Winning Tip: Camping La Paz, Asturias
Pitches at this fabulous campsite overlook a small sandy cove and are on terraces set into the cliff, allowing privacy but providing stunning views out to sea. Try the local cuisine and cider in the nearby fishing town of Llanes. An excursion into the nearby Picos de Europa mountains is also a must.
Pitches €7.70, plus €6.95 adults and €6.10 kids, open April-September, campinglapaz.com
Heather Crane
Las Islas Boutique Hotel, Málaga
This charming hotel within walking distance of the sea offers a warm welcome, with rooms facing sub-tropical gardens that contrast with typical Costa del Sol high-rise views. Try the fantastic Lebanese food in the restaurant.
Doubles from €155 B&B, lasislas.info
neilleach2
AC Hotel La Linea, Cádiz
Ask for a “superior” room at AC Hotel La Linea to get views of Morocco, Gibraltar and Spain, and watch boats darting between continents as the sun sets. The walk along the seafront and beach to Gibraltar – where a hotel might charge four times the price – can be done casually in under half an hour.
Doubles from €45 (superior doubles from €85) room-only, breakfast from €2.50, marriott.com
catchytitled
Illas Cies Camping, Pontevedra, Galicia
The campsite on the uninhabited Las Cies islands, reached by a half-hour ferry ride from Vigo or Baiona, offers unrivalled sunsets on the Atlantic horizon, close contact with nature and sweeping vistas as well as access to soft sand beaches. There is a restaurant, supermarket and good toilets and showers but remember to reserve a space in advance – a necessity because of national park rules.
Pitches from €7 plus €7 adults and €5.50 kids, tent hire from €45 a night, open June-September, campingislascies.com
MichaelMolyneux
Hotel Mediterrani, Girona, Catalonia
You can kayak straight to and from the beach at family-run Hotel Mediterrani, in the town of Calella de Palafrugell. After exploring the caves jutting out into the sea and trying freediving to discover fan corals, eat at its shore-side restaurant and taverna, open dawn til dusk, where local wine is served and you can feel sand between your toes.
Doubles from €85 B&B, open 24 April to 5 October, hotelmediterrani.com
jameshardcastle2012
Hotel La Casona de Lazúrtegui, Ribadeo, Galicia
A few miles away from the stunning Praia das Catedrais (Beach of the Cathedrals), this hotel, a restored colonial house down a quiet street in Ribadeo, will make you feel at home.
Doubles from €81, hotelcasona.com
Duarte Fernandez
Hotel Tamariu, Girona, Catalonia
Four generations of family ownership have made this Costa Brava hotel a welcoming, hospitable place. The charmingly faded pink walls and balconies look out on unspoilt fishing villages like Llafranc and you can enjoy live jazz performed by local groups on the communal terrace on weekends.
Doubles from €111 B&B, tamariu.com
TheCapeCrusaider
Chillout Hotel Tres Mares, Tarifa, Cádiz
This hotel near the beach between Tarifa and Cadiz has colonial-era decor and feels worth more than the mid-range hotel it is. It offers a relaxing setting with a pool garden and secluded courtyard. Friendly staff helped us enjoy nearby Alcornocales nature park and you can learn to kite surf on the beach with Dos Mares wind and kite school.
Doubles from €60 B&B, tresmareshotel.com
Marcelle Dos Santos
Hostal Villanueva, Tarifa, Cádiz
If you’re in Tarifa and aren’t interested in wind sports stay here and try hurta al cognac, a dish with fish from the Gibraltar strait with an unusually delicate texture served in a fantastic tomato and cognac sauce. Also try the tortilla de camarón.
Doubles from €38 B&B, hostalvillanueva.cl
Dolly Sully
