10 Coastal Towns in Southern & Eastern Spain That Feel Like a Dream ✨
Spain’s coast isn’t just beaches and sangria. It’s cliffside villages with medieval walls, fishing towns painted in candy colours, and hidden bays where turquoise water laps at golden sand.
From the rugged Costa Brava down to Andalucía’s bohemian beaches — with a dreamy island stop along the way — these are the places that will make you fall head over heels for Spain’s shore.
1. Cadaqués (Costa Brava, Catalonia)
A whitewashed beauty with narrow streets, rocky coves, and a harbour full of bobbing fishing boats. Salvador Dalí once called Cadaqués home, and the creative energy lingers in the galleries and cafés.
Dreamy tip: Rent a kayak to explore the coves — the views of town from the water are unreal.
2. Tossa de Mar (Costa Brava, Catalonia)
Where else can you sunbathe under medieval castle walls? Tossa de Mar’s old town is a maze of cobbled lanes and lookout towers, and just outside the walls you’ll find a sandy beach that feels straight out of a storybook.
Dreamy tip: Climb to the top of the old lighthouse for panoramic views over the bay.
3. Blanes (Costa Brava, Catalonia)
Blanes is the gateway to the Costa Brava, with botanical gardens spilling down the cliffs and secret coves tucked between rocky headlands.
Dreamy tip: Pack a picnic and walk the coastal path from Blanes toward Lloret de Mar — the sea views will stop you in your tracks.
4. Villajoyosa (Costa Blanca, Alicante)
This seaside town is pure joy — literally, “La Vila Joiosa” means “The Joyful Town.” Its seafront is lined with brightly painted houses in rainbow colours, and the long sandy beach is perfect for slow mornings. Oh, and it’s famous for chocolate.
Dreamy tip: Tour the Valor chocolate factory, then grab an ice cream for a pastel-perfect sunset on the promenade.
5. Altea (Costa Blanca, Alicante)
Blue-domed churches, whitewashed houses, and a laid-back bohemian vibe — Altea is the Costa Blanca’s art-filled escape.
Dreamy tip: Come in late afternoon, wander the old town, and stay for dinner at a terrace restaurant with sea views.
6. Moraira (Costa Blanca, Alicante)
Small, peaceful, and ringed by calas (hidden coves), Moraira is the Costa Blanca’s secret paradise. The rocky headlands hide caves you can reach by kayak or paddleboard, and the sandy bays are perfect for lazy swims.
Dreamy tip: Head to Cala del Moraig for turquoise water and dramatic cliffs.
7. Mojácar (Costa de Almería)
A whitewashed village clinging to a hillside above long sandy beaches. Mojácar blends Moorish charm with a relaxed coastal lifestyle — perfect for days that drift from old town wandering to beachside cocktails.
Dreamy tip: Visit in spring for warm weather and fewer crowds, when the village bursts with flowers.
8. Frigiliana + Nerja (Costa del Sol, Andalusia)
Frigiliana is a picture-perfect white hill town, while Nerja offers crystal-clear beaches and the famous Balcón de Europa viewpoint. Together, they make an unbeatable day trip combo of mountain charm and seaside beauty.
Dreamy tip: Spend the morning in Frigiliana’s old town, then head to Nerja for a late swim and sunset drinks.
9. Tarifa (Costa de la Luz, Andalusia)
The bohemian heart of southern Spain. Tarifa is the meeting point of the Atlantic and Mediterranean, where the wind attracts surfers and kitesurfers from around the world.
Dreamy tip: Take the short ferry to Tangier, Morocco, for a spontaneous day across continents.
10. Cape Formentor (Mallorca, Balearic Islands)
A jaw-dropping cape at the northern tip of Mallorca. Here, winding roads lead to sheer cliffs dropping into deep blue sea, with lookout points that feel like the edge of the earth. It’s wild, cinematic, and unforgettable.
Dreamy tip: Drive up for sunrise when the light is soft, the air is still, and you have the whole cape almost to yourself.
