What destination is ideal for connecting with the sea and nature? To truly enjoy our time and disconnect to reconnect in our day-to-day lives.

In the case of Spain, it boasts nearly 8,000 kilometers of coastline, with 2,000 kilometers being beaches, undoubtedly opening the door to a vast coastal landscape, hiding true gems worth discovering. In this regard, I wanted to make a selection of the most outstanding coastal landscapes in our country, either for their geological importance, the peculiarities of their composition, or simply for the beauty of the environment, to enjoy them this summer:

Cathedrals Beach (Lugo)

This is the popular name for this beach located on the Cantabrian coast, with an extension of over 300 hectares where fine sand, cliffs, and Gothic-style rock formations, reaching heights of 20 to 30 meters, merge seamlessly. The predominant materials are slate and quartzite, which, over time and with the erosion of the sea, have given way to this spectacular landscape. Marine arches, pinnacles, tunnels, caves, or islands are some of the elements that make up this 2.2 km stretch, with significant geomorphological interest and a visual delight to enjoy.

The Gulf (Lanzarote)

The landscape of the entire island deserves a separate mention, and its volcanic origin makes it a unique environment. In this southwestern fishing village, there is an area worth admiring. The Gulf is composed of volcanic sand beaches, known for their distinctive color and contrast with the blue of the Atlantic Ocean. The Charco de los Clicos is the best-known natural attraction on the island, not only nationally but internationally. This green lake of about 7,000 square meters owes its color to the accumulation of sulfur and the presence of an algae called “ruppia marítima,” which produces chlorophyll and different shades of green depending on the season. Due to its high ecological value, swimming is prohibited, but this doesn’t prevent us from delighting in this landscape and its beach.

Flysch in Zumaia (Guipúzcoa)

Is it possible to learn about the Earth’s history through a landscape? On the Basque Country coast, one of Spain’s most peculiar and striking landscapes can be found. Flysch is sedimentary rock formations that owe their origin to the alternation of layers of hard rocks, such as limestone, shale, or sandstone, and layers of soft materials, such as marl and clay. Erosion acts differently on them, leaving the harder layers exposed, creating a picturesque scene that is completed by the green color of the surrounding meadows. A true geological secret that reveals 60 million years of Earth’s history. This makes it a unique environment, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park (Almería)

The southern part of the peninsula hides a true treasure made up of a desert landscape with internationally renowned fame. The Cabo de Gata geodesert has the best-preserved volcanic cliffs along the entire Spanish coast. And this is just one of the many singularities that make up this landscape. From a white sand beach, basalt rocks, to beaches with fossilized dunes, such as Los Escullos. This natural park has a protected natural area covering a total of 63 kilometers, where we find endemic flora, including vegetation such as palmettos, esparto, agave species, or azufaifos.

Dunes in Maspalomas (Gran Canaria)

A desert by the sea? This is what we find in the southern area of the island of Gran Canaria, a huge sand deposit located by the sea, forming a set of dunes that also includes a fine sand beach, a palm forest, and a brackish lagoon. The origin of this landscape is due to the settling of surrounding ravines and the deposit made by the sea over hundreds of years. A true oasis of beauty that will not leave anyone indifferent and has become one of the island’s main attractions. Its natural value is incalculable, including a variety of flora and fauna, making it a protected area since 1994.