Cala Macarella

Spain's coastlines present a wide variety of beaches, from the white sand shores of the Balearic Islands to the rocky coves of Cantabria along the Atlantic. This collection includes beaches such as Playa de Rodas in the Cíes Islands, the urban beach of La Concha in San Sebastián, and the secluded coves of Formentera including Ses Illetes and Cala Saona. In Andalusia, beaches like Playa de Bolonia near Tarifa feature Roman ruins nearby, while the volcanic landscapes of Cabo de Gata showcase Los Genoveses and Playa de Monsul. The Asturian coast displays natural formations such as Gulpiyuri, a beach enclosed within cliffs, and Playa del Silencio. The Canary Islands offer diverse beach types, from the golden sands of Las Teresitas in Tenerife to the expansive shores of Sotavento in Fuerteventura. This selection documents the geographic and geological range of Spanish beaches and provides practical information about location, access, and local features of each site.

Menorca offers remarkable coastal diversity. The island's 200-plus coves and beaches range from long sand stretches like Son Bou, Menorca's largest beach at roughly 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers), to small secluded coves like Cala Mitjana and Cala Mitjaneta. The northern coast presents reddish sand of volcanic origin at beaches like Cavalleria and Cala Pregonda, while the southern coast displays white sand and turquoise waters at places like Macarella and Turqueta. This geological divide makes the island an appealing destination for visitors seeking varied coastal environments. Some beaches like Punta Prima, Cala Galdana, and Arenal d'en Castell provide full facilities with restaurants, sunbed rentals, and water sports. Others like Cala de Trebalúger, Cala Escorxada, and Binigaus remain natural and undeveloped, accessible via coastal walking trails through Mediterranean vegetation. The sheltered position of most coves ensures calm waters suitable for swimming and snorkeling. Son Bou includes wetlands behind the beach and early Christian basilica ruins. Menorca's coastal variety, from the red cliffs at Cala Morell to the white sands at Son Saura, reflects the island's status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and provides options for different preferences.

Spain has more than 8,000 kilometers of coastlines home to hundreds of beaches with diverse characteristics. The Mediterranean, Atlantic, Balearic Islands, and Canary Islands feature contrasting marine scenery: coves sheltered between cliffs, extensive sandy areas, urban beaches, and protected natural zones. Each coastal region has developed its own identity influenced by local geology and climate. The Balearic Islands include bays like Cala Macarella in Menorca or Ses Illetes in Formentera, where white sand contrasts with clear Mediterranean waters. The Canary Islands display volcanic landscapes, with the Maspalomas dunes on Gran Canaria stretching over 6 kilometers, or Lanzarote’s red cliffs framing Playa del Papagayo. Along the Andalusian coast, the Cabo de Gata Natural Park houses Mónsul Beach with its black volcanic formations, while Bolonia near Tarifa features a 4-kilometer-long beach with Roman remains. The northern coast presents a different scene: La Concha urban beach in San Sebastián forms a 1.5-kilometer arc, the limestone cliffs of Asturias protect Playa del Silencio, and the Cíes Islands in Galicia are part of a marine national park.