Somewhere between a beach and a cove, this place is Spain without the tourists (Picture: Supplied) Miguel González is a travel and marketing expert who has travelled extensively across his homeland, Spain. He tells our Travel Editor Alice Murphy about the little-known Spanish beach he loves most. I’ve worked in the tourism industry for a long time. Right now, I work in the marketing department of Spain Sotheby’s International Realty, a real estate agency that runs rentals in some of the most beautiful parts of the country. Many of them are on the coast. I think I’ve been to 30 Spanish beaches, give or take, and if you want my opinion on the best beach that hasn’t been overrun by tourists, it has to be Cala Estreta. Hidden away in the Cap Roig Natural Area on the Costa Brava in Catalonia, it is somewhere between a cove and a beach, and really in the middle of nowhere. There’s nothing in the surrounding area except a lovely coastal path, which you can join from the beach. As far as I know, only locals go, and it’s amazing, because in this part of Spain you can continue to swim in relatively warm waters well into autumn. In Miguel’s view, Cala Estreta is one of Spain’s most beautiful beaches (Picture: Getty Images) The first time I went I was visiting a friend who lives in Barcelona. She and her friends planned on going to Cala Estreta on a Sunday, so I joined them. It takes about 90 minutes to get there from Barcelona by car, and as soon as we arrived I remember thinking this is really authentic. We were there in January, and the weather was still good enough to dip in. Swimming is very safe. It’s not shallow and there aren’t lots of waves, however there are no lifeguards. It’s perfect for families, but you do need to be careful with underwater rocks. The atmosphere is perfectly chill. There are no crowds of tourists, no drunk teenagers, no loud music, and no pickpockets. Here’s a warning though: even though it’s not a nudist beach, some people might be fully naked. @bielcompanyvives Mi cala favorita de Mallorca. Entenderás por qué en 5 segundos. 👇🌊⚓️ #Mallorca #CalaSecreta #ParadiseFound #peace #MediterraneanLifestyle ♬ Ethereal – Txmy Europeans may be used to this, but non-Europeans should be aware that there could be whole families naked. They are not exhibitionists, they are not cringy, and couples are not having sex, they are just there spending the day peacefully. When I visited, I met an old hippie man who was living in the area. I suggest bringing some cheese and wine and sharing it with him. He’s a very interesting person, if you’re up for a chat. If you want to visit Cala Estreta, stay in Palamós, a resort town which is only a short drive or a 40-minute walk along the coastal path. Other Spanish beaches I encourage people to visit away from the usual tourist traps are: Caletón Blanco: a stunning natural beach located on the northern coast of Lanzarote. It’s famous for its striking contrast of brilliant white sand and turquoise water against dark, rugged black and red volcanic lava rock formations. Playa de la Arnía: a rugged beach in the Costa Quebrada geological park in Cantabria. Los Charcones de Bañaderos: a popular set of natural saltwater swimming pools on the northern coast of Gran Canaria. Playa de los Locos: an urban beach which is very famous for strong waves and surfing in Suances, also in Cantabria. Getting to Cala Estreta The closest airport to Cala Estreta is Girona–Costa Brava Airport. It’s roughly 50km from the Palamós and Palafrugell area where the cove is located. Ryanair and Jet2 fly direct from several UK airports, including London Gatwick, Luton and Stansted. Prices start from around £56 return in October. As told to Alice Murphy.