Cala Tuent, Mallorca. Oh baby, I thought I died and went to heaven, especially since I thought I was going to die on the twisting road down to the beach. All of you out there who think you have been on twisting mountain roads--think again. However, for such a heavenly beach, it was the best. Better if you can get there by boat, but by no means don't miss it. I'm just a wimp!

Ouch! I meant "by any means, don't miss it."

Cabo de Gata in Almería, Andalucía. Beautiful clear water. There are many beaches, mostly empty most of the year. Here are a couple.

Playa de los muertos (!)
http://www.parquenatural.com/modules.php...;orderby=titleA

Monsul

http://www.parquenatural.com/modules.php...53&orderby=

spike1 and Eddie

Oyambre was one of them. Yes there were some campsites nearby, but curiously the beaches were still nice and quiet (but did have facilities for icecream thank goodness )

This isn't the best picture I know, and you can't hear it I'm afraid spike1



When the waves are really big, I like the feeling of trying to resist them and then let them take me back to shore. Hmmmm, that's not a brilliant description of what I like to do, but I'm sure you other wavy people know what I'm talking about

And here's a full page of CANTABRIAN BEACHES

Jo

El Boqueron, the beaches you photographed look great. They are in Almería, correct? Would that area make an interesting addition to our trip to Andalucía? We will be hitting the main tourist attractions/cities but some lazy days at the beach would be nice. How is the weather in mid-May? Thanks! --CC

Carole - yes they're in Almeria, in a "Natural Park" called El Cabo de Gata (the fotos are from the web site of the park). The weather in May should be sunny and warm, even hot (though the sea may still be on the chilly side - depends how hardy you are!). It rarely rains in Almeria, and the landscape that backs these beaches is virtually a desert. There a few small towns/villages dotted along the coast, the main one is San Jose.

http://www.parquenatural.com/mapa.php

I recommend it (just don't tell everybody!)

It never ceases to amaze me as to how beautiful most of Spain's beaches are, and the pristine condition they're in, not over-run by businesses, and homes, developed along the shores. I didn't see one beach in all the examples shown that wouldn't be on my "favored list." There's nothing nicer than sitting on a beach, enjoying a bit of sun, and listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. I usually end up taking a peaceful nap, and make sure I'm protected from the sun, so I don't spend days of regret later.

Great links. With this cold winter we're suffering here in the mid-U.S., these offerings seem to take the chill off.

Wolf

Wow, thank you for all your responses, and for making my itinerary even more difficult to narrow down !

There's a website that my Spanish sister-in-law told me about: www.esplaya.com
They don't sell anything, strickly info about beaches all over spain. I've used them a lot to research areas before we go there. So far we've gone to La Guarda (Galicia), Isla (Cantabria), Cullera (Valencia) Santona (Cantabria)......and am looking for one this summer.....anyone been to Benicasim???

SalaChic

Great site. And you can even get to see the waves in action on the little video clips

Jo