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Costa Blanca

The best beaches in the Costa Blanca

By Eddi Fiegel

20 March 2024 | Updated 10 October 20246 min read

Aerial view of a busy beach surrounded by tall cliffs with boats bobbing off the coast.

Playa La Granadella This pebbly cove is one of the Costa Blanca's prettiest beaches.

The name says it all. Or almost all, at least. The ‘white coast’ or Costa Blanca, has no less than 240km (150 miles) of pristine, Blue Flag beaches – including many with soft white sand, and virtually year-round sunshine.

From wide expanses of soft sand where you can laze away the day on a lounger to pebbly coves ideal for snorkelling, paddleboarding and kayaking adventures, Costa Blanca does them all.

The beaches are often known by two names: ‘playa’ in Spanish or ‘platja’ in the local Valencian, and these are the Costa Blanca’s best.

Playa de Levante and Playa Poniente, Benidorm

Benidorm may be known for its nightlife but it’s also home to two, superb beaches right in the city centre.

The grand, sweeping bays of Levante and Poniente are two of the best beaches in the Costa Blanca, with wide stretches of soft sand and clear, calm water.

Levante is closer to the Old Town while Poniente, with its palm-tree lined promenade, is more popular with Spanish locals and tends to be a little quieter.

Look out for beach bars, children’s playgrounds, diving boards and jet-skis as well as supervised wheelchair access into the sea.

Flamingo Oasis

  • Benidorm, Costa Blanca, Spain
  • 22 February 2025
  • All-inclusive
  • Manchester

Prices and availability shown can change. Always check pricing with the provider before booking.

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£462 pp
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Playa de la Mata, Torrevieja

View of a cluster of thatched beach parasols on an empty, sandy beach at sunriseView of a cluster of thatched beach parasols on an empty, sandy beach at sunrise

Torrevieja’s longest beach is one of those wonderfully wide, sandy, Blue Flag beaches that the Costa Blanca does so well.

With sand dunes immediately to the rear, and the beach stretching for 2.3km (1.5 miles) along the coast, it’s easy to forget that the town of Torrevieja itself is only a few minutes’ walk away.

The shallow rock pools are great for toddlers and younger children while teenagers and surfers enjoy the stronger currents and waves, especially earlier in the mornings, as well as football and volleyball. You’ll also find beach bars, restaurants and cafes nearby.

Platja del Postiguet, Alicante

View of an empty, palm-lined beach in Alicante overlooked by an imposing, castle-topped cliff.View of an empty, palm-lined beach in Alicante overlooked by an imposing, castle-topped cliff.

One of the great things about the Costa Blanca’s resorts is that the beaches are pretty much always on your doorstep. No more so than in Alicante, where the wonderfully wide, Blue Flag Platja del Postiguet beach has everything you could want for a sun-soaked day out.

From soft sand, palm trees and fantastically clean, clear water to playgrounds and volleyball, it’s all here. And if the beach wasn’t scenic enough as it is, you even get the dramatic castle sitting high above the rock as a backdrop.

Playa La Granadella, near Jávea

View of an empty sand-and-pebble beach with a towering tree-covered cliff on the far end.View of an empty sand-and-pebble beach with a towering tree-covered cliff on the far end.

This Blue Flag bay near Jávea has to be one of the prettiest coves on the Costa Blanca, with amazingly clear, turquoise water bookended by steep dramatic cliffs and stately pines.

It’s a big favourite with snorkellers and scuba divers and if you’re feeling active you can rent a kayak to explore the nearby caves. You won’t find any sand here, just pebbles and larger rocks, so bring a beach mat or towel to sit or lie on.

If you’re visiting in the summer, it’s worth arriving early to bag your space before it gets crowded.

Pierre & Vacances Hôtel Bahía Calpe

  • Calpe, Costa Blanca, Spain
  • 12 June 2025
  • Bed & breakfast
  • Gatwick

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£419 pp
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Platja de la Fossa, Calpe

View of the white-sand Calpe Beach with the dramatic Peñon de Ifach rock formation at one end View of the white-sand Calpe Beach with the dramatic Peñon de Ifach rock formation at one end

Another Costa Blanca favourite, Calpe’s main beach is famous for its honey-toned, silky sand and Blue Flag-winning clear waters, as well as the Penyal d'Ifac mountain towering over one end of the beach, like the rock of Gibraltar’s younger sister.

The calm, clean water and playground makes this one of the Costa Blanca’s best beaches for families and at the northern end you can rent paddleboards, paddleboats and kayaks in the summer.

If you’re peckish or thirsty, look no further than the restaurants, bars and shops lining the promenade behind the beach.

Playa del Portet, Moraira

A view of El Portet Beach in Moraira, Costa Blanca with clear blue seaA view of El Portet Beach in Moraira, Costa Blanca with clear blue sea

Often described as one of the most beautiful bays on the Costa Blanca, Moraira’s Playa del Portet is the kind of spot beach holidays were made for.

With only low-rise, whitewashed houses and mountains to the rear, this Blue Flag beach with soft, golden sand is protected from strong winds and currents, making its clear, teal waters perfect for families.

There are lovely bars and restaurants overlooking the beach or if you’re feeling lively, there are also kayaks, paddleboards and surfboards to rent.

Playa las Marinas, Dénia

Empty, expansive beach with a town at the far endEmpty, expansive beach with a town at the far end

The lovely harbour town of Denia is only half an hour’s stroll away, yet this blissful, Blue Flag stretch of wide, golden sand feels much more remote.

This is a place for lazy days on the sand, gazing out to sea or admiring the views across to Dénia castle. The shore shelves gently into the sea, making this a great choice for families with young children and even at its busiest in the summer months, it never feels overcrowded.

There are a few cafes, restaurants and bars behind the beach but there’s not much in the way of shade, so bring a hat and plenty of sun protection.

Playa El Altet, Elche

View across grassy sand towards the Mediterranean on a sunny dayView across grassy sand towards the Mediterranean on a sunny day

If your idea of the perfect beach is an unspoilt stretch of powdery, golden, virgin sand with nothing but dunes and crystal-clear waters, look no further than Playa El Altet.

Just beyond the small town of Elche, this wonderfully wild beach is one of Spain’s longest. Protected by dunes to the rear, it’s the place to come to really get away from it all. You’ll need to bring your own parasol and snacks, however, as you won’t find anything in the way of facilities or amenities nearby.

Playa La Caleta de Villajoyosa

A golden sand-and-pebble cove in soft, early-morning lightA golden sand-and-pebble cove in soft, early-morning light

Is your dream beach a secret little cove bookended by rocks, with crystal clear, teal-coloured waters well away from the main resorts? This beach is it.

Tucked away just south of Villajoyosa, La Caleta is pebbled rather than sandy, so you’ll want to bring your own towel or mat to lie on as well as beach shoes, but it’s also wonderfully secluded and popular mainly with Spanish locals.

The surrounding rocks also make it a favourite for snorkellers.

Playa del Albir, L’Albir

A view of Playa del Albir on the coast of Costa Blanca, SpainA view of Playa del Albir on the coast of Costa Blanca, Spain

With Blue Flag status, 550m of pristine pebbly sand, brilliant blue sea and all the facilities under the sun (including sun-loungers, showers, lifeguards and watersports), Playa del Albir really is the whole package.

Located in the smaller coastal resort of L’Albir – a quiet neighbour of Benidorm – the atmosphere is more on the local side. Behind the beautiful paved promenade that backs the beach you’ll find a handful of restaurants and cafes serving up tasty food and refreshments.

It’s super easy to reach too, accessible by car or bus.

Sun Palace Albir

  • Albir, Costa Blanca, Spain
  • 26 March 2025
  • Bed & breakfast
  • Manchester

Prices and availability shown can change. Always check pricing with the provider before booking.

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£298 pp
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Playa La Roda, Altea

View over the resort and main beach of Altea in Costa Blanca, SpainView over the resort and main beach of Altea in Costa Blanca, Spain

Just up the coast from L’Albir is the livelier Playa La Roda, which spans the southern side of Altea. With watersports ranging from snorkelling and kayaking to jet-skiing and windsurfing, this is a top pick for activities.

The beach itself is a mix of sand and pebbles. While its sandcastle potential isn’t great, its bucketload of ice-cream parlours, souvenir shops and seafood restaurants makes up for it.

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