The most beautiful beaches on the Costa Blanca

White coast, the name says, and it delivers. But a beach here is not one thing: there are broad city beaches with full service, pebble coves between the cliffs and wild dunes where you walk alone in October. These are the beaches that stand out, by taste.

For the classic beach day

Playa de San Juan (Alicante) is where the people of Alicante themselves lie: nearly seven kilometres of fine sand, wide enough never to feel full, with the tram as supply line from the city. Levante (Benidorm) is the resort classic: perfectly kept, always supervised, and in the evening you walk from your towel straight into the nightlife.

For the best pictures

Cala Granadella (Jávea) lies at the end of a winding road through pine forest: a pebble cove between two rock walls, water in colours you know from Greek islands. Come before ten or after five, because the cove is small and famous. El Portet (Moraira) is its gentler sister: a half-moon of sand with shallow, calm water and a handful of restaurants within walking distance. On the other side of town, the castle of Moraira stands on the rock by the beach.

For snorkellers

The rocky coast between Jávea and Moraira is the best snorkelling stretch of the whole coast. Besides Granadella, Cala Blanca and the Cova dels Orguens are favourites; bring water shoes, because pebbles and sea urchins are the price of clear water here. Also good: the sheltered side of the Peñón in Calpe. The details cove by cove are in our guide to snorkelling and diving in the Marina Alta.

For peace and space

At Guardamar del Segura the beaches lie behind a kilometre-wide dune forest, planted early last century to tame the drifting sand. The result: shady picnic spots and sand as far as you can see, without high-rises at your back. Just south of Alicante, El Carabassí repeats the recipe in miniature.

Practical

• Blue flags fly on dozens of beaches here; supervision and facilities are usually in order.
• Parking at the small calas in summer means before ten or after five; in between you will queue.
• The finest months are June and September: summer water, half the crowds.

More beauty near every beach is in our villages guide; combine a morning cove with an afternoon mountain village and your day is complete.

About the authorMilo Schuijt

Milo Schuijt is an entrepreneur and DJ on the Costa Blanca. He writes about the places where he lives, works and plays: from beach bars to the housing market.