The Definitive
Beach Guide

The city's golden front porch, framed by Santa Bárbara castle. A long, soft, white-sand beach that begins where Alicante's old town ends — palm-lined promenade on one side, gently shelving water on the other. Lively, accessible and beautiful by day or floodlit at night.

Postcard sand beneath the towering Peñón de Ifach. A wide, sheltered town beach with crystalline, gently sloping water and the iconic limestone rock rising at its edge. Backed by a promenade of shops and restaurants, it's one of the few sandy bays in the north with truly turquoise, calm waters.

Repeatedly voted Spain's most beautiful cove — and it earns it. A small, pebbled crescent of jewel-clear turquoise water cradled between pine-clad cliffs. This is the coast at its most cinematic: snorkelling, kayaking and that unmistakable Instagram-blue sea.

A wild, pine-fringed beach reached on foot through the dunes. Guardamar's protected pine forest gives way to a vast, unspoilt strand of soft sand and shallow, calm water. No bars, no crowds — just dunes, sea breeze and space to breathe.

A classic, easy-going Mediterranean beach day. Long, wide and gently shelving, La Mata is the area's most-loved family beach — soft sand, shallow water for paddling little ones, and a generous boardwalk lined with restaurants and chiringuitos. Spacious even in high season.

The town beach with everything on your doorstep. A relaxed, central cove backed by a buzzing line of shops, bars and restaurants — ideal for couples and families who want sea, sun and a coffee or cocktail steps from the towel. Sand-cleaning stations let you leave grit-free.

A sheltered little bay with sunrise views to remember. Soft sand, calm shallow water and a relaxed, secluded feel make this an easy favourite for families. A beach bar (chiringuito) and clifftop walkway add charm, and an accessibility lift makes the sand reachable for all.

A string of pretty sandy coves linked by a long, scenic promenade. Soft sand, plentiful foot-wash fountains and a relaxed atmosphere — rarely overwhelming. The seafront path is a joy to walk or cycle, with small cafés to pause at and boats bobbing offshore.

One sandbar, two seas. This remarkable ribbon of land separates the open Mediterranean from the warm, calm Mar Menor lagoon — so you can choose your sea by the hour. Clean golden sand, gentle waters and a lively dining and nightlife scene make it the Cálida's signature destination.

A pocket-sized lagoon beach with natural pine shade. Calm, shallow water and clusters of pine trees offering rare natural shade make this a relaxed family favourite on the Mar Menor. Two restaurants and good facilities round out an easy, unhurried day by the water.

The wild, golden jewel of the Costa Cálida. Within a protected regional park, Calblanque is a series of pristine, undeveloped beaches backed by towering dunes and rugged hills — no hotels, no bars, no phone signal. Just golden sand, clear water and the sublime quiet of a truly natural coast.