Best Beaches - According to National Geographic

According to the prestigious National Geographic magazine, three of the best beaches in the Spain can be found in Andalusia. The international publication recently selected the most beautiful coastal landscapes in Spain, which included three Andalusian beaches.

If there is an image that characterises summer, it is that of the beach. The overcrowding of umbrellas, sand castles and portable refrigerators full of food and drink to survive a hot day on the sand are what many of us remember most about summers in Spain.

Spain is considered privileged when it comes to the general quality of its beaches. This is reflected in the large number of blue flags it is awarded each year (621 in 2022) which are only given when stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria are met and maintained. Beach lovers in Spain can enjoy nearly 8,000 kilometres of coastline lapped by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, making it difficult to choose which beach to spend the day at.

For this reason, National Geographic has shared its selection of the very best beaches in Spain, among which three are located on the Andalusian coast.

Cuesta Maneli

Located in the heart of the Doñana National Park, Cuesta Maneli is one of the quietest beaches on the Huelva coast. A wooden path passes between dunes, bushes and pine trees for more than a kilometre, to Cuesta Maneli, a magical enclave between Matalascañas and Mazagón. Here you can breathe the wild air. It also offers fantastic views from the Aperillo Cliff, a system of fossil dunes considered the most unique ecological and geological coastal formation on the Peninsula.

Playa Genoveses

Playa Genoveses is located in the beautiful Campillo del Genovés valley and characterised by its fine golden sand dunes. It is a stunning bay sprinkled with prickly pears and can be accessed on foot from the town of San José. It is without a doubt, the most beautiful bay in the Cabo de Gato Natural Park, surrounded by a sensational untouched landscape, and definitely one of the best beaches in Spain.

Matalascañas

Matalascañas beach is is perfect for families, and one of the most popular beaches in Huelva. It’s fine golden sand stretches 5 kilometres, making it one of the longest beaches on the Costa de la Luz. This beach features a large peculiar stone that sticks out of the beautiful golden sand. This unusual feature is in fact the ruins of the old Torre de la Higuera guard tower, which fell after the Lisbon tsunami of 1755.

Of course, these are just 3 of the many beautiful beaches in Andalucia which all offer a unique landscape and atmosphere.

Ref: Jorge Fernandez Salas