The best beaches near Alicante, from the city to the northern coves

The closest beach to central Alicante is a walk from the city centre; the furthest in this guide, in Xàbia, is only reachable by road. Between the two there is a clear progression: the further north and the more tucked-away the cove, the more you need a car. This guide orders the province's beaches and coves from nearest to furthest, and says plainly whether you can skip the car or not.

In the city itself, no car needed

Postiguet beach is Alicante's own sandy beach: it sits right against the harbour and at the foot of the hill carrying the city's castle, with a seafront promenade and no need for a car or transport.

Walking the coastal path that links Albufereta beach to San Juan beach brings you to the small coves of Cabo de las Huertas. The best known is Cala Cantalar, tucked between rocks with clear water. The path is flat and runs right along the sea, and city bus lines also stop nearby; no car required.

North by tram: El Campello, Benidorm, Altea and Calp

Line 1 of the Alicante metropolitan TRAM leaves the centre and runs up the north coast, stopping at El Campello. From there it's a short walk to Muchavista beach, a long, open stretch of sand quite unlike the rocky coves further north.

The TRAM continues, changing at Benidorm, towards Villajoyosa, Altea and Calp. From the Rincón de Loix district at Benidorm's northern edge, you can walk to Platja del Mal Pas and, following the cliff path through the Serra Gelada natural park, on to the coves of Tío Ximo and l'Almadrava. Since 2023, car access to those last two has been closed off to stop overcrowding: you leave the car at Rincón de Loix and walk the rest, so arriving by car or by TRAM ends up much the same.

That same line, after the change at Benidorm, also reaches Altea and Calp. In Altea the stop is close to the old town and to Playa de la Roda, a shingle-and-pebble beach typical of this stretch of coast. In Calp the train runs into the town itself, from where it's a walk to the Baños de la Reina, old Roman fish-salting pools right by the sea at the foot of the Peñón de Ifach.

South, flatter ground: Tabarca, Guardamar and Torrevieja

There's no TRAM south of the city, but that doesn't mean you always need a car. Tabarca Island is reached by boat, with sailings from Alicante's harbour and from Santa Pola; the island's beach sits right by the jetty, with no car stage at all.

Further south, towards Guardamar and Torrevieja, a car or a regular bus line does make sense, because the beaches are spread along a long, flat stretch of coast. The Guardamar dunes are a belt of sand and pine woods where cars can't circulate once you're inside: you park at the edge of the park and walk in. In Torrevieja, the Pink Lagoon, which takes its colour from a high salt concentration, and the small Cala Ferris sit on the edge of town and are more convenient by car than on foot. Regular bus routes do connect Alicante with both towns, so a car is useful here rather than strictly necessary, unlike further north among the coves.

Further out, car only: the coves of Xàbia

The rocky coves at the province's northern tip, around Xàbia, sit outside the TRAM's reach and have no direct public transport from Alicante: a car is the only practical option. Xàbia itself has one easy, sandy exception, El Arenal, the town's own beach.

The best-known cove is Cala de la Granadella, a limestone amphitheatre with very clear water; in high season the car park is ticketed and gated once it fills, so it pays to arrive early. A little further south, Cala del Portitxol runs the same regulated parking system. Both coves sit down a dead-end road with the car park as the only real access point, which is what makes the summer barrier system workable in the first place. The rest of the province's coastline, including the beaches of Calp and Altea, is gathered in the full beach listing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the closest beach to central Alicante?

Postiguet beach, next to the harbour and at the foot of the hill carrying the city's castle. It's a walk from the centre, with no car or public transport needed.

Can you visit Tabarca Island without a car?

Yes. Regular boats run from Alicante's harbour and from Santa Pola, and the island's beach sits right by the same jetty.

Which northern beaches can you reach by TRAM, without a car?

Line 1 runs as far as El Campello, with a walk to Muchavista beach, and continues to Benidorm, Altea and Calp with a change. From Benidorm, the Tío Ximo and Mal Pas coves are a walk from the Rincón de Loix district.

Do you need a car to reach Cala de la Granadella?

Yes. It has no direct public transport from Alicante, and in high season the car park is ticketed and gates once full.

To see the coast from above

Most of this same coastline can also be seen from above, without going near the water, from the Peñón de Ifach to the Balcón del Mediterráneo in Benidorm. The province's viewpoints and castles with sea views are gathered in the best viewpoints near Alicante guide.