The Costa Blanca is the jewel of Spain’s Mediterranean coast. 218 kilometres of sandy beaches, secluded coves, pine-covered dunes and cliffs stretch along the coast of Alicante from north to south, from Dénia to Torre de la Horadada. We have put together our top 12 beaches on the Costa Blanca for you.
Torrevieja, Playa de La Mata
Playa de La Mata is the best beach in Torrevieja, stretching between two municipalities: Torrevieja itself and neighbouring La Mata. 2,300 m of fine, pale sand, an easy, gently sloping entry into the sea, lifeguards on duty and a whole line of bars and restaurants make this beach incredibly popular.
Dehesa de Campoamor, Playa de la Glea (
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This sandy beach, half a kilometre long and up to 70 metres wide, lies in the south of Orihuela Costa, almost on the border between the provinces of Alicante and Murcia. The beach is famous for several seafood restaurants right on the shore.
Alicante, Playa de San Juan
This beautiful 5-kilometre sandy beach is in Sant Joan d’Alacant, a northern suburb of Alicante. It is known for its clean, clear water. The beach itself is also very clean and well kept, suitable not only for lazing in the sun but also for active sports.
Alicante, Playa de la Albufereta
A wide, half-kilometre beach in the north of Alicante on the border with the suburb of Sant Joan d’Alacant. You can get there by the tram that runs along the Alicante seafront. The line starts near the town beach and the Puerta del Mar square and runs north right along the shore. With changes you can travel to Benidorm and then on to Dénia. But back to the beach. Playa de la Albufereta is a good, clean town beach with fine golden sand and palm trees that give shade in the hottest hours of the day.
Benidorm, Playa del Albir
A beautiful beach north of Benidorm. In summer it is packed, as it is very popular with both tourists and locals. Like any open beach, it is exposed from time to time to high, strong waves, which can be quite a nuisance for swimmers.
Benidorm, Playa de Levante
Playa de Levante is Benidorm’s most popular beach and receives the Blue Flag every year: the European mark of high quality and of all the necessary services (lifeguards, first aid, easy access, including access for wheelchairs and pushchairs, showers or foot-washing taps and so on). In fairness, most Spanish beaches are awarded Blue Flags every year. Along Playa de Levante runs the town promenade with numerous bars, cafés, restaurants and small shops.
Benidorm, Cala Finestrat
Another popular beach in Benidorm, or more precisely a beautiful cove with a sandy beach, about 3.5 km from the town centre. A quieter place to relax than Playa de Levante, it is ideal for families with children.
Guardamar del Segura, Playas de Guardamar
The beaches of Guardamar are seven sandy beaches stretching over 9 km: Els Vivers, La Babilònia, Centre, La Roqueta, El Montcaio, El Camp and Les Ortigues. Some of them are wild, others are town beaches with all the facilities and lifeguards. The chain of beaches begins at the mouth of the river Segura and runs south past the town and its seafront promenade with numerous cafés and restaurants, and then along sand dunes covered with pines, eucalyptus and palms. These dunes are a protected nature area covering more than 800 hectares and reaching 1,400 m at their widest point. Perhaps the great thing about the beaches of Guardamar is that you can avoid the crowds simply by walking a little way off. All the beaches are sandy and not divided by breakwaters, so lovers of waves will like them.
Cumbre del Sol, Cala del Moraig
This beach lies in a shallow cove at the foot of a steep rocky coast, on whose slopes and terraces the well-known Cumbre del Sol urbanización spreads out. It is an ideal place for diving, snorkelling and other water sports. The surrounding area has plenty of natural sights, rock grottoes and walking trails of varying difficulty.
Moraira, Playa del Portet
In the article “The best towns on the Costa Blanca to buy property” we mentioned Moraira as a village surrounded by some of the most expensive and exclusive developments on the Costa Blanca. But Moraira is known not only for its property but also for its magnificent nature and picturesque coves. One of these coves is home to El Portet beach. The sea here is often completely calm, and children will love the smooth, gently sloping entry into the water. As in any cove, the water at Playa del Portet warms up faster than on open beaches. There are bars and restaurants nearby, and the beach itself also has everything you need for a comfortable day by the sea.
Calpe, Playa de la Fossa
Playa de la Fossa is a very well-equipped town beach in Calpe with views of the natural park and the Peñón de Ifach rock, the town’s landmark. In summer, excursions to the natural park leave from the beach, and you can also hire equipment for various water sports.
Villajoyosa, Playa El Paraíso
“Paradise beach”, as the Spanish name translates, is truly a wonderful place to relax near Villajoyosa. A whole kilometre of fine golden sand, an easy entry into the sea and relative seclusion will appeal to most holidaymakers.
