Beach holidays Spain: 10 essential factors that make for a great beach in Spain!

BEACH HOLIDAYS IN SPAIN

Are you planning a beach holiday in Spain?  

If you are then you should know the top ten critical factors for a great beach holiday in Spain before you book your holiday in Spain  They just may make the difference between having a fantastic holiday in Spain and a holiday that ends in disappointment.

Certainly, choosing the right place for your beach holiday in Spain is not always easy as Spain, of course, has an enormously long coastline with beaches that vary enormously.  

Some beaches in Spain are very commercial, others are virtually unvisited deserted coves, some are full of pebbles and others are kilometres of golden sand, as far as you can see.  Equally, the temperatures of the sea around the Spanish coastline can be quite different, depending upon where you are.  The Atlantic coastline is always cooler than the Mediterranean and that also follows for the east coast of Spain which is warmer than the Costa del Sol!

Needless to say, what you want from your beach holiday in Spain depends upon your own particular requirements – but, for a family summer holiday in Spain, you should consider the following:

Beach holidays in Spain – 10 critical factors to look for before you book your holiday!

1.  Quality assurance.  Check to see if your intended beach in Spain has a quality award.  The best of these is a Blue Flag.  If awarded, a Blue Flag is a testament to the quality of the water, the services on offer and the environmental managment of the beach concerned.

2.  Safe bathing.  Gradual sloping beaches (such as on Gandia or Valencia beaches) are much safer than those that suddenly drop into the depths.  Equally, take care of areas with strong currents, around cliffs and rocky outcrops.

3.  Lifeguards/First Aid stations.  These are vital for ‘family’ beaches and help to ensure the safety of all concrned – particularly children!

4.  Showers and toilets.  These are essential and often forgotten about – until needed.  Not having them on or close to a beach can be a real inconvenience and can lead to beaches becoming ‘unavoidably’ unsanitary.

5.  Children’s play areas.  The best family beaches have dedicated children’s play areas with slides, swings etc.  These can help to keep bored small children occupied and take the ‘heat’ (pun intended!) off parents who want to relax in peace.

6.  Water sports activities.  Pedaloos, canoes and wind surfers for hire can provide welcome activities for all the family and make any beach holiday in Spain adventurous as well as relaxing.

7.  Sports zones.  The best beaches in Spain (such as in Valencia) have sports zones with volleyball, basketball and mini soccer pitches.  These are great fun and break up the day wonderfully.

8.  Entertainment.  Many beaches in Spain have entertainment put on for free by the local authority.  These may be bands and shows which often occur during the evenings.

9.  Sand.  Needless to say, large quantities of sand are important if you are not to be spending days uncomfortably lying and walking on pebbles or rocks.  Equally, if there are only small areas of sand you will find yourself always ‘fighting’ to get onto the only area of sand – alongside hundreds of other people.

10. Warm water.  Few things are more disappointing than finding that sea water is cold!  So, if you want warm water then head for the eastern side of Spain rather than the Atlantic coastline or too close to Gibralter (where the Atlantic and Mediterranean mix).  Also always carefully check the estimated water temperatures for the time of year of your holiday before you book – as the sea, in some areas, stays remarkably warm beyond the summer holiday season.

Finally, if you are disabled then do not despair about having a beach holiday in Spain.  Some beaches have been adapted for disabled persons and have wheelchair access and special water equipment.  Indeed, last year Valencia beach was the first beach in Spainfor disabled persons to install a “sound system” designed for blind people. This is a device you wear giving you freedom in the water – by guiding you through the use of a series of sounds emitted from buoys in the water.

RELEVANT INFO: With thanks to Toni of www.holidayaccommodationinspain.com