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Our choice of the most beautiful beaches on the Costa Blanca is Playa del Postiguet and Playa de San Juan in Alicante, Playa del Carabassi in Arenales del Sol near Elche, and Playa de la Fossa in Calpe. All four hold the Blue Flag, awarded for high environmental quality, water cleanliness, safety and the services on offer. We chose them for their harmonious blend with the surrounding nature and for the amenities available.
How do the four beaches compare?
| Beach | Location | Length | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playa del Postiguet | Alicante, city centre, at the foot of the Castillo de Santa Bárbara | – | urban, full infrastructure |
| Playa de San Juan | Alicante, joined to Playa de Muchavista in El Campello | almost 7 km | large, family-friendly and sporty |
| Playa del Carabassi | Arenales del Sol, close to Elche | almost 900 m | natural, dunes, naturist |
| Playa de la Fossa | Calpe, to the north of the Peñon de Ifach | 1 km | promenade, full infrastructure |
Playa del Postiguet: the beach in the centre of Alicante
Playa del Postiguet is one of the best-known beaches on the Costa Blanca, prized by tourists from all over the world. It lies in the central part of Alicante, at the foot of the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, and has become a symbol of the city. Locals and visitors alike love it.
The beach has fine, golden sand and calm, crystal-clear water. It earned the Blue Flag for the quality of its services. A lively promenade runs alongside the beach, with restaurants, cafés and ice-cream parlours such as Kiosko Peret on the Explanada in Alicante.
Facilities on site:
- parasol and sunbed hire,
- showers,
- children's playgrounds,
- opportunities for sport,
- accessibility for people with reduced mobility,
- lifeguards.
Thanks to its location in the heart of the city, the beach is easy to reach on foot and by public transport. It is a good choice for those who want to combine a day on the beach with sightseeing in Alicante.
Playa de San Juan: almost 7 km of beach near Alicante
Playa de San Juan in Alicante is regarded as one of the best beaches on the Costa Blanca. It stretches for almost seven kilometres and joins up with Playa de Muchavista in El Campello, which also holds the Blue Flag. With its fine, golden sand, it is among the largest and most beautiful beaches in the region.
The crystal-clear waters are suitable for swimming and for water sports such as surfing and windsurfing. Because of its size and the quality of its services, the beach is chosen by families, groups of friends and sports enthusiasts.
What Playa de San Juan offers:
- children's playgrounds,
- sunbed and parasol hire,
- sports areas, including volleyball,
- restaurants and beach bars along the coast,
- free parking along the entire coastline,
- the Blue Flag.
The atmosphere here is lively day and night, and Alicante is less than 20 minutes away. It is a place for those who want to combine a beach holiday with an urban lifestyle.
Playa del Carabassi: a natural beach among the dunes near Elche
Playa del Carabassi lies in the Arenales del Sol area, close to Elche. It is surrounded by fixed and shifting dunes and a pine forest, which gives it a unique landscape and a peaceful atmosphere. It has almost 900 metres of fine, golden sand and is one of the most natural, least developed beaches in the region.
The clear, clean waters are suitable for swimming. Thanks to its abundant marine life, the beach is popular with snorkelling and diving enthusiasts. It holds the Blue Flag, which is a mark of its quality and care for the environment.
What to know before you visit:
- basic amenities are available on site: pavements, showers and regular cleaning,
- catering and rental outlets are more limited than on the developed beaches, so it is worth bringing everything you need for the whole day,
- the beach is regarded as a naturist beach; bear this in mind if you are visiting with children.
Playa de la Fossa: 1 km of beach beneath the Peñon de Ifach in Calpe
Playa de la Fossa is one of the most popular beaches in Calpe and one of the highest-rated on the Costa Blanca. It lies to the north of the Peñon de Ifach. It has 1 km of golden sand and crystal-clear, calm water, which suits families with children, groups of friends and couples.
The large expanse of beach leaves plenty of room to relax. Its main asset is the seafront promenade with numerous restaurants, bars and shops.
Facilities on the beach:
- sunbed and parasol hire,
- showers and foot-washing facilities,
- facilities adapted to the needs of people with reduced mobility,
- a lifeguard and emergency services.
The beach has once again won the Blue Flag, confirming its high standards of water cleanliness, safety and amenities.
Frequently asked questions
Which of the beaches described is the longest on the Costa Blanca?
Playa de San Juan in Alicante stretches for almost seven kilometres and joins up with Playa de Muchavista in El Campello.
Is Playa del Carabassi suitable for families with children?
The beach is regarded as a naturist beach, so bear this in mind if you are visiting with children. Catering and rental outlets here are limited, so it is best to bring everything you need for the whole day.
Which beach is closest to the centre of Alicante?
Playa del Postiguet lies in the central part of Alicante, at the foot of the Castillo de Santa Bárbara. You can reach it on foot or by public transport.
Where is the free parking near the beach?
Playa de San Juan offers free parking along the entire coastline, and Alicante is less than 20 minutes away.
Do all the beaches described hold the Blue Flag?
Yes. Playa del Postiguet, Playa de San Juan, Playa del Carabassi and Playa de la Fossa in Calpe all hold the Blue Flag.
Aria Spain sells new apartments and houses from developers on the Costa Blanca, and the buyer pays no commission. If you are looking for a property close to the beach, book a free consultation.
