Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn moreMost people have heard of the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and Costa Brava – but Spain has many other costas. Calculations vary as to the precise number – between ten and 17 usually – though we have gone with the Spanish tourist office’s official ‘costas’ list, which covers 15.Some of these coastlines are named after towns or cities by their shores – for example, Almeria, Barcelona and Valencia – while others are purely tourism marketing constructions. For example, Costa Blanca.The ‘White Coast’ was dreamt up by tourist chiefs in the 1950s to drum up business for hotels in hotspots, such as Benidorm and Alicante. Meanwhile, Costa Dorada means ’Golden Coast’, Costa de la Luz translates as ‘Coast of Light’ and Costa Tropical speaks for itself.Having travelled 3,000 miles around Spain by rail for my book Slow Trains Around Spain, I can recommend trying one of the lesser-known costas.Sure, the biggies have much to recommend them but sometimes delights await off the beaten track. So here’s our ultimate guide to the 12 smaller costas...COSTA DEL AZAHAR Peniscola is one of the most attractive towns by the many sandy beaches and coves of the Costa del AzaharJust to the north of the Costa de Valencia and south of Costa Dorada, this pretty stretch of coastline translates as ‘Coast of Orange Blossom’ – and the sweet smell of citrus groves is pervasive.Costa del Azahar covers about 80 miles and is often overlooked by those travelling further south, so it can be wonderfully quiet. Some of the most attractive resorts/towns by the many sandy beaches and coves include Peniscola, Alcossebre and Oropesa.Book it: Seven nights at RH Porto Cristo, close to the historic centre of Peniscola, from £1,481pp half-board in July with Gatwick flights (easyjet.com).COSTA DE ALMERIA The imposing Alcazaba fortress in the Moorish-influenced city of Almeria, which sits on the Costa de AlmeriaBase yourself in the Moorish-influenced city of Almeria – or close by – and be sure to visit its imposing Alcazaba fortress as well as the huge 16th-century cathedral and House of Cinema Museum, which tells the story of many films shot in the desert nearby.Costa de Almeria stretches 135 miles along and is extremely hot.Book it: Seven nights at Protur Roquetas Hotel and Spa in Roquetas de Mar, to the west of the city of Almeria, from £1,031pp all-inclusive in July with Stansted flights (tui.co.uk).COSTA BARCELONA A view of Malgrat de Mar on the Costa Barcelona, known for its rolling dunes, quiet walks and birdlifeThis covers 60 miles between the beach resort towns of Vilanova i la Geltru, south of Barcelona, and Malgrat de Mar, to the northeast.Vilanova i la Geltru, aside from having a wide sandy beach with excellent beach hut-style bars, is also home to the popular Railway Museum of Catalonia.Meanwhile, Malgrat de Mar is known for its rolling dunes, quiet walks and birdlife.Book it: Seven nights at DWO Les Palmeres in Calella from £678pp B&B in July with Manchester flights (jet2holidays.com).COSTA CALIDA The town of Cartagena, on the Costa Calida, has a Roman amphitheatre and Byzantine wallDown in the Murcia region of southeast Spain, Costa Calida winds for 55 miles. One highlight is Mar Menor, a seawater lagoon with 15 miles of calm waters and fine sands, and another is the town of Cartagena with its Roman amphitheatre and Byzantine wall.Among pretty fishing villages/towns to visit are Mazarron, San Pedro del Pinatar and Águilas, with excellent seafood restaurants.Book it: Seven nights at Poseidon La Manga Hotel & Spa from £530pp in July with Birmingham flights (onthebeach.co.uk).COSTA DE CANTABRIA La Salve beach in Laredo is a big highlight of the Costa de Cantabria. Elsewhere, you can find excellent seafood restaurantsCovering 135 miles on the Bay of Biscay in northern Spain, more than 90 beaches feature on the Costa de Cantabria.The ten urban beaches of the vibrant city of Santander are a big highlight, then there are the rolling dunes of Oyambre as well as the long stretch of La Salve beach in Laredo. Expect excellent seafood restaurants serving anchovies, tuna, clams and langoustines.Book it: Seven nights at Hotel Santemar, Santander, from £689pp in July from Luton (thomascook.com).COSTA DORADA The ancient city of Tarragona, on the Costa Dorada, has enticing clifftop bars and restaurantsStretching for 50 miles, the Costa Dorada (or Costa Daurada in Catalan) encompasses beaches galore alongside rugged cliffs.This coastline includes pretty fishing villages such as Altafulla and Torredembarra, as well as the ancient city of Tarragona with its Roman amphitheatre and enticing clifftop bars/restaurants.Book it: Seven nights at California Garden hotel in Salou from £724pp half-board in July with Edinburgh flights (firstchoice.co.uk).COSTA DE LA LUZ Cadiz, on the Costa de la Luz, is famous for its striking cathedral – and its sherryIn the south-west of Spain, you come to Costa de la Luz, covering 125 miles and encompassing the provinces of Cadiz and Huelva.Cadiz is famous for its striking cathedral as well as partially excavated Roman theatre – and for its sherry. A visit to the beautiful wetlands, dunes and lagoons of Donana National Park is a must.Book it: Seven nights at SMY Isla Cristina hotel, on Isla Cristina close to Portugal, from £709pp half-board in July with Aberdeen flights (loveholidays.com).COSTA DA MORTE On Costa da Morte, you will find sweeping beaches – such as Carnota (pictured), O Rostro and Baldaio – plus headlands, cliffs and estuariesCovering the coastline west of Galicia, Costa da Morte is so named due to the large number of nearby shipwrecks over the years. You will find sweeping beaches – such as Carnota, O Rostro and Baldaio – plus headlands, cliffs and estuaries. It covers 75 miles with highlights including Corcubion, with its Romanesque churches.Book it: Seven nights at Hotel VIDA Finisterre from £359pp in July with Gatwick flights (loveholidays.com).COSTA TROPICAL You can explore Roman remains and enjoy the sweeping beach at Almunecar, on the Costa TropicalSouth of Granada, Costa Tropical covers 65 miles with five main tourist resorts in the towns of Almunecar, Motril, Castell de Ferro, La Rabita and Salobrena.The latter is home to a Moorish castle, while you can explore Roman remains and enjoy the sweeping beach at Almunecar. For coves, try El Caleton and El Pargo.Book it: Seven nights at Impressive Playa Granada golf hotel in Motril from £1,213pp all-inclusive in July, Luton flights (easyjet.com).COSTA VERDE The rocky Penas cape, on the Costa Verde, is the Iberian peninsula’s northernmost pointOn Spain’s northern coast in the autonomous community of Asturias, Costa Verde (‘Green Coast’) runs for 215 miles.Remote little sandy beaches are waiting to be discovered, as well as enticing fishing ports with colourful buildings such as Cudillero and Ribadesella. One highlight is the rocky Penas cape – the Iberian peninsula’s northernmost point.Book it: A week at Hotel Kaype – Quintamar, located at Barro in Llanes, from £1,160pp half-board for two in July (booking.com); flights to Santander from Stansted from £40 return (ryanair.com).COSTA DE VALENCIA The Basilica Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady in Valencia, Spain's third largest cityThis costa covers 75 miles in the province of Valencia and features many top beaches, including Cullera, Gandía, Miramar, Canet d’en Berenguer and Sueca.At the heart of the coast is Valencia, Spain’s third largest city and home to a magnificent 13th-century cathedral. Playa de Las Arenas and Playa de la Malvarrosa are the main city beaches.Book it: Seven nights at RH Bayren Hotel & Spa in Gandia is from £1,079pp half-board in July, Manchester flights (loveholidays.com).COSTA VASCA Visitors flock to enjoy the superb, crescent-shaped La Concha beach on the Costa VascaStretching for 109 miles, Costa Vasca (or Basque Coast) has quaint fishing villages, sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and the charming city of San Sebastian.The latter developed into a tourist destination in the late 19th century with visitors flocking to enjoy the superb, crescent-shaped La Concha beach. In the town of Portugalete, just west of Bilbao, is Vizcaya Bridge, the world’s oldest functioning ferry bridge.Book it: Luton to Bilbao return flights from £38 in July (wizzair.com). Doubles at the seafront Mercure Monte Igueldo, San Sebastian, from £225 per night (booking.com).Tom Chesshyre is author of Slow Trains Around Spain: A 3,000-Mile Adventure on 52 Rides