There are many types of tourism; as many as tourists. Spain is a country where tourism is a main activity. It accounts for 15% of its GDP and generates more jobs than industrial activities. And is that Spain is a country of contrasts, culture, heritage, nature and gastronomy . In the cities of the interior and in the towns of the coast. We invite you to join us to get to know the 13 most beautiful coastal towns in Spain.
The most beautiful coastal towns in Spain that you have to see once in your life
The Spanish coast is diverse, wide and attractive. The coastal towns of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, Catalonia, Valencia; the coastal towns of the Balearic Islands, Murcia, Andalusia or the Canary Islands have a special charm . If you don’t know where to travel on your next long weekend or weekend getaway, you can choose from any of these 13 most beautiful coastal towns in Spain : beach, heritage, nature, culture… Shall we start?
Cadaqués, Gerona
It is not only one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Spain; It is also recognized as one of the most charming towns on the Costa Brava and Catalonia . Cadaqués is a small town located on the easternmost point of the peninsular Mediterranean coast. Marcel Duchamp and Salvador Dalí were inspired by its coastline and its cuttings, by that light so typical of the Mediterranean.
This coastal town of Alto Ampurdán , at the eastern end of Gerona, famous for its panoramic views, and for the Salvador Dalí house-museum . Located in a natural port, despite being one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Costa Brava, it still maintains that air of a fishing village .
What to see in Cadaqués? In addition to strolling along its promenade, you cannot miss the wall and the Church of Santa María de Cadaqués.
Comillas, Santander
When you think of Santander or Cantabria, everyone agrees that San Vicente de la Barquera is one of the most beautiful towns. And it is, but the Santaderina coast has other hidden gems like Comillas . If you are looking for a beautiful, affordable and different coastal town that combines both beach and cultural activities, Comillas is ideal. Not for nothing is it considered one of the perfect towns to travel with family .
Comillas is, together with Barcelona, the town where architectural Modernism shows its greatness. Not surprisingly, the Cantabrian town has one of the largest modernist-style architectural ensembles in all of Spain. All of them essential in a visit to Comillas :
- The Capricho of Gaudí
- The Pontifical University of Comillas
- The Palace of Sobrellano
- Duke’s House
And, of course, the entire old town of the town. If it is summer, or you want to feel the sea breeze, take the opportunity to walk along its beach .
Garachico, Tenerife
Tenerife’s uniqueness makes its coast a continuum of places with a special charm. Such is the case of Garachico, one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Spain.
It was the main port of the island, hence the presence of the houses of noble and rich merchants that give it its uniqueness.
Its natural pools are famous, formed after the eruption of the volcano in the 18th century, which destroyed its port.
Cudillero, Asturias
The entire coast of Asturias is a cascade of picturesque villages that are worth visiting. However, above all of them Cudillero stands out: a small fishing village full of color.
And it is that each house is painted with the color of its barge . In addition to this colorful contrast, we find the intense green of the environment and the blue tones of the sea.
In addition to its promenade , and its wide viewpoints , with impressive views, you cannot miss its lighthouse .
Mojácar, Almeria
In Andalusia, there is a great imbalance between the known area and the hidden gems, on the coast and inland. Mojácar is one of the most beautiful towns in Andalusia in its own right.
Located on a hill 170 meters above sea level, in the last foothills of the Sierra Cabrera , it has two great attractions: its beaches and its historic center.
Mojácar Playa is made up of 17 km of virgin beaches , part of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. Be careful, because only 7 have a blue flag. The area of the town still keeps the Arab air in its streets and in its buildings , but also in its surroundings.
Hondarribia, Guipúzcoa
Hondarribia or Fuenterrabia is a colorful fishing town in the province of Guipúzcoa, rich in gastronomy and architecture , which make it one of the most beautiful towns in the Basque Country and in Spain .
If you are planning a trip to this coastal area of the Basque Country and wondering what to see in Hondarribia, we recommend entering through the Puerta de Santa María Atea, next to which appears the Hatxero, the soldier of the fortifications.
If you follow Calle Mayor you will find the baroque Town Hall, the Casadevente Palace or the Zuloaga Palace. And, of course, the Castle of Carlos V.
Tarifa, Cadiz
Cádiz, as a province, is a continuous set of coastal towns to visit . It joins the two waters that bathe Spain, and has the southernmost point in all of Europe. Africa is so close that you can almost touch it.
Tarifa is the sea, it is the coast, but it is also heritage. Its lands were inhabited by Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. Such a long settlement has left some elements to see in Tarifa, such as the Castillo de Guzmán el Bueno or the Castillo de S. Catalina , in addition to its streets and beaches.
If you visit Tarifa you cannot miss the Isla de las Palomas and the meeting point between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic . Its particular location has made it the surf capital of Spain and Europe .
Ciudadela, Menorca
The Balearic Islands are known by Ibiza, mostly, and by Manacor, now. However, it has some coastal towns of great beauty, unknown and, therefore, less visited and with fewer crowds of people, which are worth visiting. One of these charming corners of Menorca is Ciudadela, a small coastal town of great beauty .
Added to its paradisiacal beaches is a unique heritage on the island: a peculiar Mediterranean architecture, stately homes, the Cathedral of Santa María de Ciudadela or the Naveta des Tudons , a megalithic nave from the Bronze Age.
It was the capital and economic center of the island until the transfer of the capital to Mahón. The population has been coveted by the Ottomans, English and Berbers , giving it a unique, resilient, but multicultural character. Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful towns in Menorca.
Empuriabrava or Empuriabrava, in Gerona
Empuriabrava or Empuriabrava is considered the Venice of the Costa Brava . Not in vain is it surrounded by the Ampudán Marshes Natural Park . It has more than 23 km of navigable channels.
It acts as a residential marina, the largest in Europe , and has some of the most spectacular viewpoints on the Costa Brava : the one that extends from the top of the medieval town.
The historic center is just five minutes from the beach area , so it is very convenient to do something different.
Nerja, Malaga
What to see and do in Nerja? Whether you travel to Nerja for a day or are just passing through, the Chanquete Boat is a must: the Verano Azul series put this Malaga town on the map. Once the ritual is complete, you can start walking through its streets , going up from the beach area to such spectacular viewpoints as the Balcón de Europa .
From here you can see the many coves that appear on its coast. But Nerja is also its historic center where you can enjoy the typical Andalusian white houses. You cannot visit Nerja and not see the Caves of Nerja , a spectacle of nature.
Peñíscola, Castellón
Peñíscola is located on the Costa del Azahar, in Castellón, and is one of the most beautiful (coastal) towns in Spain : its old town seems to beat the Mediterranean. Here rises its iconic Papa Luna Castle , built by the Templars in the 14th century.
The town is more than 5 km long , arranged along the coast, and seems to be divided by the promontory of the castle. From it, you can see both parts of the town, and observe the splendid wall , which borders the sea. Beyond the cultural, Peñíscola has an ideal environment for hiking trails, such as the Sierra de Irta .
Or Barqueiro, in La Coruña
Galicia could not be missing in this story of the 13 most beautiful coastal towns in Spain , with its wide, beautiful and dangerous coastline . One of these dangerous spots is Estaca de Bares, the point where the Cantabrian Sea and the Open Atlantic converge . Nearby is the town of O Barqueiro, with its splendid estuary, its viewpoints over the Altas estuaries.
The fishermen’s houses seem to spill out from the hillside towards the estuary , as if it were an amphitheater. The environment, a refuge for numerous birds, is a paradise for nature lovers.
Combarro, in Pontevedra
Very close to Pontevedra, the Rías Baixas coast boasts one of the most picturesque and beautiful fishing villages in Galicia : Combarro. Known for its stone crosses and granaries , its historical complex is worth a quiet walk while you enjoy the beauty of the surroundings of the Pontevedra estuary.
