15+ Best Alicante Beaches to Visit (2024 Summer Guide)

Looking for the best Alicante beaches to get your dose of sun, sand, and sea? With over 200km of coastline in and near the Alicante area, you’re spoiled for choice!

With golden sand and crystal clear blue waters, Alicante is part of Spain’s well-loved Costa Blanca which is a popular tourist destination especially in the summer. Here, I’ve put together a list of the best beaches in Alicante. Each one has its own charm, beauty, and vibe and you’re sure to find one that will perfectly suit your vacation.

Happy beach-hopping!

Best Beaches in Alicante

There is no shortage of beautiful beaches in Alicante. Whether it’s city beaches, little coves, or natural beaches, you’ll easily find something to your liking. Here, you’ll find the best Alicante beaches near the city center itself or under 30 to 40-minute drive away.

1. Playa del Postiguet

You don’t have to go far in Alicante to find a lovely stretch of sun and sea! Conveniently located within the Alicante’s city center, you’ll find Playa del Postiguet.

Stroll along Explanada de Espana, a beautiful, colorful tiled promenade flanked with trees and cafes and restaurants. You can also explore the port and marina nearby – be sure to look back for a gorgeous view of the beach and Santa Bárbara Castle.

This Alicante beach is popular, especially during summer, so be prepared for share the sand with fellow tourists, families, and locals alike.

2. Playa San Juan de Alicante

This wide and sandy beach has classic Costa Blanca vibes. The huge beachfront means lots of space, even when there’s loads of people, and there are numerous cafes and restaurants so you don’t have to come prepared with a picnic.

There’s something for everyone here, whether it’s beach volleyball, strolling along the water, or just relaxing with friends. The waters here are pretty shallow which makes it a great place for kids to splash around.

Playa San Juan de Alicante is accessible by either bus or tram, making it an easy trip from the center of Alicante.

3. Playa de la Albufereta

If you’re looking for a family-friendly Alicante Beach that’s not too far from the city center, check out Playa de la Albufereta.

This city beach is ideal for a day out with kiddos – lot of space to play, plus swings and climbing structures for a fun afternoon. Although there’s a road running behind the beach, it’s still quiet here… and certainly less crowded. One cool feature of this beach are the Roman cisterns that still exist that you can swim or wade in!

To get to Playa de Albufereta, simply walk along the coast from the city to find it or you can take a tram or bus.

4. Cala Cantalar

Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and head to Cala Cantalar for a slice of heaven. This rocky cove lined with palm trees has gorgeous blue-green waters.

This Alicante beach is a lovely place to just relax and soak up the sun. For a bit of action, don’t forget to pack your snorkeling gear and discover the variety of fishes in the water. As the ground is mostly rocks, it’s recommended to have proper water shoes or other footwear to keep your feet protected.

Cala Cantalar can be reached by tram from the center of Alicante, followed by a short walk.

PS. The sunset here is spectacular!

5. Playa del Carabassí

This natural beach should be your choice if you’re looking for a day out in nature. With 2km of coastline and a large stretch of sand with dunes, this is a relaxing spot and it’s easy to find a quiet area to just chill out.

That said, this beach in Alicante also offers great amenities such as beach beds, food & drinks, and toilets.

You can get to Playa del Carabasi using public transportation. If you have a car, it’s only a 20-minute drive from the city center. While there is free parking available, it can be hard to find a parking spot in the peak season.

6. Playa de Tabarca

This Alicante beach is located on Tabarca Island, just a 1-hour boat ride from the city. What’s special is that the island and its waters are a designated nature conservation area, so this is an awesome day trip if you love nature.

Once you’re done exploring the island, you can head to Playa de Tabarca for some R&R. This gorgeous beach has clear waters and as you might guess, it’s a great snorkeling spot! Bring your own gear or rent some in Alicante. You can also rent sunbeds for the day.

7. Platja de La Cala de Finestrat

For a quiet day by the water, head to Platja de La Cala de Finestrat which is about a 30-minute drive from Alicante. This beach is a great alternative to the bigger and busier beaches in Benidorm (more on them below!).

This cove is great for relaxing and draws a mix of both locals and tourists. With soft sand and calm waters, this place is a hit with families. There are many food options around as well so you’re never far from a tasty bite! If you’re there on a Saturday, don’t miss the local market.

8. Platja de Llevant

This massive beach in Benidorm is just a 30-minute drive from Alicante and it’s the place to be for a fun summer day. It often draws tons of people duing peak season so be warned!

There’s a wide stretch of sandy beach, perfect for fun games or just sunbathing. When you need a break, hop into one of the nearby cafes and restaurants for a quick lunch or a cool beer. There are also activities available such as jetskiing. The lovely promenade is great for an evening stroll.

Levante Beach is definitely one of the best beaches in Alicante if you want to be in the thick of the action.

9. Platja de Ponent

If Playa de Levante is a bit overwhelming for you, I’ve got good news.

Poniente Beach in Benidorm offers everything Levante does… but it’s a little more quiet and peaceful. You’ll still find lots of amenities such as restaurants, cafes, and sunbeds but you can easily find a more quiet spot on the beach to just relax.

It’s lovely to just walk along the surf and take in the beautiful surroundings!

10. Playa del Albir

Located north of Benidorm and about a 35-minute drive from Alicante, you’ll find another one of the best beaches in Alicante: Playa del Albir.

This pebble beach offers gentle waves and lots of good bars and restaurants for a chill day out. If you have kids in tow, aside from the beach itself, there are 3 playgrounds to keep them entertained. For the kid in you, there are also options for water sports and activities.

Playa del Albir is a good choice if you want to get away from the busier Benidorm beaches.

11. Platja de Villajoyosa

Here’s another beach in Alicante that’s about a 30-minute drive from the city center.

Platja de Villajoyosa is a lovely Costa Blanca beach. Warm waters, fine sandy beach, and palm trees make this a favorite for many locals. What’s more, it’s often uncrowded… making it a great choice if you want some quiet.

Don’t miss the row of fun colorful buildings near the beach (for that must-have Instagram shot!). There’s also a promenade and many restaurant and cafe options nearby.

12. Playa El Rebollo

Located between Santa Pola and Guardamar, Playa el Rebollo is a 40-minute drive from Alicante.

The long wooden walkway leading to this Alicante beach gives it the feeling of being a bit of a secret beach. And in fact, when you get to the beach, there are two options: turn left for the usual family-friendly beach experience but turn right and you’ll be free to roam nude and get that all-over tan.

Overall, this is a quiet and peaceful spot and despite the two sections of the beach, everyone is respectful. During the peak summer months, there is typically a small beach bar that’s open.

Best Beaches Near Alicante

If you’re really up for some exploring, there are many more gorgeous beaches near Alicante which take only an hour or so to get to by car. These beaches are great for a fun day trip or a short weekend getaway from Alicante.

13. Cala el Portet

This beach near Alicante is located in a beautiful coastal town called Moraira, which is about an hours’ drive from Alicante.

This idyllic spot is situated in a rocky cove with inviting blue-green waters and soft sand. The beach itself is only 350m long so it’s pretty cozy; if you’re coming in the summer, it’s a good idea to come early to save your spot. The waters here are quite shallow, making it very kid-friendly.

When you need a break from the sand, simply head to one of the nearby restaurants or cafes for some food and drinks and enjoy the view of the bay and Calpe.

14. Cala de la Fustera

Situated near Benissa, it takes about one hour to get to Playa la Fustera from Alicante.

This charming beach is well worth a visit. While the beach isn’t very big, there’s lots to do such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling. It’s also a good place to start the coastal walk to Calpe.

If you prefer a quiet day, the waters here are calm and an inviting blue color. There’s also a beach bar/restaurant, if you want some refreshments.

While there is ample parking available nearby, it can get crowded in the summer so come early!

15. Cala Pinets

Here’s another stunning cove in Benissa that’s near Cala de la Fustera.

Cala Pinets takes a little bit of work to get to: to access the beach, you’ll have to walk down some steep stairs (but don’t worry, they’re well-maintained). Your effort will be rewarded with a beautiful vista. Don’t miss the natural rock pools which is a cool spot to bath in!

The beach is quite small so it can get crowded in the summer. One of the best ways to experience Cala Pinets is to visit it as part of a longer coastal walk.

16. Cala del Portixol

Cala del Portixol takes over 1 hour to get to from Alicante but if snorkeling is your thing, don’t miss this beach near Alicante.

With clear waters, not much current, and a wide variety of fishes, this is a lovely spot to snorkel. This is a pebble beach so be sure to pack your water shoes for a comfortable day. Parking here is liited and getting to the beach is a bit of a walk but it’s worth the effort.

There’s also a cute little beach bar with awesome views of the bay!

17. Playa del Arenal

A bit further up the coast, you’ll find Playa del Arenal in Javea. It takes approximately an hour by car from Alicante.

This beach near Alicante has everything you need for an amazing day out. There’s a wide stretch of sand, affording you tons of space to sunbathe or get some games going. The waters are clean, calm, and inviting. There are also options for water sports.

Beyond the sand, there’s a lovely promenade filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes. It’s a great place to relax and people-watch. If you want to see more of the landscape, there are also some easy walking trails nearby.

18. Cala La Granadella

For a more peaceful beach experience in Javea, head to Cala La Granadella. This pebble and sand beach is situated in a sheltered cove and boasts stunning blue waters, surrounded by pine trees.

The crystal clear waters make it a prime spot for snorkeling. You can also rent kayaks to explore the caves along the coastline. This beach near Alicante is small (only 160m in length) and secluded so you’ll want to come early to enjoy it.

Parking here is limited but in the summer, there’s a tourist train and bus shuttle service from the parking location at Guardia Park.

For more on Spain beaches

Liza S.

Liza’s love affair with Spain began when she started taking Spanish language classes. Since then, she regularly travels to Spain to explore new places and discover new things to love about this gorgeous country. This travel blog is her way of sharing her love of Spain and helping you plan your dream Spanish holiday!