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The Best Beaches
If you're from a country with terrific beaches, such as Australia or the United States, you probably won't be impressed with the beaches in Spain. But while you're vacationing along the Costa del Sol or Costa de la Luz, here's a preview of the best beaches, such as they are, that await you.
Playa Victoria, Cadiz: One of the best beaches in Spain is found among the champagne-colored sands in this historic old port city. Local authorities work to keep the beach wide by pumping tons of sand here from points offshore. The beach stretches for 2km (1 1/4 miles), making it one of the finest beachfronts in southern Spain. Watersports galore are found along these sands, and the beach is flanked by dozens of restaurants, bars, and nightlife options. Drop in at any one of the chiringuitos (beach bars) that captures your fancy. Although richly built up, the playa still isn't junky.
Playa de la Caleta, Cadiz: Locals call this beach Ba?o de la Vina, for the barrio that abuts it. In the old part of town, the beach forms a half-moon of golden sands to the immediate east of Castillo de Santa Catalina. To the immediate west is another fortification, Castillo de San Sebastian. The latter fortress lies on an islet reached by causeway. This beach and bay were once used by the Phoenicians, but it's kept up with the times and is more favored by local residents than the tonier Playa Victoria. Watersports are popular, but many of the townspeople come here just to absorb the sun. If you want another beach in town, head over to the Playa Santa Maria del Mar, which is found just 500m (1,640 ft.) east of the cathedral.
Playa Isla Canela, Ayamonte: The little town of Ayamonte lies 37km (22 miles) east of the provincial capital of Huelva, where Columbus dared to dream "the impossible dream." One of the best beaches along the strip known as the Costa de la Luz is Playa Isla Canela. Expect tranquil waters protected by the sandbars 50m to 100m (164-328 ft.) offshore. At low tide these sandbars become virtual islands. There's not a lot of tourist infrastructure here; it's a great place just to bask in the sun. When you tire of the sands, you'll find little kiosks on the beach renting watersports equipment or others hawking freshly cooked (or caught) seafood for your lunch.
Playa Zahara, near Tarifa: The little city of Tarifa is the southernmost town in continental Europe. Its windy beaches also make it the windsurfing capital of Europe. At the little fishing village of Zahara de los Atunes, you'll come across some of the Costa de la Luz's most beautiful white sandy beaches. Here Playa Zahara stretches for a total of 8km (5 miles). If you don't mind the almost constant winds, these are fabulous beaches. The landscape is a bit savage here, and the panoramic views include the coast of Africa.
Playa de la Carihuela, Torremolinos: Even if the beach here is not among the world's greatest, you'll have a roaring good time on the sands of La Carihuela bordering the old fishing village of this wildly popular resort along the Costa del Sol. An expat population of Germans, Scandinavians, and Brits can be found playing volleyball or sunning themselves on the beige sands in skimpy suits. When you tire of the sands, a bevy of excellent seafood restaurants lines the waterfront. The beach has facilities for paragliding, windsurfing, water-skiing, and plain old sailing.
El Fuerte and La Fontanilla, Marbella: On either side of the Costa del Sol's glossiest resort stretches the sands of these two good beaches, both famous and fashionable since the 1960s. The beaches are protected from the northerly winds by the Sierra Blanca, which allows the bathing season to extend from May to October. If you find the sands too crowded, you can also sample two of Marbella's other beaches, the Playa de la Bajadilla in the east and the amusingly named Playa de Venus, both of which lie between the resort's twin harbors. Many watersports, including sailing and water-skiing, are possible from these beaches.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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