1027 Best Sights in Spain

Slightly north of Puerto del Carmen, this beach is near most of the area's development; hotels and apartments are restricted, however, to the other side of the highway, leaving the 2-km (1-mile) yellow-sand beach surprisingly pristine. Finding a spot to lay your towel can be difficult in summer. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

The 5-km (3-mile) stretch of fine golden sand running from Mazagón to the frontier of the Doñana National Park forms one of the last unspoiled beaches in Andalusia. Dunes flank most of the beach, along with attractive sandstone cliffs; the Parador de Mazagón perches here. At the western end, the beach is popular with locals and visitors, beach bars are plentiful, and towel space at a premium in August. Walk in an easterly direction, however, and the beach becomes a much quieter affair. Bathing is generally safe, but watch for rip currents when it's windy. Amenities: food and drink (June 15–September 15); lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

The long stretch of powdery white sand and safe swimming conditions make Morro Jable's beach one of the island's most emblematic. It gets busy on weekends and during the summer, and finding a space for your towel can be difficult unless you're prepared to walk a ways. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are both available, and the beach is backed by a promenade lined with restaurants, shops, and cafés. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Tucked into the city's harbor, this horseshoe-shape curve of fine artificial sand and calm waters is wonderful for an evening stroll. Amenities: lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

To the east of Maspalomas, this quiet, rocky brown sand beach has lush vegetation nearby, making it one of the most picturesque on the island. Bathing is safe in calm conditions, but watch out for strong currents when the waves get up. Lounge chairs and sunshades line the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; walking.

Gijón's other popular beach, beyond the headland from Playa de Poniente, has golden sand backed by a promenade that extends from one end of town to the other. Across the narrow peninsula and the Plaza Mayor is the harbor, where the fishing fleet comes in with the day's catch. As long as the tide is out, you can sunbathe. The waves are generally moderate, but weather and currents can be unpredictable. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

To the west of the Río Sella estuary, which divides the town, this gentle curve of golden sand is one of the prettiest beaches in Asturias. It's tucked beneath the town's seafront promenade, lined with 20th-century mansions. Moderate waves provide safe swimming conditions, although, as with all of Spain's Atlantic-facing beaches, currents and weather can be unpredictable. In high season (particularly in August) the beach can get very busy. This part of the coast is not called the \"dinosaur coast\" for nothing; over by the Punta'l Pozu Viewpoint, you can see footprints embedded in the rocks and cliff faces where they left their mark millions of years ago. Amenities listed are available only June–September. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming.

Powdery black sand is the main draw at this urban beach with a boardwalk, which is pleasant to walk or jog along. When the ocean is calm and the weather is slightly overcast (which makes the sand less likely to singe your toes!), it's an idyllic spot to relax and swim. There's a playground for kids. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee). Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

Farther west of Llanes is the partially nudist Playa de Torimbia, a wild, virgin beach as yet untouched by development. It is reached only via a footpath—roughly a 15-minute walk. This secluded crescent of fine white sand and crystal-clear waters is backed by Asturias's green hills, making it one of the region's most picturesque beaches. Winds can be strong, and there is no real infrastructure. Amenities: food and drink (seasonal). Best for: nudists; solitude; swimming; walking.

On the eastern edge of town is Playa de Toró, where fine white sands are peppered with unique rock formations. This pristine beach is ideal for sunbathing and families. Amenities: lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

On the northwest side of the island, this beach has a castle that once repelled pirates. The small stretch of white sand is rather isolated and is popular with locals. The beach is backed by dramatic ocher cliffs, and the sea tends to be rough. Amenities: none. Best for: nudists; solitude; sunset; windsurfing.

Rivaling Maspalomas for popularity, Playa del Inglés has a lot going for it, including partying at the beach bars, sports, competitions, and concerts. There are nearly 3 km (2 miles) of golden sands, flanked by a pleasant seafront promenade that's great for early-morning and evening strolls. Swimming is generally safe, although windy conditions can create waves—it's a favorite spot with surfers. Lounge chairs and sunshades are available along the beach, and there's also a signposted nudist area. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: nudists; partiers; swimming; windsurfing.

Playa del Reducto is an attractive urban beach, ideal for relaxing after you've looked around Arrecife. It's well maintained and protected by natural reefs, so swimming is usually like swimming in a warm lake (just watch out for rocky outcrops at low tide). The beach, overlooked at the eastern end by the high-rise Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa, is backed by a pleasant promenade that goes all the way to Puerto del Carmen. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; walking.

Steps from the old town is the protected Playa del Sablón (whose name derives from the Asturian word for \"sand\"), a little swath of beach that gets crowded on weekends. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

Santander's longest and most popular beach has a full range of amenities and fine golden sand. Although this northeast-facing stretch is exposed, moderate waves in summer make it fine for bathing—despite the chilly water temperatures. In winter, it is a favorite among surfers, particularly the part of the beach in front of Hotel Chiqui. Enter the beach via the sun-dappled Piquío Gardens, where terraces filled with flowers and trees lead the way down to the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

Puerto del Carmen's main beach is a busy strip of yellow sand that's as close as you can get to an urban beach on Lanzarote outside Arrecife. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. Backing the beach is a seafront promenade with plenty of souvenir shops and restaurants. You can take the promenade all the way to Arrecife. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming.

This part of the Atlantic coast consists of miles of white and mostly unspoiled beaches, and this, to the north of Tarifa and the town's main beach, is one of the longest. Backed by low-lying scrub and lagoons, the beach is also close to the odd campground, boho-chic hotel, and kitesurfing school. Its windswept sands make for perfect kitesurfing: together with Punta Paloma (just up the coast) it's where you'll see most sails surfing the waves and wind. Amenities are concentrated at the Tarifa end of the beach, where there are a few bars and cafés, usually open mid-June–mid-September, and this is naturally where the crowds congregate in the summer. Otherwise, most of the beach is deserted year-round. Swimming is safe here except in high winds, when there's a strong undertow. Amenities: food and drink (mid-June–mid-September); lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunset; walking; windsurfing.

On this northern extension of Playa de Los Pocillos, there are alternating sections of gravel and gray sand. A perpetually windy spot, this busy beach has gentle waves that are perfect for those learning to surf. Lounge chairs and beach umbrellas are available. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

Squint and you could be in the Caribbean—this long white-sand beach situated within the protected area of Papagayo has turquoise water and generally calm surf. It faces west toward Fuerteventura and the Isla de Lobos and is popular among nudists. The sandy bay provides safe swimming conditions, and the beach is cleaned regularly. Amenities are limited to a few small bars. On the way to the beach, look out for the ruins of some bunkers from World War II. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; nudists; sunset; swimming.

These small sandy coves are packed almost to bursting in the summer, when they're crowded with young, bronzed, perfect bodies: topless sunbathing is almost de rigueur. The sea is shallow along the entire stretch, which is practically wave-free and seems warmer than other beaches nearby. In the area are excellent Caribbean-style beach bars with good seafood and fish, as well as lots of options for sundown drinks. This is also home to the famous Ocean and Sala Beach clubs with their oversize sun beds, Champagne, and nightlong parties. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (mid-June–mid-September); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming.

Peaceful and well conserved, this plaza marks the center of the old town, which is partially surrounded by the remains of its medieval walls.

The historical 19th-century residence Corrala de Sombrerete, which overlooks this lively square from the southeast corner, is one of Madrid's few remaining corralas, tenement houses distinguished by timber frames and a central patio. It is closed to the public but still worth a walk-by. Beyond it is a brick building with a hollow cupola dominating the square: the Escolapios de San Fernando, one of several churches and parochial schools razed due to anti-Catholic sentiments during the Spanish Civil War. It is one of Madrid's only unrepaired Civil War ruins. Though partially refurbished by the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), which turned one section into a library, the building is closed to the public.

Named for Christopher Columbus, this plaza surrounds a statue of the explorer (identical to the one in Barcelona's port) looking west from a high tower. Beyond Plaza de Colón is Calle de Serrano, the city's premier shopping street (think Gucci, Prada, and Loewe). Stroll in either direction on Serrano for some window-shopping.

Across Virgen Blanca, past the monument and the handsome Victoria Café stands this arcaded neoclassical square with the austere elegance typical of 19th-century municipal architecture.

Mérida's main square is lively day and night. The oldest building is a 16th-century palace, now the Hotel Ilunion Mérida Palace. Behind it stretches Mérida's most charming area, with Andalusian-esque white houses shaded by palms, in the midst of which stands the Arco de Trajano, part of a Roman city gate. It's a great place to people-watch over tapas at sunset.

This grandiose half-moon of buildings on the eastern edge of Parque María Luisa was Spain's centerpiece pavilion at the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition world's fair. The brightly colored azulejo pictures represent the provinces of Spain, while the four bridges symbolize the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. In fine weather you can rent small boats to row along the arc-shape canal. To escape the crowds and enjoy views of the square from above, pop upstairs.

Stroll from Lago Martiánez along the coastal walkway to reach this square that's beautifully landscaped with flowering plants. Presiding over it is Nuestra Señora de la Peña Church (open before and after Mass), notable for its baroque altarpiece and elaborate pulpit.

Madrid's town council met in this medieval-looking complex from the Middle Ages until 2009, when it moved to the Palacio de Cibeles. It now houses municipal offices. The oldest building on the plaza is the Casa de los Lujanes, the one with the Mudejar tower. Built as a private home in the late 15th century, the house carries the Lujanes crest over the main doorway. Also on the plaza's east end is the brick-and-stone Casa de la Villa, built in 1629, a classic example of Dutch-influenced Madrid design with clean lines and spire-topped corner towers. Connected by an overhead walkway, the Casa de Cisneros was commissioned in 1537 by the nephew of Cardinal Cisneros. It's one of Madrid's rare examples of the flamboyant plateresque style, which has been likened to splashed water. Sadly, none of these landmarks are open to the public on a regular basis.

In the southwest corner of old Vitoria, this plaza—the nerve center of the Casco Viejo—is ringed by noble houses with covered arches and white-trim glass galleries. The monument in the center commemorates the Duke of Wellington's victory over Napoléon's army here in 1813.

This oblong plaza is Lavapiés's nerve center. To the east is Calle de la Fe (Street of Faith), named for the church of San Lorenzo.