Spain has 4,964 km of coastline. The two most famous "Costas"—the Costa del Sol and the Costa Brava—are completely different. Which one is yours? COSTA DEL SOL (Andalusia, South) • Location: Málaga province, from Nerja to Manilva (150 km) • Average temperature: 19°C annually, 28°C in summer, 13°C in winter — the warmest in mainland Spain • Sunshine: 320 days a year • Beaches: sandy, lots of concrete surrounding • Cities: Marbella (luxury, Puerto Banús), Estepona (intimate), Torremolinos (mass tourism), Nerja (most authentic) • Advantages: warm in winter, Málaga and Gibraltar airports, 70+ golf courses, close to Granada, Seville, and Morocco (Tarifa-Tangier ferry) • Disadvantages: 1970s concrete buildings, many British emigrants, traffic jams in August • WHO: couples over 50, golfers, expats, winter — Retirees COSTA BRAVA (Cataluña, NE) • Location: Girona province, from Blanes to the French border (200 km) • Average temperature: summer 26°C, winter 9°C — cooler • Sunshine: 240 days • Beaches: small calas (coves) between cliffs, crystalline turquoise water • Cities: Cadaqués (Dalí), Tossa de Mar, Calella de Palafrugell (fishing), Roses • Advantages: wild coves accessible only by sea, Dalí country (Figueres museum), Girona old town, culinary delights (El Bulli was here) • Disadvantages: cooler water (max 24°C in August), less development than the Costa del Sol, shorter season • WHO: families with children seeking peace, kayakers, foodies, Dalí fans VERDICT • Beach + warmth in winter → Costa del Sol Sol • Natural calas + art + short flights from Europe → Costa Brava • Spain's best beaches? Actually, none. Go to the Canary Islands or the Balearic Islands.