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This Is The Top Coastal Destination In Europe With Over 125 Pristine Beaches 

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There are 2 main reasons why travelers choose to spend the summer months in Europe: the culture and the beaches.  

And if it’s beaches you’re interested in, then there’s only one place to be.  

This Is The Top Coastal Destination In Europe With Over 125 Pristine Beaches

Over 125 pristine and sandy beaches with beautiful turquoise waters mean that this beautiful stretch of Spanish coastline should be at the top of your list. 

Why Is The Costa Blanca So Popular? 

The Costa Blanca has recently been revealed by Euroweekly news as the destination with the most Blue Flag beaches in the world.  

The Blue Flag is an iconic symbol and one of the  world's most recognised voluntary awards for beaches and marinas.

Blue flag beach status is awarded to beaches that have clean water, environmental management and good safety services too.  

Panoramic View Of A Sandy San Juan Beach Bordered By The Mediterranean Sea, Alicante, Province Of Valencia, Southern Spain, Southern Europe

Blue flag beaches have lifeguards in the summer months as well as first aid provision and access and facilities provided for the physically disabled. So they’re worth looking out for!  

And the Costa Blanca boasts a whopping 159 beaches that have been awarded the Blue flag.  

The Best Beaches  

The Costa Blanca coastline is over 200 kilometers (120 mi), and the name Costa Blanca means ‘white coast’ because of the beautiful white sand on the beaches.  

The Costa Blanca sits on Spain’s Mediterranean coast which explains the stunning turquoise blue color of the water here.  

Modern Coastline Of Benidorm, On The Costa Blanca Of Spain, Southern Europe

With over 150 beaches to choose from, it would be impossible to visit them all in one short vacation. But you can’t visit the area without spending at least some time on the beach.  

Some of my favorite beaches in the Costa Blanca include: 

Playa La Granadella 

This beach is located close to the bigger resort town of Javea and it is a horseshoe shaped stretch of sand.  

Granadella cove beach in Javea, Spain

It can get busy during the summer months (and in August, busy turns into crowded), but with intense blue water, dramatic cliffs, and a backdrop of scented pine forest, this is an incredibly pretty Spanish beach.  

Choose Playa La Granadella if you enjoy snorkeling because the seagrass beds here mean it attracts a wonderful abundance of sea life.  

Playa El Altet 

Alicante is the biggest and most popular resort city in the Costa Blanca and Playa El Altet is just 10km away, making it a great choice if you’re flying into Alicante Airport. 

Sandy Playa El Alted, Costa Blanca, Spain

This is a huge stretch of unspoiled sand and is part of a nature reserve that is backed by protected dunes. This means there are no bars, restaurants, loud music or other facilities here. Just the most beautiful Spanish beach I've ever seen and wonderfully clear water.  

There’s plenty of space, even during the high season. Just make sure you bring plenty of supplies, including water and snacks.  

Playa de Tabarca 

This is a beautiful beach and an adventure rolled into one! Playa de Tabarca is located on the island of Tabarca which is a 5km ferry ride away from Alicante.  

The ferry ride is short but a great opportunity to spend time on the water. There is one small sandy beach here and an abundance of pebbly coves.

If you slip away from the sand then you can often find a patch of pebbles you won’t have to share with anyone else!  

Rocky coastline of Tabarca Island. Crystal-clear turquoise water.

What makes the beach here so special is that the waters are a protected marine reserve, meaning that diving and snorkeling are some of the best in Costa Blanca.  

And as an added bonus, the restaurants on the island are great too!  

Why Visit The Costa Blanca 

Away from the incredible beach scene here, there are so many other great reasons to visit the Costa Blanca.  

The biggest city in the region is Alicante which boasts a rich cultural scene.  

Panoramic View Of Alicante, Province Of Valencia, Southern Spain, Southern Europe

Explore the narrow streets and colorful houses of Barrio de la Santa Cruz, the city’s Old Town, or explore Castillo de Santa Bárbara which is a medieval castle with incredible coastal views.  

Top tip?

Avoid popular resort towns such as Benidorm, which are so overpopulated with tourists that they no longer offer an authentic Spanish experience, and opt to stay in a smaller village such as Finestrat or the popular El Campello instead.  

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