Trip Ideas

This Country Has the Most Clean Beaches in the World — and They're All Gorgeous

Go ahead, take a dip in Spain.

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Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> Stacey Leasca

Published on August 15, 2024

Burriana beach in Castellon of Spain — Photo:
LUNAMARINA/GETTY IMAGES

Next time you need an excuse to go on a beach vacation, just remember that the very act of being around water is scientifically proven to be good for you. As a paper published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology reported, just looking at a body of water can make you feel more relaxed and actually lower both your heart rate and your blood pressure. And while just about any body of water has the power to put your mind at ease for your next waterside getaway, why not visit some of the cleanest beaches on Earth?

The easiest way to find these beaches is to check out all the Blue Flag beaches of the world, a designation awarded to beaches, marinas, and tourism boats that qualify via "a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria," which must be met and maintained to keep the flag.

The organization keeps meticulous public records of all the sites around the world that have earned the designation. While you can find them just about everywhere, Spain is home to the most blue flags, with 748 sites boasting the designation, including 639 beaches.

The beaches include the natural pools of El Caletón on the island of Tenerife, a lava beach lined with massive cliffs that make for a spectacular Instagram backdrop. There's also the more subdued Cortadura beach in the ancient port city of Cadiz, made up of soft, golden sand dunes. Here, families will find plenty of amenities, including bathrooms, showers, and concession stands, to ensure a fun-filled day.

On the island of Mallorca, travelers will also find the Cala de Sant Vicenç, a beach consisting of three smaller coves, allowing everyone to find a little peace and tranquility as they swim in the azure waters. In Barcelona, travelers can visit Sant Sebastià, one of the city's oldest and "most traditional beaches," according to Barcelona's tourism page. It was among the first along the shoreline to have bathing amenities and now includes plenty of hotels and restaurants lining the sand, which means you can find the perfect place to eat and stay over so you can do it all again tomorrow.

But again, this is just the beginning of Spain's Blue Flag beaches. See them all at spain.info and start planning your relaxing waterside break ASAP.