The Most Beautiful Seaside Towns in Spain with Stunning Ocean Views

Travelers across the world love Spain’s beaches, but what most people don’t realize is that some of the country’s best sea views come from the towns built just above them. These are picture-perfect towns perched on cliffs, tucked into hillsides, or stretched out along waterfront promenades that give you views of the waters, not just from the beach.

This list brings together some of the best towns across Spain that offer spectacular views of the sea. Whether you're after sunrises, sunsets, or long walks with the sea in view, these are the places worth adding to your Spain trip itinerary.

Cadaqués, Catalonia

Cadaqués is one of the most photogenic towns on the Costa Brava. When you visit, you'll realize that the town genuinely lives up to all the hype. The town’s white buildings, quiet streets, and small curved bay all add up to easy, good-looking shots without much effort.

It’s not a big town, either. You can easily explore most of the town on foot, stopping for coffee at a promenade café with a sea view. Sunrises here are worth waking up for, especially if you want clean, crowd-free photos.

Things to do here include checking out the Old Town, visiting Salvador Dalí’s house in nearby Portlligat, and going on some lovely outdoor trails at the Cap de Creus National Park.

How to Reach: Drive from Girona or Figueres (1–1.5 hours). You can also take a day tour from Barcelona.

Best For: Quiet views, no-edit-needed photos, and a break from bigger cities

Peñíscola, Valencian Community

Peñíscola is one of those rare towns that combines sea views with a historical setting. The Old Town is built on a rocky headland that juts out into the Mediterranean. It is known for its medieval Papa Luna Castle, which sits right at the top of the town.

So, whether you are looking down from the castle walls or walking along the beach promenade, you’ll get a clear view of the sea from most parts of the town.

This town also has clean, whitewashed buildings that contrast with the golden sand and deep blue water.

The best things to do here are tour the castle, walk through the cobbled Old Town, and try local seafood at the beachside restaurants.

How to Reach: A 3-hour drive from Valencia or Alicante

Best For: Castle views, old-town charm, and scenic coastal backdrops

San Sebastián (Donostia), Basque Country

San Sebastián is a perfect place if you are seeking sea views in an urban setting.

This city wraps around the crescent-shaped La Concha Bay. Its long promenade gives you open views of the beach, water, and surrounding green hills. It’s a rare place where city streets and coastal scenery come together seamlessly.

Remember that this is a proper city, and that means it comes with shops, markets, and a nightlife. But what's special is that it never feels disconnected from the sea. You can walk the beach in the morning, eat pintxos in the Old Town by lunch, and watch the sunset from Monte Igueldo in the evening.

During your time in this city, go up the funicular for panoramic views, relax at La Concha beach, and hop between pintxo bars.

How to Reach: Connected by plane and train; easy to reach from Bilbao or other Basque cities

Best For: City-meets-sea views, great food, and scenic coastal walks

Tossa de Mar, Catalonia

Tossa de Mar is one of the most beautiful seaside towns in Spain, which has a sumptuous dose of medieval architecture.

The highlight here is Vila Vella, the walled Old Town that’s perched right above the main beach and is known for being the only remaining fortified medieval town on the Catalan coast.

As for its sea views, you get clear views of the curved bay and surrounding cliffs from the top of the castle. The water here is a striking shade of blue, and the whole town is especially photogenic during golden hour when the stone walls start to glow.

Things to do in Tossa de Mar are walking up to the lighthouse, relaxing at Platja Gran (the main beach), and eating at one of the sea-facing cafés just below the Old Town.

How to Reach: Drive from Girona or Barcelona via scenic coastal routes

Best For: Medieval views, castle walks, and old-town-meets-beach photography

Altea, Valencian Community

Altea is a quiet hilltop town on the Costa Blanca. It is known for its whitewashed houses and its chill, laid-back pace. The Old Town sits above the coastline, and as you start walking uphill, the sea views open up. The view is the best from around the famous blue-domed church at the top.

The vibe in this town is noticeably slower than most beach towns. When you’re here, it's best to spend your days wandering, browsing art galleries, and stopping at small cafés with sea-facing terraces.

The cobbled streets and clean white facades make it an easy place to photograph.

How to Reach: A short drive from Alicante; regional buses also run regularly

Best For: Elevated views, peaceful walks, and classic Mediterranean scenery

Cudillero, Asturias

Cudillero is a small fishing town on Spain’s northern coast, built around a small harbor where the river meets the sea, and is one of the most scenic fishing villages in all of Spain.

It is known for its steep hillside setting and colorful houses stacked above a narrow harbor. The town is built vertically, so expect lots of steps and sloped streets with clear views of the Cantabrian Sea from almost every corner.

Unlike towns with white-washed buildings in the Southern regions of Spain, the buildings here are painted in bright colors that make the town look charming. The harbor is active but not too busy. You must visit the restaurants here for a good meal of fresh seafood right along the water.

Things to do in Cudillero are walking the viewpoint trail above town, exploring the main square near the harbor, and trying grilled fish at one of the terrace restaurants.

How to Reach: Best reached by car from Oviedo or Gijón (approx. 1 hour); public transport options available with transfers.

Best For: Harbour views, colorful townscapes, and offbeat northern charm

Nerja, Andalusia

If you're looking for sea views from right inside a town, then Nerja is one of the best places to visit in Spain, located on the coastline of the Costa del Sol.

The town offers multiple natural and built viewpoints that overlook the Mediterranean. The most famous viewpoint is the Balcón de Europa, a wide pedestrian promenade buzzing with restaurants, ice cream parlors, and street artists with the most breathtaking views of the coastline in both directions.

The town also has a mix of beaches tucked between its many cliffs and whitewashed buildings, and the town center is also fairly walkable and compact.

This town is very busy and touristy during the high season. Things to do here include visiting the Balcón, exploring the nearby Nerja Caves, and spending time on beaches like Playa Burriana or Playa Carabeillo.

How to Reach: Just under an hour’s drive from Málaga; also accessible by bus

Best For: Clifftop views, walkable beach town energy, and easily accessible sea vistas

Sitges, Catalonia

Sitges is one of the most accessible beach towns from Barcelona. The town stretches along the water with a wide seafront promenade that runs past several small beaches and offers open views of the Mediterranean.

The town has a relaxed, walkable feel during the day and a lively nightlife scene after dark. Sitges also boasts a strong artistic and cultural heritage, featuring regular festivals and a handful of small museums. The most famous museum here is the Maricel Museum, which is definitely worth a visit.

Most of the town’s cafés and restaurants are located right by the sea, so it’s easy to enjoy the view while you eat.

During your time in Stigest, spend some time relaxing at Platja de Sant Sebastià and stay back until sunset for gorgeous pictures.

How to Reach: 35 to 40 minutes by train or car from Barcelona

Best For: Coastal promenades, beach-town buzz, and easy sea views near the city

Calpe, Valencian Community

Calpe is known for its coastal views and its massive Penon of Ifach that rises right from the sea. This limestone outcrop dominates the landscape and creates a unique visual backdrop from almost every beach and walking path in town.

The beaches here are wide and family-friendly, and there’s a good mix of nature trails, boardwalks, and water sports facilities. Ifach Natural Park has a popular hiking trail with clear sea views that can extend to Ibiza.

How to Reach: About 1.5 hours by car from Alicante; buses are also available

Best For: Coastal hikes, dramatic sea views, and nature-meets-beach getaways

Cartagena, Murcia

Cartagena sits along a sheltered bay on Spain’s southeastern coast. It is a must-visit for those who love coastal scenery backed with layers of history and Roman ruins.

This is a working port town, but it’s also walkable and packed with Roman and military history. The Roman theatre, old city walls, and several archaeological museums give you plenty to explore beyond the sea.

To get the most out of its sea view, spend an evening strolling along the harbor promenade or take a boat tour. The views of the coastline from the water are super photogenic!

How to Reach: Easily reached by car or train from Murcia city

Best For: Harbor views, ancient ruins by the sea, and a coastal city with depth