Which are the best beaches on the Costa Blanca to live by? Our selection after years showing homes beside each one: La Mata and the urban El Cura and Los Locos beaches in Torrevieja; the coves of Cabo Roig, La Zenia, Playa Flamenca and Punta Prima in Orihuela Costa; the dune-and-pine beaches of Guardamar del Segura; and Mil Palmeras in Pilar de la Horadada. Below we look at what makes each one special — and what living beside it is like, not just holidaying.
The Costa Blanca has over 160 km of coastline with coves, urban beaches, and dune systems. Those who live here don't just use the beach in summer: they use it all year round, for a run at dawn, to walk the dog, to enjoy the winter sun, or to dine by the sea in September, when the crowds are gone and the light is softer.
At the northern end of Torrevieja, La Mata stands out for its fine sand, its 2.3 km in length, and for being adjacent to the natural park of Las Lagunas — a favorite for those seeking tranquility and air laden with beneficial salts. It has been a blue flag beach for over 20 years and retains a coastal village promenade, without the tourist density of areas further south.
4 km to the south, the urban area begins and Playa del Cura appears, right in the center of Torrevieja. It is the quintessential "everyday life" beach: bakeries, market, pharmacy, and restaurants are three minutes' walk away. It has an urban charm that makes it unique, especially in the early morning hours, when fishermen cross paths with those going for a run.
Immediately to the south lies Playa de los Locos, an urban cove sheltered by low cliffs. Tranquil waters, perfect for swimming from May onwards. And then comes Cabo Cervera, a small promontory with two unspoiled coves ideal for snorkeling and for quiet dips in winter.
Heading down towards Orihuela Costa, Punta Prima and Cabo Roig offer coves with crystal-clear waters, perfect for snorkeling. La Caleta beach in Cabo Roig is ideal for families due to its shallow depth and its rocks that shield from the surf. Dehesa de Campoamor adds golden sand and palm trees, and combines a wide beach with nearby golf courses. It is a highly sought-after area for second homes and holiday rentals.
Further south, almost on the border with Murcia, Mil Palmeras and Pilar de la Horadada offer kilometers of fine sand with still-preserved dunes. It's the closest to a semi-virgin coastline remaining on the southern Costa Blanca, and it's only 30 minutes by car from Torrevieja city center.
Returning to the north, Guardamar del Segura has one of the most spectacular pine forests in the area — over 800 hectares of Mediterranean forest from the beach to the river mouth. La Playa Centro de Guardamar is perfect for families, with showers, a promenade, and beachfront restaurants. If you're interested in the difference between these three coastal areas, we recommend our article Torrevieja, La Mata y Guardamar.
A lesser-known fact: the salt-laden air generated by the salt flats creates a microclimate on many of these beaches that is especially beneficial for individuals with respiratory issues. We delve into this in detail in our post on the saline microclimate — an asset that isn't immediately apparent but profoundly impacts daily life.
Each beach varies significantly depending on the season. If you are considering living here or investing, we recommend visiting them in July AND in February — to truly understand how the place feels the rest of the year. The difference between a street in downtown Torrevieja in mid-August and the same street in March is enormous, and it's advisable to know both seasons before deciding where to buy.
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Frequently asked questions
Which Costa Blanca beach is best for year-round living?
For neighbourhood life all twelve months, Torrevieja’s urban beaches (El Cura, Los Locos) and La Mata; for calm and nature, Guardamar; for coves and an international community, Orihuela Costa.
Which beaches are least crowded?
Guardamar del Segura’s — backed by dunes and pines instead of a built-up front line — and La Mata outside August. Mil Palmeras stays family-sized even in summer.
How much does living near these beaches cost?
It varies widely: Torrevieja and La Mata remain among the most affordable on the Spanish Mediterranean; Orihuela Costa rises on the front line. See the live medians from our catalogue in the price report by area.
If you want to see what is for sale a few minutes from each of these beaches, our estate agency in Torrevieja filters the catalogue by area and tells you, plainly, which beach fits the way you live.