The beautiful Spanish island with 'the best beach in the world' and 23C heat in June

Often overlooked in favour of 's sun-drenched Mediterranean coast, the wilder, more dramatic shores of in the northwest of Spain, hide some of the country's best-kept secrets. Rodas Beach in the beautiful Cíes Islands was previously crowned the best beach in the world by The Guardian, thanks to its stunning turquoise waters, soft white sand, and unique crescent shape. Once a hideout for pirates, the are now a pristine, uninhabited national park.

Made up of three main islands, the Monteagudo (North Island), do Faro (Middle Island), and San Martiño (South Island), the Cíes all form part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park. Just a short ferry ride from the city of Vigo, the islands were originally declared a nature reserve in 1980 and gained national park status in 2002.

Monteagudo, which means sharp mount in Galician, is connected to its neighbouring island, Do Faro, by a long sandbar forming Praia das Rodas, a beautiful crescent of white sand that curves around a calm, turquoise lagoon.

On one side, the Atlantic Ocean crashes against rocky cliffs; on the other, the sheltered lagoon is a peaceful swimming spot with crystal-clear waters.

Dolphins, whales, and even basking sharks can sometimes be seen offshore, while beneath the surface lies a world of sea anemones, shellfish, and colourful fish.

You won't find hotels or cars here, only the soft whisper of the waves and seabirds overhead. Visitors are only allowed during summer, and access is carefully controlled to prevent overtourism.

June sees average highs of 23C, offering warm and comfortable weather, ideal for sunbathing, according to Beach Weather.

The New York Times also recognised the Cíes in 2022 as one of its '52 Places for a Changed World', applauding the region's environmental preservation efforts.

One TripAdvisor user wrote: "Truly magical and awe inspiring. There is a true sense of peace on this beautiful archipelago. I spent around 5 hours between boats wandering happily along the paths and even had a wee nap on Rodas beach."

Someone else said: "There is a true sense of peace on this beautiful archipelago. I spent around 5 hours between boats wandering happily along the paths and even had a wee nap on Rodas beach. The limited numbers permitted on the island makes it feel even more special."

Another person said on Reddit: "Voted the best beach in the world by The Guardian, these islands look like they are in the Caribbean."