Varadero Beach
Golden sands, blue water, and Tabarca on the horizon
About
Platja del Varadero stretches roughly 600 metres along the Santa Pola coastline in Alicante's Valencian Community, offering golden sand and calm blue water that make it a reliable family favourite on the Costa Blanca. The beach sits at an easy angle to the sea, so the water stays safe for swimming and the shoreline stays gentle underfoot. Across the water, Tabarca Island floats on the horizon — a former Berber pirate stronghold that gives the view here a quietly dramatic edge. Visitor numbers stay moderate outside peak summer, so you can actually spread out and breathe. It's the kind of place that delivers exactly what it promises: a clean, accessible sandy beach with a proper view.
How to get there
Platja del Varadero is a five-minute drive from Santa Pola town centre — straightforward and signposted. Free parking is available on-site with over 100 unsupervised spaces, which covers most weekday visits comfortably. On weekends in summer, those spaces fill fast, so arrive early or expect a walk. There is no entry fee.
Who it's for
For couples
The view of Tabarca Island across calm blue water gives the beach a quietly scenic quality that works well for a relaxed afternoon together, away from the more intense resort strips further up the coast.
For families
Safe swimming, golden sand, easy access, and free parking make this a genuinely low-stress family beach — you're not fighting logistics, just deciding how long to stay.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Platja del Varadero is a dependable, well-located beach that doesn't oversell itself. The swimming is safe, the golden sand is genuine, the parking is free, and the view of Tabarca Island gives it a visual identity that most Costa Blanca beaches can't match from the shoreline. It's a family beach in the best sense — calm, accessible, and honest about what it is. Skip August unless you enjoy sharing your towel space with half of Alicante. Come in June or early September and you'll find the blue water, the island view, and enough space on the sand to actually enjoy both. Worth the short drive from Santa Pola.
What to do
The obvious draw beyond the beach itself is Tabarca Island — Spain's smallest inhabited island and a former Berber pirate base, visible from the shore and reachable by ferry from Alicante. Back on the mainland, the Salinas de Santa Pola Natural Park is a natural park of real ecological value, worth a visit for anyone interested in birdlife and coastal landscapes. Club Náutico Santa Pola, a marina about 1.5 kilometres away, rounds out the local scene for anyone drawn to boats and harbour life.
Frame Tabarca Island over the blue water from the shoreline for the signature shot — early morning gives you clean golden sand in the foreground with no one in the way.
The waterline at low sun angles catches the contrast between the golden sand and the blue water well. The harbour area at Club Náutico Santa Pola, 1.5 kilometres away, adds a different coastal texture if you want variety in a single session.
Where to eat
The nearest highly-rated dining options are a short drive away rather than steps from the sand. La Mejillonera in Benidorm, about 8.7 kilometres out, has built a strong reputation and draws serious numbers of diners. La Cava Aragonesa, also around 8.6 kilometres away, is another solid option worth the short drive after a day on the beach.
Where to stay
No hotels are listed within the immediate beach area based on verified information. Santa Pola town, just five minutes by car, is the logical base for accommodation close to Platja del Varadero.
Photography
The best shot at Platja del Varadero is early morning, when the golden sand is uncluttered and Tabarca Island sits sharp against the blue water on the horizon — shoot from the waterline looking south-east for the cleanest composition. Late afternoon light warms the sand and gives the blue water a deeper tone, making the stretch of beach itself the subject.
Good to know
June through September is the sweet spot for weather, but August brings peak visitor numbers — if you can shift your trip to June or early September, you'll find the beach noticeably calmer. Swimming is safe here, but stay aware of your surroundings and keep children in sight near the water. Free parking is genuinely free and unsupervised, so don't leave valuables visible in your car. The beach is not naturist.
Map
Nearby places
Benidorm Palace
La Mejillonera, Restaurante Benidorm
Bar Mariano's
La Cartuja
La Cava Aragonesa
Tabarca Island
Salinas de Santa Pola Natural Park
Club Náutico Santa Pola
Things to see around Santa Pola
Tabarca Island
Former Berber Pirate island with scenic views.
Salinas de Santa Pola Natural Park
Natural park of great ecological value.
Club Náutico Santa Pola
Marina located near beach.
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
Nearest beaches
Other family beaches in Spain
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Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — PiotrMig · source · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo 2 — po.psi.que · source · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Photo 3 — Carlos SGP · source · CC0 1.0
- Photo 4 — chisloup · source · CC BY 3.0