Hidden Coves & Secret Calas of the Costa Blanca
Tiny pebble beaches reached by a winding road through pine trees, or by a 30-minute walk down a cliff path — the Costa Blanca's secret calas are some of the most beautiful corners of the Mediterranean. Here are the ones worth the detour.
Tiny pebble beaches reached by a winding road through pine trees, or by a 30-minute walk down a cliff path — the Costa Blanca's secret calas are some of the most beautiful corners of the Mediterranean. Here are the ones worth the detour.
What counts as a 'cala'
A 'cala' is a small, sheltered cove — usually pebble rather than sand, often hemmed in by cliffs or pine forest, and almost always with extraordinarily clear water because there's no river silt and not much sand to stir up. The Costa Blanca Norte (Dénia to Altea) is cala country: limestone coastline broken up into dozens of these miniature bays.
The 12 best hidden calas
| Cala | Town | Access | What makes it special |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cala Granadella | Jávea | Steep road + small car park | The most famous of all — but still feels wild out of season |
| Cala del Moraig | Benitachell | Road + steps | The Cova dels Arcs sea cave at the far end |
| Cala Llebeig | Benitachell | 45-min hike or kayak only | No facilities, no road — pure escape |
| Cala del Portitxol | Jávea | 10-min walk down a track | Round white pebbles, La Barraca restaurant above |
| Cala Baladrar | Benissa | Track + steps | Chiringuito that's a destination in its own right |
| Cala Bassetes | Benissa | Easy walk from car park | Rock platforms for sunbathing, deep blue water |
| Cala Advocat | Benissa | Steps | Tiny, often empty even in July |
| Cala Pinets | Benissa | Steps from N-332 | Quick stop on a coast-road drive |
| Cala del Racó | Calpe | Walk from Peñón car park | Right under the Peñón de Ifach |
| Cala Mascarat | Altea | Steep steps | Old smugglers' cove, snorkelling rocks |
| Cala del Tío Ximo | Benidorm | Short walk from Rincón de Loix | Surprise — a real cala in Benidorm |
| Cala Finestrat | Finestrat | Easy | Quietest beach on the central coast |
Practical tips before you go
- ✦Bring water shoes — almost all are pebble, not sand
- ✦Pack everything (water, sun, shade) — most have no shop
- ✦Arrive before 10:00 or after 17:00 in July/August for parking
- ✦A snorkel mask transforms every single one of these coves
- ✦Wear shoes you can walk in — paths can be steep
These coves are special precisely because they're untouched. Take everything out with you — including cigarette ends and fruit peel.
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