Spain’s biggest beach hotspots continue to pull in millions of visitors every year, with Benidorm, Barcelona and Malaga attracting a combined 47.5 million in 2025. If your ideal day by the sea doesn’t involve long queues for parking and being crammed in beside other beachgoers, there’s good news. There are quieter alternatives within 90 minutes of these overcrowded hotspots, with journeys starting from as little as £3 ($4) by public transport, according to research from the global travel booking platform Omio.
Skip Barcelona for Platja de Sant Pol de Mar
Barcelona’s beaches may be among Spain’s busiest in summer, but the coastline changes pace surprisingly quickly.
Sant Pol de Mar swaps crowded stretches of sand for quieter coves, whitewashed buildings and a noticeably calmer atmosphere than Barcelona.
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Just 1 hour and 14 minutes north of Barcelona by train, with tickets starting at £6 ($8), Sant Pol de Mar swaps crowded stretches of sand for quieter coves, whitewashed buildings and a noticeably calmer atmosphere than Barcelona’s bustling beachfront.
Travelers can spend the afternoon exploring the former fishing town’s winding streets or walking sections of the coastal paths that run along the Maresme coastline.
Skip Benidorm for Villajoyosa
Benidorm’s skyline is hard to miss, but just 20 minutes away by tram costing £3 ($4), the atmosphere looks entirely different.
Often called ‘The Joyful Town’, Villajoyosa is known for its brightly coloured seafront houses, historic old town and noticeably slower pace. Its main beach, Platja del Centre, offers Costa Blanca sunshine without the crowds.
Beyond the beach, visitors can wander through the rainbow-hued old quarter, visit the town’s famous chocolate museum or enjoy fresh seafood along the promenade overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Skip Valencia for Cullera
Valencia may have the city beaches, but Cullera feels much more like a classic seaside day trip.
Reached in just 40 minutes by train (fares from £5/$7), the town combines broad sandy beaches with a palm-lined promenade and views from a hilltop castle overlooking the bay.
Valencia may have the city beaches, but Cullera feels much more like a classic seaside day trip.
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Visitors can also visit the nearby natural park surrounding the Albufera wetlands. Playa de San Antonio still has the feel of a traditional Spanish beach town – just with more space to spread out.
Skip Málaga for Playa de las Viborillas
For travelers after something a little more relaxed than Málaga’s busiest beachfront, Playa de las Viborillas offers the perfect setting.
Reached via Torremuelle station and a short walk to the coastline, the small cove is framed by rocky cliffs and greenery rather than rows of restaurants and sun loungers. Despite sitting less than an hour from Malaga, it feels far more secluded than many of the Costa del Sol’s larger beaches.
The surrounding coastline is also popular for snorkelling, thanks to its clear waters and rocky coves.
Skip Alicante for Playa de la Coveta Fumà
Just 35 minutes from Alicante via tram line 1 for a £3 ($4) fare, Coveta Fumà is for travelers who want somewhere that feels a little more local.
Made up of smaller coves and calmer waters, the area has a quieter, more residential feel that makes it an easy choice for visitors wanting a tranquil afternoon by the sea without straying too far from Alicante.
After a day on the coast, visitors can stop for fresh Mediterranean dishes at Restaurante la Cova, a local favourite tucked away in Coveta Fumà.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com