Destination Guides: Blanca South

San Miguel de Salinas

The Costa Blanca South area stretches roughly from Alicante down to Torrevieja and through to Pilar de la Horadada. There is a wealth of fine white sandy beaches that can be found all the way along the coastline, many of which carry European blue flags for superior cleanliness, a selection of cafes and bars and amenities for all the family to enjoy making the Costa Blanca South one of the best places for you and your family to take a relaxing beach holiday, but to still have many amenities and places of interest close at hand.

We have picked out a selection of beaches below to help you chose the destination that suits you best:

Beach of San Juan de Alicante

The longest and widest beach in Alicante is the Playa of San Juan de Alicante. This beach is located to the North of the city and has been awarded a blue flag fro cleanliness. The beach is 7km long and very wide allowing you to find a place to sunbathe even during the height of summer. There is a wide choice of restaurants, bars and cafes along the seafront and a 5 minute walk takes you into the town of Alicante itself where there are many more restaurants and shops. There is plenty of car parking and other services included disabled access, toilets, a Red Cross post, lifeguards in the high summer months and a tourist information. There are buses that run from neighbouring towns and Alicante mainline train station is located just a 5 minute taxi ride from the beach. San Juan de Alicante beach is also known for the selection of watersports available (mostly in the summer months).

Alicante's Postiquet Beach

There are a number of beaches in Alicante but one of the best, alongside San Juan is the urban beach of Postiquet ( located behind the Melia Hotel in Alicante). This beach sits at the foot of the impressive Benacantil mountain which houses the Santa Barabara Castle – a must visit for any tourist. Palm trees line the promenade adjacent to the beach, which has also been awarded a blue flag and has a lifeguard service (Easter and summer months and weekends until early October). There is disabled access to this beach and a tourist information point just on the edge of the beach. There are several bus routes that pass this beach including number 2, 5, 21 and 22 as well as the tram which stops at both ends of the beach.

Albufereta Beach

Again, situated in Alicante.. This beach is popular for its fishing and is sheltered allowing for excellent water sports and swimming, it was named after a lake with its own harbour that once existed there. There are beach patrol and lifeguard services available throughout the summer season and through Holy Week as well as a Red Cross post, foot showers, toilets and plenty of parking. Buses 9, 21 and 22 and the tram all stop here.

The white fine sand curls continuously along the coast and is only interrupted by a rugged stretch around the Coves of Cabo De La Huertas. These rocky inlets such as los Cantarales, Palmera and Los Judios are very beautiful and diving is possible from most of the coves. There is a concentration of nudist beaches around this area due to its more secluded location so be aware if you have young children with you !

Saladares Beach

This beach is known as Urbanova beach and is situated at the Southern most part of Alicante. It is not very well known to foreigners/tourists so tends to be quieter than the other beaches in the area. It is located near to Alicante airport (El Altet ) and gained its official name from the salt plains that used to exist nearby. It is part of a residential area known as Urbanova, which has since become the more popular name given to the beach by the locals. Sun worshipers can enjoy spectacular views of the Bay of Alicante from this beach. It also has a blue flag and lifeguard during high season. There are toilets, foot showers and plenty of parking for cars near the beach.

Tabarca Island Beach

Punta Prima

A very popular day trip is to the Isle de Tabarca which is a small island surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches. It is a haven for scuba divers with the clear water and many rock formations and fish. The island can be reached by boat from Torrevieja or Santa Pola. Along with the beaches on the island, there is a walking route where the coastline can be appreciated and birdwatching is a plenty (don’t forget your camera). Please note that scuba diving, anchoring a boat and underwater fishing are all forbifdden without permission. The 3 gates in the wall surrounding the village lead through to the church square where the only hotel on the island is located Casa del Gobernador. There is also a lighthouse and cemetery located on the Island. Click here for trip times and prices from Torrevieja http://www.apartmentspain.co.uk/torrevieja_tabarca.htm

Further south of Alicante you will go through the towns of Santa Pola and Guardarmar both of which have stretches of sandy beaches and the sand dunes of Gaurdarmar. Then, heading south still, you come across the bustling town of Torrevieja located right on the coastline.

Torrevieja has several beaches, 4 of which also hold blue flags. La Mata and Los Locos are sandy beaches with popular promenades of cafes, restaurants and at La Mata beach you can wander through the park land areas and waterfalls. La Mata is 2,500m long and consists of fine white sand dotted with palms. There are lifeguards during the busy months and numerous restaurants and bars located along the beaches edge, as well as toilets, red cross posts and a number of water sports available. Playa do los Locos beach is extremely popular due to it range of facilities and services such as a water tube, inflatables, paragliding, windsurfing, mostly during the peak seasons but some still available during other months.

From here, heading South, the beaches continue along the Costa Blanca South region into the area known as the ‘Orihuela Costa’. Punta Prima, La Zenja, Playa Flamenca and Cabo Roig which also has a blue flag awarded to it’s beach, are also popular beach locations with a beautiful Marina adjacent to the main beach at Cabo Roig.

Further south from there as you follow the coast road (N332), you will come across the beaches of Torre de la Horadada and Lo Pagan (close to San Pedro del Pinitar). The beach at Lo Pagan is a great location for all ages and is popular with tourists and local Spanish alike. It has the bonus of being situated on the side of the Mar Menor inlet which ensures the sea is shallow and has a constant temperature with no tide, great for young children. Along with this, the major tourist draw to this area are the largest therapeutic open air mudbaths in Europe. The mud is well-known for its many minerals what stimulates the healing process. A mudbath treatment is recommended for skin problems, rheumatism, arthritis, throat infections and rehabilitation or just for a relaxing spa treatment. A fun visit for all.

Don’t forget your hats and sun cream as there can be a deceptive wind along the coastline making the air seem cooler and the sun less searing than it actually is !!

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