A Guide to the Coasts of Spain's Mainland

Is it time to blast away those Winter blues and plan your Summer holiday to Spain?

Our guide to the coasts of Spain's mainland is designed to help you make your choice. Enjoy!

Costa Brava

The Costa Brava (Rugged Coast) benefits from its excellent location just across the border from France. The Pyrenean mountain range is just a stone's throw away. Well known tourist resorts include Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar (with its Mar Menuda beach, pictured) and L'Estartit.

Mar Menuda beach
image - mag.desigual.com

More information: http://en.costabrava.org/

Costa Dorada

Tarragona
image - tarragonaport.com

The Costa Dorada (Golden Coast) features Tarragona (the port of which is pictured above) as its main city. As one of the less visited of Spain's eastern coastlines, prices are still affordable for local people as well as foreign tourists. Temperatures are significantly higher here in Winter than on the nearby Costa Brava. This is a very accessible area, thanks to Reus airport.

More information: http://www.costadaurada.info

Costa del Azahar

Palace of Arts, Valencia
image - travelchannel.com

The Costa del Azahar (Orange blossom Coast) includes the historical town of Peñiscola among its highlights, and the stunning coastal city of Valencia. Valencia is where the 2007 America's Cup was held. In the lead up to that event the city underwent a complete overhaul, which included many innovative architectural projects, such as the Palace of Arts (shown above). If you visit Valencia in March you may get to see its great festival called Las Fallas.

More information: http://www.costadelazahar.net

Costa Blanca 

Benidorm
image - flickr.com

The Costa Blanca (White Coast) has long been a popular destination for sun seekers. In Winter itâ??s not unusual for temperatures to reach 25 celsius. Plenty of foreign buyers have invested in property here, though less so in the 'capital', Alicante. Meanwhile, Benidorm (pictured above) is probably the best known package holiday destination in the world!

More information: http://www.costablancaspain.org/

Costa Cálida

La Manga
image - forumspain.net

The Costa Cálida (Warm Coast) is well named, with very mild winter temperatures. Though this coastal stretch only recently became popular among property seekers, they are now looking at cheaper, unspoilt inland areas. Away from the populated parts around the golf and leisure resort of La Manga (pictured above), there are still some deserted areas of coastline. Murcia is the chief city.

More information:

http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres/destinos-playa/costas/costa_calida.html

Costa Almería

Cabo de Gata National Park
image - europeangeoparks.org

The Costa Almería (Almería Coast) benefits from exceptionally dry weather, lying as it does just off an inland desert. Highlights in addition to the large coastal city of Almería, include Mojácar - a well known white village - and the unspoiled wilderness of Cabo de Gata National Park (pictured above) which is a must for any visitor to the Costa Almería.

More information: http://www.andalucia.com/costa-almeria/home.htm

Costa Tropical

Costa Tropical
image - es.letsbonus.com

The Costa Tropical (Tropical Coast) is the bit of coastline which serves Granada province. It benefits from good weather practically all year round. Motril is the main town and Almuñécar is one of the best known tourist resorts. The beaches are generally quite rocky (see above).

More information: http://www.costatropical.com

Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol
image - dailystar.co.uk

The Costa del Sol (Sunshine Coast) is the most famous of all Spanish coastlines, having turned to mass tourism so long ago. A favourite with UK visitors, especially for Summer package holidays, when the beaches are packed (see image above). Chief resorts include Marbella, Benalmádena and Torremolinos, all very easy to reach thanks to Málaga airport. This part of Spain is thought by many to suffer from overdevelopment.

More information: http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/costa-del-sol

Costa de la Luz 

Costa de la luz
image - lahistoriaconmapas.com

The Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light) is so named because of its brilliant clear light, especially in Spring. This stretch of coastline, which faces the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Mediterranean Sea, sometimes extends as far as the eye can see - and there's not a single person in sight (see above). The port of Cádiz is Western Europe's oldest city.

More information: http://www.andalucia.com/costa-de-la-luz/home.htm

Costa Verde

Costa Verde
image - osualum.com

The Costa Verde (Green Coast pictured above) is aptly named - it backs onto lush vegetation. Even in Summer, this long coastline in the north and north west of Spain, exposed to the vast Atlantic Ocean, can be affected by poor weather. It's as beautiful as it is wild.

More information: http://www.spain-holiday.com/Costa-Verde

Until next time readers,

Jim 

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