04-08-2026
7 min
Plan your trip
Alicante
Searching for the best beaches in Alicante means opening a map full of temptation: endless stretches of sand, coves hidden among the rocks, urban beaches that are perfect for spontaneous plans and corners of crystal-clear water where having a car makes all the difference.
Because yes, Alicante has beaches. But it also has many different versions of Alicante within Alicante itself: the convenient one, the wild one, the family-friendly one, the local one, the one that smells of sun cream and seafront promenades, and the one that appears after a bend, a short path or a boardwalk through the dunes.
On this route around the beaches of Alicante we combine the most popular ones, such as Playa de San Juan in Alicante and Albufereta in Alicante, with other lesser-known but very special spots. The aim is not to create yet another list: it is to help you choose the right beach for your plans, your available time and your appetite for discovery.
And if you are flying into the Costa Blanca, having a car gives you the freedom to travel north, south or into the city itself from the airport. You can book your car hire at Alicante Airport and start your route without depending on timetables, transfers or impossible transport connections.
Playa de San Juan in Alicante is the most searched-for beach for a reason: it is wide, convenient, urban and perfect for almost every type of traveller. When someone asks for an easy Alicante beach where they can spend the whole day, this is usually the answer.
It has fine sand, a family-friendly atmosphere, sports areas, seasonal beach bars and an avenue full of restaurants and cafés. It is ideal for families with children, a long sunset walk or combining a swim with lunch without having to move the car very far.
Wiber tip: if you are visiting in July or August, arrive early. Not because the beach suddenly fills up, but because finding a space near your favourite area can make the difference between starting the day calmly and spending it driving around in circles.
Albufereta in Alicante is one of those beaches that is often overshadowed by San Juan or El Postiguet, but it has plenty of charm if you are looking for somewhere more sheltered. It lies between Serra Grossa and the archaeological site of Tossal de Manises, and retains the feel of a Mediterranean neighbourhood beach.
It is a good choice if you want to swim without going too far from the city centre, if you are travelling with children or if you prefer a smaller, more manageable beach. It is also perfect for an afternoon plan: a swim, a walk and dinner nearby.
Why go by car: it allows you to combine it easily with Playa de la Almadraba, the coves of Cabo de la Huerta or a quick visit to the city centre.
At first glance, La Almadraba is not the most photogenic, the largest or the most famous beach. And that is precisely where its charm lies. It is peaceful, sheltered and very pleasant for anyone looking for calm.
The plan here is not to rush, follow an intense route or tick places off a list. It is to arrive in the middle of the afternoon, swim without hurrying and stay to watch the light change over the sea. It is one of those beaches in Alicante that you enjoy more when you have nothing urgent to do.
Wiber tip: combine it with Albufereta for a relaxed half-day plan close to the city.
Between Playa de San Juan and La Almadraba lies one of the most distinctive sections of Alicante’s urban coastline: Cabo de la Huerta. You do not come here for a convenient sandy beach, but for small coves, rocks, clear water and the feeling of escaping without travelling too far.
Grantory - Wikipedia The best-known coves are Cala Palmera, Cala Cantalares and Cala de los Judíos. They are perfect for snorkelling, wearing water shoes, sitting on the rocks and viewing the Mediterranean from another perspective. With transparent water, rocky seabeds and a setting away from the crowds, these are semi-urban coves with diving areas, parking and walking trails.
Ideal for: travellers who already know the typical urban Alicante beach and want something more authentic, rockier and more local.
If you are travelling with a dog, remember this name: Agua Amarga. It is Alicante’s dog-friendly beach and is located north of Urbanova. It is not the most spectacular beach in the province, but it is one of the most useful for people travelling with a pet.
It offers dog-friendly facilities during the summer season and is designed so that you can enjoy the sea with your four-legged travel companion while respecting the rules for sharing the space.
Important tip: take fresh water, provide shade and avoid the hottest hours of the day. On a beach trip, your dog’s schedule also needs careful planning.
Carabassí is one of the great gems for anyone looking for a more natural beach without travelling too far. It is in Elche, next to Arenales del Sol and Gran Alacant, and is very easy to reach by car from Alicante.
The beauty begins before you even reach the sand: the boardwalks across the dunes immediately put you in holiday mode. Then a wide beach appears, with clean water, fine sand and an open landscape. It is one of the beaches in Alicante that best combines convenience and nature.
Ideal for: families, couples, travellers who want beautiful photos without giving up facilities and anyone who enjoys walking through the dunes.
Santa Pola is one of the best day trips from Alicante when you have a car. Within the area, Tamarit is an easy, peaceful and family-friendly beach, with the added advantage of being close to the Santa Pola Salt Flats Natural Park.
You can spend the morning on the beach, have lunch nearby and then explore the salt flats. For something more natural, La Gola can be reached on foot from Tamarit or El Pinet and has the feel of a less developed beach.
Wiber tip: take comfortable footwear if you plan to move between beaches. The car gets you close, but the discovery begins on foot.
If you want to move away from the most frequently repeated routes, make a note of El Pinet and Los Tusales. These beaches are for travellers looking for somewhere quieter, more natural and less like a typical tourist postcard.
El Pinet lies beside the Santa Pola Salt Flats Natural Park and retains a more unspoilt character. Los Tusales, in Guardamar del Segura, is a natural beach surrounded by dunes and vegetation, ideal for walking and switching off.
Ideal for: travellers looking for less urban beaches, lovers of nature photography and anyone who enjoys the coast without too much infrastructure.
In El Campello, north of Alicante, Cala Piteres is a perfect stop if you enjoy small coves and rocky seabeds. It is not a beach for lying down with every possible comfort, but for taking a picnic, water shoes, a snorkel mask and a desire to disconnect.
It has the simple, wild character that is increasingly difficult to find along the coast. Although you can reach it by TRAM, travelling by car lets you combine it with other coves in El Campello or continue towards Villajoyosa.
Wiber tip: do not arrive loaded with everything you would take to an urban beach. The lighter you travel, the better.
Villajoyosa is famous for its colourful façades, but its coastline also contains some very interesting beaches for a driving route. Playa del Torres is a convenient, family-friendly option with plenty of history: the nearby Torre de Sant Josep is a highly unusual Roman funerary monument.
Very close by, Racó del Conill offers a completely different plan. It is a naturist cove between cliffs, with clean water, rocks and plenty of character. Access by car is more complicated, but that is precisely why it retains a more distinctive atmosphere.
Playa del Torres is 560 metres long and has parking, boardwalks, a beach bar, facilities and easy access from the N-332 or A-7. The Torre de Sant Josep is also located nearby. Racó del Conill is around 3 kilometres from the centre of Villajoyosa. It is a naturist beach between cliffs, known for its clean water and seabed, which is well suited to snorkelling.
Ideal for: anyone who wants to combine beach, history, snorkelling and a charming coastal town.
If you are heading towards the north of the province, Cala del Moraig deserves a place on your list. It is located in El Poble Nou de Benitatxell, between Moraira and Xàbia, and is one of those places where the landscape takes centre stage: cliffs, shingle, crystal-clear water and the feeling of a hidden cove.
However, this is not a beach where you can park at the entrance and carry half the house down with you. The final approach is on foot from the designated area, so take only what you need and always check local information before visiting during high season.
Wiber tip: to see it at a relaxed pace, avoid the middle of the day in summer. Getting up early here is not a sacrifice: it is a strategy.
Yes, Cala Granadella and Cala Portitxol appear on plenty of lists. But they are included here because, when visited properly, they remain spectacular. The key is choosing the right time: outside high season, first thing in the morning or as part of a carefully organised route.
Granadella has the kind of turquoise blue that looks edited. Portitxol, with its white fishermen’s houses and the island opposite, has a highly recognisable visual identity. These are coves for snorkelling, photographs and lasting memories.
Cala Granadella in Xàbia has crystal-clear water, seabeds that are ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving, summer facilities and restricted vehicle access in July and August to control visitor numbers. Cala de la Barraca, also known as Portitxol, is also in Xàbia. It is around 900 metres long, with shingle, pebbles and rocks, white fishermen’s houses, views of the Island of Portitxol and restricted summer access to prevent overcrowding.
Ideal for: travellers looking for the province’s most photogenic coves who do not mind getting up early to enjoy them properly.
Start at Playa de San Juan in Alicante, continue through the coves of Cabo de la Huerta, head down towards La Almadraba and finish at Albufereta or El Postiguet. It is a convenient, highly visual route and perfect when you are short on time.
To extend the plan, combine it with this itinerary covering what to see in Alicante in 3 days.
Leave Alicante towards Urbanova, continue to Carabassí and finish at Tamarit, La Gola or El Pinet. This route is highly recommended if you enjoy open landscapes, dunes and less urban beaches.
You can also find inspiration in our summer route around Alicante’s best coves.
Start at Cala Piteres, continue towards Villajoyosa, stop at Racó del Conill or Playa del Torres and, if you have the whole day, travel up to Cala del Moraig, Granadella or Portitxol.
This is the most scenic route, but also the one that requires the most planning. In summer, an early start is almost essential.
Always take water shoes when visiting rocky or shingle coves. At places such as Cabo de la Huerta, Moraig, Portitxol or Granadella, your feet will thank you.
Check the sea conditions and respect the warning flags. The Mediterranean may look calm, but conditions can change quickly in coves and rocky areas.
Do not improvise parking outside designated areas. Many of Alicante’s most beautiful beaches lie in natural settings or have regulated access.
Get up early in July and August. This is not only about finding better parking, but also about enjoying the most beautiful light and avoiding the hottest part of the day. Always carry a bag for your rubbish as well. The best beaches remain at their best when visitors look after them.
If you are travelling outside high season, you can also enjoy the coast at a different pace. Here are some ideas on what to do in Alicante.
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