Best Beaches on the Costa Blanca — Editor's Top 25
After more than a decade walking, swimming and chiringuito-hopping our way along all 244 km of the Alicante coast, here is our definitive ranking of the 25 best beaches and coves on the Costa Blanca — from glamorous urban sand to wild boat-access only calas.
After more than a decade walking, swimming and chiringuito-hopping our way along all 244 km of the Alicante coast, here is our definitive ranking of the 25 best beaches and coves on the Costa Blanca — from glamorous urban sand to wild boat-access only calas.
How we chose them
We rated every beach on six things: water clarity, sand or pebble quality, atmosphere, ease of access, facilities (toilets, showers, food) and that hard-to-define magic — the feeling that you've found somewhere special. The list mixes famous Blue Flag giants with tiny coves locals would rather we didn't mention.
Top 10 — the absolute essentials
| # | Beach | Town | Why it's here |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cala Granadella | Jávea | Turquoise water, pine cliffs, marine reserve — Spain's most beautiful cove |
| 2 | Playa del Portet | Moraira | Crescent of golden sand, shallow shelf, family heaven |
| 3 | Playa San Juan | Alicante | 7 km of soft sand minutes from a major city |
| 4 | Cala del Moraig | Benitachell | Dramatic cliffs, the famous Cova dels Arcs sea cave |
| 5 | Playa de la Fossa | Calpe | Wide sand under the Peñón de Ifach |
| 6 | Arenal de Jávea | Jávea | The town's only sandy beach — buzzy, beautiful |
| 7 | Cala Baladrar | Benissa | Pebble cove, pine shade, legendary chiringuito |
| 8 | Playa de Levante | Benidorm | The iconic golden curve — love it or hate it |
| 9 | Playa del Albir | Alfaz del Pi | White pebbles, glass-clear water, smart promenade |
| 10 | Playa de Las Rotas | Dénia | Rocky shore, the clearest snorkelling water on the coast |
11–25 — the next tier
- ✦11. Cala del Portitxol (Jávea) — round white pebbles, postcard cove
- ✦12. Playa Muchavista (El Campello) — 3 km of calm sand
- ✦13. Cala Llebeig (Benitachell) — boat or hike only, untouched
- ✦14. Playa Centro (Villajoyosa) — painted-house backdrop
- ✦15. Playa Poniente (Benidorm) — sunset sister to Levante
- ✦16. Playa Cantal Roig (Calpe) — small, calm, central
- ✦17. Gran Playa (Santa Pola) — wide, windy, kitesurfers' favourite
- ✦18. Tabarca Island beaches — marine reserve crystal water
- ✦19. Playa de la Mata (Torrevieja) — long open sand, dunes
- ✦20. Playa de Babilonia (Guardamar) — vintage casetas, wild feel
- ✦21. Cala dels Tossals (El Campello) — dog-friendly secret
- ✦22. Cala del Racó del Conill (Villajoyosa) — empty mid-week
- ✦23. Playa de Cabo Roig (Orihuela Costa) — tiny cove + chiringuito
- ✦24. Playa de la Roqueta (Guardamar) — pine-backed, peaceful
- ✦25. Cala Bassetes (Benissa) — rocky platforms, deep blue water
Cala Granadella, no question — pair the morning swim with lunch at Restaurante Granadella on the rocks above the cove.
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