Please tell me your favorite beach/ocean spots in Iberia, and why. I haven't been there yet, so I have nothing to add! Thanks!

Playa de la Concha in San Sebastián is hands-down the finest beach in all the land. Here\'s another good shot...

The shape is perfect, and the promontory standing in the middle of the bay makes a terrific breakwater, causing hours upon hours of bathing bliss.

As a second place entry, I recommend a few sets at Mundaka.

if u like virgen off the beaten path beaches i recommend cádiz..a beach like arroyo del cañuelo can be ideal

I liked the beach at San Juan, near Alicante.
Also, I liked the beaches right in Alicante. It was nice to just be able to get off the bus and stroll into the sand.

The very best: Playa de las cuevas in Asturias. Take a walk on top of the cliffs eastward. Also the beach at San Vincente de la Barquera, the very long one with the waves. Of course Calibasco is right on about Mundaka. All of northern Spain's beaches are fantastic. If you include Portugal, try anything at the western tip, near Cabo Sao Vincente. If you want warmer water, try Salema in the Algarve.

aidance

I too loved that beach at San Vincente de la Barquera - those waves were phenomenal I want to be there now.

Also some more beaches, slightly Easterly from SV de la B, which I can't remember the names of (Corbreches?) were great too. So big and wavy and not overcrowded.

Crrrrraaash! I love those waves. I don't surf or anything, I just like waves

Jo

Hey jo

Warm water is a novelty for us brits
However i must agree that crashing waves are lovely to watch,But even better to fall asleep to.

Happy Thoughts.........

There is only one place to go,.... Denia.

It is on the East coast of Spain south of Valencia.

Lee

Jo_Anne writes: I know exactly where you are talking about (near Comillas). There's lots of campgrounds near there - a lot of French & German people. I prefer something more civilized like el Sardinero on the west edge of Santander. I don't know how the beaches & tourism will be affected by the oil spill; but if you want waves you should try Islas Cies at the mouth of the ria de Vigo.
BTW
I've been to Denia and the Costa Blanca (Benidorm, Villajoyosa, Campello, San Juan Playa); I've been to the Costa del Sol and the Costa de la Luz, to Barcelona and the Costa Dorada, to San Sebastian and las playas (de la Concha & Ondarreta) and to Laredo. My favorite is still el Sardinero.

My favorite is :La Playa de la Lanzada
between Ogrove an Porto Novo (Galicia)
near of "La Costa de la Muerte".
ABP

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

Thanks for the additional info, Boqueron. Would San Jose make a suitable base for 2/3 days? --CC

Carole, you may also want to check out Salobreña if you’re going to Granada (not sure of your plans)??? If so, it’s much closer and very nice as well. Either way you can’t lose…I’d go back to both.

Yes, we are going to Granada. So maybe Salobreña would be a good choice. We want to try "somewhere new," and we've decided against the Alpujarras as I really can't do any serious hiking. But "beaching" is always among my skills!