Stretching the entire width of southern Spain from the Portuguese border in the west to Almería on the south-eastern coast, Andalucía (or Andalusia in English) has a staggering 1,000 km (about 620 miles) of coastline. Along its five coastal provinces – Huelva, Cádiz, Málaga, Granada, and Almería – you’ll find wide, flat sandy expanses, tiny rocky coves, and everything in between. Families, party-goers, and adrenaline junkies alike can all find the perfect spot in southern Spain.

Read more discover some of the best beaches in Andalusia.

Most of the beaches listed here have facilities like parking lots, showers, toilets and chiringuitos (beach bar-restaurants), unless otherwise mentioned.

Playa de la Caleta, Cádiz

La Caleta city beach in Cádiz If this beach looks familiar, it’s because you saw Halle Berry striding out of the waves in Die Another Day. La Caleta in Cádiz stood in for Havana, Cuba – both have colorful, worn mansions. The beautiful bath house, El Balneario de la Palma, was used as the hotel, while Castillos de San Sebastián fortress, reached by a causeway which was removed in the movie, became an island clinic. One major advantage of this city beach is proximity to plenty of fantastic seafood-forward tapas bars in the Barrio de la Viña.

Bolonia, Cádiz

Best beaches in Andalusia is Bolonia in Cádiz This small village with fun boho cafes at the end of a no-through road has a wide sweep of pale golden, powder-soft sand. Plus, there’s a spectacular 100-foot tall dune backed by pine trees. As in most areas of Cádiz, the water is a turquoise blue and super refreshing, perfect for a post dune dip. Looking for an extra cultural-historic element to your beach trip? Explore the ruins of a Roman beachfront town, Baelo Claudia, where the famous garum fish paste was made to be exported to Rome.

Valdevaqueros, CádizWindsurfing

Well known for its water sports like kitesurfing and windsurfing (it regularly hosts major international competitions), this relaxed and wide beach is close to the surfer-cool town of Tarifa. It’s also just 15 minutes from Bolonia in case you want to do a little beach hopping! Here you get the added bonus of three-Michelin-star Dani Garcia’s BiBo Beach House restaurant and beach club, complete with a lounge terrace to match the local vibe.

 La Barrosa, Cádiz

La Barrosa, Cádiz best beaches in Andalusia Here it’s golden sand backed by grassy dunes and pine forests, where you can also try a huge variety of water sports. With such a long stretch of beach, La Barrosa is a great vacation spot for families and big groups. You’ll find kiddos kicking around soccer balls or playing beach paddle up and down the shore.

Zahara de los Atunes, Cádiz

Zahara de los Atunes best beaches in AndalusiaA delightful fishing village (chiefly tuna, hence the name), complete with a castle, Zahara de los Atunes’s powdery sands and clear blue water are just part of what makes it one of the best beaches in Andalusia. One of the nice things about this beach is the lack of high-rise buildings. You won’t find those tall apartment blocks or hotels that make it feel built-up. In addition, you can enjoy shopping at the funky boutiques full of desirable kaftans, as well as seafood-themed ceramics. There are also loads of fantastic restaurants on the beach and in town serving the local catch.

La Malagueta, Málaga

La Malagueta in Spain is one of the best beaches in Andalusia Malaga city has undergone a cultural renaissance in last 15 years. Now much more than a stopping-off point for beach vacations, it is a popular destination in its own right. The main draw to this beach is how easily accessible it is from the center of town. There are also a host of restaurants serving espetos – sardines skewered onto a stick and then cooked over hot coals.

La Burriana, Málaga

Around Nerja best beaches in Andalusia

La Burriana is one of the most popular beaches in the Nerja, which is part of the Málaga province and less than an hour’s drive from the city. It’s great for active beach goers looking to play volleyball or take part in a little parasailing adventure. There’s also enough sand for an afternoon stroll and a number of great chiringuitos for a sunset dinner and drink.

La Herradura, Granada

beach at sunset

This delightful beach further east down the coast from Nerja is just a one hour drive south from the city of Granada. It’s popular with scuba divers, thanks to the shipwrecks of 16th-century Spanish galleons, as well as rocky headlands for snorkeling. Winter sports enthusiasts should note that you can ski in the neighboring Sierra Nevada in winter for an all-in-one-day snow-and-sand combo.

Playa de los Muertos, Almería

Playa de los Muertos Almeria best beaches in Andalusia Crystal clear waters are why some call this the Andalusian Caribbean and why it’s definitely one of the best beaches in Andalusia. Part of the Cabo de Gata Park, it’s surrounded by mountains is perfect for snorkeling. So bring your goggles! At the end of long footpath from the parking lot, the isolated stretch of sand has no facilities, so you need to take everything with you (except your bathing suit, obviously). Don’t forget the most important, especially if you’re taking young children: water. Save some for the climb back up again!

Playa de los Genoveses, Almería

beach at sunset

This whole area, also part of Cabo de Gata National Park, is still (mercifully) undeveloped. The Playa de los Genoveses is a perfect arc of white sand and has those same Caribbean-like waters. It’s well worth exploring if your idea of beach heaven is simply sand and sea. Keep in mind there are no modern-day accoutrements like bars, shops, or toilets. Learn more about Spain Savvy’s family beach vacation in Almería.

Cuesta Maneli, Huelva

Beach at sunset

On the Costa de Luz, Cuesta Maneli beach sits in the heart of the Doñana Natural Park. Surrounded by pine trees and rocky dunes, the mile-long sloped path down to the water is part of what makes it more secluded and special…and totally worth it! You won’t find bathrooms or showers here either. But you’re bound to hear the calls of folks selling ice cold beer along the shore.

Ready to add one of the best beaches in Andalusia to your itinerary? Looking for even more beachside secrets? Contact our travel design team for the inside scoop.