Albufereta Beach, Alicante

Beach in Alicante

Playa de la Albufereta
Playa de la Albufereta
CC BY-SA 1.0 / Zarateman

La Albufereta Beach is a compact, local-feeling stretch of sand in northeast Alicante, set in a sheltered bay with generally calmer water than the city-centre beachfront. It's an easy place to slow down: a short swim, a brief sun session, or a low-effort sea view that still feels distinct from the busier promenade scene.

It also works well as a “reset stop” on a walking-tour day. If you're visiting Lucentum (Tossal de Manises) or exploring the coastline toward Cabo de las Huertas, La Albufereta is the most convenient nearby beach to add without turning your day into a full beach mission.

History and Significance of the Albufereta Beach

La Albufereta sits beside one of the most historically important corners of Alicante: the Tossal de Manises ridge, where the Lucentum archaeological site preserves the footprint of the ancient city. That proximity gives this beach an unusual advantage for a beach stop-you can pair it with meaningful history without travelling far or committing to a separate day.

The area has long been tied to the practical logic of the coastline: a protected bay, a natural viewpoint above, and a corridor between the city and the cape. Even if you come purely for the water, the surrounding headlands and the rise of Serra Grossa give the beach a more “contained” feel than Alicante's wide, open sands.

Today, the significance of La Albufereta is mostly experiential. It’s the calm, close-to-town option: appealing for travelers who want a swim and a quieter atmosphere while still staying connected to museums, archaeology, and the central city.

Things to See and Do in the Albufereta Beach

Swim and float in the sheltered bay. This is the simple pleasure here: the water often feels calmer, and the cove-like setting makes it good for a straightforward dip without the “big beach” intensity.

Do a short coastal stroll for viewpoints. Walk a few minutes along the edges of the bay and you’ll quickly get angles back toward the city and out toward the cape, which is especially satisfying in late afternoon when the light softens.

Make it a beach-and-history combo. The best value move is pairing La Albufereta with Lucentum: ruins and viewpoints first, then a swim and a casual break to finish. It turns two short activities into a well-balanced half-day.

How to Get to the Albufereta Beach

Alicante-Elche Airport is the closest airport for arrivals, and from there the simplest plan is to base yourself in Alicante and take local transport or a taxi up to La Albufereta. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Alicante on Booking.com.

If you arrive by rail, Alicante’s main station connects you into the city, and from there you can reach La Albufereta using local buses, the TRAM network, or a short taxi ride depending on where you’re staying. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

If you're driving, La Albufereta is a convenient coastal stop between central Alicante and the Cabo de las Huertas/San Juan direction, but in peak season parking convenience can be the main variable. If you are looking to rent a car in Spain I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Albufereta Beach

  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Opening hours: 24 hours
  • Official website: https://alicanteturismo.com/en/playas/albufereta-beach/
  • Best time to visit: Late morning for a simple swim, or late afternoon for a calmer atmosphere and nicer light.
  • How long to spend: 1-2 hours works well as a refresh break; half a day if you want a proper beach session.
  • Accessibility: The beach is generally easy to reach, but surfaces and access points can vary by entry path, so plan for a short walk.
  • Facilities: Expect a classic urban-beach setup with nearby services in the surrounding neighborhood rather than a self-contained resort beach.

Where to Stay Close to the Albufereta Beach

For most itineraries, base yourself in central Alicante if your priorities are culture, restaurants, and easy evenings, but stay in the La Albufereta/Cabo de las Huertas side if your trip focus is beach time and a quieter home base.

For a convenient, sea-facing option close to La Albufereta, consider Hotel Albahía Alicante. If you want a calm stay with easy access to nearby coves and the cape area, Hotel Boutique Calas de Alicante is well-placed. If you prefer to keep your evenings central and treat La Albufereta as a short ride away, Meliá Alicante gives you waterfront access and strong walkability for the rest of the city.

Is the Albufereta Beach Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you want a calmer, more local-feeling swim that still sits close to Alicante's main sights. It is an efficient beach stop: minimal logistics, a sheltered setting, and easy pairing with Lucentum or a coastal walk toward the cape.

Honest pivot: if you want a long, wide, “big beach” experience with lots of space and a classic resort-beach feel, you'll likely prefer San Juan Beach. If your priority is iconic city-centre scenery and a quick dip between landmarks, Postiguet can also make more sense.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.4 (1,146)

Reviewers describe a clean, spacious beach with white sand, palm trees, and a calm, quiet atmosphere that's typically less crowded than nearby main beaches, with good access from the city and family-friendly areas. Many appreciate the relaxing vibe, scenic views, and feeling of comfort and safety. Downsides mentioned include occasional dirty water with sand/algae in late summer, limited on-beach dining and activities, and relatively high prices for loungers, umbrellas, and drinks. A few note they prefer other nearby beaches for swimming or overall beach experience.

Arun Kumar A
2 weeks ago
"Nice clean beach. White sand A few bus / tram stops away from city center Overlooking a fort Great play area for kids Less crowded in December duringour visit..."
Stefan G
4 months ago
"It’s not as crowded as the main Alicante beach and Playa San Juan. Less people, less noise. More palm trees and more calm vibes. The water howeveraround end of August was very dirty from a lot of sand and algae. Probably something to do with the fact that the beach is so calm and almost has no waves. There are also no restaurants, beach bars and activities such as jet skiing or paddle boarding which is fine - it contributes to the calm atmosphere. Overall I would recommend that beach for people who just want to lay down, sunbathe or people who don’t plan on snorkeling as you can’t really see anything underwater...."
Sergiu Mitu
3 months ago
"beautiful view, but as sea and beach i prefer San Juan, this one i give a 4 just cause it's close to the hotel."

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

La Albufereta can be a practical choice for families because it's compact and often feels calmer, which makes short swims and sand play easier to manage. Keep it simple: arrive earlier, do a 60-90 minute beach session, then move on to a nearby meal stop so kids don't burn out in the heat.

If you're pairing it with Lucentum, do the archaeology first and the beach second. That order tends to work better for attention spans and turns the swim into a reward rather than a distraction.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

This beach works best for couples as a low-key break in a culture-heavy day, especially when you want a quieter atmosphere than the central promenade. Aim for late afternoon, bring a light layer if the sea breeze picks up, and treat it as an unhurried pause rather than a “destination beach day.”

It also pairs nicely with a coastal walk toward Cabo de las Huertas if you want a more scenic, less crowded feel. Do the stroll, take photos from the edges of the bay, then finish with a drink or dinner back in town.

Budget Travelers

La Albufereta is a strong budget option because it's free, easy to reach, and flexible-you can drop in for an hour and still feel like you “did the beach” without sacrificing the rest of your itinerary. Bring what you need (water, sunscreen, a towel) and treat nearby cafés as optional rather than essential.

For a full low-cost day, combine Lucentum, La Albufereta, and a self-guided coastal walk. You get history, views, and a swim with very little spend.

FAQs for Visiting Albufereta Beach

Getting There

It’s in northeast Alicante, in the La Albufereta neighborhood, between Serra Grossa and the Tossal de Manises/Lucentum area. It’s close enough to reach easily from the centre without turning the trip into a day-long excursion.
Walking the whole way is possible but not the simplest option for most visitors. A short ride via local transport or taxi, then a brief walk to the sand, usually feels more efficient.
From the station area, connect into the city’s local network and continue toward La Albufereta. The easiest approach is choosing the option that best matches your accommodation location: bus/TRAM convenience or a quick taxi.

Visiting Experience

An hour is enough for a swim and a reset break. If you want a relaxed session with time to dry off and stroll the edges of the bay, plan closer to two hours.
Yes if your one day is a mix of sights and sea, or if you’re already visiting Lucentum nearby. If your day is strictly Old Town, castle, and central waterfront, you can skip it without losing the essential “Alicante feel.”
It’s best as a fair-weather stop because the experience is about the water and the bay setting. On windy or rainy days, shift your time to museums and viewpoints and keep the beach as a flexible add-on.

Photography

Yes, particularly for wide shots that include the surrounding headlands and the rise of Serra Grossa behind the bay. It’s more about calm coastal composition than dramatic cliff scenery.
Late afternoon is often best for softer light and a calmer mood. Midday light can be harsh, so it helps to shoot from the bay edges or include the skyline for balance.

Safety & Timing

Generally, yes-it’s a residential area and feels more local than nightlife-focused. As with any city beach, keep valuables simple and avoid leaving items unattended on the sand.
Early morning is best for a quiet swim and fewer people. Later in the day is best for atmosphere and light, especially if you want to combine it with a coastal stroll.

Nearby Attractions to the Albufereta Beach

  • Lucentum Archaeological Site (Tossal de Manises): Ancient-city ruins on the hill above the bay, ideal for a beach-and-history half-day.
  • MARQ Archaeological Museum: The best place in Alicante for archaeological context before or after visiting Lucentum.
  • Serra Grossa viewpoint paths: Short walks that quickly deliver elevated views over the bay and city.
  • Cabo de las Huertas: A scenic cape with coves and coastal walking routes when you want a wilder shoreline feel.
  • Santa Bárbara Castle: Alicante's headline viewpoint and fortress, easy to pair with any beach day if you want a classic city highlight.

The Albufereta Beach appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Alicante!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

Read our full story here

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Planning Your Visit

Hours:

24 hours

Price:

Free

Alicante: 4 km
Official Website

Nearby Attractions

Similar Blogs