5 Beautiful and Affordable Beaches You Must See While in Spain!
When I think about vacation, I think warm weather and beautiful beaches. But those thoughts usually come with a big price tag. We set out to find the most affordable beach vacation destinations in Spain. Trust me. This was hard work. Laying on a beach all day and watching my husband and daughter swim in the ocean is exhausting.
We visited Spain for the first time in 2018, and of course we had to see all of the popular tourist destinations such as Barcelona and Madrid. They were big and beautiful, expensive and packed full of people. The next time we found ourselves traveling to Spain in 2023 we had a child with us. This time around we decided to be more budget conscious and look for somewhere not so crowded. We traveled all over the coast of Spain and ended up finding some of the cheapest and most beautiful beaches we had ever seen. Here is what we found.
Calpe
We had never heard of Calpe (or Calp) until we started living in Spain. My husband stumbled upon a picture of Ifach Rock (Penon de Ifach), and we knew we had to go.
We rented a car for 30 euros and took a day trip there. Driving into town and seeing the large rock formation jutting out of the crystal blue water is a spectacular sight. Soft sandy beaches, warm yet refreshing water, gentle waves, and restaurants and shops galore. Everything you could ever want or need!
Located in the Alicante region, Calpe is a historic town on Spain’s Mediterranean coast that dates back to the 3rd century BC with remains from the Bronze Age. It has been shaped by various civilizations including the Iberians, Romans, and Arabs, evident from the numerous archaeological sites found in the area.
Fun fact: The Prime Meridian crosses through Calpe!
If you’ve read our articles before, you’ll know we’re always on the culinary hunt. Whether your taste buds are craving a fancy gastronomy experience, or a quick and casual bite, there is something here for everyone.
You can find accommodations in the area for under $100 a night! Which is a steal for the absolute paradise you’ll experience here.
Hotels in Calpe Click Here
Things to see and do in the area Click Here
Transfers to Calpe Click Here
Peniscola
We never would have visited Peñíscola if we weren’t very immature people. We saw the first half of the word, and couldn’t contain ourselves or our laughter. Once we found out it was a short train ride from where we were staying, we booked our 6 Euro train ticket and off we went.
There are no amount of descriptive words that could accurately describe the beauty of this place. The water is unlike any color I’ve ever seen. I think “Tiffany Blue” is the closest I can get. Towering over the beach is a castle. A real life castle. Upon further research we learned that this is The Great Castle of Peniscola, or Castillo Papa Luna, constructed by none other than the Knights Templar!
On one side of the castle, the sand is filled with people, umbrellas, playgrounds and vendors. The waves can get pretty big, perfect for body surfing or just getting tossed. On the other side of the castle, there are no waves, and super shallow water. We could walk so far out. This was our daughters favorite beach in Spain.
We showed up thinking we would spend the day here, so I only brought what was appropriate for a short day trip. After the first hour at the beach, we knew we needed longer. We found an awesome hotel, a 3 minute walk to the beach, for around $80 a night! Right around the corner was a grocery store to grab some necessities and we were set.
The main streets are packed with restaurants. It was overwhelming to choose one, and once we did they were filled for the night or you needed reservations. The restaurants in town do have odd hours and limited menus at different times, so I recommend a little research before dinner. Check out Mr. Coffee & Burger for one of the best burgers in Spain!
Hotels in Peñíscola Click Here
Things to see and do in Peñíscola Click Here
Train tickets to Peñíscola Click Here
Gava Mar
If you are wanting to see Barcelona, but don’t want to spend your entire vacation there, you have to check out Gavà Mar. Drive 20 minutes outside of Barcelona, and you will be greeted by a cute and quiet beach town of Gavà. Vast ocean views, gentle waves, and super salty water makes it the perfect spot to float all day. The beaches are soft and sandy and a few restaurants dot the boardwalk. It’s a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Which is why in my eyes, it’s one of the top most beautiful beaches in Spain.
There are some really nice and cute stays along the water here for under $100 per night, and some that are about 5-10 minutes away from the water that are under $50!
This is the perfect place to stay while visiting with kids. Barcelona is one of my daughters favorite cities to visit, but it is always so busy and everything is marked up because of the tourists, so this is the perfect little getaway, while still getting to see the spots.
Hotels in Gavà Click Here
Train tickets to Gavà Click Here
Things to do in Gavà Click Here
Valencia
Believe me when I tell you that Playa de Malvarrosa is the best beach in Valencia. We lived in Valencia for a summer, and got to explore pretty much every beach in the area.
Playa de la Malvarrosa is beautiful soft sand, play areas in the sand for kids, plenty of showers and a few restaurants line the boardwalk. It is also not as busy as the other, more popular beaches, which tend to be littered in trash and mulch. A quick 5-10 minute bus ride and you’ll have a more private paradise. Warm. Quiet. Relaxing. These are the reasons why it’s on my top beaches in Spain list.
We found the perfect restaurant with strong and cheap Aqua de Valencia (a must try when in the area!) right along the boardwalk and directly next to a playground and the bus stop.
A few things you should know about the area:
Valencia is very family friendly. Parks on every corner, and tons of indoor options for families on hot days.
Compared to the rest of the EU and the US, Spain is one of the cheapest countries we’ve ever been to. Food and accommodations are very low in price and high in quality.
Public transportation in Valencia is super easy to navigate and also extremely cheap.
Click Here for things you should know before you go!
Hotels in Valencia Click Here
Train tickets to Valencia Click Here
San Sebastian
San Sebastian is the most expensive place to visit on this list, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a budget friendly place to stay. Given the stunning scenery, beautiful blue waters, delicious food, and the Basque Experience (click the link for a great post about San Sebastian by a fellow blogger), it is far cheaper than anything in comparison.
This was a very unexpected city for us. We knew it was going to be beautiful, but nothing prepared us for those first glimpses. Kontxa Hondartza or La Concha Beach is a beautiful bay with calm, cool, and shallow waters. The sand is soft and dotted with shells, making it one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain. At night the town comes alive with its street performers and busy cafes and bars.
If you find yourself staying here, I highly recommend waking up early and going exploring. We were out of our hotel room by 8 am and we had the whole town to ourselves. One produce stand was open where we had the most delicious peaches. We wandered around the historic little town, weaving aimlessly through the picturesque streets while enjoying our fresh produce. We made our way back to the beach that was littered with tourists the day prior. It was practically empty and so peaceful with one person enhancing the ‘Zen’ moment as he was raking through the sand. It was still, quiet, and serene. When I need to find my “happy place”, this is where I go. One of our top beaches in Spain.
Hotels in San Sebastian Click Here
Cool experiences in the area Click Here
Now I know there are probably plenty of other beaches in Spain that should be on this list, but I just didn’t want to overwhelm you, dear reader. These certain beaches are just the ones our family has been to, and absolutely loves.
Leave a comment with some beaches we should check out next!
