Life’s a beach if you’re spending the summer months on Spain’s busy ‘costas’.
Ear-splitting chiringuitos (beach bars), kids kicking sand all over you and early wake-ups to pick a good spot before the beach mob arrives.
The same goes for hotel swimming pools: Germans and Brits engaging in ‘towel wars’, the overpowering whiff of coconut oil, and teens ‘pool bombing’ incessantly.
Not your idea of a relaxing summer break?
Maybe quieter natural pools are your thing!
Spain has a vast array of beautiful ‘piscinas naturales’ spread over its territory and islands, some tucked away in mountain ranges, others just a stone’s throw away from the jam-packed playas.
GALLERY: Spain's top ten best natural swimming pools
The lake at Zahara de la Sierra in Cadiz is glorious for swimming Photo: Xavi /Flickr