Costa del sun
At the start of the 20th century, summer holidays were invented and people began heading to the beach for a break. But in the ’60s, Spain became the place to be, and thousands of tourists fell in love with our sunny shores as the perfect spot to relax.
The fact that Spain is a península, shared with our beloved neighbors in Portugal, gives us a stunning 8,000 kilometers of coastline. Quite something, right? And when you add good weather and a vibrant culture, it’s easy to see why everyone wants to come here to soak up the sun.
For most Spaniards, childhood memories are tied to summers in the village and especially at the beach. That’s where you switch off completely and enjoy life to the fullest. The beach is always a good plan, whether you’re with family or friends. You can sunbathe, swim, take long walks, play with the kids by the shore, or head over to a chiringuito — those beach bars that feel like an oasis in the middle of a heatwave. There’s nothing more Spanish in summer than a beach full of colorful umbrellas and a chiringuito serving ice-cold beer, tapas, or a seafood paella.
With over 3,500 beaches spread across the Cantabrian Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic Ocean, Spain offers every kind of seaside you could dream of. Some people prefer their water fresh and bracing, the kind of dip that wakes you right up, which takes us mainly to the country’s northern coast, where the term “baños de ola” (wave baths) was first used. A century ago, beaches weren’t considered particularly valuable. Coastal towns were built for their ports, a place to anchor fishing boats or unload goods. But in the 1920s, European aristocrats began spending their summers along the Cantabrian coast and in Normandy. Elegant seaside resorts sprang up, drawn by the idea that seawater had wonderful therapeutic properties.
By the mid-20th century, summer holidays had become a middle-class tradition. And by the 1960s, foreigners had discovered our beaches, and Spain began marketing itself as the ultimate tourist destination: sun, sea, culture, and good food. What else could you ask for?
Beach season stretches longer along the Mediterranean and southern Spain, where you can enjoy five months of temperatures above 20°C. And the Canary Islands? They take the crown: endless beaches, sunshine nearly 365 days a year, and a year-round tan to prove it.
