Spain's best beaches, according to National Geographic
27 August, 2025National Geographic has published its selection of the best beaches in Spain to visit this summer, a list of hidden coves, unspoilt landscapes and hard-to-reach corners that will reward you with natural surroundings and silence. From the north of the Cantabrian Sea to the south of Andalusia, via the islands and the Mediterranean coast, the list invites you to rediscover the coastline with a more contemplative gaze.
Among the jewels found in the north of the peninsula, we have Playa de las Catedrales (Galicia), with its stone arches, and Gulpiyuri (Asturias), an inland beach hidden behind a meadow. Oyambre, Trengandín and Playa del Silencio are also notable. In the south, beaches worth checking out include Los Genoveses (Almería), Cuesta Maneli or Matalascañas, all ideal for spending time with the family or exploring cinematographic landscapes.
The islands provide unique scenery: Cala Macarella (Menorca), Benijo (Tenerife), Papagayo (Lanzarote) and Rodas, in the Cíes Islands. On the Costa Brava and the Valencian coast, coves such as Aiguablava (Begur) and Granadella (Jávea) help fill out a selection of offerings that combines nature, surprise and disconnection.
They all have one thing in common: they offer more than sun and sand. These are places that invite you to stop, observe and remember why summer is still synonymous with freedom.