Maritime Spain is the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic. A separate page is the Strait of Gibraltar, the great Pillars of Hercules, guarding the African shore and supporting the heavens. The provinces of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country open onto the Atlantic. From the south, a side of Andalusia bordering Portugal opens onto the Gulf of Cadiz of the ocean. This coast bears the telling name Costa de la Luz - 'Coast of Light'. Lovers of wind and waves with their sails and boards gather in Cadiz, many companies plan a New Year's cruise there, and windsurfing and kiting festivals are held there.
However, the most touristy places are on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Sunny Andalusia, hospitable Valencia and refined Catalonia are the provinces where a stream of travelers yearning for a meeting with the sea flock all year round.
Sunny Andalusia
Andalusia is a very large province. The most famous cities - Seville, Cordoba and Granada - are located away from the coast. However, close enough to go there on excursions. Costa del Sol, Costa Tropical, Almeria and Costa Calida - the first on this list, namely the Costa del Sol coast, is the most developed by domestic tourists.
The most peculiar part of Andalusia is its eastern province of Almeria. The center of the province is also called Almeria, its name translated from Arabic means 'Mirror of the sea'. Almeria is located at the junction of two continents and two worlds – Christian and Islamic, between mountains and the sea. Here everything coexists peacefully, intertwines, loops. On the streets grow tall, sky-high African palms, small curly 'palmitos' and huge gnarled agaves climb the mountain slopes.
Modern Almeria has yacht ports, national parks, luxurious hotels and cave houses where people still live. One town is called - Caves of Almandzora.
Hospitable Valencia
The coast of Valencia is called Costa Blanca, which means 'White Coast'. Here white coastal cliffs rise from the blue waves, wind-worn and overgrown with pines, and the white soft sand pleasantly tickles bare feet.
Costa Blanca was developed by modern tourism earlier than others. And there is a very simple explanation: thanks to the mountain range stretching along the coast, the coast has a long hot summer and a short warm winter. One of the most popular resorts is the city of skyscraper hotels Benidorm, where there are many tourists even in winter. There, fun continues around the clock, and discos do not close their doors until dawn.
Refined Catalonia
The main element of Catalonia is the sea. The length of its coast is 580 km. There are more than 200 bays and beaches - with their own names and their own fans. Of these, 109 are holders of the 'blue flags' of the European Community.
The heart of Catalonia, its capital and pride is the refined beauty Barcelona. This is a city open to the sea. Its facade faces the port, which is called the Old Port here, and the monument to Christopher Columbus welcomes cruise ships. From it begins the Rambla - the famous Barcelona boulevard, reflecting the soul and character of this beautiful city, the city of Gaudí, Miró, Picasso, who left their masterpieces on the streets.
In Barcelona you can not only admire architectural delights, but also enjoy the sea. There are beautiful beaches with clean white sand. One of the most popular is the long beach in the Barceloneta area. And on the territory of the Forum exhibition, a modern high-tech beach has been built, where daily performances and light-music shows take place until September. You can get there by the 'green' route of the tourist bus.
Barcelona never sleeps. Here the crazy city spirit makes you dizzy, the wind of liberty and freedom intoxicates, strolling along the boulevards, hanging out in clubs and bars continues around the clock.
From Barcelona to France stretch the 'Fruit Coast' Costa del Maresme and the Costa Brava coast, which means 'Brave Coast'. This is the most beautiful of all the coasts of Spain. There the mountains descend to the sea, and the sea cuts into the shore with narrow bays. Between the rocks overgrown with pines, secluded little beaches hide by the transparent green water.