The beaches of The Costa Blanca, Murcia and Almeria

The regions of Alicante, Murcia and Almeria have more than 750 kilometres of coastline, and that is why this area of the Mediterranean is a true paradise for those who appreciate the sea and a good climate. With an average annual temperature of 19.5 ºC and around 500 different beaches and coves, it is undoubtedly an excellent area to live in or spend your holidays.

More than half of these beaches have been awarded the European “Blue Flag”, which means that the waters are excellent for bathing. In addition, the majority have access for the disabled and facilities for people with physical disabilities, allowing them to enjoy a dip in the sea or to even practice water sports.

In these Mediterranean regions there are urban beaches, such as those in Benidorm, unspoilt beaches, such as those along the Almerian coast, nudist beaches, and coves and small islands which are ideal for those who enjoy diving.

The beaches of Alicante (Costa Blanca) are noted for the quality of their water and their long extensions of white sands. Of the 166 beaches found in this region, we will especially focus on the beaches of Benidorm, San Juan de Alicante and Guardamar del Segura: the first for its urban setting; the second for its size; and the third for the beauty of the surroundings.

Benidorm has two large beaches: the beach of Levante and the beach of Poniente. Both these beaches are located in the city itself, have fine, golden sand, crystalline waters, and are very well maintained. The advantage of these beaches resides in the large number of services available to visitors and the lively, animated atmosphere which they offer throughout the entire year. No need to mention the famous micro-climate of the city of Benidorm, which allows the beaches to be enjoyed even during the coldest periods of the year.

San Juan beach in Alicante is one of the longest in the Mediterranean. It has seven kilometres of fine sand and offers a splendid, wide area of sand located in a busy residential area during the summer months which is very peaceful during the rest of the year. It offers multiple beach-side services. During the summer numerous cultural and sporting activities take place, such as beach volleyball, beach football, jet ski regattas, etc.

The most outstanding feature of the Guardamar del Segura beaches is the setting: a coastal park of dunes covering more than 800 hectares, covered with pine trees, eucalyptus trees, and palm trees. Along its 14 kilometre coastline, Guardamar has numerous, different beaches, such as the busy Central Beach or the unspoiled beaches of Moncayo and Los Tusales. Nudism is permitted in the latter two beaches.

The coast of Murcia (Costa Calida) has more than 196 beaches and coves, all of high touristic interest. Of especial interest in this area is the Mar Menor and the diving activities which take place in Cabo de Palos and Calblanque National Park.

Mar Menor is a salt water lagoon separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a 22 kilometre stretch of sand, called “La Manga del Mar Menor”. It is a national park of extraordinary beauty and the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe. Its warm waters and high level of salinity mean that the Mar Menor and its mud are highly therapeutic for bathers. This has been the subject of studies by prestigious scientific institutions.

Calblanque National Park is one of the few areas along the coast of Murcia which remain unaltered. Its waters are a paradise for diving activities. From Cabo de Palos to the coast of Águilas, passing through Mazarrón, this is one of the best areas in Spain to practice diving. The richness of the seabed is due to the huge variety of flora and fauna and numerous archaeological remains which can be found there. This area of the coast of Murcia has been the site of innumerable shipwrecks throughout history, as this was traditionally a passing point for the main Mediterranean trading routes. The majority of the relics which have been found are now exhibited in the Cartagena Archaeological Museum.

Lastly, on this journey along the south-eastern coast of Spain we come to the coast of Almeria. The most outstanding point of this region is the large number of unspoilt beaches still to be found. They are volcanic in origin and as such do not have fine sands. However, the beauty of an unaltered natural space, free from property speculation, more than compensates for this.

The Cabo de Gata National Park also deserves special mention: a place of extraordinary beauty where one can find beaches such as El Monsul, the most emblematic beach in the park and one of the largest. Besides its fine sands and crystal clear waters, this beach has a large rocky outcrop in its centre, providing much sought-after shade for bathers on the hottest days of the year.

As you have undoubtedly seen in this brief trip along the coasts of Alicante, Murcia and Almeria – they are all great spots to visit. All three regions offer an extensive variety of beaches which will definitely live up to your expectations. Come on – they’re well worth a visit.