Arenales del Sol Beach (Elche)

Arenales del Sol (Els Arenals del Sol) is a beach of almost 3 km of fine golden sand on the coast of Elche, about 5 km south-east of Alicante–Elche airport and 11 km south of Alicante city centre in a straight line. You reach it by car or by intercity bus from Elche and Alicante, and wooden boardwalks lead from the seafront road across protected dunes to the shore. It holds the Blue Flag and has lifeguards and accessible areas. It suits families and anyone who wants a long, open beach close to the airport; skip it if you want a small cove or an old town on the doorstep.

Quick facts

• Names: Arenales del Sol (Spanish, also Los Arenales); Els Arenals del Sol (Valencian). OpenStreetMap names the sand Platja dels Arenals del Sol.
• Where: the northern coast of the municipality of Elche, in the Baix Vinalopó, between the beach of L’Altet to the north and El Carabassí to the south (Comunitat Valenciana).
• Coordinates: 38.2498, -0.5161 (OpenStreetMap, middle of the beach).
• Length: almost three kilometres, according to the regional tourist board; the OpenStreetMap outline runs about 2.3 km north to south.
• Sand and water: fine golden sand and clear water that shelves gently into the sea.
• Type: an open, semi-urban beach, with apartment blocks behind the seafront road and dunes between the road and the sand.
• Awards: Blue Flag and an accessibility label, as listed by the regional tourist board.
• Entry: free.

Access and parking

By car: Arenales del Sol is a residential district of Elche on the coast road between L’Altet and Gran Alacant. The tourist board lists parking among the beach services. OpenStreetMap shows many small car parks along the seafront road and the streets just behind it, for example around the middle of the beach and at the northern end near the Parc de la Dama d’Elx. We found no information on fees; arrive early on summer weekends.

By bus: the official page says the beach can be reached by intercity bus from Elche and from Alicante. OpenStreetMap marks a line of stops run by Vectalia on the avenue behind the beach, labelled 1A-1B, and a stop on Avenida San Bartolomé de Tirajana. We did not check 2026 timetables; confirm the route with the operator before you travel.

From the airport: Alicante–Elche airport is about 5 km north-west in a straight line (OpenStreetMap), which makes this one of the closest beaches to the terminal. Elche city centre is about 16 km inland.

From the road to the sand: raised wooden boardwalks connect the promenade with the shore across the dunes. Stay on them: the tourist board describes the dune system, including fossil dunes, as of significant ecological value, and the boardwalks are there to protect it (Comunitat Valenciana).

What to expect

This is a long, straight beach facing east over the Bay of Alicante. From the dunes you look north across the water to the high-rises of Alicante and the mountains behind it, as in the photo above. The regional tourist board calls it one of the best-known stretches of coastline in Alicante province, with fine golden sand and clear water.

The feature that sets it apart from a plain resort beach is the dune belt. Instead of a promenade on the sand, a band of vegetated dunes separates the road from the beach, crossed by the boardwalks. The tourist board says the system includes fossil dunes. Behind the northern part of the beach lies the Clot de Galvany, a municipal nature area that the board describes as a coastal wetland connected to the dunes and pine woods of El Carabassí, with signed trails and birdwatching hides (Comunitat Valenciana). OpenStreetMap maps the Clot de Galvany reserve just inland of the district.

The water shelves gently, according to the tourist board, which suits children. The beach also has designated areas for water sports; the official page names windsurfing and paddleboarding, and its service list adds sailing.

Who should skip it: people who want a small cove, nightlife or an old town to walk round. For history and palm groves go inland to Elche; for a harbour town, Santa Pola is about 7 km south.

Practical details

• Services listed by the tourist board: lifeguards, toilets, foot showers, boardwalks, a restaurant, sports games, sea-state information, parking, a tourist information point, windsurfing and sailing, and access for people with reduced mobility.
• Tourist information: Tourist Info Elx – Els Arenals del Sol, Avenida San Bartolomé de Tirajana 42. Its listed season was 15 June to 15 September, Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–16:00, closed Mondays, 10:00–14:00 on public holidays (Comunitat Valenciana, listing for 2024; checked November 2026). The office is also an information point for the El Fondo and Salinas de Santa Pola natural parks.
• Food: the official page lists a restaurant at the beach; there are more in the district behind it.
• Drinking water: OpenStreetMap marks drinking-water fountains on the seafront at several points.
• Dogs: we could not confirm the 2026 rules for dogs on this beach; check with the tourist office.

Accessibility and safety

The regional tourist board lists the beach as accessible, with access for people with reduced mobility, and the boardwalks give a firm surface across the dunes. We could not confirm whether amphibious chairs or assisted bathing are offered at Arenales del Sol in 2026 or on which dates; ask at the tourist office on the seafront. Lifeguards are listed among the services, but we did not find the dates of the lifeguard season. Check the flags before you swim.

Best time to visit

July and August bring the most people and the full summer services, including the seasonal tourist office (open from mid-June to mid-September in its last listed season). For a quiet walk along the dunes, spring and autumn are better; the beach is open all year.

Nearby alternatives

• Caleta dels Gossets (Santa Pola) – a small cove under the cape of Santa Pola, about 4 km south.
• Santa Pola – harbour town with a 16th-century castle-fortress and boats to Tabarca, about 7 km south.
• Río Safari Elche – animal park between Elche and Santa Pola, about 8 km south-west.
• Tabarca Island – the walled island village offshore, about 10 km south-east.
• Playa del Postiguet (Alicante) – the city beach under Santa Bárbara Castle, about 11 km north.
• Salinas de Santa Pola – salt pans and flamingos, about 11 km south-west.

FAQ

How long is Arenales del Sol beach?

Almost three kilometres, according to the Valencian regional tourist board. It runs between L’Altet in the north and El Carabassí in the south.

How do I get to Arenales del Sol from Alicante airport?

The beach is about 5 km from the airport in a straight line, so a taxi or car is the quickest option. The tourist board says intercity buses run to the beach from Elche and Alicante; check the current route and timetable with the operator.

Is there parking at Arenales del Sol?

Yes. Parking is listed among the beach services, and OpenStreetMap shows many small car parks along the seafront road. We could not confirm fees.

Is Arenales del Sol a Blue Flag beach?

Yes, the regional tourist board lists the Blue Flag, together with an accessibility label.

Can you walk from Arenales del Sol to El Carabassí?

Yes, the two beaches are next to each other on the same stretch of coast; El Carabassí begins at the southern end of Arenales del Sol, below the Gran Alacant hills.

Sources and freshness