As a country surrounded by water on three sides, it’s unsurprising that the best beaches in Spain encompass a delightful range. The famed rocky Mediterranean calas, or coves, of the Balearic Islands bear little resemblance to the wide sandy swaths of Andalusia or the fine volcanic-sand beaches of the Canary Islands. While the country has no shortage of glitzy beach clubs with the accessible amenities to match, many of the best beaches in Spain are the ones that demand effort to get to. Perhaps they’re remote, on the less crowded edge of an island, or require a substantial trek from the parking lot, but the best beaches in Spain merecen la pena. They’re worth it. To visit many of Spain’s best beaches across its nearly 5,000 miles of coastline, a rental car is your best bet, although some listed below are just steps from the center of town. For all beach outings in Spain, especially on the Mediterranean, sand is not a given, so pay close attention to the style of beach and bring water shoes for the pebbled ones.
Cala Pregonda, Menorca
Just an island over from the tourist-trodden Mallorca, Menorca feels a world away—a sentiment that rings even more true in the north of the island. Cala Pregonda is a red-sand sliver of beach, slung between two land outcroppings dotted with low-lying shrubs typical of the island’s more rugged northern shore. This is a spectacular beach, and one that demands pursuit: the cerulean waters sit a 15 to 20 minute walk from the parking lot, and there are no bathrooms, food vendors, or even reliable cell service. Do like the locals do and arrive early, bring travel umbrellas, pack food and drink for the day, and maybe even get naked, as is customary on Menorca’s remote beaches. To get to Menorca, fly into the international airport or take the ferry from Barcelona.
Where to stay near Cala Pregonda, Menorca: