Guardamar del Segura is the green, natural alternative on the southern Costa Blanca: kilometres of wide sandy beaches backed not by tower blocks but by a vast planted pine forest and dunes. It sits south of Santa Pola and makes a calm, family-friendly base.
Region: Baix Segura, Alicante · Nearest airport: Alicante (~35 min) · Known for: pine-forest dunes, wild Blue Flag beaches, hilltop castle · Best for: families, nature lovers and quiet beach holidays
How we assess: this guide draws on published tourism sources and regional knowledge rather than a recent on-site visit. We flag anything seasonal and never quote fixed prices.
The dunes and the pine forest
Guardamar’s pine forest is not natural — and that is what makes it remarkable. From the late 19th century the town deliberately planted hundreds of thousands of pines to stop the shifting dunes from burying it. Today that woodland is a huge protected green belt between the town and the sea, laced with shaded walking paths right behind the beach.
The beaches
The result of all that planting is some of the least built-up beaches on the Costa Blanca: long, wide stretches of pale sand backed by dunes and pines rather than high-rises. Several hold Blue Flags, and there is space even in high summer.
The castle and old town
Above the town sit the ruins of a hilltop castle, alongside archaeological remains that show how long this river-mouth site has been settled. The compact town centre keeps a local, un-touristy feel.
Our verdict
Guardamar is for travellers who want sand and pine shade over nightlife and towers. It is one of the best family and nature beaches on the coast — bring walking shoes for the dune trails.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Guardamar have a pine forest by the beach?
It was planted from the late 1800s to stop the dunes burying the town, and is now a protected green belt.
Are Guardamar’s beaches good for families?
Yes — they are wide, sandy, often Blue Flag, and less crowded than the big resorts.
How far is Guardamar from Alicante airport?
About 35 minutes by car.
Nearby on the Costa Blanca
- Santa Pola — salt-flat flamingos and the Tabarca ferry, just north.
- Alicante — the regional capital and airport.
- Jávea — clear water and the Montgó at the northern end of the coast.