Alicante Beaches

Soaking in the rays may not be the number one priority on your trip to Alicante, but with kilometres of beautiful sandy beaches on the doorstep and a superb temperate climate which lasts all year you may want to take some time out to work on that tan or practice some water sports.

A number of beaches are easily reached by foot or bus. However, if you want to get to the non tourist places off the beaten track then the best thing is to hire a car. There are plenty of car hire firms to choose from and you might consider car rental at Alicante Airport so that the vehicle of your choice is waiting when you arrive. We have also compiled an article on car hire in Spain which is worth reading.

So if you do want to spend some time lounging on the warm sand here is a quick guide of what's on offer:

In the heart of the city of Alicante at the base of the Monte Benacantil you will find the 900 metre wide golden sandy beach of Playa del Postiguet. It is in a very accessible position backed by a palm lined esplanade full of bars and restaurants. It has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for cleanliness and because it is a local beach it is used all year round, particularly on Sundays when it can get very busy during the summer months.

Take a short stroll along the shoreline to the smaller beach of Playa del Coco, where the fishermen used to land their catch. There is still a small harbour here with some restaurants and cafes where you can sit and while away the hours while watching the world go by.

To the north of the city is the Playa de la Albufereta which takes its name from the small coastal lake that used to be here with a harbour that served the Roman village of Lucentum. This beach leads on to the Playa de la Almadraba which is a small sandy beach which is little used by tourists, but is the perfect place for water sports enthusiasts or swimmers.

If you want to explore a more rugged coastline then Cabo de las Huertas has three picturesque coves which are difficult to access, but then that adds to their remoteness. If you want to develop that all over tan then the two nudist coves of Cala Palmera and Cala Cantelalares are great places for you.

San Juan is accessible by hire car and offers 7 kilometres of beautiful fine white sand. It is considered to be one of the finest beaches in Spain and also boasts an 18 hole golf course! It is backed by residential properties so you need to be at the end of the beach closest to Alicante City to find any bars and restaurants and bars.

A bit further along the coast (about 25 minutes from the city) is lovely town of El Campello with bars and restaurants spilling out on to a lovely promenade that winds around two white sandy beaches. Both have gently sloping shores that are perfectly safe for children and a marina where you can watch the fishing boats land their catch. If you visit here on a Wednesday you can take part in the very busy weekly fish market.

If you are planning to explore the area outside of the city centre and play some golf or go to some of the more out of the way beaches then you might consider hiring a car. There are a number of car hire firms based at Alicante Airport who will be pleased to have a vehicle awaiting your arrival. This also cuts down on transfer costs for you and your family.

We also provide information on sporting and leisure amenities in Alicante which includes an Alicante Area Guide detailing Alicante Shopping Areas, Alicante Markets, Golf Courses in Alicante, the different types of Alicante Beaches, recommended Restaurants in Alicante , details of Alicante Amusement Parks for family days out and Alicante Local Attractions