El Campello is the easy beach town just north of Alicante — close enough for a car-free day trip, with a long sandy beach, a working fishing port and a striking headland watchtower. It makes a relaxed base away from the bigger resorts.
Region: Alacantí, Alicante · Nearest airport: Alicante (~30 min) · Known for: Muchavista beach, the TRAM, the fish auction · Best for: car-free travellers, families and long stays
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.
Getting there: the TRAM
El Campello’s biggest practical advantage is the Alicante TRAM. The light-rail line runs from the centre of Alicante along the coast to El Campello in roughly 20 to 30 minutes, so you can reach the beach without a car — one of the simplest car-free outings from the city.
The beach and promenade
The long Muchavista beach stretches for kilometres of open sand with a palm-lined promenade, backed by low-rise apartments rather than towers. It rarely feels as packed as the big-name resorts.
The port, the auction and the Illeta
El Campello keeps a real fishing fleet. In the late afternoon the port holds a fish auction that visitors can watch, and just along the coast the Illeta dels Banyets archaeological site and a 16th-century watchtower add some history to a beach day.
Our verdict
Choose El Campello if you want a genuine, low-key beach town you can reach by tram. It pairs perfectly with a city stay in Alicante.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Alicante to El Campello without a car?
Take the Alicante TRAM along the coast — about 20 to 30 minutes.
Can you watch the fish auction?
Yes, the late-afternoon auction at the port is open to onlookers.
How far is El Campello from Alicante airport?
About 30 minutes by car.
Nearby on the Costa Blanca
- Alicante — the regional capital, a short tram ride south.
- Villajoyosa — the painted chocolate town, just north.
- Santa Pola — salt flats and the Tabarca ferry, south of Alicante.