Spain's Cathedral Beach, known as As Catedrais in Galician or La Playa de Las Catedrales in Spanish, is arguably one of the most visually stunning beaches in the world. While Portugal is home to unique rock formations that lend themselves to stunning oceanfront views, Spain's Galicia shores give way to an absolutely beautiful array of natural arches, earning it the appreciate name of Cathedral Beach.

Due to its growing popularity thanks to social media and photography, visitors will need a permit during the summer months and Easter to explore this coastline for themselves. Without a permit, visitors can visit the beach during the winter months, however, the beach itself can only be accessed during low tide when the water level is low enough to walk under its grand archways. The best months to visit this beach, in general, is anywhere between May and September.

As hard as it is to believe, this beach has been untouched by human hands in terms of its natural archways. These aren't the only incredible features visitors can find here, though; caves are hidden throughout the coastline and eroded rocks give way to even more interesting structures. These formations have made such an impact on Spain and the world that it has officially been designated as a national monument.

A Natural Cathedral

Just by looking at this beach, it's easy to see why it was given the name "Cathedral." However, it also goes by another name by locals - "Praia de Augas Santas," which means "Beach of the Holy Waters." Those who have visited have said it's unlike any other and is truly a stand-alone experience compared to other rocky shorelines.

Since the cliffs along this beach resemble the shape of buttresses, its cathedral-like atmosphere can be sensed whether walking through the arches or standing outside of them. Furthermore, when the wind blows in just the right direction, it creates a sound that many have compared to the organ music one would hear in a church. The best time to listen for these low-pitched sounds is at low tide.

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The landscape is ever-changing as is the sea life that inhabits it. In the photos and videos above, you can see various barnacles and sea plants clinging to the rocks at low tide, much of which will change as the tides do. The archways were created by a combination of the strong waves from the Cantabrian Sea as well as the wind, which constantly batters the rocks, changing their shape over time.

Some people have even said that the beach instills in them a feeling unlike any other beach in the world - while the beauty is one thing to take in, some sense something a bit different. Whether it's a sense of connection with the universe or a stirring of faith within themselves, visitors often leave the beach feeling as though they've just exited one of the greatest natural cathedrals ever built.

During high tide, it's nearly impossible for visitors to make their way to the grand arches that so many set out to see. During low tide, the most popular time to visit is during the summer months, however, those traveling should be prepared to deal with crowds as locals and tourists alike get a chance to walk through this 30-meter high archways. The same rule applies when visiting the caves - they can only be found and explored at low tide, and those unfamiliar with the area should check tide charts and weather forecasts before venturing into them.

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Visitors should also be warned that when the tide does rise, it does so quickly. The last place anyone would want to be is in a cave system or stuck under the arches with water and waves coming in at such a rapid rate. Since high tide does cover most of the beach and the arches to the point where they appear much smaller in size, the beach itself becomes virtually unpassable during this time. One of the best times to visit the beach during low tide is around sunset, which provides incredible sunlit views of both the arches and the water, making for a truly magical scene. When the beach is illuminated in a golden-orange hue, it has the feel of something far more special than simply just being a place to soak up some rays. Those interested will need to get a permit, as only about 4,800 people are permitted to use the beach per day - tickets are available two weeks prior to their use and there's no fee to obtain one. Information about purchasing tickets online can be found here.

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