National Geographic names the best beaches in Valencia

With the summer holidays just around the corner, the beaches of the Valencian Community are one of the most desired destinations for national and international tourists. There is more than 500 kilometres of coastline between Castellón, Valencia and Alicante, with 135 blue flags awarded in 2023, placing the region as the most successful in Spain in this category.

Separate from the blue flags, National Geographic has created a list of the 11 best Valencian beaches where its main characteristic is the beauty of the environment. Among the chosen locations there are urban beaches, coves with turquoise waters, and long sandy beaches, to which is added an unbeatable climate, good gastronomy and many cultural activities.

Cala La Granadella, Jávea (Alicante).
It is located in the municipality of Jávea (Xàbia). It is a gravel and white rock beach where you can practice scuba diving thanks to its crystalline waters. It has several services and facilities that make it one of the most popular in the area. However, it must be taken into account that it gets very busy on the hottest summer days and parking is very limited.

Albir beach, Alfaz del Pi (Alicante).
The semi-urban beach of Albir is a good alternative to the crowded beaches of Benidorm. Its small and smooth boulders can be an advantage for those who do not like the feeling of sand sticking to the body, and its translucent waters are ideal for snorkelling.

Muchavista Beach, El Campello (Alicante).
This urban beach is located in the municipality of Campello. It is a sandy area of ​​more than three kilometres of fine sand and unbeatable views of the mountains of northern Alicante. To the south, this beach joins that of San Juan, in Alicante.

Tamarit Beach, Santa Pola (Alicante).
This is located south of the town of Santa Pola, next to the Salinas de Santa Pola Natural Park. It is a small semi-urban beach where kite surfing or sailing lovers go due to its windy conditions.

Tabarca Island (Alicante).
The Island of Tabarca is the only one that is inhabited in the Valencian Community. It is located in front of the city of Alicante and near the cape of Santa Pola. The waters of this small archipelago have been declared a Mediterranean Marine Reserve. Many come to the island to spend the day and eat the typical Tabarquino cauldron.

Portet beach, Tuelada-Moraira (Alicante).
This is one of the best beaches on the Costa Blanca for its fine sand and calm, crystalline sea. In the summer months, its occupancy is usually high, as it is chosen by many families due to its shallow waters. The beach always has a great atmosphere thanks to the many beach bars and restaurants that surround it.

Carregador Beach, Alcossebre (Castellón).
On the Costa de Azahar are some of the best beaches in the Valencian Community. El Carregador beach has about a kilometre of fine, well-kept sand. Despite being an urban beach, in the southern zone, it has a virgin area with natural dunes.

Peñíscola North Beach (Castellón)
The North Beach is the closest to the old town of Peñíscola and has five kilometres of fine sand. Peñíscola is one of the most tourist towns in the Valencian Community, being the natural setting for different films thanks to the Castle of Papa Luna.

La Devesa Beach (Valencia).
This beach, also known as Malladeta Beach, belongs to the strip of sand that separates the Albufera from the Mediterranean, within the Albufera Natural Park. It is located just 15 minutes from the city of Valencia and has almost five kilometres of fine sand and dunes where nudism is allowed.

Racó del Mar Beach, Canet de Berenguer (Valencia).
This beach has more than a kilometre of fine sand and golden dunes with important flora and fauna. The lighthouse in the municipality of Canet de Berenguer is one of the most beautiful spots in the Valencian Community, showing the seafaring roots of the town.

Terranova Beach, Oliva (Valencia).
Wedged between two ravines is this small beach that is no more than 200 metres long. It is a cove of fine sand and crystal clear water surrounded by dunes of great ecological importance.