The little-known Spanish islands with white sandy beaches and no crowds or cars

SOME little-known islands in Spain could be the perfect place to relax this summer, with white sandy beaches and no crowds or cars ruining your visit.

Finding peaceful places away from other tourists can be a challenge, but the Cíes Islands off the coast of Galicia could be the perfect place to do that.

The islands are an archipelago found in the mouth of the Ria de Vigo.

There are three islands altogether, including Monteagudo, Do Faro and San Martín.

The archipelago's official website claims that guests can find "velvety white sand beaches, famous for their turquoise coloured waters" .

However, despite its amazing beaches, there are never many people there to spoil the tranquillity.

That's because the archipelago is a dedicated nature reserve that doesn’t allow more than 2,200 visitors each day.

There are also no cars allowed on the islands either, meaning traffic noises are non-existent.

For those wanting to stay overnight on the islands, there are no hotels, only a campsite and visitors need to apply for special authorisation before boarding the passenger ferry, the only way to reach the islands.

However, it's worth applying for if only to see Rodas beach, one of Spain’s most beautiful stretches of shoreline.

Locals refer to it as their own "Caribbean beach" while the Guardian once listed it as the .

They said of the islands: "Rodas beach is a perfect crescent of soft, pale sand backed by small dunes sheltering a calm lagoon of crystal-clear sea.

"You can sleep in an idyllic campsite, shaded by tall pine trees, with a view over the ocean. And, this being Spain, there's even a proper restaurant serving great seafood."

Other visitors have praised it highly as well.

One wrote on TripAdvisor: "It was an amazing experience, absolutely a must if you go to Galicia! Perfect place to get some rest and enjoy nature!"

Another added: "Certainly one of the very best beaches this planet has to offer. Excellent sand, super clean water, plenty of shade...what else can you wish for?"

Other beaches on the islands include Margaridas, which is described as "ideal" for those who want the beach to themselves, while Mixueiro and Areina are two small bays that "offer tranquillity" near Rodas.

Activities like kayaking or snorkelling can be booked from the campsite, while hiking in the forest is also popular among visitors.

The islands are also perfect for stargazing, helped by the lack of light pollution in the evenings.

Camping starts from £7.66 per night for those with their own tents.

However, guests needing to hire a tent can pay £45.60 to hire a small one, or £71 for a larger one. Prices increase slightly during the high season.

Meanwhile, this is the country with the most award-winning beaches in Europe.

There are several other lesser-known beaches dotted around the country too - including Cala Pedrosa which is an 800m walk from the main border.