In Spain we can find really beautiful bays, although there are two that stand out above the rest. We refer to Roses and Santander, which are part of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World , an international organization created in 1997 that brings together the best sea inlets on the planet. Of course, it is important to take into account that in order to enter this club, some requirements must be met: have a fauna and flora of interest, be the object of protection measures, be emblematic for the local population, have a certain economic potential and cover attractive natural spaces. In addition, the club only allows one bay per state and sea.
At the moment the organization brings together 38 bays , of which two are Spanish: one on the Mediterranean coast and the other on the Cantabrian Sea. Do you want to discover them more in depth? Well, we recommend that you do not miss anything that we tell you below!
Santander Bay
First of all, we are going to talk about the Bay of Santander, which is located on the north coast of Spain. Specifically, it is located in Cantabria, and has an area of 22.42 square kilometers, being the largest estuary on the north coast of the country. The capital, Santander, is located here, which is why it houses an important historical-artistic heritage , as well as a wide cultural and leisure offer.
On the website of the exclusive Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World, they mention the historical importance of this land, where the Altamira cave is located, considered the “Sistine Chapel of Prehistory”. In addition, they point out that the first to build a port in this place were the Romans. On the other hand, they speak of the Magdalena Peninsula, which historically has been an important strategic point, since it controlled access to the bay. This place became a fashionable area in the 19th century, when the King of Spain made it his summer residence.
Beyond the Magdalena Peninsula, El Sardinero and Puntal de Somo stand out, where you can find a great diversity of flora and fauna. In addition, it is an ideal place to practice water sports and to enjoy the gastronomy of the area.
Bay of Roses
For its part, the Bay of Roses is located in the northeast of Spain, specifically on the Costa Brava, opening between the Cap de Creus peninsula and Montgrí. The bay has taken the name of Roses , the most important town on its coast, which is also home to Castelló d’Empuries and L’Escala. Of course, it is important to bear in mind that it is not actually a bay, but a gulf.
In this beautiful and touristic place you can find rich natural resources, highlighting its beaches and coves and its natural parks and mountains. Of course, if you visit the place you will also have the opportunity to see interesting prehistoric monuments and remains of ancient populations , such as those of the ancient Greek and Roman city of Ampurias or the Ciutadella of Roses, where remains of the city of Rodhes are found. You will also discover cathedrals, Jewish quarters, Renaissance fortifications, monasteries, museums and an exquisite gastronomic offer in the area.
Then we leave you with our gallery , where you can find some wonderful photos of each of these beautiful Spanish bays. To discover the rest of the bays on the list, all you have to do is take a look at the organization’s website (http://world-bays.com)
