Spain is still by far our favourite holiday destination. More than 17 million UK travellers visited the country last year, according to recent figures. While its storied cities, wild mountains and rolling countryside are a draw, many head straight for the beach.
From the glitz of Andalucia’s Costa del Sol to the coves of the Costa Blanca in Alicante, Spain’s sun-splashed playgrounds always draw crowds in the summer months. But there are alternative Spanish seaside escapes less known among Britons. Here are seven to try.
Benissa, Alicante
The Costa Blanca is packed with popular beach towns. Little Benissa, set just inland from well-kown Calpe, is tucked between sea and mountain with winding, whitewashed streets and 4km of coastline puckered with lovely coves. While the old town is inland, it has its fair share of calas (coves) on the nearby coast connected by a walkway. Chiringuitos dot the sands, ranging from relaxed spots serving cold beer and fried anchovies to sophisticated restaurants with a distinct, Ibiza-like feel.
Numero Cuatro Boutique B&B is in the heart of the old town and has stone arches and wooden-beamed ceilings. Doubles from £67, room only (minimum stay two nights), no4benissa.com
Fisterra, Galicia
This coastal town earned its name from the Romans, who stared out at the expanse of Atlantic Ocean and decided it must be the end of the world. While Spain’s north-western region is famously green due to its rainfall, the mild summers make it perfect for a beach break. Think white sands, waters of an iridescent blue and August temperatures in the comfortable mid-20°Cs. A popular surf spot, Galicia is also home to excellent seafood and threaded with hiking routes (it is the official end of the Camino de Santiago), which all add up to make this a more adventurous break.
Hotel Bela Fisterra is an eco retreat with just 19 rooms, and right by the beach. Doubles from £120, room only, belafisterra.com
Mundaka, Basque Autonomous Community
Just east of Bilbao, the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve unites forest and coast, wetlands, medieval towns and fascinating birdlife. Where the river Oka flows into an estuary, presiding over it all is the town of Mundaka – a collection of handsome shuttered buildings and relaxed tavernas looking over a little fishing port. The beach here is popular among surfers for one of the longest left-hand waves in the world, and, along the coast, beaches such as Laida and Laga combine soft sands and sapphire waters protected by imposing cliffs.
Central Hotel Luruna is set in a 19th-century palace with a blend of exposed stone and modern art. Doubles from £150, room only, luruna.com
Fornells, Menorca
The quieter sister island to Mallorca and Ibiza, Menorca offers a slice of rural Balearic living. The interior is speckled with stone farmhouses turned into boutique hotels and small towns cluster around crystalline coves. To the north, Fornells was once a fishing village and its coastline is fringed by palm trees and seafood restaurants set in low-slung, whitewashed buildings. The Spanish glitterati come here to enjoy caldereta de langosta (lobster stew), the signature dish of a town known for its culinary prowess.
Can Digus Complejo Vivers one-bed apartments offer sea views and fresh nautical-inspired décor in the heart of Fornells. Apartments from £50 (minimum stay two nights), candigus.com
Tamariu, Catalonia
The Costa Brava – which translates as “wild coast” – stretches along the eastern flanks of Girona, a haven of handsome towns, rugged cliffs and sandy bays. There are national parks to explore and golf courses, wineries and Salvador Dali’s fantastical house to visit in Portlligat. One of the quieter spots to visit is Tamariu, set around a pine-clad cove peppered with just a few houses, small-scale hotels and restaurants overlooking glittering sea. This is a place to enjoy calm waters, hop between neighbouring coves and soak up the natural scenery.
Hotel Hostalillo is set among the pines overlooking the cove, with simple rooms and beach access. Doubles from £50, room only, hotelhostalillo.com
Garachico, Tenerife
The largest of the Canary Islands is famed for its vast hotels and resorts. But head to the little town of Garachico, clinging to the west coast, and you’ll discover a pretty town of cobbled streets and houses built in the distinctive Canarian style of crisp whitewash and dark volcanic stone. This former fishing village was almost destroyed by a volcanic eruption in the 18th century and the lava flow created natural pools, while the lack of sandy beaches has saved it from overtourism, protecting the traditional culture.
Garahotel is set in a converted home with sea views. Doubles from £86, room only, garahotel.com
Sanlucar de Barrameda, Andalucia
Forget the Costa del Sol, Spaniards prefer to head straight to the beaches of Cadiz and the Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light). Here, long stretches of golden sands are washed by the cooler Atlantic waters. One corner of the Sherry Triangle (along with Jerez and EL Puerto de Santa Maria), Sanlucar de Barrameda is home vast wine cellars of bone-dry manzanilla sherry. The main beach is where the Guadalquivir River flows into the sea while flamingo-filled wetlands and wild beaches of Doñana National Park are nearby.
Baroque palace retreat Hotel Palacio Marques de Arizon combines modern rooms with marble, Andalusian patios. Doubles from £53, room only, eurostarshotels.com