Down in the southwestern corner of Spain, Cádiz has a coastline that runs for more than 100km, and honestly, most of it is beach. Golden sand, clear water, the works. So it's no shock the region turns up on every list of Spain's best places to swim. Some spots are calm and sleepy; others are all wind and waves. I've pulled together the ones I think are worth your time below.

  1. Playa de la Caleta

La Caleta sits right in the old town, and it's the one you'll see on postcards. The water stays calm, which makes it easy for a swim or just lying about in the sun. There's history here too. This little cove was where the city first took root centuries ago. These days it's busy with a mix of locals and visitors, and you're never far from a bar or a restaurant when you get hungry.

  1. Playa de la Victoria

La Victoria is one of the longest, widest beaches Cádiz has, running for over 2km along the shore. The sand is fine and the water's clear. Good for a swim, good for a lazy afternoon, and there's usually a beach volleyball game going on somewhere. You'll find showers, changing rooms, and a decent run of cafes and restaurants right on the sand, so you can spend the whole day without ever really leaving.

  1. Playa de Zahara de los Atunes

A bit further out from the city, Zahara de los Atunes is the sort of beach that hasn't been paved over. Clear water, sand dunes that still look wild. The beachside restaurants do proper seafood and a few local dishes worth trying, so time your visit around lunch if you can. Surfers and kitesurfers love it here for the waves and the wind, and to be fair, on a good day you'll see why.

  1. Playa de Bolonia

Bolonia is remote, and that's the whole point of it. It's out near Tarifa, a short drive from Cádiz, with big pale dunes and water that goes turquoise when the light's right. If you like your beaches quiet and a little wild, this is the one. And here's the kicker: the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia are right there. Genuinely worth a wander before or after your swim.

  1. Playa de los Alemanes

Over in the town of Conil de la Frontera, Playa de los Alemanes has an easygoing, unhurried feel to it. The water's clear and the sand is soft. Swim, sunbathe, or have a go at water sports if you're feeling active. There are beach bars nearby, and the tapas with a cold drink hit exactly right after a few hours in the heat.

  1. Playa de Valdevaqueros

Just outside Tarifa, Valdevaqueros is where the windsurfers and kitesurfers go. The wind here is strong, sometimes relentless, and the waves back it up, which is exactly what the water sports crowd is after. Not the place for a still, glassy swim, if you ask me. There are showers, changing rooms, and a handful of restaurants and cafes along the beach to round things out.

  1. Playa de la Barrosa

La Barrosa, in Chiclana de la Frontera, is a long, wide stretch that families tend to gravitate toward. The water stays calm and the sand is soft, so kids can splash about or get stuck into a sandcastle without much fuss. Food's the same story as everywhere else on this coast: plenty of beach bars serving local specialties when the hunger sets in.

So that's my shortlist. Cádiz has some of the most varied beaches in the country. Depending on the day, you can have a quiet cove to yourself or throw yourself into the wind and waves. Pick your mood and the coast usually obliges.