms in a creatively restored 17th-century building in Tarifa's old town, five minutes from the beach. From €110 (£92). 7. A Coruña, Galicia
This dynamic city on Spain's northwestern Galicia coast benefits from handy train links and its own international airport. A Coruña's main beach is essentially two sandy, pale-yellow strands in one — Praia de Riazor and Playa del Orzán — curled into a small Atlantic inlet on the northwest side of the centre. It's at the heart of a lively local surf scene, but the city is also something of an arts hub and has a strong culinary heritage revolving around the fruits of the sea. Picasso lived here as a child in the 1890s and his former family apartment is now the Casa Museo Picasso, while the Museo de Belas Artes da Coruña houses works by Sorolla, Goya, Rubens and others. You can also stroll north to the grand Torre de Hércules lighthouse, of Roman origin, perched on a windswept headland. If you have the time, A Coruña makes an excellent gateway to Galicia's Rías Altas and Costa da Morte shorelines.
A special stay: Wake to sparkling Atlantic views at Noa Boutique Hotel, which has light-filled rooms surrounded by golden coves and greenery, just 15 minutes' drive south east of central A Coruña. From €121.50 (£103), B&B. 8. Gijón, Asturias
Gijón fronts the roaring Bay of Biscay on the western coast of green Asturias. Although relatively little-known on the international travel scene, this formerly industrial city of 268,000 people is only a 30-minute drive or a 45-minute bus ride from Asturias Airport. Two swooping sandy beaches await either side of Cimadevilla, Gijón's charismatic old town, set on an ocean-whipped headland. Framed by a busy promenade, mile-long Playa de San Lorenzo has a well-established surf scene; at its northern end you can peek at the excavated Campo Valdés Roman Baths, dating from the first century BCE. High-energy cider bars fill Cimadevilla's interlocking streets and squares, serving plates of pungent cheeses from the Picos de Europa mountains. Just east, Playa de Poniente is another enticing half-moon to relax on, while the surrounding coastline is dotted with wild beaches, including Playa de Rodiles, set within a eucalyptus-shaded nature reserve.
A special stay: Just steps from Playa de Poniente, El Môderne is a distinctive art deco building restored as a moodily styled boutique hotel. 'Loft' rooms have private terraces. From €116 (£98). Published in the June 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).
To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
10 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Venezuelans in U.S. face heartbreak after travel ban shuts door on family reunification
For Venezuelans in the United States, a new White House proclamation has reopened old wounds and deepened fears that exile in the U.S., once a certain path to safety, will now mean permanent separation from their loved ones. On Wednesday, the Trump administration announced sweeping travel restrictions on nationals from over a dozen countries—including Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti. The order bars entry for most applicants seeking tourist, student and business visas, further narrowing the few remaining legal pathways for families torn apart by dictatorship, displacement and economic collapse. Among the thousands left in anguish is Sasha Escalante, a 44-year-old Venezuelan radio producer living in Miami. In the past year, Escalante has fought to stay alive while battling Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a rare and severe skin condition that left her hospitalized with rashes resembling second- and third-degree burns covering 75% of her body. Today, she is still recovering—and fighting for the chance to reunite with her elderly parents, whom she hasn't seen in years. Escalante had applied for a humanitarian visa to bring her parents to the U.S. while she was in intensive care fighting for her life. Her parents' previous tourist visas had expired in October 2022. Despite the urgency of her condition, her request was denied. Her parents later secured a tourist visa appointment for this coming August, this time in Madrid, due to the absence of a U.S. embassy in Venezuela. That appointment had offered a faint for reunion. Now, with the travel ban in place, even that hope has all but disappeared. 'Being away from family as a refugee is already painful,' Escalante said. 'But it's even harder when you've come close to death. I don't know what else I can do.' Her father, a retired engineer, was trained in manufacturing and technology in the 1980s in Japan. Over the years, he returned to the U.S. numerous times to update his skills. But under the new travel policy, his decades of professional and personal ties may count for nothing. A former television journalist who fled Venezuela in 2012 after the Hugo Chávez shut down her station, Escalante now works as a content producer at Miami's Actualidad Radio, a Spanish-language station. In addition to her serious health struggles, she is also a mother to a son on the autism spectrum. 'This country gave me refuge,' she said. 'But it is devastating. That appointment was my hope' A community under siege Escalante's story echoes the growing fear and frustration spreading to the nearly one million Venezuelans living in the United States. The new proclamation suspends most immigrant and non-immigrant visas for Venezuelans—affecting tourism (B-1/B-2), students (F and M), and exchange visitors (J), with limited exceptions. While green-card holders and immediate family members of U.S. citizens remain exempt from the travel ban, the practical effect is clear: For countless Venezuelan Americans, family reunification is once again out of reach. Alberto Argüelles, a Venezuelan attorney and longtime asylum seeker in Doral, said he is depressed. Like many, he fled persecution at home only to feel persecuted again in exile. 'We Venezuelans are trapped between two oppressors—one who hunts us at home, and another who now targets us in the U.S.,' he said. Though the Trump administration first included Venezuela in a travel ban in 2017, that version targeted only government officials and their families. The current policy is far broader Beginning June 9, it affects the vast majority of Venezuelan visa seekers, citing concerns over identity verification and Venezuela's refusal to take back deportees from the U.S. Yet data reviewed by the Miami Herald shows that the U.S. has already carried out over 21 deportation flights, returning more than 3,400 Venezuelans since Trump resumed deportations—including 150 people deported just one day after the proclamation was signed. At the same time, approximately 1,500 Venezuelans have voluntarily returned from Mexico through Maduro's Vuelta a la Patria (Return to the Homeland) program. In total, more than 5,000 Venezuelans have returned to their country since Trump took office. A pattern of exclusion The proclamation comes as the U.S. government moves to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, a policy that had shielded more than 600,000 migrants from deportation. More than 350,000 have already lost that protection, with the remainder at risk by September, pending a federal court ruling. Adelys Ferro, executive director of the Venezuelan American Caucus, condemned the policy as racially motivated and strategically cruel. 'They didn't even try to hide the racism, discrimination, and xenophobia when drawing up this list,' she said. 'The countries affected are all places devastated by war, dictatorship, famine and death.' Even before the new restrictions, Venezuelans were facing high rejection rates for U.S. visas. In 2024, 37.4% of all tourist visa applications were denied, according to the State Department. A Miami Herald analysis shows the average denial rate under President Biden was 33%, compared to 60% during Trump's first term. Despite the high denial rate, demand remains strong. In fiscal year 2025 through April, over 35,500 B1/B2 visas and 205 student visas (F) were issued to Venezuelan nationals. The administration claims the ban is justified due to a 10% overstay rate for Venezuelans—higher than average but not unique. Still, for Venezuelans like Escalante, the numbers pale in comparison to the human cost. Back home, Venezuela's main opposition coalition, Plataforma Unitaria Democrática, has also condemned the new Trump policy. In a statement Thursday, the group called it a measure that 'further aggravates the already complex immigration situation faced by Venezuelans. 'Penalizing individuals based solely on their nationality only increases the suffering of innocent Venezuelans,' the statement read. 'We deserve the support of the free world—not more punishment.' The travel ban was announced shortly after the expiration of Chevron's oil license in Venezuela—a move widely interpreted as a political blow to Maduro's regime. The timing of the ban may also be aimed at deterring a potential new wave of Venezuelan migration, as the U.S. cracks down on immigration. More than 8 million Venezuelans have fled their country in recent years, and nearly 1 million now reside in the United States. The consequences of the ban go beyond the U.S. border. In some Latin American countries, a valid U.S. visa is often a gateway to mobility. Countries like Panama now require visas for Venezuelans—but waive them for travelers holding valid U.S. visas. The new ban will likely sever those options as well. And with no U.S. embassy in Caracas and direct flights between the U.S. and Venezuela suspended since 2019, even navigating the application process has long been a logistical and financial burden. Now, the door has been all but slammed shut.
New York Post
10 hours ago
- New York Post
Gen-Z travelers reveal how they vacation so often — but experts caution against this hack: ‘Don't do it'
With summer right around the corner, Gen Z vacationers have begun touting their travel tips. And among the top recommendations? 'Buy now, pay later' services like Klarna, Afterpay and Affirm. Those tools have slowly expanded across different platforms, giving consumers the option to schedule out incremental payments for practically anything: sneakers, burritos — and now, even airplane tickets. Advertisement For young, single or financially-limited Gen-Z travelers, covering airfare and other travel expenses with BNPL methods has become a popular — if concerning — trend. Many major airlines and hospitality groups have started to offer BNPL methods to travelers. Getty Images/iStockphoto 'I didn't want to drop the full price [straight away],' 29-year-old Najee Mcfarland-Drye told Thrillist of a recent vacation. By choosing to pay the entire fare in small installments, 'I still got to do the fun stuff I wanted to do in the time beforehand instead of the normal 'Oh, I spent $800 and now I have to lay low for a minute.'' Advertisement But Gen-Z's travel spending habits have become a frequent source of online outrage — take Coachella's shocking stats, for example. A post-2025 festival study conducted by Billboard found that more than 60% of concertgoers used BNPL options to finance their tickets, compared to a minuscule 18% when the choice first became available in 2009. While spending smaller increments of money may appear initially attractive to prospective travelers, experts advise against it, citing potential interest payments and credit repercussions as a result of constant loans. Advertisement 'The short answer is, don't do it,' Clint Henderson, a travel expert at The Points Guy, recently told NBC10 Boston. 'All the airlines offer some form of 'buy now, pay later' now, so they're all getting in on the act. You know, this is free money for them. 'You're much better off opening a credit card that's going to give you a statement credit and a big signup bonus,' Henderson added. If those tried-and-true signup bonuses and rewards aren't a big enough incentive to avoid the BNPL method, rest assured knowing that 2025 flight prices for summer travel are down 7% year-over-year, according to a Kayak report. Oftentimes, experts suggest, planning your vacations around destinations with significant deals can be the best way to cut travel costs. Getty Images Advertisement Henderson agrees on that front. 'This is the first time in about five years that prices are actually down year over year for the peak summer travel season,' he said. While Gen-Z may boast some occasional crafty tips and tricks to make navigating e-commerce a breeze, this 'buy now, pay later' bonanza is a serious no-no, according to experts. Instead, look to travel credit cards that offer rewards, like free miles or discounted hotel bookings, which benefit vacationers more in the long run. The Points Guy Director of Travel Content Eric Rosen previously shared another helpful travel tip with The Post: Tourists should 'garden their reservations' and check in weekly regarding arrangements for a flight or hotel. 'If that airfare drops between the time you book it and the time you fly, you can cancel it (depending on which type of ticket you have), rebook and save some of that money as a credit towards a future reservation,' Rosen explained.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
What Travelers Need to Know About the Wildfires in Canada
K. D. Kirchmeier/Getty Images Canada's wildfire season roared to an early start last month and it hasn't abated since. Currently, the situation is most severe in the prairie provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, which have each declared a Provincial State of Emergency. In response, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) has raised its National Preparedness Level to 5, the highest level. As of June 5, CIFFC reports that 201 wildfires are blazing across Canada, with 103 in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia classified as out of control, meaning they are expected to continue growing. More than 33,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta homes, including 17,000 in Manitoba alone. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has called it the 'largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people's living memory.' The diverse landscapes of Canada's prairies are settings for an array of travel adventures, from spotting bison in Saskatchewan's grasslands to kayaking in Manitoba's vast boreal forest and hiking among wind-sculpted hoodoos in the Alberta Badlands. They are also home to some of Canada's most impressive cultural institutions, including the Quamajuq Inuit art center in Winnipeg and Wanuskewin heritage park in Saskatoon. If you have an upcoming trip to the region, here's what you need to know. The most severe fires are concentrated in northern Saskatchewan and northern and eastern Manitoba. In early May the SHOE fire broke out in northern Saskatchewan, south of Narrow Hills Provincial Park, followed by the CAMP fire near Candle Lake—the two fires have since merged. The ongoing emergency took another turn on June 2, when the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency ordered the evacuation of the northern town of La Ronge and surrounding communities after a wildfire breached the town's airport. In Manitoba, two people were killed in May by the fire that forced the evacuation of the town of Lac du Bonnet, northeast of the provincial capital Winnipeg. While Lac du Bonnet residents have since returned, mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect in multiple communities, including Flin Flon, Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake), Lynn Lake, and Sherridon. In an ominous reminder of the summer of 2023, Canada's worst wildfire season on record, smoke from the wildfires has been impacting air quality in several US states. The smoke has also billowed across the Atlantic and caused hazy skies in parts of western Europe. The National Weather Service has issued air quality alerts for Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. These alerts, which are in effect until 11 p.m., June 5, advise that people who are sensitive to air pollution should limit their time outdoors between 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Manitoba: Provincial park closures and fire restrictions are in effect across the province. Parks that are currently closed to visitors include Bakers Narrows, Grass River, and Wekusko Falls. Nopiming Provincial Park is also closed and campgrounds at the park's Black and Beresford lakes will remain closed for the rest of the season, along with all water routes in the park. While parts of Whiteshell Provincial Park are closed, most areas in Caddy and West Hawk lakes have reopened and campgrounds in Brereton, Caddy, West Hawk, and White lakes will reopen on Friday, June 6, at 4 p.m. That said, 'Manitoba is a large province… almost double the size of Germany,' Travel Manitoba's director of communications, Louise Waldman, wrote in an email. Many of the province's most appealing destinations remain open to visitors, says Waldman, who recommends exploring Manitoba's subarctic in the town of Churchill, home to thousands of belugas from June to September, or diverting your plans to other provincial parks. In western Manitoba, Spruce Woods is home to towering sand dunes; the rolling terrain of Turtle Mountain is a favorite of mountain bikers; and the forest of Duck Mountain is home to wildlife including black bear, moose, white-tailed deer, lynx, coyote, and wolves. For the latest updates, check the Manitoba Parks website and Manitoba Wildfire Status Dashboard before traveling. Saskatchewan: Narrow Hills Provincial Park, close to the SHOE fire, will remain closed until June 26 and its Gem Lakes and Lost Echo campgrounds will be closed for the 2025 season. Lac La Ronge Provincial Park is closed until at least June 8. For campground closures and fire restrictions at other parks and recreation areas, Saskatchewan Parks has a complete list. In central Saskatchewan, the federal Parks Canada-run Prince Albert National Park has closed all backcountry areas for the foreseeable future, as well as all lakes, with the exception of Waskesiu. Like Manitoba, Saskatchewan is a big province and many of its key tourism destinations, from Grasslands National Park to Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, remain open to visitors. Tourism Saskatchewan advises travelers to check official sources such as the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and its own Know Before You Go web page before traveling. June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, which provides a great reason to explore some of the newest developments in Canada's Indigenous tourism scene that remain open. Pemiska Tourism in the Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation, near Saskatoon, has just launched new tipi-style glamping lodges in Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park. Open in Manitoba's Riding National Park since 2023, Turtle Village is a first-of-its-kind Indigenous-operated, year-round glamping destination. On June 21, National Indigenous Peoples' day, the company will launch Turtle Tours with an immersive walking tour in Winnipeg. This is a developing news story and will be updated with information as it becomes available. Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler The Latest Travel News and Advice Want to be the first to know? Sign up to our newsletters for travel inspiration and tips Stop Counting the Countries You Visit How Safe Is Flying Today? 5 Things Experts Want Travelers to Know The Best Places to See the Northern Lights Worldwide
