Hunting for a Spanish home near an idyllic beach but don’t know where to start? Spanish beaches feature heavily in the Best Beach Destinations 2020 list, produced by European Best Destinations in partnership with tourist offices across Europe, so here are five of those that made the cut. Could one of these be just what you’re looking for?

 

Nerja, Costa del Sol
A gem at the eastern end of the Costa del Sol, Nerja is a family resort that retains all of its original fishing village charm. Free of high rises, boasting a pretty old town and blessed with a subtropical climate, the main beach is called Playa Barriana. Alternatively, there is a string of sheltered sandy coves on the town’s western side.

A highlight is the promenade and famous Balcón de Europa, a balcony on top of a cliff that offers glorious panoramas of the sea, town and lush mountains behind.

Fly to: Málaga Airport (1 hour)

Calella de Palafrugell, Costa Brava
Small fishing boats bob gently in the bay or rest along the scenic seashore at Calella de Palafrugell, a sweet traditional fishing village tucked between two rocky headlands.

Located in the heart of the Costa Brava, this family resort is all about Catalan authenticity, with its old cobbled streets, ancient church and local family-run fish restaurants overlooking the town’s main beach. There are no thumping expat bars or English menus on show here. Calella’s beach is a popular choice with families from Barcelona, who want to get out of the city at weekends. The immediate coastline is home to some of the Costa Brava’s most dramatic and exclusive spots for a home.

Fly to: Girona (35 minutes) or Barcelona (90 minutes)

Cala Pregonda, Menorca
Tucked away on the sparsely uninhabited north coast of Menorca, Cala Pregonda is a secluded bay with a beautiful golden beach located near the end of single carriage road and reached via a short walk from the car park. Ideal for those who prefer a peaceful, natural setting to a developed seafront, the beach is surrounded by green hills and protected from the sea by three small islands.

It’s prized for its especially clear waters.
Not far away is the small tourist resort of Playas de Fornells and the older and picturesque fishing village of Fornells, with its palm-tree lined harbour – popular for its water sports and sailing, as well as fish restaurants.

Fly to: Menorca (45-50 minutes)

Bolonia, Costa de la Luz
The south-west corner of Spain is home to some of Spain’s most unspoilt and uncrowded beaches. Known as the ‘Coast of Light’, due to the luminescent effect of its clear blue skies, fine white sand and persistent breeze, it is a paradise for all types of surfers.

Bolonia Beach, located near Tarifa and in the Cádiz province, is a particular highlight. Typical for this stretch of the coastline, this sweeping four-kilometre-long beach is fringed by green-topped sand dunes and its untouched by development, except ruins dating back to Roman times! Being on the edge of the El Estrecho Natural Park means it’s likely to stay this way too. Next to Bolonia is the tiny village of El Lintescal, but there are small urbanizations five minutes away near Zahara de los Atunes, or Tarifa is a hip town with exotic Moorish feel back towards Gibraltar.

Fly to: Gibraltar (50 mins), Seville (2 hours), Málaga (2 hours 15 mins)

Playa de las Teresitas, Tenerife
Tenerife’s lively resorts and golf courses might all be concentrated in the south, but what is often considered the island’s best beach happens to be in its northern tip. It’s called Las Teresitas and located in the village of San Andrés, just north of the capital Santa Cruz. What is immediately noticeable is that has golden sand, as opposed to black like most of Tenerife. That’s because the beach was man-made using sand from the Sahara! Other things that make Las Teresitas special are its picturesque mountain backdrop and palm trees, which help to give it a Caribbean feel. Plus, thanks to the Canary Islands’ fantastic winter climate, you can enjoy being there all-year-round!

Fly to: Tenerife South (1 hour), Tenerife North (20 mins)