Top Beaches in Madrid:
Coastal and River Escapes 2024

Anyone who has been to Madrid in the summer knows just how hot it can get! With average temperatures above 30C across July and August, finding somewhere to cool down is at the top of the list. And what better place to cool down than at the beach?

You might be thinking I’ve lost my marbles. Madrid is located right in the centre of Spain. It is landlocked! You can even visit Kilometre Zero in Puerta del Sol, the spiritual centre of Spain. The coast is miles away!

But fear not! Whilst Madrid is far from the coast, it is close to various river beaches that make for a fantastic day out. When the oppressive summer heat gets too much, you’re never too far away from a day of relaxation by one of Spain’s river beaches.

Keep reading for my top picks on where to hang out both in the Madrid region and a little further away, providing your Madrid trip with a quirky day adventure.

Short on Time? Here’s a quick lowdown

• Closest beach in Madrid: Madrid Río Park
• Best by public transport: Alberche River Beach
• Best for hiking: Rascafría
• Best for watersports: San Juan Reservoir
• Most peaceful: Playa de Estremera
• Most spacious: Malvarrosa Beach, Valencia

Beaches In and Around Madrid

Despite being landlocked, there are some fantastic beach options near Madrid. Here are my top picks for the best river beaches near Madrid.

1. Madrid Río Park

You can get your river beach fix without even leaving the city. Located near the Puente de Segovia, not far from the Cathedral and Royal Palace, Madrid Río Park is the perfect place to spend an afternoon, escaping the hectic city life.

Popular with both tourists and locals, the park has an urban beach area along the river Manzanares. There are wading pools that are perfect for cooling off, green spaces, playgrounds and bike paths with plenty of different options to suit all interests.

The park is a great spot for walking, picnicking and enjoying outdoor activities. If you’re looking for a beach experience without venturing too far, this is the perfect choice for you.

2. Alberche Beach

Alberche Beach is a popular river beach located near the town of Aldea del Fresno. Located 50 kilometres away from the city centre, it is a serene escape from the busy city life and one of the closest beaches to Madrid.

The beach is in a picturesque setting with sandy shores, lush greenery and calm, shallow waters, making it a great place for families. There are also picnic tables, barbecue sports, and nearby cafés, perfect for a day out.

A great Madrid beach day trip, Alberche is easily accessible by public transport with regular buses running to the town of Aldea del Fresno. The journey from Plaza del Sol takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

3. San Juan Reservoir

San Juan Reservoir is another popular destination in the Madrid region. The reservoir is around 70 kilometres west of Madrid. As it is the only reservoir in Madrid where swimming is officially allowed, it is a popular spot during the summer months.

The reservoir has multiple beaches with the most popular ones being Plaza de la Virgen de la Nueva and Playa del Muro. Both beaches have clean waters and are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and picnicking.

The reservoir is set in lush surroundings and being a hub for water sports, this is a great spot if you are looking for a more action-packed day. Whilst the reservoir isn’t easily reached by public transport, it is easily accessible by car. The journey time is 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Pro Tip – The beaches at San Juan Reservoir can get very
crowded in the summer months. Arrive early to snag the best spots!

4. Playa de Estremera

For those looking for a quieter beach experience, head to Playa de Estremera. This charming natural beach is around 60 kilometres east of Madrid on the border with Castilla-La Mancha.

Playa de Estremera is lesser known than other beaches on the list and offers a more peaceful setting. The riverbanks are sandy, creating a natural beach environment. Being surrounded by lush vegetation, it is the perfect spot to relax.

The Tajo River is perfect for swimming and is also a popular destination for fishing. The beach is easily accessible by car with plenty of parking nearby. The journey time is around an hour.

5. La Isla, Rascafría

La Isla in Rascafría is a beautiful natural recreation area located in the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains. Located 90 kilometres north of Madrid, it is the perfect escape for nature lovers.

The area is named for its small island which splits the river into different channels. These channels provide natural pools with crystal clear waters, perfect for swimming and cooling off. The water can be quite cold which may be just what you are looking for in summer.

Along with the river beaches, the area is rich with hiking trails. These go through the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. With varying levels of difficulty, they offer panoramic views and stunning scenery, perfect for those looking to combine relaxation with exploration.

6. Las Presillas, Rascafría

Another great option in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park is Las Presillas. This scenic spot is well-loved for its natural pools and is a great spot for those looking to relax and explore the local scenery.

Las Presillas has three large, man-made pools along the Lozoya River. The water is clear and cool, offering the perfect place to cool off in the hot summer months. The pools are surrounded by grassy areas, with plenty of space for sunbathing.

As with La Isla, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking including to the nearby Monastery of El Paular. It is also a great spot for bird watching and nature photography.

The area is hard to reach by public transport, so a car is required. It can get very busy during peak summer weekends so consider arriving early to avoid disappointment.

Best Beaches Accessible from Madrid

These next three options are further away from the city but are still worth considering for a Madrid coastal getaway. If you’re in Madrid for longer and looking for a beach experience, why not combine them with another of Spain’s incredible cities?

7. La Malvarrosa Beach, Valencia

For those looking for a coastal beach, the closest beaches to Madrid are in Valencia. With a direct high-speed rail between Madrid and Valencia, it is possible to visit one of these beaches for a day trip.

La Malvarossa Beach is one of Valencia’s most beautiful, and one of my favourites. The beach is famous for its fine golden sand which stretches for a kilometre and a half. With so much space, there is plenty of room for sunbathing, beach games and swimming. You won’t need to arrive early as there is space for everyone.

The beach is also bordered by a lively promenade. Lined with palm trees, restaurants and cafés, it is the perfect place for a stroll and to enjoy a picturesque lunch.

The beach is easily accessible from the centre of Valencia. For more information on the journey, consider checking out my post on the 15 best day trips from Valencia, which gives more details on the best way to travel between the two cities.

8. Santander Bay Beaches

If you’re staying in Madrid for a longer period and are looking for a weekend escape, head to the beaches in the north of Spain. Santander, the capital of the Cantabria region is a great option. It’s also one of my top picks for first-time visits to Spain.

Santander is home to multiple beaches, catering to all tastes. The beaches are known for their calm waters, and scenic views and are close to the city’s iconic landmarks.

Playa de los Peligros is one of Santander’s great beaches. It is a family-friendly beach, located at the inner part of the Santander bay. With shallow, calm waters, it is perfect for swimming and wading.

Another option is Playa de la Magdalena. Similar to Playa de los Peligros, it is slightly larger but offers similar conditions. It also offers stunning views of the Magdalena Peninsula including the iconic Magdalena Palace, one of Santander’s top attractions.

A final option is Playa del Sardinero. The beach is huge and is popular for sunbathing, swimming and sailing. The beach is set against a backdrop of some of the city’s finest architecture including the Hotel Real, adding to the area’s charm.

If you are looking for a weekend getaway from Madrid, complete with a beach, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Santander.

9. San Sebastian Beaches

Another option for a weekend getaway from Madrid is the beautiful city of San Sebastian. The city sits in the Bay of Biscay some 460 kilometres to the northeast of Madrid. Whilst public transport is a little tricky, it is worth considering if you have access to a car.

One of San Sebastian’s most iconic sights is La Concha beach. This massive seashell shaped beach is a focus point for the city. Voted as one of the 12 treasures of Spain, it is one of the most iconic urban beaches in Europe.

Playa de la Concha is known for its stunning views of the city, including views of the old town, surrounding hills and the small island of Santa Clara in the bay. Its calm and shallow waters are ideal for swimming and relaxing.

The beach is also flanked by a beautiful promenade with elegant buildings, perfect for strolls and enjoying local cafés and restaurants.

San Sebastian also has some other beaches to visit if La Concha is too busy. Playa de Ondarreta and Playa de Zurríola are both other options. Ondarreta is ideal for families looking for a more peaceful beach experience. Zurríola is livelier and offers excellent surfing conditions.

 San Sebastian is also known for its fantastic food and beautiful architecture. It is definitely worth visiting in its own right and also claimed a spot on my list of the best places to visit for first-timers. You won’t be disappointed choosing a weekend getaway to San Sebastian.

Quick Beach Tips for Madrid Visitors

Check out my top tips below to make your beach trip an unforgettable one.

Best Times To Visit To Avoid Crowds

It goes without saying that as soon as the hot weather arrives, people will be searching for ways to cool off. That includes both locals and tourists looking to escape the oppressive summer heat.

To avoid disappointment, I recommend arriving early to secure the best spots and ensure you can park. If you are in Madrid for over a week, consider going on a weekday. With people working in the city from Monday to Friday, weekdays are going to be much quieter.

Keep an eye out for public holidays as these days will also be days when people flock to the beaches with their families, leading to bigger crowds.

Transportation Options

Given that many of these options are river beaches situated in the countryside, public transport options are limited. If you don’t have access to a car, your best options would be Madrid Río Park or Alberche Beach.

Renting a car will give you more options. With many beaches around an hour-long drive, a car will give you more flexibility and allow you to get out and explore some of these areas of natural beauty.

For Valencia, the high-speed train is a fantastic option. It can get you to the city centre in a couple of hours. Whilst this is a bit hectic for my tastes, it would certainly be doable if you fancied a coastal beach day trip.

Essentials To Bring

Depending on where you are going, you will have more or less access to public services. As a lot of these beaches are in the countryside, pack everything you will need for the day as you might not be able to find it when you get there.

Here is my list of essentials:

• Suncream – bring a high factor as the UV index in summer is high. You don’t want to burn and skin cancer in the future is a risk not worth taking.
• Hat and sunglasses – help shield yourself from the sun by bringing a hat and sunglasses.
• Water – bring plenty of water. The sun will dehydrate you quickly and you may not be able to buy water depending on how remote you are.
• Towel – you don’t want to be lying on the bare ground.
• Bug spray – as many of these beaches are in the countryside, there will be bugs around. Don’t make yourself their lunch!
• First Aid Kit – just in case any of your group gets any bumps or grazes.
• Shade – consider bringing a parasol to create a shaded area in case you can’t find one.
• Change of clothes – for the journey back to Madrid.
• Phone charger and power pack – make sure your phone doesn’t run out of battery, and you can’t find your way home.
• Lunch/snacks – again you don’t know how remote you will be so don’t bank on having access to places to grab lunch.
• Entertainment – bring a book or other entertainment to help you relax.

FAQs

Still not found the answer you’re looking for? Check out some of these frequently asked questions.

Are There Beaches In Madrid?

Yes, there are beaches in Madrid but not in the way you are thinking! Madrid is landlocked and the nearest coastline is over 300 kilometres away in the Valencian Community. However, Madrid does have plenty of river beach options nearby including one in the city itself.

Does Madrid Or Barcelona Have Beaches?

Whilst Madrid is far from the coast, Barcelona sits on the Mediterranean coastline. There are multiple beaches in Barcelona such as Barceloneta, Mar Bella and Bogatell. Popular with locals and tourists alike they are the perfect place to spend a relaxing day.

Is There Somewhere To Swim In Madrid?

Yes, there is somewhere to swim in Madrid. The Madrid Río Park offers visitors shallow pools to cool off in. For more serious swimming, head to Casa de Campo. Whilst you cannot swim in the lake, there is a public pool complex nearby with several outdoor pools.

Where Can You Sunbathe In Madrid?

Some of the best places to sunbathe in Madrid are its many parks. Madrid Río is a top spot due to being close to water to cool down. Other options include Retiro Park with its large area giving multiple options of places to relax, and Casa de Campo, which is less crowded than the Retiro and benefits from having access to an outdoor pool.

Final Thoughts: Top Beaches In Madrid

As you can see, despite Madrid being landlocked you can still get your beach fix in those hot summer months. From urban beaches like Madrid Río Park to river beaches such as Alberche and Playa de Estremera, Madrid surprisingly has you covered.

If you’re looking to combine your beach day with some exploration, you’ll be right at home at Rascafría. And for those staying in Madrid for longer, I highly recommend considering Valencia, Santander and San Sebastian. They are all stunning in their own right.

On your next trip to Madrid, pack your beach gear, grab your sunscreen, and get ready to explore these fantastic destinations. Embrace the chance to relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy a slice of beach paradise in the middle of Spain!