If you’re lusting after secluded Mediterranean coves and turquoise shores, you need to get yourself down to one of the best beaches in the Costa Blanca.
The Costa Blanca (the White Coast) is located in the province of Alicante on the southeastern coast of Spain. All in all, it covers around 150 miles of Mediterranean beaches from Dénia in the north to Pilar de la Horadada in the south.
This article highlights the best beaches Costa Blanca has on offer for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and sunsets.
Map of the Best Beaches in Costa Blanca
Best Beaches in Costa Blanca
Outside the main cities of Alicante, Benidorm, and Dénia, the beaches in Costa Blanca are located in small towns, villages, and natural parks. This guide is a mix of beaches you can access with public transport or Cabify (the equivalent of Uber in Spain) and ones where you’ll need to rent a car or consider booking a boat trip.
As the Costa Blanca is one of the warmest places in Spain during winter, you can visit these beaches in all seasons. Sunbathing and snorkeling are best saved for summer but winter is perfect for walking, cycling, and sunny picnics.
Bear in mind that many of the best beaches in Costa Blanca are actually pebble ones. Therefore, you might want to pack a couple of beach essentials such as a yoga mat, a thick towel, and aquatic shoes.
A quick note on the names of the beaches: Playa is the Spanish word for beach and Platja is the Valencian word. Some of the beaches in Costa Blanca are referred to more commonly by their Spanish name and others go by their Valencian equivalent. Both languages are spoken in this region of Spain. This guide uses the name that appears on navigation apps such as Google Maps.
Best beaches in the Costa Blanca.
1. Platja de la Mata (Torre La Mata)
Platja de la Mata is the best beach Costa Blanca has for an all-around experience. It fronts the resort town of Torre La Mata and is easily reachable from the adjacent city of Torrevieja. The beach is sandy and expansive, with a boardwalk tracing the perimeter and plenty of food and drink options steps from the shore.
Note that there are some stony parts in the water which means taking care while swimming or popping on a pair of aqua slippers.
If you venture to Platja de la Mata for a day or an overnighter, you can also visit the Lago Rosa de Torrevieja. This is one of the few examples of a pink salt lake in Spain, with water the color of bubblegum. Occasionally, flamingoes are spotted while visiting the lake.
Torrevieja also has a couple of water parks and a string of other family-friendly Costa Blanca beaches.
2. Cala del Moraig (Moraira)
Cala del Moraig is one of the best beaches in the Costa Blanca for Mediterranean scenery.
A 20-minute drive north of Moraira, this is a secluded beach and cave system with a wilderness vibe. There are a few areas of sand but most of the cove is stone and that theme continues in the water. Despite that, this little nirvana is the kind of place you’ll want to spend a day.
There’s no public transport so you’ll need to drive or take an Uber and then walk down a steep but paved road to reach the cove. During the high season, there are a couple of free shuttle buses going up and down the hill plus lifeguards on the beach.
Provided you have water shoes, Cala del Moraig is perfect for a dip or snorkeling session. But bear in mind that it’s not permitted to swim inside the sea caves.
Alicante is home to some of the best beaches in the Costa Blanca.
3. Platja de la Fossa (Calp)
One of several beaches in the Costa Blanca resort of Calp (Calpe), Platja de la Fossa is located just north of Penyal d’Ifach (Peñón de Ifach). This rocky outcrop is a nature reserve that protects the beach and provides a beautiful backdrop.
With Blue Flag status, Platja de la Fossa features honey-colored sand and calm water. This is one of the best beaches Costa Blanca has on offer for families and small children. Meanwhile, the promenade is lined with places to grab a bite to eat. Head to the northern end of the beach and you’ll find kayak, paddleboard, and paddleboat rentals during summer.
In addition, there is a scenic hiking trail to the summit of Peñón de Ifach once you tire of swimming and sunning. On a clear day, views stretch as far as Ibiza.
4. Playa del Postiguet (Alicante)
Playa del Postiguet is just one of the best beaches in Alicante, the capital of the Alicante province.
This one makes the cut for the best beaches in Costa Blanca because it’s right in the city center and there’s no need to rent a car. The beach is sandy and the water is gentle, making it a suitable option for smaller children. In addition, there are volleyball courts and a playground on the sand.
Although Playa del Postiguet isn’t the largest beach nearby, it’s the perfect place to wind down after tackling the tourist spots in Alicante. It’s situated right in front of the Santa Bàrbara Castle with lots of eating options close by. Furthermore, the beach has a boardwalk if you want to stretch your legs without getting all sandy.
Due to its central location, Playa del Postiguet gets very busy in the summer months.
Alicante is well worth visiting on a day trip to enjoy the beach as well as the different sites and restaurants, too.
5. Platja de Tabarca (Tabarca Island)
Platja de Tabarca is one of the best beaches Costa Blanca has in store for mariners! That’s because this beach is located on the islet of Tabarca and requires a boat trip.
The main beach is close to the port and comprises a mix of sand and stone. It’s the largest beach on the island, but it does fill up during summer when Spaniards are vacationing. Do pack a snorkeling mask if you head to Tabarca and plan to spend time visiting the smaller coves dotted around the small isle. It’s only a little over a mile in length, and you can walk around the whole island in one day.
Ferries connect the ports of Alicante, Santa Pola, and Torrevieja with Tabarca year-round. Although, you can also book a guided tour if you prefer. Either way, a day trip to Tabarca Island is one of the most fun things to do in Alicante.
6. Playa de Cap Blanc (L’Albir)
Playa de Cap Blanc is one of the longest beaches in Costa Blanca. Stretching from Playa del Racó Albir in the small town of L’Albir, the beach terminates near the marina in Altea.
This beach consists of pebbles rather than sand, with loungers available for rent during the high season. In fact, these are worth the splurge unless you have a thick travel yoga mat to put below your towel. If you fancy swimming, water shoes are also recommended.
Despite the stones, Playa de Cap Blanc is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon and receives gorgeous sunsets. It has a laid-back atmosphere that appeals to families, couples, and solo explorers seeking to clear their heads.
You can also rent a bicycle and cycle along the promenade between these two neighboring seaside towns. Furthermore, there is also a nice multi-purpose trail up the headland south of the beach, which delivers you to a lighthouse in the Parque Natural de la Serra Gelada.
There are lots of fun water activities that you can enjoy along the Costa Blanca as well.
7. Platja de la Granadella (Xàbia/Jávea)
Platja de la Granadella is a dramatic bay near the resort town of Xàbia (Jávea). It’s a deep horseshoe cove with sapphire and turquoise water, rugged cliffs, and Mediterranean shrubs.
This is another pebble beach, so you’ll want to bring something to cushion yourself! However, the real draw at Platja de la Granadella is the awesome snorkeling and sea kayaking. You can join an excursion with Kayaks el Caló Jávea that departs from the cove and navigates you through the cliffs.
Otherwise, just pack a snorkel mask and a pair of water shoes and explore the seagrass beds. Due to its ease of accessibility and beauty, this small bay does fill up fast in the summer months. Therefore, you’ll want to get there early and allow time for the walk down from the parking area.
8. Platja de les Marines (Dénia)
Right at the northernmost point of the Costa Blanca, Platja de les Marines is north of the Port of Dénia. This is one of the best beaches in Costa Blanca for sand and safe swimming. Lifeguards are in operation during summer and the water deepens gradually.
Despite only being 30 minutes or so on foot from central Dénia, the beach does feel quite remote. There are a couple of places to eat nearby but you’ll appreciate taking a picnic. As the beach is around 1.8 miles in length, you can generally always find a spot to lay down your towel.
Note that Platja de les Marines is exposed and does not have much shade. Therefore, you’ll need to slap on plenty of sun lotion and take extra protection if you’re thinking of making a day of it. Which is extremely likely once you feel that Mediterranean sunshine on your neck.
Explore the different beaches along the Costa Blanca by car or easily with public transportation.
9. Punta Negra (Dénia)
Don’t come to Punta Negra for sandy toes – come here for the exciting swimming!
This is a rocky stretch of Costa Blanca coastline with rock pools, just south of Dénia and before you reach the Cape San Antonio (Cap de Sant Antoni) National Park. The water is crystal clear, making it ideal for independent snorkeling and kayaking with a guide. Kayak Dénia runs tours along this part of the coastline that takes you into Cova Tallada.
Otherwise, you can rent a bike and cycle down the coast from Dénia.
10. Cala Cantalar (Cap de l’Horta/Alicante)
Cala Cantalar is one of several beaches in the Cap de l’Horta (Cabo de la Huerta) enclave north of Alicante. This area is well-served by public transport and is an easy drive while renting a car in the Valencian Community.
Backed by the Cap de l’Horta nature preserve, Cala Cantalar has a diverse terrain of vegetation, flora, and fluted cliffs. As the region is pretty spread out and there are several sheltered pockets, Cala Cantalar doesn’t get too busy even in summer.
The beach itself is a mixture of stones, small pebbles, and sandy patches. Cala de Cantalars is great for swimming and snorkeling although you’ll need to exercise your own judgment as per the tides and currents.
This is the best beach Costa Blanca has in terms of quietness, accessibility, and a mix of activities.
Best beaches in Costa Blanca.
11. Platja de Bon Nou (Villajoyosa)
Halfway between Alicante and Benidorm, Villajoyosa (known locally as La Vila) is home to several of the best beaches in Costa Blanca. However, Platja de Bon Nou deserves a special mention.
This is a combination beach of pebbles and sand just west of the popular Platja del Paradís. It’s surrounded by plunging cliffs that provide shelter and elevate the experience. Swimming is great with lively waves to jump around in, as long as you have your water shoes. During summer, there is a little beach bar where you can pick up snacks and cold beer.
You can access Platja de Bon Nou by taking a tram from La Vila to Paradís. It makes sense to visit both beaches but Platja de Bon Nou gets extra points for being more quiet. On the other hand, as Platja de Bon Nou gets colder earlier due to the cliffs – you might want to start at this beach and then conclude your day at Platja del Paradís.
12. Platja del Pope (Xàbia/Jávea)
Concluding with Platja del Pope, this beach is not for the faint of heart! This is a tiny cove below the wild headland and cliffs of Cape San Antonio. Popular with cliff jumpers, access to the beach itself is only possible via a challenging hike from inside the national park.
It’s not recommended for children, but if you’re competent with steep trails and have proper footwear, this is one of the best beaches Costa Blanca has to offer adrenaline seekers. You might get lucky and see the jumpers, although this isn’t recommended to tourists due to the obvious risks.
Otherwise, sailing trips from Dénia and Jávea (Xàbia) pass by this stunning sequence of cliffs and secret coves.