Special bays and promenades of Spain

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Inspiration, relaxation, peace, inexplicable energy... These are just some of the sensations aroused by walking by the sea. And you can experience them in so many places in Spain. Below, we tour some of the most special bays and boardwalks to help you choose your next destination.

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Aerial panoramic view of the city of Santander. Cantabria

Roses and Santander, among the most beautiful bays in the world

You may have heard about the exclusive Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club. In addition to beauty, this recognition also recognises historical, ecological and cultural importance. Did you know that if you visit Spain you have the opportunity to visit two of those fascinating bays?One of them is in Santander, on the coast of Cantabria, and is the only beach in northern Spain that faces south. Discover its fantastic beaches and promenade with architecture reflecting the city's deep connection with the sea, such as the Stone Crane, the Los Raqueros sculpture, the Embarcadero Palace, the Royal Yacht Club and the Gamazo dock. Sit and watch the entry and exit of fishing boats, merchant ships and sailboats in the Zaera Dune. Walk along Reina Victoria Avenue for a view of the bay and the coastal towns of Somo and Pedreña, El Puntal beach and the Peña Cabarga mountain in the background. If you want an unforgettable panoramic view, go up to the roof of the Botín Center, the work of award-winning architect Renzo Piano. There are interesting maritime routes for ecotourism and environmental education throughout the year to learn about its great ecological and landscape value.The other is the bay of Roses, in the heart of Catalonia's Costa Brava, with more than 50 kilometres of impressive beaches and shallow coves with crystal-clear water. It is located between three natural parks. There are multiple options for hiking and nautical sports around this impressive estuary. You will be able to discover the Cap de Creus nature reserve to the north, the Montgrí nature reserve to the south and, in the centre, the Aiguamolls del Empordà nature reserve. The town also has a citadel that has been declared a historic-artistic site, with traces remaining of its Greco-Roman past. If you add to all this the exquisite gastronomy of the area, you have all the ingredients to enjoy an idyllic vacation.
The Esplanade of Spain. The Alicante promenade in the Region of Valencia © M. Vinuesa / Shutterstock.com

Walks with the essence of the Mediterranean

You will find another of the most iconic towns on the Costa Brava less than 20 kilometres away, without leaving the province of Girona. This is Cadaqués, a place that has inspired famous artists, such as the painter Salvador Dalí, with its charming promenade snaking past white houses, fantastic restaurants, cobblestoned streets and the crystal-clear waters of the coves that surround the town. Barcelona, for its part, has one of the most atmospheric promenades in Spain. About six kilometers long, it begins at Port Vell, crosses the Olympic Port and reaches the famous La Barceloneta beach. Some of its attractions include the Barcelona Aquarium, the Maremàgnum leisure centre and the Maritime Museum. It also has a wide range of restaurants and beach bars, craft markets and sculptures, such as the striking 'Gambrinus' (gigantic prawn) by the Spanish artist Javier Mariscal. You will find another of the most representative promenades of the Mediterranean coast on the Costa Blanca that bathes the city of Alicante, in the Valencian Community. It is known as the Esplanade of Spain and stretches some 500 metres. Let yourself be guided by its wavy mosaic floor in red, black and white drawn by its more than six million marble tiles. As you stroll among palm trees, street artists and craft stalls, you can take in the modernist-style Casa Carbonell, the Real Casino and the unique La Concha auditorium. Liven up the walk with a delicious artisanal ice cream.
The Tower of Hercules, A Coruña. Galicia

A breeze with an Atlantic flavour

If you want to see the longest urban promenade in Spain you should travel to Galicia. The city of La Coruña offers you have no less than 12 kilometres for walking, cycling or other sports activities by the sea. The route from O Portiño to San Antón takes you past the iconic Tower of Hercules, which has been declared a World Heritage site, the Domus museums and the Finisterrae Aquarium. You can also admire the iconic galleries of the Marina, old fishermen's homes with glassed-in balconies. Under its arcades you will find places to enjoy the flavors of the sea that predominate in Galician gastronomy. At the other end of Green Spain - which stretches the entire length of the north coast - you can explore one of the country's most elegant promenades, that of Donostia, San Sebastian, in Gipuzkoa. Walking from La Concha beach, continuing along Ondarreta beach, to the famous Wind Comb sculpture, the work of Eduardo Chillida, you can take in elegant buildings such as the Royal Baths and the Miramar Palace. Take the opportunity to taste the creative pintxos typical of Basque cuisine in one of the gastrobars that you will find around the Paseo del Muelle, or try delicious grilled fish and seafood.
Sunset on the beach of La Caleta, Cádiz

Cinematic sunsets in the south

The breakwater that protects a large part of the promenade of Cádiz is so reminiscent of the Cuban boardwalk in Havana that it has hosted large film productions on several occasions. In the Campo del Sur area, you can visit the remains of the Roman theatre and take in the imposing form of the New Cathedral. The popular La Caleta beach is flanked by two fortifications, the Castle of Santa Catalina and the Castle of San Sebastián, located on an islet that you can reach by walking across a breakwater. You are on the Costa de la Luz: experience the colourful magic of a sunset with the sounds of the ocean in the background.Another charming promenade bathed by the Atlantic is Avenida de Las Canteras in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. From the colorful boats anchored in La Puntilla, where you will find terraces and fresh fish restaurants, to the immense beach of Las Canteras, a sandy area more than three kilometers long that extends across the bay, surrounded by all kinds of services. Discover 'La Barra', a curious natural reef that protects areas of great ecological value and marine life. It is a great place for snorkelling. If you like surfing, the other end of the beach is the place for you, next to the Alfredo Kraus auditorium, home of the Opera Festival, which pays an annual tribute to the internationally famous local tenor.