The Iberian Peninsula, on which Spain is located, serves as a barrier separating the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. From the north, the country’s shores are washed by the Atlantic Bay of Biscay, from the southeast by the Balearic Sea, and from the south by the Strait of Gibraltar. There is no clear answer to the question of which sea washes Spain also because the islands of the Canary Archipelago, which are part of Spanish territory, are located in Atlantic Ocean.

Mediterranean resorts

The Mediterranean plays first fiddle among the seas of Spain. It is on its banks that the main resorts are located, where in the summer there is nowhere for an apple to fall from those who want to get a comfortable beach holiday and decent European service. Costa Brava and Alicante, Costa Dorada and Salou open the doors of their hotels and restaurants, and the famous Spanish Mediterranean beaches are becoming a favorite place for young people, families with children, and golden age travelers.
A lot is connected with the Mediterranean Sea in Spain. It shapes the cuisine and directions of resort architecture, dictates bright colors and catchy headlines on the menus of coastal restaurants, becomes a fertile backdrop for photo shoots and a place for romantic walks to the sound of the surf.
When answering the question of what seas are in Spain, we should not forget about the Balearic Sea, which, in fact, is part of the Mediterranean. It washes the shores of Barcelona and the Balearic Islands, and Valencia is considered its largest port. The water temperature in the resorts of the Balearic Sea reaches +25 degrees during the peak season.

Ocean for the strong-willed

The Mediterranean Sea flows smoothly into the Strait of Gibraltar, which leads to the waters of the North Atlantic. The ocean coast in western Spain is a surfer's paradise, and the largest cities in this part of Spain are full of attractions and architectural masterpieces. Columbus's ships departed from here, and the Spanish port of Cadiz on the Atlantic Ocean became the main place for launching expeditions to discover and conquer America.

• The Atlantic allows Spain to be included in the list of ten countries in the world in terms of the amount of fish and seafood caught and exported.
• The second name for the Bay of Biscay is the Cantabrian Sea.
• The width of the Strait of Gibraltar does not exceed 14 kilometers.
• The length of the coastline of Spain is almost 5,000 kilometers.

Sunny Mallorca is washed by the waters of the Balearic Sea - one of the warmest, most beautiful and rich in flora and fauna. And the island itself, to match its resort neighbors, is distinguished by the breadth of its natural scope and friendly climate. Delightful bounty-style landscapes, untouched lagoons, secluded rocky coves, bronze tan and refreshing coolness pure water– all this is a seaside holiday in Mallorca.

basic information

In fact, the Balearic Sea is part of the Mediterranean, separated from its main territory by the Balearic Archipelago, which includes Mallorca. The sea is not very deep - the average depth is only 767 meters, and relatively small area allows the water to warm up faster and delight vacationers with warm water clear water.

By May, the sea in Mallorca warms up so much that even pampered connoisseurs of beach pleasures can swim here comfortably. The swimming season lasts until October, and in the summer months the water is temptingly warm and 25-27° - the usual indicators for June-August.

Large rivers flowing into the Balearic Sea, such as Jucar, Mijares, Turia, make the water moderately salty, although you still cannot do without a shower after each swim.

The sandy, clean bottom, uniform deepening, and the absence of rapid currents and waves played a positive role in the development of the tourist power of Mallorca - beach holidays here are considered one of the best in the world, and the beaches of the island themselves are the standard of the resort industry.

Undersea world

High water clarity, excellent ecology and rich natural world allowed the development of such types of tourism as diving, snorkeling, yachting and other disciplines.

The sea in Mallorca is home to millions of colorful inhabitants. During your dive, you have every chance of meeting moray eels, eels, groupers, rays, tuna, mackerel, scorpion fish, golden spar, octopus, anchovies, wrasses, crabs, spiny lobsters, seahorses and even sharks. But the most exciting thing about the Balearic Sea is its underwater landscape, which includes numerous caves and grottoes. Many of them are accessible for exploration, here you can admire stalactites and stalagmites, and some caves have their own lakes, such as the Jeroni Cave.

Let's add to this dozens of species of corals, colorful variegated sponges, and, well, fragments of sunken ships - where would we be without these objects, so attractive to divers and adventurers.

Off Mallorca you can also observe such an interesting type of underwater vegetation as posidonia. Many dive sites are located at shallow depths, allowing even novice divers to admire the underwater beauty.

Beach holidays in Mallorca

The Balearic Sea has given Mallorca a total of 260 stunning beaches, and a third of them are completely wild, devoid of the intrusive “care” of man. Many are completely hidden from people by the green growth of Mediterranean vegetation and rocky outcrops. Some can only be reached from the water, by boat or speedboat. But these are the most picturesque sections of the coast, with perfectly clear water and visibility up to 30-50 meters. The islanders themselves and experienced tourists who are well acquainted with the riches of Mallorca relax here.

Best beaches Mallorca:

• Alcudia.
• Cala Mayor.
• Magaluf.
• Playa de Palma.
• Sa Calobra.
• Cala Millor.

Along with wide sandy areas, there are also pebble areas. A large part of the coast is owned by hotels, but at any of the island resorts you can always find an excellent municipal beach with infrastructure, restaurants and bars.

Almost all beaches boast a gentle entrance to the water and a clean, flat bottom, which is great for a family holiday.

In addition to classic lounging in the shade of umbrellas, active recreation by the sea in Mallorca is also popular. This is a paradise for surfers, water skiers, parachutists, and sailing boat lovers. Ordinary people can amuse themselves with a ride on a banana boat or a catamaran, a boat or a jet ski.

And, of course, nothing beats the excitement and adrenaline sea ​​fishing, for which best place, than coastal waters simply cannot be found. A rich catch and indescribable pleasure are guaranteed to everyone.

And the Atlantic Ocean. We collected their pros, cons and pitfalls. Read it!

Spain has been synonymous with excellent holidays for several decades.

Among the popular summer destinations you can easily find the bustling Salou, luxurious Marbella, the Canary Islands in all their diversity or the Costa Dorada with its golden sands.

Spain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. In order not to make a mistake with a resort, it is worth knowing the features of each of them.

Let's do short review key places.

Resorts of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea

Alicante

Alicante is the center of the province of the same name and one of the main resort towns on the Costa Blanca. From an ordinary port, it has turned into a place with modern infrastructure, medieval and Moorish architectural monuments, long beaches and quality gastronomy.

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Pros of Alicante:

• Proximity to international airport- one of the largest in Spain;
• The presence of a well-groomed embankment - great place for walks at any time of the day;
• Long beaches covered with clean sand;
• Historical monuments of different eras;
• Availability of shopping streets;
• Lots of exciting festivals throughout summer season;
• Opportunities for family recreation.

Cons of Alicante:

• Mountainous terrain around and little greenery;
• Stormy night life in the center - noise can be heard in neighboring hotels.

Climate in Alicante and best season for relax:

Precipitation in Alicante occurs only in winter. In other seasons the climate is dry and mild. The temperature at the height of summer is about +30 ˚C, in winter - from +13 ˚C. You can swim from the end, but it is better to come in August-September, when the sea is warmed up to +24˚C.

Notable places near Alicante:

There are nearby attractions for families with children, such as the amusement park and aquarium of the neighboring town of Santa Pola. It's worth taking a trip to the nearby vibrant city of Benidorm, an hour's drive to Murcia to admire the architecture, or spending time in the Sierra Helada National Park.

Salou

Salou is the tourist center of Catalonia with a 7 km coastline. This is the gastronomic capital of the Costa Dorada, a favorite holiday destination for young people and families with children. Business card Salou is the famous “Port Aventura”, with which only Disneyland can compete in popularity.

Pros of Salou:

• Clean beaches without jellyfish and sandy seabed;
• Lots of budget apartments and hotels;
• Restaurants of various categories: from family cafes to establishments from the Michelin guide;
• A lively embankment with dozens of entertainment options;
• Abundance of greenery;
• Availability of hiking trails for long walks in nature.

Cons of Salou:

• Few historical attractions;
• Distance from Barcelona - travel time will be less than 1.5 hours.

Salou climate and best season for holiday:

Salou has a mild climate. Here warm winters(up to +20 ˚C) and roast dry summer(average +30 ˚C). You can relax comfortably on its coast when there are still few tourists, or when the sea is perfectly warm. and August is time maximum temperatures, which is the peak of traffic.

Notable places near Salou:

Barcelona is 112 km away. Despite this distance, it is rare that a tourist denies himself the pleasure of visiting the capital of Catalonia. From Salou it is convenient to travel to the neighboring, historical and to Reus - the homeland of Gaudi.

Marbella

For lovers of a sophisticated holiday, Marbella is a long-loved resort 58 km from Malaga. The best restaurants and hotels in Spain are located here, although a century ago, on the site of Marbella there was an ordinary fishing village. The local beaches are all perfect: with clear sea, fine clean sand and developed infrastructure, although there are secluded bays.

Pros of Marbella:

• Proximity to Malaga airport;
• High level of service;
• Good sandy beaches;
• Availability of both luxurious and affordable hotels;
• Picturesque Old city with monuments from the 15th century;
• Most low level crime in Spain - high level security;

Cons of Marbella:

• Prices in many shops and restaurants are higher than in other Spanish cities.

Marbella climate and best season for holiday:

Marbella has a mild climate without hot summers and cold winter- affects the proximity to the mountains, which protect the resort from sudden temperature changes. In summer the air warms up to +28 °C, in winter - up to +16 °C. You can swim from June to the best months August and early September are considered for holidays, when the sea is warmed up to +24 °C.

Notable places near Marbella:

In Marbella itself and the surrounding area there are several botanical gardens with collections of rare trees for summer walks. You can also explore the neighboring cities of Estepona and Fuengirola, go to the Las Nieves Natural Park - a mountain range with exciting routes for lovers of canyoning, mountaineering and trekking, buy an excursion to Gibraltar or spend a day in Malaga - a large city with good beaches and historical monuments.

Resorts of Spain on the Atlantic Ocean

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is called by many the most beautiful Spanish resort on the Atlantic coast. If there are several reasons to agree with this statement: the city is famous for its sandy beaches, extraordinary nature and unique architecture, thanks to which San Sebastian is called “little Paris”.

Pros of San Sebastian:

• There is an airport just 20 km from the city;
• A less popular destination than the Mediterranean coast;
• Local gastronomy (abundance of seafood, Basque cuisine);
• Clean and calm sandy beaches;
• Eat suitable conditions for windsurfing;
• Ancient architectural monuments and historical quarters;
• Active cultural life - concerts, International Film Festival and jazz festivals are held.

Cons of San Sebastian:

• Precipitation is more frequent than on the Mediterranean coast.

The climate of San Sebastian and the best season for vacation:

Weather conditions in San Sebastian are both an advantage and a disadvantage of this resort. On the one hand, the climate here is ideal for those who cannot stand the heat. In summer the air warms up to +25 °C, and the ideal wind for surfing often blows. On the other hand, the season here is shorter than in the resorts of Mediterranean Spain. Already in September, rains in San Sebastian are not uncommon, and with the beginning of October strong waves arrive.

Notable places near San Sebastian:

San Sebastian is just a stone's throw from France - tourists often travel to Biarritz, France. The trip to Spanish Bilbao will take about an hour. Here you can see another Spain with examples modern architecture. In 3.5 hours by train or bus you can reach Zaragoza, a city where Jewish, Spanish, Christian and Arab monuments are mixed.

Tenerife

When talking about resorts in Spain, we cannot limit ourselves only to those located on the mainland. Its islands are no less charming, and Tenerife is an example of this. It is the largest island of the Canary archipelago with untouched nature, volcanic beaches and opportunities for active recreation. Some tourists go to Tenerife for treatment - the island is rich in thermal springs. Others prefer hiking on special trails National park ov, windsurfing or visiting ancient cities.

Pros of Tenerife:

• The nature of the island and the abundance of greenery - the largest National Park of the Canary Islands is located here;
• There are 2 airports on the island that serve international and domestic Spanish flights;
• Wide choose cities for holidays: from the bustling Las Americas in the south to the calm northern Puerto de la Cruz;
• Exotic beaches with volcanic sand, which has beneficial effects on health;
• Stable wind for windsurfing;
• Availability health complexes for those who want to improve their health;
• Authentic cuisine - you can try dishes of the indigenous population of the island;
• Big choice entertainment for children (Loro Park, Eagle Park, Siam Amusement Park, Monkey Park).

Cons of Tenerife:

• Some sandy beaches are artificial;
• You will have to carefully choose a place to relax: in the south the sea is warmer and the coast is less susceptible to waves than in the north, where ocean currents influence the water temperature.

Tenerife climate and best season for holiday:

Tenerife has stable weather throughout the year, which is why it is called the island of eternal spring. But in winter it rains more often and the wind gets stronger. The best month to travel to Tenerife is September, when it is warm like summer and the ocean warms up to +25 °C.

Notable places near Tenerife:

From Tenerife there are excursions to the majestic cliffs of Los Gigantes. While on a yacht, you have the opportunity to see whales. It is also convenient to visit the islands of Gran Canaria and La Gomera from Tenerife, which are not inferior to it in beauty.

Cadiz

Cadiz is the heart of Andalusia and a city recognized as one of the oldest in Europe. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that he preserved historical monuments: the Roman theater, one of the largest in Spain Cathedral, baroque churches and medieval fortresses. Cadiz is famous for its amazingly beautiful beaches, which belong to the Costa de la Luz. You don't need to go far: wide beaches with golden sand stretch along the entire city. Cadiz is suitable for tourists who want to combine an educational holiday with a carefree pastime on the coast.

Pros of Cadiz:

• Luxurious and clean coastline;
• Interesting Old Town, which can be explored in a couple of days;
• A combination of traditional beauty, resort atmosphere and modern urban infrastructure;
• Excellent fish restaurants, famous for their variety of dishes;
• The oldest botanical garden in Spain is located here.

Cons of Cadiz:

• It might blow strong wind;
• Due to ocean currents, the water is cooler than in the Mediterranean Sea.

Cadiz climate and best holiday season:

Cadiz has a moderately warm climate (called Mediterranean-oceanic) with rare precipitation in the summer. In August, the air in Cadiz warms up to +29 °C, the water - up to +23 °C. This month is on a par with July and September - best time for visiting. In winter, the air in Cadiz warms up to +15 °C.

Notable places near Cadiz:

From Cadiz it is convenient to travel to Seville - the journey time is 1.5 hours. This is a unique city that will give you an idea of ​​the real Spain. Seville is filled with shops, palaces, and ancient churches. The opportunity to attend a flamenco show is not to be missed.

You can explore the surrounding area by water - boat trips along the Strait of Gibraltar are organized from Cadiz. This is an opportunity to visit nearby port cities and see dolphins. In 20 minutes from Cadiz you can reach the Aqualand water park with dozens of calm and extreme attractions for guests of all ages. The water park has well-maintained green areas and places for a family picnic.

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