My husband and i are going to a wedding in madrid this august and have been to all the major places in spain already. We're looking for a beach area for young people where we can just be on a beach for a few days before going to madrid for the wedding. Thanks!!!!

You mean the Costa Brava? One big long continuous beach, isn't it?

There's also decent beach at Benidorm, an otherwise fairly dull, over-built place.

Best wishes,

Rex

August on the Mediterranean Coast? Lots of luck! It will be very crowded and very expensive (peak season).

I like Playa Muchavista in Campello but I don't know of any hotels there, just Condos. It's more of a Spanish beach for families than is Benidorm (which is populated mainly by Germans in August).

I don't recall seeing anything in the original post about expecting a deserted beach or that it be on the Costa Brava, do you?
Wish I could help but I've only been to Sitges when I was in Barcelona and that sort of thing may not be to your liking what with the large gay attendance.
Am sure someone will forego the snottiness and offer something you may not have thought of before. Good luck.

Hi, living in UK, we are lucky to spend most summer holidays on the Costa Brava - its not the only area but I would recommend it. We stay to the very far north ? north of Barcelona ? and it is quiet, peaceful with long stretches of beautiful clean beach. Its also very lush and green inland, where a lot of the south east tends to be burnt and tinder dry by the end of the summer. There are some very pretty towns on or near the coast, which are well worth the effort as well. Places like Tossa de mar, Pals and L?Escala are lovely towns. You will find long stretches of beach or if you prefer, on the more rocky coastlines, tiny sandy coves with only one or two others sharing.

Sorry, also forgot to mention that I wouldn't agree with the earlier poster who said it would be very expensive. Spain is one of the cheapest western european destinations, for eating and drinking that is. We rent a chalet next to the beach, so couldn't advise on accommodation costs, but would think this would follow the general cost of living in Spain.

If you want to travel to the Southeast coast of Spain, I love Marbella. Its beautiful and has an AMAZING nightlife. But it is rather far from Madrid. I don't know if there would be more of a direct route than taking the bus from Marbella to Seville (2 hrs?) and then the highspeed Ave to Madrid. Its up to you! There is always Ibiza if you are looking for a crazy time.

Try Mojacar in Almeria province.

Fi_UK writes: "... I wouldn't agree with the earlier poster who said it would be very expensive. Spain is one of the cheapest western european destinations, for eating and drinking that is."

I agree that it usually costs less to dine in Spain than in Germany, France or the U.K., Scandinavia or even Italy; but many restaurants in Tourist areas 'jack up' their prices during the period 16 Jul (la Virgen de Carmen) to mid Sep. It may be by eliminating 'specials' or increasing the price of the Menu del Dia by 3-to-5 Euro; and, unless you have visited the place in the Spring or Fall, you don't notice it. But it's there!

Does your "chalet next to the beach" cost the same during 'peak season' as it does in May or June?

Lodging (Hotel or Condo) at resort areas is always priced significantly higher during peak European vacation season (what the market will bear).

It is apparent to me that we move in different circles. What I consider expensive you may consider a bargain. For example: I'd consider a standard double room at a popular beach resort priced at more than 85 Euro /night to be expensive! I stand by my reply to jackieflick: August at a Mediterranean beach resort will be very expensive.