Best Beaches on the Costa Blanca 2026
From long sandy beaches in Alicante to dramatic coves north of Benidorm, this is your guide to one of Spain's most attractive stretches of coastline. With a little planning — and ideally a hire car for the smaller coves — you can reach beaches well beyond the main resort areas.
Costa Blanca — more than 200 km of Mediterranean coastline
🏖️ Playa San Juan — Alicante's best all-round beach
Playa San Juan is the kind of beach visitors return to year after year. The official Playa de San Juan is about 2.9 km long, with fine golden sand, a promenade lined with restaurants and bars, and TRAM connections from central Alicante — a strong all-round choice for family holidays.
Playa San Juan — about 2.9 km as the official beach, continuing north towards Muchavista in El Campello
The beach lies north of Alicante city centre and is served by TRAM lines 3, 4 and 5. In peak season, arriving early makes it easier to find both space and parking. Playa San Juan visually continues into Muchavista in El Campello, which explains why the continuous sandy stretch is often described as much longer than the official beach itself.
Read more in our detailed Alicante beach guide with maps, facilities and parking tips.
🌊 Levante — Benidorm's lively beach
Benidorm is the Costa Blanca's best-known resort city, and Playa de Levante is at the centre of the action. Just over 2 km of sand is backed by the city's skyline, with water sports, a lively atmosphere and a large choice of restaurants close to the beach.
Benidorm's skyline is iconic, and Levante is part of the experience. See our guide to getting from Alicante Airport to Benidorm for bus, taxi, private transfer and other transport options. The beach has extensive facilities, including seasonal lifeguard services, sunbeds and plenty of places to eat and drink nearby.
🌅 Poniente — Benidorm's family beach
Poniente is Benidorm's west-facing, quieter counterpart to Levante. It is more than 3 km long and broad, with a more family-oriented feel and fewer party bars. Many northern European families choose this side of Benidorm.
- More than 3 km of fine sand with a wide seafront promenade
- Seasonal lifeguard service, play areas and family-friendly facilities
- Excellent sunsets — ideal for an evening walk
- Walk towards Parque de Elche nearby for an easy end to the day
🏔️ Albir — between Benidorm and Altea
Albir is a quieter alternative to Benidorm — a Blue Flag pebble beach with clear water, mountains in the background, an international community and a long promenade. TRAM Line 9 stops at El Albir, making the area possible to combine with Benidorm and Altea without a car.
Albir — a relaxed pebble beach with a pleasant promenade and large international community
- Blue Flag beach with good swimming and visitor facilities
- Parking is available in and around the centre; capacity and restrictions vary seasonally
- Bring water shoes — the shore and seabed are pebbly
- The walk up to Faro de l'Albir lighthouse is well worth doing
🎨 Altea — the romantic side of the coast
Altea is a whitewashed coastal town climbing a hillside above the sea, known for art galleries, its blue-domed church and a charming Old Town of cobbled lanes and tapas restaurants. The beaches are mainly pebble and shingle, with clear water and a calmer atmosphere than Benidorm.
🚗 Explore the coves — hire a car on the Costa Blanca
Several of the Costa Blanca's most attractive coves — including Cala Granadella, Cala del Moraig and Cala Pinets — are much easier to explore by car. Hiring a car in Alicante gives you the flexibility to explore the coast on your own schedule.
💎 Cala Granadella — one of the Costa Blanca's standout coves
Cala Granadella is one of the Costa Blanca's best-known natural beaches: clear turquoise water, green hillsides and a small pebble cove near Jávea (Xàbia), around 80 km north of Alicante. From Alicante, driving is normally the most practical option, especially if you want to combine several places in one day.
Cala Granadella — one of the Costa Blanca's most dramatic and picturesque coves
Car hire is the most flexible way to visit Granadella from Alicante. Compare options via Discovercars.com and consider combining the trip with Jávea or other stops on the northern Costa Blanca. In summer, vehicle access can be regulated and parking fills up, so check current Xàbia information before setting out.
🗺️ Hidden coves — away from the main resort beaches
Have a car and want to get beyond the main beaches? These three smaller coastal stops fit well into a road trip:
- Cala del Moraig (Benitatxell): Dramatic pebble cove with clear water and good snorkelling. Access can be regulated during busy periods.
- Cala La Manzanera (Calpe): Small rocky cove beside the distinctive Ricardo Bofill buildings, reached via the Voramar-Borumbot coastal path.
- Cala Pinets (Benissa): Small natural cove on the northern Costa Blanca, useful as a stop on a coastal drive.
See also our 3 days in Alicante itinerary for planning day trips along the Costa Blanca.
🚗 Car hire on the Costa Blanca — practical tips
You do not need a car for the main urban beaches, but it gives you much more flexibility if you want to explore coves and several places in one day:
- Book via Discovercars.com to compare several rental companies in one search
- Prices vary substantially by date, vehicle class, insurance and how early you book
- Alicante Airport (ALC) has the widest concentration of car hire companies in the area
- A full-to-full fuel policy is usually the easiest option to compare
- Access and parking at Cala Granadella may be regulated in peak season — check current Xàbia information before visiting
🏖️ Find your beach — hire a car from Alicante
From Postiguet in central Alicante to coves farther north on the Costa Blanca, a hire car makes it possible to combine several beaches and towns in one day. Compare current prices via Discovercars.com.
📊 Costa Blanca beach comparison
| Beach | Type | Best for | Transport | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playa San Juan | About 2.9 km sand | Families, all-round | TRAM 3 / 4 / 5 | Moderate |
| Levante, Benidorm | About 2.1 km sand | Young adults, water sports | TRAM L1 to Benidorm | Very busy |
| Poniente, Benidorm | 3+ km sand | Families, swimming | TRAM L1 to Benidorm | Moderate |
| Albir | Pebble | Couples, nature | TRAM L1 + L9 | Quieter |
| Cala Granadella | Cove, pebble | Couples, snorkelling | Car most practical | Very busy in peak season |
| Cala del Moraig | Cove, pebble | Snorkelling, nature | Car most practical | Can be busy in peak season |
❓ Frequently asked questions
What is the best beach on the Costa Blanca overall?
For sand, facilities and ease of access, Playa San Juan is a strong all-round choice. For natural scenery, Cala Granadella stands out, though it is easier with a car. Families should also consider Poniente in Benidorm.
Do I need to hire a car for Costa Blanca beaches?
No. Playa San Juan and Benidorm are accessible by TRAM from Alicante. For coves such as Granadella and Moraig, however, a car gives you much more flexibility. Compare prices at Discovercars.com.
When is the best time for a Costa Blanca beach holiday?
June and September are often good compromises between warm swimming conditions and lower crowds than July and August. Weather and sea conditions vary from year to year.
Are there family-friendly beaches in Benidorm?
Yes. Poniente is a particularly family-friendly option with a long sandy beach and extensive facilities. Levante is livelier. Read our guide to getting from Alicante to Benidorm.
Updated: October 2026. Facilities, transport, access rules and prices can change by season. Some links on this page are affiliate links — Solrute may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Images: Solrute.com archive and Unsplash (free for commercial use).
