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The BEST BEACHES in SPAIN
If your idea of the perfect holiday is lounging around on beautiful beaches, then Spain is most definitely the country for you,
and with over 4000 kilometres of coastline to choose from you are as they say....spoilt for choice. If you decide to plan a beach holiday
then the following guide will be of great help to you. It was to be called the top 10 beaches in Spain, then I thought well for lots of reasons
i.e location, privacy, cleanliness, type of activities offered etc etc everyone has an opinion, so here are the beaches......you decide.
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Blue Flag Beaches in Spain
According to figures published by ( ADEAC ) the consumer association for environmental education one in seven beaches have been awarded the blue flag, could be better I hear you say. However in the northern hemisphere a total of 2.579 blue flags have been awarded, Spain with 499 is in fact the leading country with the most flags. Galicia leads tIn 2007 the blue flag will be flying over 499 of its beaches and 77 Ports. The prestigious blue flags are awarded by an international committee of judges represented through organisations such as the united nations for the Environment , the world tourism body, the international association for help and life saving and various other environmental protection agencies.
The beaches of Galicia lead the table with 127 blue flags awarded, followed by Cataluña with 108, Valencia with 107, Andalucia with 72 and the Balearics with 80. On a smaller scale they are followed by the Canaries (30) Murcia ( 21 )
Asturias (13 ) and the Basque Region (8) Cantabria ( 6) Ceuta ( 2) and Melilla (2) .
If you are looking to explore the best beaches Spain has to offer there are many good online travel agents such as First Choice, Thomas Cook and On The Beach,
offering a wide range of holidays in Spain, checking their web sites for the best deals
is a great way to start.
You can download in pdf format a list of the Beaches in Spain
awarded the blue flag in 2007 at
 Blue Flag Beaches - 2007
Spain has been awarded a total of 527 Blue Flags in 2008 , 455 are for beaches and 72 for Marinas, this relates to a decrease of 49 in respect of 2007.
According to the information released by ( Adeac - The association of Environmental Education for the Consumer ) this slight decline in blue flags is due to the new stricter controls which came into force recently and relates to water quality , the drought and heavy summer rainfalls of 2007 also left its affect on some areas.
According to Jose R.Sanchez of Adeac, the torrential downpours carried materials down from urban areas, dry river beds which has affected swimming water quality.
61 beaches in total lost there Blue Flag status, 22 in Galicia, 15 in Andalucia, 7 from Valencia, 6 in the Pais Vasco, 4 each from Cantabriaand Asturias and 3 in the Canaries. However as beaches from other areas have been awarded the flag the total number was 49 less than 2007.
The famous Poniente beach in Benidorm lost its blue flag status this year his year because of the extensive work being carried out on the “ paseo maritime” sea front.
The most beaches with this prestigious award for 288 are located in Catalonia with 112, followed by
Galicia with an impressive 105, Valencia with 100, the Balearic Islands with 84, Andalucia now has a total of 59, 27 in the Canaries and Murcia with 23.
Spain continues to be the world leader with its Blue Flag beaches and Marinas and shows its continuing dedication in helping to insure the quality of its tourism installations remain an important priority for all the governments, local councils and tourism board alike.
Blue Flag Beaches - 2008
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Playa de Estorde - La Coruña - North West Spain -
The Estorde beach is situated around 81 kilometers South West of La Coruña in Galicia. The beach is arouns 500 km long and
has clean fine white side, the water is thin and calm. Usually not very crowded exept Sundays where of course the local
community is more present.
 Google Map of Estorde
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Playa de las Americas - Tenerife
Playa de las Américas is a purpose-built beach and resort situated between Arona,and Adeje in the south of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands.
There are a number of beaches in the Las Americas area, most of which are man made from imported sand from Africa.
Watch out though. the natural sand of the island is black and can get very hot during the summer months.
Google Map of Playa de las Americas
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Playa de Conil de la Frontera - Cadiz
The south coast of Spain has some very beautiful beaches. Stretching from Tarifa to the Huelva an the border with
Portugal you will come across many long, clean, sandy, unspoilt and underdeveloped beaches to enjoy. Although they
can be prone to the strong poniente winds coming in from the Atlantic don't let that deter you, in fact if your into wind driven water
sports its a must visit. Some of the nicest beaches are around Conil, long sandy stretches on both sides of the Town, clean
and ideal for spending a long undisturbed day of beach worshipping. Must visit beaches along the south coast include those
at Sanlucar de Barrameda, Rota, Chipiona and Chiclana.
Google Map of Playa de Conil
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Playa de Sotavento - Fuerteventura
The Playa de Sotavento is arguably the best beach on Fuerteventura, and there are many breathtaking beaches in this art of Spain.
It is situated the corner of the island and a natural paradise of great ecological wealth.
The beach is popular with both clothing-optional and normal bathers alike and has become a very popular beach for scuba diving and snorkelling
Divers come here from all over globe to discover the magnificent underwater landscapes and mysteries that lie beneath the crystalline waves. This mostly
quiet and unpopulated beach is popular with windsurfers and kite surfers and has a bohemian vibe with a scattering of beach bars. In front of the Playa
Barca area there is a lagoon which is particularly good for swimming.
Google Map of Sotavento
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Playa de Somo - Cantabria
6 kms of fine white sandy beach , very popular with the windsurfers as it is a sheltered beach break that can
be working any time throughout the year. When the surfing is right the beach can get very crowded.
Google Map of Playa de Somo
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Playa de Bayas - Asturias
Playa de Bayas is one of the best beaches in the province of Asturias. It is surrounded by natural forest along the whole
lenght of this beautiful beach, Bayas is also of great ecological interest with many species of plants found int his area.
Google Map of Playa de Bayas
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Playa de Mataro - Barcelona
The Beach at Mataro is some 5 km long and has fine golden sand, a great place to sit overlooking the
Mediterranean and enjoy this beautiful part of Catalonia
Google Map of Playa de Mataro
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Cala de Algaiarens - Menorca
One of the main reasons I visit Menorca is to swim in one the many coves ( Calas )
this attractive little Island has to offer. Quite a lot of them are only accessible via the sea and there position only given away by
the yachts and small craft anchored slightly offshore around them. Driving around the island is a great way to explore the Calas and the awesome
beach in the Cala de Algaiarens is must see. although difficult to reach some of them by car it is well worth the efforts to reach
each destination. Algaiarens has two large beaches which nestle amongst the Menorcan pines. Other Calas I would recommend
on the island are Cala Macarella, Cala Es Talaier. Cala N,porter, Cala Mitjaneta, Cala Galdana and Cala Pregonda.
Google Map of Cala de Algaiarens
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Playas de Barbate - Cadiz
Las playas de Mangueta, Zahora, Los Caños de Meca, Hierbabuena, Ntra. Sra. del Carmen, Cañillos, Pajares y Zahara de los Atunes
make up the Beaches of Barbate. Long areas of fine white sand, sometimes a little windy but beautiful none the less, I have
visited these beaches on many on occasions, there are all clean and peaceful and provide a welcome and relaxing break away from the busy Costas.
Take my advice and make sure you put them all on your list the next time you visit the south of Spain.
Google Map of the Playas de Barbate
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Playa de A Langosteira - La Coruña
This beach is situated at the entrance to Villa de Fisterra and has around 2 kms of quality beach. The water is crystalline and tranquille.
There is an oddity as there is an old run aground cruise liner just of the northern part of the beach called the " Cruz de Baixer"
Google Map of Playa de Langosteira
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Playa de Illetes - Formentera
Probably my personal favourite in this guide is the Playa de Illetas. Situated on the northern tip of
Formantera with the island of Espalmador only some 150m offshore. You may think you are on a remote Caribbean island
when your lounging on the beach at Illetas. This beach is probably the
most visited by tourist and locals alike so can get a little busy at peak times. The general area is easily accessible by any vehicle although due to
the terrain some parts are only accessible by walking or Bike. There are restaurants, kiosks and sun beds to rent.
Google Map of Playa de Illetas
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Playas de Denia - Alicante
The nicest beaches along the coast of Denia coastline are the Les Marines, Les Deveses and the Les Rotes Beaches.
Les Marines is about 2 kms long with fine sand. Les Rotes is located to the South of Denia and is noted for its
natural beauty. Les Deveses is the largest beach in the area at around 4kms long, it has fine golden sand with a normally
calm surge, It is prone to get windy at times and therefore a firm favourite with the windsurfing community.
Google Map of Playas de Denia
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Playas de Chipiona - Cadiz
Although the beaches here are set amongst the built up area of Chipiona and at first glance may not seem the most
pretty of beaches I do feel it should have a special mention. Chipionas beaches are proud holders of the Blue Flag since
1998 and has been undoubtedly the most sort after summer location for the Sevillanos
for many a generation. I have always been happy in this area and love the typically Spanish atmosphere of the
town and its beaches. Enjoy the Sardines roasting over the open fires set by the beach bars and restaurants and other
fine fresh sea food on offer, specially the delicate taste of the famous Gambas Blancas White Prawns caught
close by in the warm and clean waters off the Cadiz coast.
Google Map of Playas de Chipiona
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Playa de Mazagon - Huelva
Huelva is another favourite haunt of my family and not least because
of the quality of the sea and its beaches. I have walked along the Mazagon beach during high season
and come across only a handful of visitors. the 36 kms of clean golden sand make Mazagon
the pride of the Costa de la Luz.
Google Map of Playas de Mazagon
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