Los Arenales del Sol is a town in Alicante, part of the municipalities of El Altet and Balsares (both part of Elche). It is part of the Bajo Vinalopó region, along with Elche, Santa Pola, and Crevillente. The town is located south of the Bay of Alicante and northwest of the municipality of Elche. It has emerged as a tourist destination due to its extensive beaches of fine, golden sand with areas of natural dunes (embryonic, mobile, semi-fixed, fixed, and fossil).
Arenales del Sol: Climate
The climate in Arenales del Sol, Spain, is typically Mediterranean, with warm, mild temperatures year-round. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cool and relatively wet. The average annual temperature is around 18 degrees Celsius.
Arenales del Sol: Transport
If you’re planning to spend your vacation in Arenales and don’t want to bring your car, don’t worry! It’s perfectly connected to Alicante and Elche by bus. The company that operates it is called Vectalia.
If you’re arriving by plane, you don’t have to worry either, as the bus that takes you to Elche, the 1A, stops in Arenales. It’s a well-connected area with all kinds of services. It ‘s located about 10 km from Santa Pola, 12 km from Alicante, and 16 km from Elche.
Arenales del Sol: Places you must visit
- Palmeral Museum. Discover the history and culture of Elche Palmeral.
- Basilica of Santa María. Built in the 14th century on the site of an old mosque, it has been rebuilt several times, resulting in the current 17th-century structure.
- Municipal Park. A beautiful 6-hectare park with a visitor center.
- Arab Baths. Ancient, well-preserved Arab baths.
- Festival Museum. Audiovisual journey through the world of Mystery, a sung drama of medieval origin (declared a Masterpiece of Oral Heritage by UNESCO).
- Puçol Traditional Culture Center. Exhibition on rural life.
- Huerto del Cura (Priest ‘s Garden). Mediterranean and tropical gardens with a wide variety of palm trees, among which the Imperial Palm stands out for its beauty and rarity.
- La Alcudia Archaeological Site. A key site of Iberian culture where the famous “Lady of Elche” was found.
- Clot de Galvany. It is one of the few wetlands in the province of Alicante. It has several ecosystems such as ponds, salt marshes, and mountains where we find native flora and fauna.
- Carabassi Dunes. It is a protected natural area at the foot of the Sierra del Carabassi mountains where we can still see dunes of various types (fixed, mobile, fossil, etc.) that reach heights up to 20 meters.
- El Hondo Natural Park. The park is part of what was once the dried-up lagoon of Elche. Currently, it consists of two reservoirs surrounded by a series of ponds and salt marshes, surrounded by a landscape of crops and palm groves that create an exceptional landscape. It has been declared a Natural Park and Special Protection Area for Birds.
- Sierra del Cabo de Santa Pola. This cliff formation is made up of a series of marine terraces crisscrossed by a large number of ravines that run all the way to the coastline.
Arenales del Sol: Beaches
Elche has more than 9 km of fine white sand beaches and dune complexes in excellent condition. The most important beaches are:
Arenales del Sol Beach
Arenales del Sol is an urban beach measuring 40 meters wide and 3,300 meters long. During the high season, this beach is usually very crowded. The beach is covered with vegetation.
Carabassí Beach
Carabassí is an isolated beach measuring 80 meters wide and 900 meters long. During high season, this beach is usually very crowded. The beach is covered with vegetation.
El Altet Beach
El Altet is a beach in the Valencian Community, also known as L’Altet. It is an isolated beach measuring 120 meters wide and 1,700 meters long. During high season, this beach is usually crowded. The beach is covered with vegetation.
El Pinet Beach
El Pinet is a semi-urban beach measuring 26 meters wide and 1,750 meters long. During the high season, this beach is usually very crowded. It has vegetation on the beach.
El Rebollo Beach
El Rebollo is also known as Les Pesqueres. It is an isolated beach measuring 50 meters wide and 1,200 meters long. During the high season, this beach is usually very crowded. It has vegetation on the beach.
La Marina Beach
La Marina is an isolated beach measuring 35 meters wide and 2,000 meters long. During the high season, this beach is usually very crowded. It has vegetation on the beach.
Arenales del Sol: Local festivals
Festivities in honor of the Virgin of the Assumption. Patron saint festivities in Elche, celebrated on August 13.
Moors and Christians parades commemorate the Christian conquest in 1265 by King James I.
Arenales del Sol: Sports activities
These beaches offer a unique experience that blends tourist attractions with respect for nature, making it an ideal place to enjoy the beach while still appreciating its ecological richness. It’s an excellent place for water sports due to its calm waters, its expanse, and its unique natural setting.
In addition to being a very popular destination for enjoying the sun and the sea, this beach offers various options for water sports enthusiasts, both beginners and more experienced users. The most practiced sports are:
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing: The windy conditions and open waters of the beach make Arenales del Sol an ideal spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing. These water sports are very popular on the beach, and several local water sports centres offer equipment rentals and lessons for those looking to learn or improve their skills.
- Paddle boarding (SUP): Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is another popular beach activity, thanks to the calm sea in certain areas. This sport allows you to enjoy a relaxing ride on the water while practicing balance and physical endurance.
- Dinghy sailing: The beach is also an ideal place for dinghy sailing. The wide waters and relatively quiet surroundings make it a safe and comfortable place for those who enjoy this sport.
