Date of publication 18/08/2026
Ideas and tips for what to bring to the beach
Beachfront hotels can change the whole energy of a vacation. With the beach just steps away, mornings and almost every plan of the day unfold to the rhythm of the waves. Choosing a coastal location means more time by the water and more moments spent on the sand. The following ideas and places to stay are designed to help you keep beach days simple.
How to prepare for the perfect beach day
What does a perfect beach day look like to you? That image, or even just a feeling, will determine what to bring and how to prepare, so the experience is every bit as memorable as you imagined. Maybe you never go anywhere without a book, even for a walk along the shore. Or perhaps you have been waiting for vacation to get back to water sports. Would you rather relax on a lounge chair with a cocktail, or enjoy something delicious to eat?
There are a few essentials, such as sunscreen, that always belong in your beach bag. Turn your vacation by the sea into a collection of moments worth remembering with these recommendations.
The essential beach packing list
Sun protection and skin care
Today, there is a wide range of mineral sunscreens formulated without toxic ingredients or nanoparticles that can affect marine ecosystems. They are kinder alternatives for both the ocean and your skin, and natural allies for more conscious beach travel. Ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide create a physical barrier that protects skin from the sun. For children, always choose a high SPF.
Towels, shade, and comfort on the sand
Part of the appeal of beachfront hotels comes from their proximity to the shore and the comfort of dedicated beach areas, where lounge chairs, towels, and umbrellas are readily available, sometimes with a beach club nearby for drinks and refreshments. If you head out to explore on your own, swap a towel for a sarong, which takes up less room in your beach bag or backpack, and choose a lightweight, folding beach umbrella.
Hydration and reusable containers
Water and other natural drinks are essential for staying hydrated at the beach. Replacing single-use plastic bottles with refillable stainless steel or glass alternatives is one more small way to help care for the marine environment. The same applies to food containers. Further down, you will find inspiration and recipes made with fresh ingredients the whole family will enjoy.
A "zero-waste kit" to help care for the ocean
Well-being on vacation comes from small choices, including those that bring you closer to the sea and its surroundings. So what should you take, for example, to Mediterranean beaches with Posidonia seagrass meadows or Caribbean shores lined with tropical mangroves? Start putting together your own "zero-waste kit" with biodegradable or reusable utensils, plates, cups, and straws, along with napkins and bags made from natural fabrics to take on your travels.
What to bring depending on who you're traveling with
As a family with children
Along with sunscreen specifically formulated for children, make room in your beach bag for some of their favorite toys and books, as well as buckets and shovels so everyone can play together in the sand.
Is this your first beach vacation with a baby? Pack a hat, certified sunglasses, and a T-shirt for added protection during the middle of the day. Gradual exposure to the gentler sun early in the morning and later in the afternoon will help their skin adjust.
With friends or on your own
The simple pleasure of connecting during golden hour or on a walk along the shore is just as meaningful with friends as it is with family. If you are traveling alone, use the time to be fully present with yourself and unwind: spread out a blanket in a spot that feels special and settle in for a sunset you will remember. In company, the evening fills easily with laughter and conversation, board games, a deck of cards, and spontaneous dancing.
As a couple on a romantic getaway
If you are staying at a beachfront hotel with your partner, plan a surprise romantic date. If it is around midday, look for a shady spot, perhaps beneath a tall palm tree or beside a stately pine, making sure it is somewhere you are allowed to spread out a towel. Under the moonlight, the mood changes completely. Plan something to toast with and prepare something from the list below.
What food to bring to the beach
Layered salads in glass jars
Homemade layered salads packed in glass jars make a fresh, colorful beach meal that looks as good as it tastes. The trick to keeping them fresh is to place the heartier ingredients at the bottom and the wetter ones on top.
Try quinoa, chickpeas, roasted vegetables, cherry tomatoes, fruits such as pineapple and mango, corn, and spinach. Or pasta, chicken breast (tofu or tempeh for a vegan version), mushrooms, black olives, and basil. Another combination is brown rice, lentils, diced cucumber, bell pepper, tomato, fresh cheese, and sprouts. Pack the dressing separately and mix everything well just before eating.
Cold soups beyond gazpacho
Wondering what to bring to the beach in summer? Make a homemade gazpacho with fresh, local ingredients, choosing ripe tomatoes and a good-quality extra virgin olive oil. Or try ajoblanco, homemade salmorejo, vichyssoise, or a chilled melon and cucumber soup with mint. For the last one, you will need melon, cucumber, cream (which can be replaced with coconut milk or Greek yogurt), fresh mint leaves, and a pinch of salt.
Sandwiches with a twist
If you would rather skip the utensils for your beach picnic, sandwiches are an easy classic, especially with an unexpected twist. Try pear, Gorgonzola, and walnuts with a lime vinaigrette on seeded bread; avocado, hummus, beets, Batavia lettuce, and sun-dried tomatoes on a small rye roll; or tuna with kimchi mayo on sandwich bread.
The bifana, a traditional Portuguese sandwich, is a meatier option made with marinated pork cutlets tucked inside a papo seco, a traditional Portuguese bread roll. Instead of aluminum foil and plastic wrap, use reusable silicone or beeswax wraps, or simply cloth napkins.
Savory pies and the unbeatable Spanish tortilla
Here are a few ideas for savory pies and tarts that taste great cold. An upside-down puff pastry tart with spinach and goat cheese. Empanada filled with homemade pisto (Spanish-style ratatouille) and hard-boiled egg. A green tart with wild asparagus, zucchini, and peas flavored with Mediterranean herbs. Or a classic French quiche Lorraine made with bacon, Emmental cheese, and a creamy filling of eggs, cream, and butter.
Still, few beach foods in Spain, or anywhere in Europe, beat a Spanish tortilla. If you know how to make a good one, deciding what to bring to the beach becomes much easier. At all-inclusive beachfront hotels, though, the plan changes completely.
Where to enjoy the beach across three continents with Iberostar
Europe, from the Mediterranean to the islands
In Europe, and the Mediterranean in particular, Málaga's beaches invite you to embrace the easygoing spirit of southern Spain. Long, golden sunsets set the scene at beachfront hotels in Andalusia such as Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach. Elegant and filled with light, it is ideal for adults who want to stay close to Puerto Banús, less than a minute away, while enjoying a peaceful setting.
In the Balearic Islands, beachfront hotels in Mallorca turn time by the sea into a daily ritual. Iberostar Selection Es Trenc is a peaceful retreat for couples beside one of Mallorca's best beaches, Es Trenc Beach, with its namesake salt flats nearby.
Across the Mediterranean, beachfront hotels in Crete offer a relaxing gateway to the island's legendary shores. Iberostar Selection Creta Marine provides direct access to three small coves with crystal-clear water. A five-star retreat with rooms and bungalows designed for switching off and reconnecting.
The Americas, the Caribbean at your feet
On the Caribbean coast of the Americas, Iberostar Selection Riviera Cancún sits amid Mexico's beach and music scene, next to the small fishing town of Puerto Morelos. Among the beachfront hotels in the Riviera Maya, it is conceived as a place to unwind in the open air, with Swim-Up Suites and pools that seem to extend the sea itself.
The Dominican Republic's coastline feels like a new postcard when seen and experienced from Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites, one of the beachfront hotels in the Dominican Republic from which to explore the island's turquoise waters and white-sand shores. Designed like a Caribbean village surrounded by sea air and tropical vegetation, it keeps the coast at the heart of the stay.
Africa, between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean
In Africa, the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean are part of a remarkably varied mix of ecosystems and coastlines. For travelers looking for beachfront hotels in Tanzania, Iberostar Selection Zanzibar offers suites with private pools right beside the sand, overlooking Mnemba Island. Muyuni Beach provides the setting.
Located in Morocco's "Blue Pearl," Iberostar Waves Saïdia is one of the country's beachfront hotels with direct access to the shore, offering families a peaceful place to settle into vacation mode. Berber culture runs throughout the experience, from the décor and cuisine to the hotel's other five-star offerings.
Book your beachfront hotel with Iberostar
Before choosing where to stay, consider each hotel's oceanfront location and proximity to key places such as airports, city centers, and entertainment areas. If you prefer a vacation with nature always close at hand, combine time at the beach with other surroundings where you can walk or explore by bike. Our beachfront hotels offer options for every kind of trip.
