COSTA CALM
Finding a crowd-free Spanish beach in the summer can feel impossible, but there are lesser-known spots that offer peace and quiet. Here’s our top 20
DOWN in Benidorm, parts of the Costa del Sol and along the Costa Brava, you can be hard pressed to find a clear spot to unfurl your beach towel. Spain can be a victim of its own success, with more than 18million Britons flocking to its golden shores each year (not to mention the millions from elsewhere).
So here we’ve listed 20 of the best lesser-known beaches where you can stretch out and relax in peace.
WILD IN GALICIA
MILES from the nearest town, Carnota is Galicia’s longest, wildest beach. Its soft white sands and dunes stretch five miles along the Atlantic coast. Details: Hotel Faro de Larino has doubles from £94 (hotelfaro lariño.com); flights to Santiago de Compostela from £67 return (vueling.com).
AU NATUREL IN VALENCIA
HALF an hour’s drive south of Valencia, El Saler is home to wild beaches and sand dunes surrounded by pine woods. Popular with windsurfers and – be warned – naturists.
Details: Parador de El Saler has doubles from £118 (parador.es); flights to Valencia from £52 return (vueling.com).
BLISSFUL ANDALUSIA
PLAYA de Cuesta Maneli by the lowkey resort of Matalascanas in Andalusia has long been a local favourite. A boardwalk leads down to this long stretch of powdery white sand. Details: Hotel La Malvasia has doubles from £110 (hotellamalvasia. com); flights to Seville from £60 return (easyjet.com).
SURF’S UP IN ASTURIAS
A FAVOURITE with birdwatchers and surfers, the long, golden beach at Rodiles on Spain’s northern Asturian coast is sheltered by mountains and pine and eucalyptus woods. Details: La Corte de Lugas has doubles from £85 (lacortedelugas. com); flights from £55 return (vueling.com).
GLORIOUS GRAN CANARIA
WELL away from the busier resorts in Gran Canaria’s south, El Puertillo is a sandy beach surrounded by black lava rocks. Great for swimming and fishing.
Details: Hotel Rural La Hacienda del Buen Suceso has doubles from £88 (haciendabuensuceso.com); flights from £61 return (easyjet.com).
DRAMATIC MURCIA
THE beautifully raw Cuatro Calas forms part of a scenic circular coastal trail along Murcia’s Costa Calida. Located within a nature reserve, volcanic rocks make a dramatic backdrop.
Details: Hotel Mayari has doubles from £75 (hotel-mayari.com); flights to Murcia from £46 (easyjet.com).
TRANQUIL CANTABRIA
BOOKENDED by two rocky headlands, you’d never guess tranquil Playa de El Bocal in Cantabria on Spain’s north-west coast is close to Santander. Expect silky, golden sands and shallow rock pools. Details: Gran Hotel Sardinero has doubles from £84 (hotelsardinero. es); return flights from £57 (ryanair.com).
LOVELY LANZAROTE
PLAYA del Caleton Blanco on Lanzarote is a cove in the north-east – its rock pools, shallow waters and honey-coloured sands are a delight and popular with snorkellers. Details: Casa de los Naranjos has doubles from £136 (lacasadelosnaranjos.com); flights from £52 return (easyjet.com).
CALM IN CATALONIA
ON THE a northerly stretch of the Costa Brava, Platja de Mas Pinell is a protected area of soft sand dunes. Gaze out to sea at the tiny Illes Medes islands.
Details: Hotel Clipper has doubles from £125 (eldelfinverde.com); flights to Girona from £63 (ryanair.com).
MAJESTIC MAJORCA
SURROUNDED by low cliffs, Playa de S’Arenalet on Majorca is a wonderfully pristine beach with powdery white sand in the Serra de Llevant Nature Reserve. It’s awkward to reach but worth it. Details: Finca Sa Duaia de Dalt has doubles from £62 (saduaia. com); flights to Palma from £30 return (easyjet.com).
REMOTE ACCESS
HIDDEN on the rugged coast of Cabo de Gata Natural Park, Playa de los Muertos near Almeria in Andalusia is half a mile of shingle framed by dramatic rocks. Bring supplies – there’s nothing nearby.
Details: Hotel El Tio Kiko has doubles from £77 (eltiokiko.com); flights to Almeria from £50 return (easyjet.com).
YES PLEASE, CADIZ
PLAYA de Arroyo Canuelo in the province of Cadiz is blissfully unspoilt with clear waters and soft sand. Only accessible on foot, it’s hidden from view by pine forests. Be prepared for nudists.
Details: Melia Zahara Resort & Villas has doubles from £108 B&B (melia.com); flights to Seville from £60 return (easyjet.com).
BRILLIANT BASQUE
JUST outside the Basque town of Getxo, Playa de Azkorri is fantastically secluded and sheltered by steep cliffs. There’s an extraordinary landscape of dunes, rocks and charcoal-grey sand.
Details: Hotel Embarcadero has doubles from £116 (hotelembar cadero.com); flights to Bilbao from £40 return (easyjet.com).
PICTURE PERFECT
THE Salvador Dali HouseMuseum in Portlligat, Catalonia, is close to the sandy beach, Cala de Portlligat, a tranquil spot away from the crowds.
Details: Hotel Calina has doubles from £85 (hotelcalina.com); flights to Girona from £63 (ryanair.com).
COSTA DORADA DREAM
South of Cambrils on Costa Dorada, the teal-coloured water at Platgeta de Xelin is a snorkeller’s dream. This little cove is framed by craggy, coral-toned rocks. Details: Mas de Mingall Casa Rural has doubles from £86 (masdemin gall.com); flights to Barcelona from £73 return (ryanair.com).
LIGHT FANTASTIC
TUCKED away on Spain’s southwestern coast, El Rompido is on the Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light). Enjoy soft, wide sand dunes sheltered by pine forests.
Details: Hotel El Fuerte El Rompido has doubles from £71 (fuerte hoteles.com); flights to Seville from £60 return (easyjet.com).
CANTABRIA CHILL-OUT
BACKED by the green hills of Cantabria, Playa de Luana is amazingly tranquil. It’s easily accessible from the lovely little town of Cobreces nearby, and there are a couple of chilled-out beach bars. Details: Hotel El Refugio in Cobreces has doubles from £67 (hotel elrefugio.com); flights to Santander from £57 (ryanair.com).
PEACEFUL IBIZA
ON THE southerly end of Ibiza’s west coast, Cala Llentia is home to sculptured stone columns by artist Andrew Rogers. A sheltered cove among cliffs with clear water. Details: Hostal Cala Moli has doubles from £119 (calamoli.com); return flights to Ibiza from £106 (ba.com).
CATALONIAN DUNES
WITH miles of undulating sand dunes, the beach at El Fangar on the Ebro Delta, Catalonia, is on a spit jutting out from the coast. More popular with birdwatchers and ramblers than sunbathers. Details: Masia Tinet has doubles from £121 (masiatinet.com); flights to Barcelona from £73 return (ryanair.com).
FORMENTERA GEM
ES CALO on Formentera can be reached by ferry from Ibiza. The small, rocky cove at the fishing hamlet of Es Calo with its wooden boathouses is loved by snorkellers. Details: Es Pas Formentera has doubles from £134 (espas formentera.com); flights to Ibiza from £106 return (ba.com).