Les Rotes (Dénia)

Les Rotes isn't a beach in the usual sense: it's around three kilometres of rocky coast south of Dénia, dotted with small coves, forming part of the protected seabed reserve of Cabo de San Antonio. The water is very clear and the rocky bottom holds seagrass meadows, which makes this the go-to stretch in town for anyone snorkelling; snorkelling itself is free and needs no permit, unlike scuba diving inside the more strictly protected core zone, which does.

Most of the coves have no sand and no beach services to speak of, so water shoes are worth packing and there's little point expecting a beach bar right on the shore. Access is by road, with small parking areas next to each cove, rather than a continuous promenade.