Los Arenales del Sol (Spanish: Los Arenales del Sol, Valencian: Els Arenals del Sol) is a small resort village that belongs administratively to Elche but lies right on the Mediterranean coast between Santa Pola and Alicante. According to 2023 data, it has a population of 2,600 and covers an area of just 1.3 km². In terms of population density, it is considered the most densely populated district of Elche.
Three kilometres of sandy beaches, clean water, rich marine life, picturesque sand dunes and the Clot de Galvany nature reserve all add to the village’s appeal and help it grow in popularity.
Arenales del Sol: how to get there
Arenales del Sol is just 7 km from Alicante-Elche International Airport and 12 km from the centre of Alicante and its railway station. The N-332 national road, which links all the resort towns and villages of the province, runs nearby, and around Elche and Alicante there are convenient junctions onto the AP-7 motorway towards Valencia or Cartagena, and the A-70 towards Madrid.
Buses connect Arenales del Sol with Elche, Alicante, Santa Pola, Gran Alacant and El Altet. There is also a taxi service in the town. The main railway station is in Alicante, and the nearest local commuter train stations are in Elche.
Distances to the nearest towns:
- Santa Pola: 11 km,
- Alicante: 12 km,
- Elche: 20 km,
- El Campello: 27 km,
- Guardamar del Segura: 30 km,
- Torrevieja: 41 km,
- Benidorm: 64 km.
Weather and climate in Arenales del Sol
The climate of Spain’s Mediterranean coast means pleasant, comfortable weather almost all year round. Only in the hottest summer months, when the thermometer is reluctant to drop below +30°C even at night, do you start dreaming of cooler air. At the same time, late summer and early autumn are when the sea is warmest, with the water near the shore reaching 26-28°C. With the start of the gentle “velvet season”, from late September to mid-November, the weather becomes mild and comfortable.
Rain is rare on this part of the coast; heavy rain, thunderstorms and storms do happen, but literally once or twice a season, and several weeks in a row usually go by without any rain.
In winter, in January and February, comes the coolest time of year, when daytime temperatures drop to +10°C. Usually, however, from late autumn to early spring the weather is mild and cool, with temperatures above +15°C. Like the whole of the Costa Blanca, Arenales del Sol is ideal for outdoor sports all year round: cycling, long walks and, of course, all kinds of water sports.
History of Arenales del Sol
Until the early 1960s, the stretch of coast where Arenales del Sol stands today was completely deserted: a wild sandy beach gave way to dunes, and you would rarely meet a holidaymaker on the shore. The only signs of human presence were abandoned military bunkers dating from the Civil War and the Second World War that followed it.
But everything changed after a hotel was built in the area. Then residential buildings began to go up, and flats in them were eagerly bought both by people from Elche (to have a holiday home by the sea) and by foreigners. Today the village continues to grow and develop actively.
In winter Arenales del Sol empties, but in summer, as well as at Christmas and Easter, its population grows several times over. It is an excellent place for a beach holiday, and for entertainment and shopping you can head to neighbouring Alicante.
Beaches and natural attractions of Arenales del Sol
At the southernmost end of the village is Carrabasí beach (Playa de Carrabasí), a secluded sandy beach with a gentle slope into the sea and clean, clear water, suitable for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The beach receives a Blue Flag every year, a mark of cleanliness and quality. Carrabasí is backed by sand dunes covered with low pines that spread along the sand, and 400 m away the Clot de Galvany nature reserve begins. The dunes are part of the local ecosystem, protected and monitored by scientists. On the beach itself there are bars and foot showers, and sunbeds and parasols are available for hire. The only inconvenience is that you have to park your car behind the dunes and then walk about 300 metres along a boardwalk path. Part of Carrabasí beach is officially a naturist beach.
Carrabasí beach runs smoothly into El Altet beach (Playa del Alted), a 1.5 km sandy beach with small waves, perfect for snorkelling. There is also a beach bar here, and you can hire sunbeds and parasols.
Closer to the high-rise area begins the main town beach, Arenales del Sol (Playa de Los Arenales del Sol). It stretches along the centre of the village. It receives Blue Flags every year for cleanliness and quality of service. In summer there are lifeguards on duty, a dedicated windsurfing area where you can also hire the necessary equipment, sunbed and parasol hire, and beach bars. In high season it gets very busy and parking is difficult. The beach is accessible for people with disabilities and has a long, gentle slope into the sea. The water deepens very slowly, which is why families with children love it here.
El Clot de Galvany is a municipal nature reserve, an important wetland and a special protection area for birds. It covers just over 366 hectares and includes several ecosystems. Interesting archaeological and ethnographic finds have also been made in the park in the past. On Sundays and public holidays there are free guided tours of the park.
What to see nearby
From Arenales del Sol you can take a variety of day trips around the area. Here are a few ideas:
- Torrevieja and the surrounding area: a beautiful seafront promenade, a natural park with two salt lakes, one pink and one emerald, where flamingos nest, and the Zenia Boulevard shopping and leisure centre.
- Orihuela: an old town with centuries of history, many architectural monuments and interesting museums.
- Elche: the shoe capital of Spain, a town with a beautiful historic centre and the largest palm grove in Europe.
- Santa Pola: a small town with a rich history and two natural parks, one of which is home to a large population of flamingos.
- Alicante: the provincial capital and a cultural and commercial centre with a beautiful seafront promenade, a large port, an impressive castle and a huge choice of shops.
- Benidorm: the most modern town on the coast, famous for its beaches and skyscrapers.
- Guadalest: a medieval fortress town and one of the most visited attractions in Spain.
- Algar Falls: a beautiful natural spot with a waterfall and quiet pools near Callosa d’en Sarrià.
- Villajoyosa: a charming resort town, home to Valor, the best-known Spanish chocolate factory, and a Chocolate Museum.
Property in Arenales del Sol
In April 2024, the average price per square metre of housing was €2,098 in Spain, €2,146 in the province of Alicante, €2,058 in the city of Alicante, €1,314 in Elche and €2,927 in Arenales del Sol. Holiday apartments are in the greatest demand: they are used as holiday homes in summer or let as short-term rentals.
Prices for studios and small one-bedroom flats start from €100,000, and for larger flats from €130,000. Bungalows and townhouses sell from €175,000, and semi-detached houses from €400,000. A detached house or villa can be found from €1,700,000.
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