The province of Alicante is well known for its beautiful beaches and they draw countless visitors every year. With both sandy and pebble beaches, clear blue waters, and bright sun, Alicante beaches are popular for sunbathing and swimming. Many beaches are also perfect for kayaking, windsurfing, and snorkelling. Most beaches have a range of useful amenities, including equipment and deck chair hire, showers and restaurants. There are many amazing beaches in Spain, and Alicante’s are truly special. If you want to see more of the country, both along the coast and inland, check out our guide to train trips in Spain.
The best Alicante beaches for families
Alicante has lots of family-friendly beaches. Many have long stretches of shallow water where young children can play. There are even some with inflatable water playgrounds set up during the summer.
Playa del Portet
Playa del Portet in Moraira is a particularly popular option for those travelling with young children. It’s a well-sheltered sand beach and the water is shallow and usually very calm so kids can have a great time splashing about safely. It does tend to get quite busy during summer so it’s a good idea to try and get there early. There’s no car park at the beach itself so it’s easiest to get there by bus or by walking if you’re staying in town.
Playa de La Fossa
The Playa de La Fossa is one of the most scenic beaches in Alicante. It provides stunning views of the rock Calpe, a large limestone formation. There’s also a kids’ play area during summer, which includes inflatables they can take out onto the water. Everyone will enjoy swimming in its warm blue waters and relaxing on the soft sand beach. The L1, L3, and Linea 2 buses stop near the beach. The bus stop is around a 6min walk away. There are also parking spaces nearby.
Playa del Arenal-Bol
The Playa del Arena-Bol is another excellent beach where you can view the Rock of Calpe. It’s always sparkling clean and you’ll see it raked and cleaned daily. The cliffs surrounding the beach provide good protection from strong winds but there isn’t much natural shade. Umbrellas and sunbeds are available for hire and you can find many shops and restaurants on the promenade.
The water is shallow so it’s a great option for families with young kids. There are areas specifically for beach football and volleyball, as well as a few playgrounds. This gorgeous sandy beach is very close to the city area so if you’re staying nearby you might be able to reach it on foot. Otherwise, there’s a bus station in the centre of the city with buses arriving from Valencia, Alicante, Benidorm and Javea.
Poniente Beach
Poniente Beach is a beautiful sandy beach close to Benidorm’s Old Town. Benidorm’s beach is large and generally quite relaxed, so you can really kick back and enjoy the tranquillity of warm sun and cool waters. It’s over 3 kilometres long and has areas with deckchairs and parasols available for hire. You’ll also find a few volleyball nets and goals set up for you to play football.
Aquatic playgrounds are common in summer with features to entertain kids of all ages. You’ll find a few vendors selling cold soft drinks, but remember, there will be a mark-up on the price, so consider bringing your own. You can reach Poniente Beach fairly easily on foot and Jaime I, the main avenue that runs alongside the beach, has some hotels so you can stay super close by.
Best beaches in Alicante close to shops and restaurants
These are the beaches where you can be lounging on the sand one minute, and having a cocktail at a bar the next. There are many beautiful promenades in Alicante where you can easily grab some food or buy yourself a new swimsuit before heading right back onto the sand.
Playa del Albir
Play del Albir is a very beautiful pebble beach with a lovely palm-lined promenade on the Costa Blanca. There are a number of shops and restaurants close to the beach or you can comfortably spend lunch on the sand with beach chairs and umbrellas available to rent.
As it’s a pebble beach, it’s a good idea to bring shoes you don’t mind getting sandy. Bonus points if they’re waterproof. If you’re staying in Albir you can reach the beach on foot as it’s just a short walk from the city centre. Many travellers also like to visit the beach from the nearby city of Benidorm on the number 10 bus, which takes around 30min.
Playa San Juan de Alicante
The Playa San Juan de Alicante is a picture-perfect beach where soft sands and blue waters are lined with palm trees. It’s a very popular beach with lots of shops, restaurants, and amenities close by. Although it can get busy, it’s also a very long sandy beach, so you should have a good chance of claiming a spot for yourself.
You’ll find shady spots to sit along the promenade or you can hire sunbeds and a parasol. The water can be a bit rough but it stays shallow even further in. You can reach the Playa San Juan de Alicante in around 20min on the number 3 tram from the Alicante city centre.
Playa de Levante
This is a great beach in Benidorm on the opposite side of Old Town from Poniente Beach. This is the beach to go to if you love being among a bustling crowd. It tends to get very busy but you can usually find a spot and deck chairs are available for hire. The promenade along the beach is a great way to take in the beach from a distance.
You’ll find lots of bars, restaurants, and shops along the beach and nearby. It’s an all-sand beach, so it’s perfect for those who prefer to avoid pebble beaches. If you’re staying in Benidorm, the easiest way to reach the beach will likely be on foot. Alternatively, you can take the bus from Alfonso Puchades Avenue.
The best beaches in Alicante for adventurous travellers
There are some thrilling activities available at (or around) many of Alicante’s beaches. From cliff dives to water sports, these beaches will satisfy the thrill-seeking traveller.
Cala del Moraig
This pebble beach is one of the most stunning beaches in Moraira, a small coastal town popular with travellers. There are some stunning cliffs framing the beach and you can jump from certain spots into the water. Snorkelling is popular here and there are a few caves hidden in the surrounding areas.
The easiest way to get to the beach is by car and there is parking at the beach. Bear in mind that reaching the beach itself involves walking down a very steep track (which you’ll then need to be able to walk back up). Swap the flip-flops for proper walking shoes to give yourself some extra grip.
Playa de la Granadella
The Playa de la Granadella is a secluded and sheltered beach known for its stunning green-blue waters. Located at the edge of the Granadella national park in Javea, the beach stretches for about 160 meters and is made up of a mixture of pebbles and sand. The beach is surrounded by towering cliffs and the picturesque houses of the nearby town.
Snorkelling and kayaking equipment is available for rent nearby, and a short kayak trip will take you to even more secluded bays and beautiful caves. This combined with the proximity to the national park makes it a popular spot for adventurous travellers. (If you’re one of those travellers, you’ll love our guide to hiking in Spain. If you prefer not to drive, you may need to take a taxi as public transport to the beach may be limited.
The best secluded beaches in Alicante
These beaches are perfect for travellers who are looking to escape the crowds. These are tucked away beaches with fewer people but just as much natural beauty as other Alicante beaches.
Playa del Bol Nou
An underrated gem nestled between cliffs, Playa del Bol Nou is a small, beautiful sand and pebble beach. It has fewer shops and rentals than some other options on this list, so you’ll want to bring beach amenities like loungers and umbrellas yourself. There is a restaurant located nearby with seating on the beach. You can take the train from Alicante, or, if you drive to the beach, you’ll usually find plenty of parking spaces within 400 metres of the sand.
Playa El Torres
Playa El Torres is a lovely pebble beach close to Benidorm and is a little bit more lowkey than the city’s main beaches. Sheltered by trees with crystal clear blue waters, it’s a wonderfully peaceful spot, although it does get busy on weekends.
You’ll find bars and restaurants close by but none on the beach itself. The walk down to the beach can be quite steep but there are escalators down to the beach and back up to the main street. The buildings that line the promenade are unique, colourful structures that make the perfect Alicante photo backdrop. You can reach the beach from Benidorm on the Line 1 Tram in around 10min and from Alicante the same tram takes around 1 hour.
Playa Raco del Conill
Racó del Conill is a pebble beach that’s a bit of a hidden secret in Alicante (for now). This small slice of paradise is framed by tall pine trees and tall cliffs. Because of this privacy and seclusion, Racó del Conill is a nudist beach, so bear that in mind. It has very clear waters and is perfect for snorkelling but there aren’t equipment hire spots nearby so remember to bring your own. You’ll also want to bring your own food, drink, towels etc. You can reach the beach on foot from the Playa del Torres. Just take the Coastal Path over the cliffs and enjoy the stunning views along the way.
FAQs: Beaches in Alicante
Find all the answers to the most commonly asked questions about the beaches in Alicante.
What’s the best beach in Alicante?
The best beach in Alicante will depend on your personal taste. But the Playa de San Juan is one of the most popular and well-known beaches in the region.
Does Alicante have nice beaches?
Alicante has some of the nicest beaches in the world, with beautiful blue waters, warm sands, and plenty of amenities.
What is the beach like in Alicante?
Each beach in Alicante will differ slightly but many are a combination of pebbles and sand with clear blue waters. Many have calm waters and you can find some that are bustling with crowds and others that are quiet and peaceful.
