The Best Beach in Spain Is This Spot in Basque Country

12.07.2024 - 19:27 / cntraveler.com / Condé Nast-Traveler

The readers of Condé Nast Traveler Spain have spoken: Spain’s best beach for 2024 is Zarautz, in the Basque Country. It is followed by Famara, on Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, and Cala Saona, on Fomentera, one of the Balearic Islands.

Every year the Spanish edition of Condé Nast Traveler asks its readers—and who would know better?—to pick the best beach in Spain. The voting this year, as in every year, is divided into two phases. First, readers select a top beach in each of Spain’s 10 autonomous communities that has an ocean coastline. In the second round, one overall winner is chosen.

A view of Zarautz’s beach during the summer

At over 1.5 miles, Zarautz is the longest beach on Spain’s Basque coast and is located in the town of the same name. You’ll find it in the eastern part of the region known as the Kosta Urola in Basque (or Costa Urola, in Spanish). This stretch of coastline in the province of Gipuzkoa is famous for its dramatic beaches, fishing villages, and txakoli, a local sparkling white wine.

Its waves (which attract surfers from all over the world), a charming seafront promenade, the town’s lively atmosphere, the colorful awnings of its buildings, the natural surroundings, the fine sand, and the culinary offerings of this part of Spain make Zarautz an appealing, and appetizing, summer destination.

The Zarautz countryside and coastline

The competition was heated and at various times during the voting period with only narrow margins separating the top contenders. Having fought hard for their places, here are the ten finalists selected by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler Spain, one for each of the country’s Atlantic or Mediterranean coastline communities.

1. Zarautz, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country
2. Famara, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
3. Cala Saona, Formentera, Balearic Islands
4. Valdevaqueros, Cádiz, Andalusia
5. As Catedrais, Lugo, Galicia
6. Los Locos, Cantabria
7. Calblanque, Murcia
8. Playa de Poo, Asturias
9. Playa Nord, Valencia
10. Cala Fonda, Tarragona, Catalonia