Spain has long been a favourite for sun-starved Brits, and it’s no surprise – its pretty stretches of sea and sand and balmy Mediterranean climate are a far cry from what we’re used to here at home.
The only dilemma? Deciding which of the country’s amazing coastlines to visit! Our round-up of Spain’s best costas will help narrow it down.
Costa del Sol
Best for families
Spain’s ‘Coast of the Sun’ isn’t a misnomer! This hugely popular part of Spain enjoys blissfully warm weather from May to September and up to 11 hours of sunshine in the height of summer. (We’re already sold.)
It’s a top pick for a cheap family beach holiday, with tranquil resorts, pretty-as-a-picture views and glorious seafronts, as well as plenty of activities for fun-filled family days out.
Torremolinos and Fuengirola are best for bustling beaches and watersports while Benalmadena and Marbella have elegant marinas and more than a few tasty restaurants to sink your teeth into. Or head to Nerja for postcard-worthy sandy beaches close to snack bars and seaside shops.
Costa Brava
Best for nightlife
Enjoy letting your hair down on holiday? Costa Brava has your name written all over it! Lloret de Mar is one of the liveliest resorts in mainland Spain and has bucket loads of bars and a vibrant strip. Nearby Tossa de Mar keeps the buzz going, but with a little bit more relaxation in the mix.
Costa Brava is close to Barcelona, too, which puts you near even more chic wine bars, live music venues and all-night dance clubs.
Elsewhere, Calella’s old town hums with bars and discos or you can chill out with a sangria at a beach bar in Pineda de Mar.
Costa Dorada
Best for thrill seekers
One thing’s for sure on a holiday in the lively Costa Dorada – you can get your adrenaline pumping! Base yourself in Salou to be close to the region’s most popular attraction, PortAventura World, where the whole family can have a fill of theme park thrills on epic rollercoasters and water slides.
Choose to stay in other popular resorts such as Cambrils and La Pineda and you’ll find every type of watersport on offer. Seriously, there’s everything from pedalos and banana boat rides to kitesurfing and scuba diving.
If big city life is more your kind of adventure, Barcelona is also an easy day trip from this costa.
Costa Blanca
Best for endless entertainment
Costa Blanca needs no introduction – Brit-favourites Alicante and Benidorm have been on the holiday scene for decades! Jam-packed with British pubs, cheap-as-chips restaurants and tons of activities, these sprawling seaside cities lure us back year after year for home-away-from-home holidays. What’s not to love?
Torrevieja and Calpe also have plenty going on to keep you entertained, whether it's tucking in to lip-smacking tapas at a seafront cafe, stocking up on souvenirs at old town markets, checking out action-packed promenades or hitting the beach for watersports.
Costa Verde
Best for walking holidays
If beachside cocktails don’t get your holiday juices flowing (an unlikely scenario), an adventurous break to northern Spain’s Costa Verde could be a bit of you. With a super long coastline running all the way from Portugal to the French border, the region has a unique climate, lush green forests and winding clifftop trails.
Top spots to stay for walking enthusiasts include Gijon, Aviles and Galicia. Lace up your hiking boots and get set to explore green coastlines, wooded valleys and secluded beach coves. The views are worth every single step, we promise!
Costa del Azahar
Best for couples
Known as the ‘Orange Blossom Coast’ thanks to its glorious fruit orchards, this costa is a dreamy choice for a couple’s getaway.
For a loved-up city break, visit Valencia to discover beautiful architecture, amazing art galleries and top-notch food – this is the birthplace of paella, after all!
Just up the coast, lovely Castellón is a romantic stay with its enchanting city centre or there’s Benicassim, a popular beach resort known for its palm-fringed sands and mountain views. We’ll see you there.
Costa Calida
Best for R&R
Fly-and-flop holiday enthusiasts will love Costa Calida. Boasting some 250km of stunning coastline along the Med, the region has has more lovely areas than we can count and tons of sunshine – as you’d hope when its name translates to ‘The Warm Coast’!
Well-loved holiday resorts are scattered along the seafront, namely famed golfing resort, La Manga Club, and you’ll find big city vibes in historic Cartagena and vibrant Murcia. Whether you spend your getaway topping up your tan by the pool, taking sunset strolls along golden beaches or exploring the area’s top sights, Costa Calida will send you home relaxed and rejuvenated. Win.
Costa de Almeria
Best for culture and history
Costa de Almeria doesn’t draw the same number of tourists as other costas, but that’s a good thing – trust us. Here life runs at a slower, much more laidback pace and traditional Spain isn’t hard to find.
Culture cravers and history buffs will want to make a beeline for the historic city of Almeria. Its Moorish fortress and 16th-century cathedral are must-sees, plus there are tasty tapas restaurants and unspoilt sandy beaches to discover.
In Mojacar, you’ll find pretty cobbled streets to wander, while Vera is the hub for markets and shops. For freshly caught seafood and summer festivals, Roquetas de Mar is the place to be!
Costa Tropical
Best for variety
You can enjoy the best of both worlds in Costa Tropical. Certainly the most diverse coastline in Spain, its climate allows for both hikes along snow-capped mountains and refreshing dips in the Mediterranean.
Granada is its best known city, famed for its Insta-worthy clifftop palace, the Alhambra. Or look to Alpujarras, Almunecar and Salobrena for lush valleys, traditional fishing villages and hidden coves.
And don’t discount the area if you’re thinking of taking a winter skiing holiday – the Sierra Nevada Mountains are great for any snow-seekers.
Costa de la Luz
Best all-rounder
Whether it’s heritage, history or hiking you’re after, Costa de la Luz has it all. In Spain’s southwestern corner, its coastline extends from the lively resort of Huelva past the island port city, Cadiz, down to the beach town of Tarifa.
Featuring fabulous stretches of sea and sand, Costa de la Luz is a popular pick for watersports enthusiasts, with conditions making it one of Europe’s best spots for windsurfing.
Throw in sprawling nature reserves, whitewashed villages and day trips to Gibraltar and you’re sure to find a holiday itinerary that keeps the whole family happy!
Which of the Spanish costas is next on your travel radar? Tweet us @icelollyholiday and let us know!
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