There is a version of the Costa Blanca that most visitors never get to see. Beyond the crowded promenades and the well-signposted beaches, a string of hidden coves in Alicante waits quietly — tucked behind limestone cliffs, reachable only on foot or by sea, surrounded by the kind of silence that makes you feel like you have the Mediterranean entirely to yourself. If you are planning a trip to this corner of Spain and want something more than a sun lounger on a busy beach, this guide is for you.
The province of Alicante stretches along one of the most varied and dramatic coastlines in the whole of the Mediterranean. Rocky headlands give way to turquoise inlets, pine forests tumble down to the water’s edge, and small pebble coves appear around almost every bend. Knowing where to look — and when to go — makes all the difference between a good holiday and an unforgettable one.
Why the best calas on the Costa Blanca deserve a spot on your itinerary
The Costa Blanca has earned its reputation for a reason. The water clarity here is exceptional, the result of a combination of rocky seabeds, low rainfall and the particular geography of the coast. Many of the best calas on the Costa Blanca sit within or near protected natural areas, which means the surrounding landscape has been kept largely intact. You will find no beach bars blasting music, no jet ski rentals and no rows of identical parasols — just rock, water, light and space.
There is also a practical argument for seeking out the secret beaches of Alicante rather than the famous ones. The most popular stretches of coastline can become genuinely overwhelming in the height of summer, with queues forming at car parks well before nine in the morning. The hidden coves, by contrast, reward those who make a little extra effort with a far more relaxed and authentic experience. Go in late spring, early autumn or even during a mild winter week, and you may well have an entire cala entirely to yourself.
The area around Finestrat, Benidorm and Villajoyosa — which sits right at the heart of the province — is a particularly good base for exploring, since it places you within easy reach of coves both to the north and to the south. Booking one of our holiday apartments in Finestrat, Benidorm and Villajoyosa puts every cove in this guide within a comfortable day trip.
Cala del Moraig, one of the most spectacular Alicante coves
Few places on the Costa Blanca make quite the impression that Cala del Moraig does the first time you see it. Located in the municipality of Benitachell, near the northern end of the province, this cove sits within a natural park characterised by towering limestone cliffs and dense Mediterranean scrubland. The beach itself is a mix of pebbles and coarse sand, but it is the water that draws people back year after year — an extraordinary range of blues and greens that shifts with the light throughout the day.
One of the most distinctive features of this cove is the large sea cave that can be accessed by swimming or kayaking from the shore. It is the kind of geological curiosity that turns a simple beach trip into a small adventure. The access road is steep and narrow, so arriving early is strongly recommended — parking fills up fast, and later in the morning you may find yourself walking a considerable distance just to reach the trailhead.
PRO TIP: Bring everything you need for the day. There are no shops or restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the beach, so pack water, snacks and sun protection before you set off.
Cala Granadella, the crown jewel among the hidden coves in Alicante
If there is one cove that consistently appears at the top of every list of best coves in Alicante, it is Cala Granadella, located near the town of Jávea on the northern stretch of the Costa Blanca. The combination of bright turquoise water, a pebble beach and dramatic green cliffs — which recovered beautifully after a fire that ravaged the hillside years ago — makes this one of the most visually striking spots on the entire Spanish Mediterranean coast.
Granadella has been recognised by numerous media outlets as one of the finest beaches in Spain, and the Blue Flag designation it holds confirms that the water quality here is exceptional. Unlike many of the wilder, more inaccessible coves on this list, Granadella does offer some services — there is a restaurant perched above the waterline with views that are worth the visit alone. A local tip worth knowing: booking a table for lunch at the restaurant often grants access through the barrier that controls vehicle entry when the car park is full.
The cove is ideal for snorkelling and kayaking. The rocky seabed and excellent visibility make it easy to spot the abundant marine life that thrives in these protected waters, and the relatively calm conditions mean it is suitable for swimmers of most abilities.
Cala Ambolo, a peaceful secret beach in Alicante province
A short drive from Cala Granadella, still within the municipality of Jávea, lies Cala Ambolo — a considerably quieter and less well-known alternative that many travellers walk straight past without realising what they are missing. The cove is flanked by rocky cliffs that provide both shade and shelter, and the access road is narrow enough to have discouraged large-scale tourist development, which has worked entirely in its favour.
The atmosphere at Ambolo is genuinely peaceful. The water is clear and calm for much of the year, the surroundings are wild and unspoiled, and the crowd — on the rare occasions there is one — tends to be made up of locals and seasoned visitors who discovered the place years ago and have been coming back ever since. It is the kind of cove that rewards a slow morning: arriving without a plan, finding a flat rock, and spending a few hours simply watching the light change on the water.
Cala Tío Ximo, a hidden gem near Benidorm
A little closer to the heart of the Costa Blanca, just outside the city of Benidorm, Cala Tío Ximo offers a surprising contrast to the famous beaches of that busy resort town. Surrounded by cliffs and with views stretching out over the open sea, this small cove has a completely different character from the wide urban beaches a few kilometres away. The turquoise water, the rocky walls rising on either side and the relative quiet make it feel like a genuinely different world.
Despite its unofficial status as a naturist beach, the cove is welcoming to all visitors and has a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere that draws both locals and tourists looking for something a little more authentic. The hike down to the water requires some care — the path is uneven and can be slippery when wet — but the effort is rewarded almost immediately once you reach the shore and see the colour of the water for yourself.
Cala Racó del Conill, a secret cove near Villajoyosa
Between Benidorm and Villajoyosa — two towns that sit within the territory we know well at Apartamentos Finestrat — lies Cala Racó del Conill, a hidden cove that many visitors to the area never find. The combination of cliffs, vegetation and pebble beach gives the place a secluded, almost theatrical quality, and the water here is as clear and clean as anywhere on the coast.
This is one of those places that rewards visitors who are willing to go slightly off script. The access involves a short walk along a coastal path, and the lack of facilities — there are no bars, no sun beds and no services of any kind — means that the beach remains genuinely unspoiled. Bring everything you need, go with good shoes and allow yourself enough time to fully enjoy the silence.
Being so close to Villajoyosa, this cove fits naturally into a day that also includes a walk through the colourful old town of La Vila, with its painted seafront houses and excellent local fish restaurants. There is plenty more to fill your days here, too — take a look at the experiences, gastronomy and places of interest around Finestrat to round out your trip.
Cala Pinets, a lesser-known cove between Calpe and Moraira
Further north along the coast, Cala Pinets occupies a beautiful stretch of shoreline between the towns of Calpe and Moraira. The cove is characterised by its rocky coastline, crystal-clear waters and genuinely peaceful atmosphere — a combination that is increasingly hard to find on the Costa Blanca during the summer months. The surrounding landscape is largely undeveloped, with a handful of small bars and restaurants nearby providing just enough infrastructure without overwhelming the natural character of the place.
The water here is excellent for snorkelling, and the rocky seabed provides plenty of interest for anyone willing to dip their head below the surface. The combination of clarity, colour and calm makes Pinets a particularly good choice for families with children who are comfortable in the water.
El Racó, a cove in Alicante with extraordinary views
No guide to the best coves in Alicante would be complete without a mention of El Racó, the small gravel and pebble beach that sits at the foot of the Peñón de Ifach in Calpe. This enormous limestone rock — rising more than 300 metres straight out of the sea — dominates the entire bay and provides one of the most dramatic backdrops of any cove on the Costa Blanca.
El Racó is considered one of the top spots for snorkelling in the province, and the views of the Peñón from the waterline are simply extraordinary. The beach sits within an urban area and offers basic services, which makes it slightly more accessible than some of the wilder coves on this list, but the quality of the water and the sheer visual impact of the setting more than justify its inclusion here.
A quick guide to the best Alicante coves by type
To make it easier to plan your route, here is a summary of the coves covered in this guide, organised by their main characteristics:
| Cove | Location | Best for | Access level |
| Cala del Moraig | Benitachell | Caves and kayaking | Moderate (steep trail) |
| Cala Granadella | Jávea | Snorkelling and scenery | Easy (car + short walk) |
| Cala Ambolo | Jávea | Peace and seclusion | Moderate (narrow road) |
| Cala Tío Ximo | Benidorm | Scenery and relaxation | Moderate (rocky path) |
| Cala Racó del Conill | Villajoyosa | Wild nature and solitude | Moderate (coastal path) |
| Cala Pinets | Calpe–Moraira | Snorkelling and calm | Easy |
| El Racó | Calpe | Views and snorkelling | Easy (urban) |
The best time to visit the secret beaches of Alicante
The honest answer is: almost any time of year works on the Costa Blanca, but late spring and early autumn offer the ideal balance of warm temperatures, calm seas and manageable crowds. The water is still warm enough for comfortable swimming, the light is golden and long, and the hidden coves feel genuinely quiet in a way they rarely do in the height of summer.
Winter is also surprisingly viable for those who simply want to walk the coastal paths and take in the landscape. Temperatures remain mild, the sky is often completely clear and the coastline has a raw, unpeopled quality that is genuinely beautiful. You will not be swimming in February, but you may well find yourself sitting on a deserted pebble beach in warm sunshine with coffee and a view that most people never get to see.
Travelling outside the peak season has another advantage worth keeping in mind: it is the easiest way to find availability and the best rates. It is always worth checking our latest special offers on Costa Blanca holiday apartments before you lock in your dates.
Summer visits to the wilder coves are perfectly possible but require early starts and patience. The most popular coves — particularly Granadella — fill up quickly, and the combination of heat and crowds can diminish the experience significantly if you arrive mid-morning expecting a peaceful swim.
Stay close to the coast with Apartamentos Finestrat
The coves described in this guide are spread along the northern and central stretches of the Costa Blanca, and exploring them properly takes time. Having a well-located base makes an enormous difference. Apartamentos Finestrat offers vacation apartments in Finestrat, the Cala de Finestrat, Benidorm and Villajoyosa — all of them ideally positioned for day trips to the coves along this coast.
Staying in the area means you can set off early to beat the crowds at the most popular spots, return for lunch and an afternoon rest, and then head out again in the late afternoon when the light is at its most beautiful and the water temperature is at its peak. It is the kind of flexible, unhurried approach to exploring the coast that turns a good holiday into something you will be talking about for years.
Whether you are travelling as a couple, with family or in a group of friends, having an apartment close to the sea — rather than a hotel room — gives you the freedom to make the most of everything this extraordinary stretch of coastline has to offer.
Prefer a personal recommendation? Get in touch with our team and we will help you find the perfect apartment for your trip along the coves of Alicante.
