Explore the top Costa Blanca beaches for sun-soaked bliss! Find your favorite place along Spain’s Mediterranean Sea with our guide to the best coastal spots.
Costa Blanca (The White Coast) stretches along the Mediterranean Sea from the port city of Denia in the North to Pilar de la Horadada in the south.
With 150 miles (240 kilometers) of coastline there are plenty of sandy beaches, pebble bays and unique coves with crystal clear waters and breathtaking scenery.
Costa Blanca is undoubtedly one of the best areas for a beach vacation on the Spanish mainland. Plenty of water activities, lifeguards on duty and milder temperatures than in Costa del Sol, the southern coast. What else could you ask for?
You only need to know where the best beaches in Costa Blanca are! For that, we created a list of our favorite places including tips on travel, parking, and other important info you might find useful.
Platja Granadella
This pebble beach is a little gem in the area with stunning scenery, turquoise waters and plenty of snorkeling opportunities. Water enthusiasts can explore the nearby cliffs from a kayak or paddle board and sun-seekers can relax on one of the best beaches in Spain.
Tip: Pebbles not your thing? Rent a lounger with a parasol or bring your own beach chair to get comfortable. And don’t forget water shoes.
There are two restaurants right next to the beach. These can get pretty packed in July and August. You can book in advance or bring your own picnic!
Hikers can take one of the paths and hike up to the ruins of an old fortress or continue farther. This is not an easy path so make sure to have proper shoes, hat and plenty of water with you.
Kayaking excursions in Granadella are the best way to explore the area. Plus, an experienced guide is with you at all times.
Parking: There is a small car park free of charge right at the beginning of the “Carrer del Pic Tort” street. From there, it is literally a 5-minute walk to the beach, but this gets full very quickly, especially in the high season. Alongside the “Carrer del Pic Tort” street going uphill, there are about 150 parking spaces. These used to be free but might not be anymore (as of 2024). Because of the size of the beach (164 yards/150 meters long), it gets crowded really fast. For that reason, the local town has put restrictions on how many people can access it during summer. To make sure to find a spot, you might need to arrive as early as 7-8 am!
Expert tip: If you book a water activity there, you are automatically granted an access to the beach! That being said, always check this before you go to avoid any disappointment. The regulations might be changing.
How to get to Cala Granadella?
It only takes about 20 minutes from Javea by car. Follow “Carretera del Portixol” Street until you reach an intersection where the Carretera de la Granadella starts. This will take you to this beautiful beach.
Platja de la Fossa (Calp)
Located a stone’s throw away from Calpe’s Salt Flats, this is without a doubt the best sandy beach in the area. Wide promenade, plenty of places to eat, shops selling clothes, souvenirs and beach necessities. With easy access to the sea and shallow waters, it’s the perfect family-friendly beach on Costa Blanca.
South of the beach, a limestone rock rises above the sea creating a breathtaking backdrop for your photos. Peñón de Ifach (Penyal D’Ifac) has become the symbol of Costa Blanca and is often simply called Calpe Rock.
Services: There are several toilets right on the beach, lifeguard on duty, sun loungers and parasols can be rented for a fee. Water sports lovers can try kayaking, paddle boarding or water bicycles.
Parking: Two large car parks are a 5-minute walk from the beach. These are free of charge. The ”Avenida Juan Carlos” Street has also some free spots available (marked with white line).
Is Calp worth visiting?
Absolutely! There are many things to see in Calpe from the Spanish flag stairs in the Old Town to Salt flats – a home to hundreds of flamingos to Roman Baths.
Expert tip:
Often, you can see a person in a bright yellow vest walking around, showing cars where to park and helping them navigate around. For this, they expect a small change. Please know this is not legal and you are not obliged to do so. We have come across these “workers” quite often and some were way too aggressive when we did not want to use their “service” or when we did not have any change. Most (if not all) paid car parks in Spain have ticket machines where you pay either by cash/coins or credit card.
Platja de Cap Blanc, L’Albir
This is one of our favorite beaches in Costa Blanca. Long promenade, pebble beach with stunning views of Sierra Helada National Park and the town of Altea.
A pleasant walk along the promenade will bring you to Altea where you can explore its Old Town or simply have a bite at one of the restaurants. Or, hike up to Albir lighthouse – it is a pleasant hike on an asphalted road and the views are breathtaking.
Pluses: Tourist office point right on the beach, toilets on the beach, plenty of restaurants and shops nearby.
Nice promenade, water sports, sun loungers for rent
Minuses: While the beach is often full of families with kids, the little ones don’t have anywhere to play really. The water gets deep pretty fast and the pebbles vary in size so can be quite uncomfortable to walk on. Water shoes are recommended!
Parking: Free car park is located at the entrance to the Sierra Helada National Park, this is about a 15-minute walk downhill. There are free spots along Cami vel del Far Street if you arrive very early in the morning which is the closest to the sea. A public car park is where the weekly market takes place, 10 minutes by walk from the beginning of Albir’s promenade.
How to get there?
It’s an easy day trip from Alicante or Benidorm, driving along the AP-7 motorway/highway. An alternative is using the N332 national road if you want to explore the coastal area a bit more. There is also a bus from Benidorm to Albir if you don’t feel like driving. The journey takes 40 minutes though.
Platja de Villajoyosa
Another sandy beach with palm trees, a nice promenade and plenty of seaside restaurants. But what makes it special are colorful houses, one of the many things to see in Villajoyosa, when staying nearby.
Together with Guadalest it is one of the popular day trips from Benidorm or Alicante.
If you staying more than 24 hours in Valencia or in Spain, then make sure to put it on your Spain itinerary as well. Or, put it on your Spain travel itinerary when driving along the coast. You will reach this fishing village after 1.5-hour drive south from Valencia.
Pros: Compact little village, beach most likely within a walking distance from your accommodation, kid-friendly beach.
Cons: More likely to be packed in high season
Playa del Postiguet, Alicante
If you are not planning to rent a car in Alicante, then this sandy beach is perfect for you! Located in the center of the city, next to the city’s marina and right under one of the must-visit castles in Spain – Castel of Santa Barbara it surely is a pleasant place to hang around or just relax.
Pros: No car needed, family-friendly, centrally located, nice promenade, plenty to do, the entrance to the castle lift is just across the street.
Cons: Gets very busy during peak season; right next to a very busy road (N332).
Platja Moncayo, Guardamar del Segura
This is the best beach in Costa Blanca if you are trying to avoid crowds. This long and pretty wide sandy beach offers plenty of space for everyone.
During the peak season, there is a lifeguard on duty, little beach bar and water sports but that is about it.
If you want to be a bit closer to food establishments, a short walk up north will bring you to Guardamar del Segura where you’ll find it all. The place is busier though.
Cons: Lack of toilets
Platja de Levant, Benidorm
The most popular vacation resort town in Spain does not disappoint when it comes to beaches. Playa de Levante is over 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) long with golden sand and clear waters and offers plenty of activities if you like being active.
With hotels and restaurants right on the beach, it is very convenient if you don’t want to rent a car in Spain.
It is kid-friendly and wheelchair-accessible. A quick walk on the promenade will bring you to a popular meeting point and photo location – Balcon de Mediterraneo – a lookout deck with white balustrades and remainings of a castle. From there you can continue on to Platja de Ponient which has a very nice promenade.
Cons: The place can get wild in high season with holidaymakers enjoying way too many drinks. If you are looking for a quiet place, this might not be for you.
What is the best time for a beach vacation in Spain?
June, July, September and the beginning of October are the best months for relaxing holidays near the sea. If you want to be swimming or enjoy water sports, choose end of June, July or September.
Don’t travel to Spain in August when all the Spaniards take their time off work too. It is not only extra busy but also extremely hot!
Good to know
Most places in the Comunidad Valenciana region use their own language (Valenciano). This means often you find signs you might not understand even if you have a basic knowledge of the language. Here are some examples to help you get around:
Beach = Playa (Spanish) = Platja (Valencian)
Street = Calle (Spanish) = Carrer (Valencian)
Even the names of the places Javea (Xabia), Calpe (Calp), Alicante (Alacant)
What we think
Beaches in Guardamar, Albir and Calpe have been our favorite ones for years. We recommend all of the above mentioned as they all are beautiful with amazing scenery.
We tried to mention the negatives for some of them so you can make your own decision based on real experience. We have also included some expert tips that we hope will be useful for some of you.
Happy Travels!