Spain’s mainland

The white-hot Costa de la Luz, Spain’s stunning Atlantic coast with sun-bleached towns and wide, wild beaches between ancient Cádiz and surf-boho Tarifa, is located in the south-west (we love Bolonia and Valdevaqueros beaches especially).

Marbella, the gateway to the busy Costa del Sol, is located where the Mediterranean begins. The glitzy Andalucian town is crammed with sunny beach clubs, and the party atmosphere extends to nearby Málaga, where rooftop bars rub shoulders with hip new galleries. Costa Blanca and the laid-back Costa Brava are two more of Spain’s big hitters further up the coast. The former has some beautiful beaches, but it can get crowded in high season, especially between the resorts of Ganda and Benidorm. Alicante, the prettiest town on this coast, outshines its boisterous neighbors with chic boutique hotels and quieter coves. Meanwhile, Costa Brava combines lively beaches near Barcelona with rocky, romantic coastlines near the French border.