Which island in Spain has the best beaches?

The island of Menorca obviously has the most beautiful beaches in Spain. Mitjaneta beach is just magical. Come bathe in its 29 degrees turquoise water and enjoy its fine sand and the sun of Menorca.



Choosing the "best" beach island in Spain depends on your preference for scenery versus climate, but as of 2026, Mallorca and Gran Canaria are the top-rated contenders. Mallorca is widely considered the overall winner for sheer variety, home to the award-winning Platja de Muro, known for its turquoise Mediterranean waters, shallow entry, and white sand that rivals the Caribbean. The island also offers "Calas" (hidden rocky coves) like Cala Llombards that provide a more intimate, dramatic swimming experience. For those seeking a more exotic, Saharan feel, Gran Canaria is the choice, specifically for the Maspalomas Dunes, where massive golden sand hills meet the Atlantic Ocean. If you prioritize rugged, volcanic beauty and year-round warmth, Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands offers some of the best windsurfing and wide-open sandy stretches like Corralejo. For a chic, party-meets-paradise vibe, Formentera (accessible only by boat from Ibiza) boasts Ses Illetes, which consistently ranks among the clearest and most beautiful beaches in Europe.

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Mallorca - Balearic Island Discover the most beautiful beach in Spain, Torrent de Pareis on the wonderful island of Mallorca - Balearic Islands - Spain. There are two ways to reach this dream beach, a sporty one and one for those who want to rest. The sporty one is only suitable for the fittest and most athletic ones.

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Four idyllic beaches with crystal-clear waters
  • Berellín beach in Val de San Vicente, Cantabria. Berellín Beach, Cantabria. ...
  • View of Cala Culip in Girona (Catalonia) © José Luis Gargomo. Cala Culip, Girona. ...
  • Ses Illetes beach in Formentera, Balearic Islands. Ses Illetes beach, Formentera. ...
  • La Rijana beach in Granada, Andalusia.


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However, if you are looking for authentic fishing villages, cultural experiences, rolling surf and less crowded beaches, Portugal may be more to your liking than the high-rise Spanish Costas! Both countries have family friendly beaches, city beaches and more remote crescents of sand that few visitors choose to visit.

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While the cost of living can vary depending on location and personal preferences, Portugal tends to be slightly cheaper than Spain for accommodation, food, and transportation. Both countries offer beautiful scenery, rich culture, and delicious food, making them great destinations for travelers on a budget.

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Is Spain or Greece Better for Beaches? For a relaxing beach holiday, both Spain and Greece are great choices. Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Spain. The beaches in Spain are world-class, popular, and extensive.

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With its towering cliffs, the Italian Coast is best suited for hiking, walking and exploring its colorful towns. Swimming beaches exist, but they are small. In contrast, Spanish beaches, like those on the sunny Costa del Sol or near San Sebastian, are usually wider, sandier and better for swimming and sunbathing.

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Exercise increased caution in Spain due to terrorism and civil unrest. Country Summary: Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Spain.

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Sea Temperatures in Spain The warmest water in Spain is in Menorca where water has 26.8 degrees celsius.

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The only black sand beach whose origin is not volcanic is located here, in San Andrés. A small, but magical paradise hidden here. Its difficult access makes the way to it hard, so it is advisable to go with expert people.

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Maspalomas Beach, Gran Canaria. A golden Sahara-like landscape on the south coast of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, Maspalomas Beach is one of the prettiest places in Spain.

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Mallorca is the largest and most populous island off the West Coast of Spain visited often by the rich and famous. The landscape consists of beaches and mountains and draws many vacationing Europeans. If you want to do some eating, they claim over 2,400 restaurants to their name.

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… a much more diverse travel experience. As a result, Spain offers far more diversity than Portugal as a travel destination, from topography to culture to the sheer number of cities and towns to visit.

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April to May and September to October are the best times for perfect weather. In central Spain and on the Mediterranean coast, the spring and autumn seasons are marked by sunlit days and pleasant weather perfect for strolling and outdoor dining in terrazas, with temperatures cooling down by nightfall.

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People in Namibia have a much higher chance of finding it. Iceland's black sand beaches are a tourist highlight, Alaska's jewel sand is stuffed full of aesthetically pleasing minerals, but in Namibia, you can stumble across bright blue sand.

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Pink Beach Komodo Island: Indonesia's Famous Pink Sand Beaches. The pink beach on Komodo Island in Indonesia has become famous for its light reddish sand color and turquoise water, and the good news is that it's also pretty easy to visit on a day trip from the town of Labuan Bajo in Flores!

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Spain with five beaches, Italy with four, and Portugal and Greece with two apiece are the top awarded countries on the list. “We have seen some wild beaches top ranked this year, showing an interest in nature less-crowded destinations and less-known places for summer holidays in Europe,” the EBD notes.

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16 Best Beaches in the Mediterranean
  • Red Beach • Santorini, Greece.
  • Spiaggia Grande • Amalfi Coast, Italy.
  • Bogatell • Barcelona, Spain.
  • Banje Beach • Dubrovnik, Croatia.
  • Praia da Marinha • Algarve, Portugal.
  • Super Paradise Beach • Mykonos, Greece.
  • En Vau • Calanque, France.
  • Spiaggia dei Conigli • Lampedusa, Italy.


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