By Anabel Mateos
Living in Alicante Spain means the sea is never far away—and more importantly, it’s never just for special occasions. It becomes part of everyday life. Some days it’s a swim, others it’s a walk, and sometimes it’s just sitting for half an hour watching everything unfold in front of you.
What you quickly realise is that Alicante doesn’t just have beaches—it has options. And depending on your mood, the time of year, or how much energy you’ve got, you’ll naturally gravitate towards different ones.
Playa del Postiguet – Lively, Busy and Full of Life
If you live in the centre, this is the beach you’ll end up at most often.
Postiguet is a proper city beach, and in the summer it has real energy about it. It gets busy—very busy—but that’s part of the appeal. By mid-morning, it’s already filling up with families arriving loaded with bags, cool boxes, umbrellas and enough food to last the day.
There’s always something going on.
You’ll see groups sitting together playing music, kids running in and out of the water, and families setting up camp from morning through to early evening. It’s not quiet, and it’s not meant to be.
About halfway along, there’s a chiringuito where you can sit with a drink and watch the whole thing unfold. At the far end of the beach, another one appears in summer, and at weekends it often has a DJ playing—nothing over the top, just a nice, relaxed vibe that drifts across the sand.
There’s an exercise area with pull-up bars and static equipment, usually occupied by the more dedicated fitness crowd. There’s the volleyball nets which are nearly always busy. There is a free to join game that goes on every weekend throughout the year. Just beyond that is a semi-covered wooden platform, which is a great spot for a bit of morning exercise or stretching before the heat kicks in. In the height of summer, it’s also adapted for accessibility, making it easier for wheelchair users to enjoy that part of the beach.
One thing worth saying—keep an eye on your belongings. It’s a busy beach, and while most people are there to enjoy themselves, it’s always better not to leave valuables unattended while you go for a swim.
For Iain, this is the go-to beach. He’s quite happy to swim here all year round, which is admirable… if slightly questionable between January and the end of February when the water is properly cold.
Playa de San Juan – Space, Sand and a Bit More Room
If Postiguet feels full of life and energy, Playa de San Juan gives you a bit more space to spread out.
It’s a long, wide stretch of sand where you can walk for ages without feeling hemmed in. There are sun loungers available in the summer, and dotted along the beachfront are a few good spots to stop for a drink.
One thing you’ll notice at weekends is the number of families—but not just a couple of people and a towel. These are proper set-ups. Gazebos go up, cool boxes come out, and it becomes a full-day affair.
There’s also a lifeguard station that looks like something straight out of a Florida beach scene—a large, raised chair that stands out against the sand.
Beach volleyball nets are a regular feature, particularly on San Juan, where it’s easy to join a game or simply watch as groups gather and play into the evening.
San Juan suits people who want a bit more breathing room, but it’s still very much part of everyday Alicante life.
Playa de la Albufereta – Smaller, Calmer, and a Favourite
Just beyond Postiguet—and walkable in about 30 to 40 minutes—is Playa de la Albufereta.
The walk itself is worth doing, passing through the old railway tunnels that have been restored into pedestrian pathways. It’s one of those small details that you only really appreciate once you live here.
Here’s a blog post we wrote about that walk : https://thisisalicante.com/beaches-in-alicante-discover-the-scenic-path-from-postiguet-to-albufereta
Albufereta is smaller and a bit more tucked away. There’s a rocky section at one end, and you do need to watch your feet a little as you go into the water, but that’s part of its charm.
There’s also a nice chiringuito here, making it easy to settle in for a while.
This is Anabel’s favourite. It’s a little more relaxed, a little less intense than Postiguet, and you can usually find a spot under a palm tree—ideal if you’re not a fan of sitting directly in the full heat of the sun.
Cabo de las Huertas – Coves, Walks and Something Different
Between Albufereta and San Juan sits Cabo de las Huertas, and this is where things change again.
This stretch is more rugged and rocky, with little coves, corners and pathways to explore. It’s a great area for a walk, and you’ll often stumble across quiet spots that feel a world away from the main beaches.
There are also areas here known for naturist use, which are generally easy to identify and just as easy to avoid if that’s not your thing.
It’s less about lying on the sand and more about exploring.
Beyond Alicante – Easy Beach Days by TRAM
Another advantage of living in Alicante Spain is how easy it is to head a little further afield.
El Campello
Just a short TRAM ride away, El Campello is a very easy option. It’s popular with expats and has a long, pleasant beach backed by a good selection of restaurants, making it ideal if you want to combine a swim with a proper lunch.
Villajoyosa
A bit further along the line, Villajoyosa is well worth the trip. The beach is lovely, but it’s the colourful houses along the seafront that give it something a bit different.
One thing to bear in mind—during the summer, the trams can get very busy, especially at peak times when everyone has the same idea.
A Day Trip Worth Doing – Tabarca Island
Then there’s Tabarca, which is a slightly different experience altogether.
You can take a boat from Alicante across to the island, where the water is famously clear and ideal for swimming and snorkelling. It’s a great day out, but one small warning—there’s very little shade, so it’s worth planning ahead if you’re going in the height of summer.
Clean, Safe and Easy to Use
Many of Alicante’s beaches have Blue Flag status, which means they’re well maintained, clean, and have good facilities.
It’s one of those things you don’t think about too much—until you go somewhere that doesn’t have it.
Part of Everyday Life
What makes the beaches here special isn’t just how they look—it’s how easily they fit into your routine.
You don’t have to plan a big day out. You just go.
And after a while, that’s when it really clicks—living in Alicante Spain isn’t about having beaches nearby. It’s about how naturally they become part of your day.
If you want to find out more about the beaches in Alicante here’s a link to Alicante Official Tourism page.
https://alicanteturismo.com/en/beaches
This article is one in a series exploring the many reasons people choose living in Alicante Spain, from its climate and beaches to its culture, food and history.
