If your idea of the perfect holiday is lounging around on beautiful beaches, then Spain is most definitely the country for you, and with over 4000 kilometres of coastline to choose from you are as they say....spoilt for choice. If you decide to plan a beach holiday then the following guide will be of great help to you. It was to be called the top 10 beaches in Spain, then I thought well for lots of reasons i.e location, privacy, cleanliness, type of activities offered etc etc everyone has an opinion, so here are the beaches......you decide.

Blue Flag Beaches in Spain According to figures published by ( ADEAC ) the consumer association for environmental education one in seven beaches have been awarded the blue flag, could be better I hear you say. However in the northern hemisphere a total of 2.579 blue flags have been awarded, Spain with 499 is in fact the leading country with the most flags. Galicia leads tIn 2007 the blue flag will be flying over 499 of its beaches and 77 Ports. The prestigious blue flags are awarded by an international committee of judges represented through organisations such as the united nations for the Environment , the world tourism body, the international association for help and life saving and various other environmental protection agencies.

The beaches of Galicia lead the table with 127 blue flags awarded, followed by Cataluña with 108, Valencia with 107, Andalucia with 72 and the Balearics with 80. On a smaller scale they are followed by the Canaries (30) Murcia ( 21 ) Asturias (13 ) and the Basque Region (8) Cantabria ( 6) Ceuta ( 2) and Melilla (2) .

If you are looking to explore the best beaches Spain has to offer there are many good online travel agents such as First Choice, Thomas Cook and On The Beach, offering a wide range of holidays in Spain, checking their web sites for the best deals is a great way to start.

You can download in pdf format a list of the Beaches in Spain awarded the blue flag in 2007 at
  Blue Flag Beaches

The Estorde beach is situated around 81 kilometers South West of La Coruña in Galicia. The beach is arouns 500 km long and has clean fine white side, the water is thin and calm. Usually not very crowded exept Sundays where of course the local community is more present.
Google Map of Estorde

Playa de las Américas is a purpose-built beach and resort situated between Arona,and Adeje in the south of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands. There are a number of beaches in the Las Americas area, most of which are man made from imported sand from Africa. Watch out though. the natural sand of the island is black and can get very hot during the summer months.
Google Map of Playa de las Americas

The south coast of Spain has some very beautiful beaches. Stretching from Tarifa to the Huelva an the border with Portugal you will come across many long, clean, sandy, unspoilt and underdeveloped beaches to enjoy. Although they can be prone to the strong poniente winds coming in from the Atlantic don't let that deter you, in fact if your into wind driven water sports its a must visit. Some of the nicest beaches are around Conil, long sandy stretches on both sides of the Town, clean and ideal for spending a long undisturbed day of beach worshipping. Must visit beaches along the south coast include those at Sanlucar de Barrameda, Rota, Chipiona and Chiclana.
Google Map of Playa de Conil

6 kms of fine white sandy beach , very popular with the windsurfers as it is a sheltered beach break that can be working any time throughout the year. When the surfing is right the beach can get very crowded.
Google Map of Playa de Somo

Playa de Bayas is one of the best beaches in the province of Asturias. It is surrounded by natural forest along the whole lenght of this beautiful beach, Bayas is also of great ecological interest with many species of plants found int his area.
Google Map of Playa de Bayas

The Beach at Mataro is some 5 km long and has fine golden sand, a great place to sit overlooking the Mediterranean and enjoy this beautiful part of Catalonia
Google Map of Playa de Mataro

One of the main reasons I visit Menorca is to swim in one the many coves ( Calas ) this attractive little Island has to offer. Quite a lot of them are only accessible via the sea and there position only given away by the yachts and small craft anchored slightly offshore around them. Driving around the island is a great way to explore the Calas and the awesome beach in the Cala de Algaiarens is must see. although difficult to reach some of them by car it is well worth the efforts to reach each destination. Algaiarens has two large beaches which nestle amongst the Menorcan pines. Other Calas I would recommend on the island are Cala Macarella, Cala Es Talaier. Cala N,porter, Cala Mitjaneta, Cala Galdana and Cala Pregonda.
Google Map of Cala de Algaiarens

Las playas de Mangueta, Zahora, Los Caños de Meca, Hierbabuena, Ntra. Sra. del Carmen, Cañillos, Pajares y Zahara de los Atunes make up the Beaches of Barbate. Long areas of fine white sand, sometimes a little windy but beautiful none the less, I have visited these beaches on many on occasions, there are all clean and peaceful and provide a welcome and relaxing break away from the busy Costas. Take my advice and make sure you put them all on your list the next time you visit the south of Spain.


Google Map of the Playas de Barbate

Probably my personal favourite in this guide is the Playa de Illetas. Situated on the northern tip of Formantera with the island of Espalmador only some 150m offshore. You may think you are on a remote Caribbean island when your lounging on the beach at Illetas. This beach is probably the most visited by tourist and locals alike so can get a little busy at peak times. The general area is easily accessible by any vehicle although due to the terrain some parts are only accessible by walking or Bike. There are restaurants, kiosks and sun beds to rent.


Google Map of Playa de Illetas

Although the beaches here are set amongst the built up area of Chipiona and at first glance may not seem the most pretty of beaches I do feel it should have a special mention. Chipionas beaches are proud holders of the Blue Flag since 1998 and has been undoubtedly the most sort after summer location for the Sevillanos for many a generation. I have always been happy in this area and love the typically Spanish atmosphere of the town and its beaches. Enjoy the Sardines roasting over the open fires set by the beach bars and restaurants and other fine fresh sea food on offer, specially the delicate taste of the famous Gambas Blancas White Prawns caught close by in the warm and clean waters off the Cadiz coast.
Google Map of Playas de Chipiona

Huelva is another favourite haunt of my family and not least because of the quality of the sea and its beaches. I have walked along the Mazagon beach during high season and come across only a handful of visitors. the 36 kms of clean golden sand make Mazagon the pride of the Costa de la Luz.

Google Map of Playas de Mazagon