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Beachonomics: The sun worshipper's guide to Alicante

Wednesday, 9th May 2012
by Annie Granger, Staff writer

Alicante with its hot summers and mild winters is always going to involve a beach on the to-do list no matter what time of year you decide to visit. Finding a great beach on holiday can make or break your stay. It’s simple beachonomics. One top quality beach which ticks all the boxes equals one happy holidaymaker. The trouble is, not everyone likes the same beach and not everyone has the same boxes to tick. Everyone is beachonomically different.

So we’ve done a little research to help you to decide and plan where to go before you get there. Here are three sun spots to consider:

Playa del Postiguet

Playa del Postiguet, Alicante

This 900m long and fine sandy beach is popular all year round with both the locals and visitors. Of course popular also means busy, especially in the summer months when it gets crowded (mainly due to its excellent proximity to the old town centre), so there is a bit of a trade-off here.

There’s a beautiful palm-lined promenade running the full length of the beach which is located at the end of the Explanada de Espana and the Paseo de Gomiz, perfect for those wanting to have easy access to the town centre. There are lifeguards from June 15th to October 15th and on weekends from mid-October until the end of the year. There are also foot showers, toilets, and playgrounds, as well as a number of near-by bars. There is an underground car parking facility opposite the Hotel Sol Melia and this beach is well serviced by the buses (02, 05, 21 and 22) and the tram which stops right by the beach.

Playa de San Juan

If it’s 7km of fine white sandy beaches you’re in the mood for then this is the beach for you. Considered to be the most beautiful beach in the province of Alicante, Playa de San Juan is wider and longer than Playa del Postiguet.

This is also the perfect playground for golf aficionados, as the beach boasts an 18-hole golf course! You can access the beach by hopping on the Number 21 or 22 bus or you can enjoy a tram ride from Postiguet to El Campello. Facilities include lifeguards, water sports, a playground and many beach bars and restaurants if you fancy a respite from the sun.

Playa de la Albufereta

Taking its name from the small coastal lake that once existed here, this area was once home to the harbour that served the Roman village of Lucentum (the origin of Alicante). This historical beach is slightly north of the city and you would need to take a bus/tram/car to reach the beach from the city centre.

Less crowded than some of the other Alicante beaches, Playa de la Albufereta is a small bay beach, good for snorkelling and fishing and still boasting good facilities including lifeguards, water sports, foot showers, and toilets. There is a Red Cross station and there is plenty of nearby parking.

Cabo de las Huertas

If you are looking for something a bit more remote and you are feeling a little adventurous, then this may be your ideal getaway. Cabo de las Huertas is a rugged and rocky area that hides three picturesque coves - Cala Cantalares, Cala de los Judios, and Cala de la Palmera.

Perfect for snorkelling and diving

These are remote but offer pristine, crystal clear water and rocky coves, ideal for snorkelling and diving and for those who don’t want a tan line and dare to be bare. Both Cala Cantarales and Cala Palmera are notorious for nudists looking to get away from the noise of the city. You can access Cabo de las Huertas by car or by taking the Number 22 bus. No services are offered here so make sure you pack your sun cream and snacks.

Tags: beaches, costa blanca, diving / snorkelling, fishing, nature, nudism

Related holiday pages: Alicante, El Campello, Gran Alicant

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About the author

Annie Annie joined España Breaks in 2012 to source the best news and information from around Spain and manage the launch of "Hot Bits". She combines a love of Spain with a passion for writing, travel technology and a healthy addiction to social networking (she also runs our Twitter and Facebook pages)

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