The British newspaper The Telegraph recommends Spain for summer travel. The favourite holiday destination for Brits with more than 15 million visitors by 2022, it has compiled this ranking of the 20 best coastal cities in Spain. These are Spain's best seaside towns in 2023, including less touristy beach towns in Spain and traditional Spanish coastal villages.
Spain is home to some of the most beautiful and picturesque seaside towns in Europe. These towns are known for their sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, delicious seafood, and charming architecture. You can find elegant harbours such as the Port of Malaga, quiet beaches such as the hidden coves of Nerja, not to mention excellent seafood restaurants, whitewashed buildings and restaurants adorned with colourful bougainvillea flowers.
Topping the ranking of the best seaside towns in Spain in 2023 according to The Telegraph is Sanlúcar de Barrameda, a historic town located in the province of Cádiz in Andalusia, southern Spain. It is situated on the left bank of the Guadalquivir River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean and is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and delicious cuisine.The town's seafood is renowned, and there are many restaurants and bars serving fresh fish and seafood dishes.
Second on the list is Cadaqués, a picturesque town located on the Costa Brava in Catalonia. It is known for its whitewashed houses, narrow streets, and stunning sea views. Cadaqués is also famous for being the home of Salvador Dali, and you can visit his former house, which is now a museum.
The podium of the best seaside towns in Spain is rounded off with another visit to the province of Cadiz and the town of Tarifa. Tarifa is situated on the southernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean and is known for its beautiful beaches, world-class wind and kite surfing, and fascinating history. It is a great destination for those interested in water sports, nature, and gastronomy, and a great place to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle.
Here is the full top 20 ranking of the best seaside towns in Spain, with a map of where they are located, including towns with beaches with luxury restaurants and excellent gastronomy, spectacular villages for water sports and much more.
- Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cádiz)
- Cadaqués (Girona)
- Tarifa (Cadiz)
- Sitges (Barcelona)
- Estepona (Malaga)
- Llanes (Asturias)
- Altea (Alicante)
- Garachico (Tenerife)
- Baiona (Pontevedra)
- Lekeitio (Bizkaia)
- Cudillero (Asturias)
- Puerto de Sóller (Mallorca)
- Denia (Alicante)
- Combarro (Pontevedra)
- Nerja (Malaga)
- Comillas (Cantabria)
- Mojácar (Almería)
- Peñíscola (Castellón)
- Fornells (Menorca)
- Puerto de Mogán (Gran Canaria)
Overall, Spain has no shortage of beautiful seaside towns to explore, each with its unique charm and character. Whether you're looking for a relaxing beach holiday or a cultural getaway, there's something for everyone in Spain's coastal towns.
Wildfires in Spain: over 1,900 troops deployed
Spain is battling more than 20 major wildfires across the country, with the government deploying hundreds of additional soldiers as a searing, prolonged heatwave continues to fuel the blazes. Defence Minister Margarita Robles described the situation as unlike anything the country's Military Emergencies Unit (UME) has faced since its formation 20 years ago, linking the unusual characteristics of the fires to climate change.
Living in Menorca: life on the quiet Balearic
While Ibiza is famed for its clubs and Mallorca for its resorts, Menorca is a world apart. Known locally as 'the calm island', this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve offers a different pace of life, and this peaceful identity is central to the experience of living in Menorca. Its history is just as rich, with prehistoric Talayotic stone monuments scattered across the landscape and Georgian townhouses in Mahón hinting at a period of British rule. There’s even a strong local claim that salsa mahonesa (m
Holapueblo project: how Spain is repopulating its rural villages
The phenomenon known as 'España vaciada', or 'Empty Spain', refers to the demographic shift leaving many of the country's rural areas sparsely populated. This trend presents a continuing social and economic challenge for the nation. As villages contend with dwindling populations, a range of initiatives has emerged to help revitalise these communities. Among the most prominent of these efforts is the Holapueblo project, a programme designed to tackle the issue of depopulation head-on by attracti
Tennis, sunshine, and style: Davis Cup 2025 arrives in Marbella
Spain will host Denmark in an electrifying Davis Cup Qualifier at Marbella’s prestigious Puente Romano Tennis Club from 13–14 September 2025. This decisive tie will determine which nation earns a coveted place in the Final 8 in Bologna this November — and it’s set to be one of the highlights of Marbella’s late-summer social calendar.
Madrid, the safest city in the world according to Trump
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has described Madrid as the safest city in the world. He made the statement during a press briefing in which he announced that the federal government would take control of the Washington DC police, with the aim of reducing crime rates.
Discover the most beautiful white villages in Andalusia and Southern Spain
Southern Spain is famous for its sunshine, beaches, rich culture and historic towns – but nothing quite compares to its pueblos blancos, or white villages. These charming whitewashed towns are found throughout Andalusia, Murcia, and Extremadura, offering stunning views, fascinating architecture, and a peaceful escape from the modern world.
Living in Coripe: houses from €20K in rural Seville
Tucked away in the province of Seville, Coripe is the kind of place that barely registers on the usual tourist map. This is precisely why its property market is so remarkable, with traditional village houses starting from around €20,000. It’s an ideal spot for anyone seeking an authentic, rural Andalusian life without the hefty price tag.