4 beaches near Seville: Where to go for sun, sand, and surf
The sunny southern Spanish city of Seville (try saying that three times fast!) is not located on the coast. However, it's not far away, either. Instead, the city sits on the Guadalquivir River and is separated from the coast by the beautiful Doñana National Park. That makes Seville an excellent place to explore for lovers of the great outdoors, and the coastline isn't far away. In fact, because Seville is located just north of Gibraltar, you have easy access to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean from here, depending on which side of the Rock you decide to visit.
Seville is known more as a fascinating cultural and historic city than it is as a beach destination. However, the beaches near Seville provide a good variety of different experiences, so however you like to spend your time on the coast, you'll find it possible on the numerous beaches here. Whether you're looking for sandy beaches or rocky coves, the southern Spanish coastline near Seville gives you everything from beach resorts to isolated inlets you'll have all to yourself. Plus, with fantastic restaurants and all the beach bars on offer here, you won't be short of entertainment on the best beaches near Seville.
But you can make your trip to the beach a whole lot easier by not carrying more than you need to. Make sure to drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Seville before heading to the closest beach. A train from Seville Santa Justa Station can bring you to some of the best beaches in the area just as easily as a car ride can, so travel light and make things easier on yourself while you explore these beach resorts near Seville.
Matalascanas
The closest beach to Seville, this popular beach is famous for its ancient upside-down tower, the Torre la Higuera. Part of Doñana National Park, this popular beach is well-known to locals and can get very busy in the summer. However, the virtually unspoiled natural environment makes this a relaxing place to visit, even if you will have to put up with tourist crowds.
Travel distance from Seville
It's right around 100 km from Seville to Matalascanas Beach. You can reach it with a drive through the beautiful national park and the quaint coastal town of El Rocio, taking around an hour and 20 minutes. You can also get there by bus, which can take a couple of hours.
Activity recommendations
El Museo del Mundo Marino: This natural history museum is an excellent place to visit for families with kids, or for anyone with an interest in the natural world. The fascinating exhibits here tell the story of the wildlife of the Spanish coast, and the museum makes a perfect break from the natural park and the beautiful beaches it is known for. It's also a great place to beat the summer heat if you want to take a break from the sunshine and is an ideal activity on a day trip to this amazing beach.
Golf: The beach is also home to a beautiful 18-hole golf course that is the perfect place to get a round in near Seville. You can hire clubs and a buggy here, so don't worry about bringing your equipment with you. Just enjoy a round at one of the most popular beach resorts in southern Spain.
Hiking: Sandy Matalascanas is the perfect beach for a hike on the soft golden sand, but if you'd rather explore lush green forests, the national park that borders the seaside town is the perfect place to do that. There are miles of gorgeous hiking trails available in the national park, so make sure to bring your hiking boots as well as your flip-flops.
Los Canos de Meca
Head due south of Seville toward Cadiz and Gibraltar, and you'll come across this stunning paradise on the Costa de la Luz. A collection of beautiful beaches complete with white sand and swaying palm trees, this area will have you mistaking southern Spain for the Caribbean as you look for the perfect beach near Seville.
Travel distance from Seville
It's around 170 km from Seville to these popular beach resorts. Expect to spend two hours in the car getting here. You can also take a train to Cadiz and then a bus from there, but it will take two to three hours, making it a little long for a day trip but doable on a weekend getaway.
Activity recommendations
El Palmar: Each of the sandy beaches of Los Canos de Meca has its own unique charm. El Palmar is one of the area's more exposed beaches, making it the perfect beach for board surfing in the winter when the waves are rough. In the summer, it's much calmer, and this tranquil environment offers horseback riding, yoga, on-site bathrooms, and no shortage of beach bars to enjoy.
Torre del Tajo: The 16th-century tower offers incredible views over the coastline. Part of a seven-kilometer trail that winds along the cliffs through a popular natural park, this is a perfect place to get the lie of the land and enjoy breathtaking views along with a little bit of history.
Playa Los Caños de Meca: This is the main beach in the area and the top destination for kite surfing with the winds that come off the ocean. It's also a beautiful place to go for a refreshing swim to beat the summer heat or lay out on the sand and work on your tan. However you like to enjoy the beach, you'll find this a highlight of any trip to southern Spain.
Los Canos de Meca is at its busiest and most popular during the summer months, but there's a good reason to come, no matter the time of year. The rough waters of winter make this an ideal destination for beach sports like board surfing and kite surfing, and the beautiful cliffside hike is a good activity to enjoy in cooler weather.
Playa de Bolonia
Head even further south toward the tip of Gibraltar, and you'll find what is often considered one of the very best beaches in Europe. Playa de Bolonia offers crystal-clear bright blue water, find powdery white sand, and an almost unspoiled natural environment to enjoy. No wonder this is one of the most popular beaches near Seville and a must-visit for anyone who wants to see the wilder side of Spain.
Travel distance from Seville
It's just over 200 km from Plaza de Armas in the center of Seville to Playa de Bolonia. That's a drive you can expect to take somewhere between two to two and a half hours. Driving is the best way to reach the beach since public transportation in this area is patchy. Still, that helps to keep the beach less busy than it probably should be so you can enjoy a taste of the coastal wilderness near Seville.
Activity recommendations
Great Sand Dune: This magnificent sand dune has been designated a natural monument for more than 20 years now. More than 30 m high, the dune is forever shifting and steadily advancing inland, pushed away from the sea by the action of the wind. Climb to the top of the dune and slide down for some free fun at this beautiful beach.
Baelo Claudia Archeological Complex: Not only is Playa de Bolonia an extraordinarily beautiful beach, but it's also a great place to explore local history. Phoenician traders set up a settlement here which was eventually overtaken by the Romans, and as you wander through the complex, you can see Roman ruins from the glory days of the Empire. The town was damaged by an earthquake in the third century and completely abandoned by the seventh, but it's a beautiful and atmospheric place to wander and think about what it was like to live in that bygone world.
Natural pools: At the eastern end of the beach, you'll find these natural pools formed by seawater that gets trapped in the rocks. Generally a quieter part of the beach, this is a great place to encounter local wildlife that lives in these pools or take a swim in the more protected water. Offering a more rugged side of this popular beach, it's a wonderful place to explore unspoiled nature and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Spanish coast.
As incredible as it is, Playa de Bolonia only gets really busy in the height of the summer when the kids are off school. Visit at any other time, and you'll have a much easier time finding parking. Visit in the winter, and you may even have this gorgeous beach to yourself. Thanks to its historic interest as well as its scenic beauty, there's something to do here no matter what time of year you visit.
Zahara de los Atunes
Located right next to Bolonia Beach, this sandy beach is named after the Sahara that lies just across the Mediterranean and regularly deposits its sand on this coastline. The perfect place to soak up the laid-back beach life, this is also something of a foodie paradise.
Travel distance from Seville
About 180 km separates Seville from Zahara de los Atunes. That means a drive of around two hours. Since it's so close to Bolonia Beach, you can make a longer trip so that you have time to visit both beaches and enjoy everything they have to offer.
Activity recommendations
Food: The second part of the name of this beach refers to the tuna that are so abundant in the waters off Costa de la Luz. That makes this an incredible place to try fresh seafood, and you'll find the catch of the day served in many restaurants in town. The meaty tuna is sometimes called the Iberico of the sea, referencing the iconic Spanish ham that is popular throughout the country.
Water sports: This is a great location for adrenaline junkies. As well as board surfing, you can try kite surfing and paddleboard in the waters off the beach or try your hand at horseback riding inland. Either way, there are tons of things to do here for those who want to stay active.
Sunbathing: There really isn't a bad place anywhere on this coastline for catching some sun. Still, stretching out on the beach, relaxing with a drink, and letting the sound of the waves soothe your cares away will always be one of the main draws here and shouldn't be neglected just because it's obvious. Bring your swimsuit and a towel and leave the rest of your bags behind in Seville, and you'll feel a long way from the city on this beautiful natural beach.
Conclusion
Seville is a phenomenal cultural destination to explore, home to historical monuments, excellent restaurants, and lively street life around just about every corner. Still, if you have a little more time in the city, it would be a shame not to explore some of these incredible beach destinations. These sandy beaches make excellent targets for the best weekend trips from Seville, but many of them are close enough to function as fun day trips, too.
Plus, if you're traveling to Seville on a budget, these beaches offer some of the best free things to do in the area. So what are you waiting for? Drop off your unneeded bags at a Bounce facility in Seville and get ready to explore these incredible coastal locations.
