They are just two of the eleven majestic coves and beaches of the Orihuela Costa area, and together they stretch, meander and curve around 16 km of magnificent Mediterranean coastline.

Playa Flamenca's Cala Estaca beach is the larger of those two beaches, measuring a hefty 175m along the water's edge, with 7.350 m2 of sand to lure in eager beachgoers. Just like other beaches in the area, the beach adopts a shallow cove shape, flanked on either side by a volcanic rocky outcrop.

The popular cove is formed of fine golden sand, with safe, relatively shallow bathing waters that provide a safe environment for adults and children alike. The beach is accredited with the iconic Blue Flag award for its superior quality.

Cala Estaca enjoys a south-facing orientation with sunshine guaranteed all day for the vast majority of the year. The headland adjacent to the southern edge of the beach features a footpath that leads to neighbouring Cala Cerrada beach in La Zenia, just literally around the corner and a 7-10 minute walk away.

Discover Playa Flamenca's Cala Estaca beach

But unlike Cala Cerrada, Cala Estaca beach offers easy access for all, with the fine sands accessed from a gentle slope to the north or a small elevated bridge to the south of the beach. It's ideally suited to persons of limited mobility or families with push-chairs and younger children.

The bridge crosses the “Rambla de las Estacas”, a ravine that runs directly to the sea from inland locations such as Villamartin Golf course. During heavy rain, the ravine collects the water run-off from adjacent land and acts as a natural conduit, taking the rainwater to the Mediterranean Sea.

Fortunately, the weather in Playa Flamenca is comparatively dry, and the ravine remains arid for most of the year, filling with water only on occasion during the spring and late autumn months.

During the summer, Orihuela Town Hall provides a lifeguard service that operates throughout the high season. Sunseekers will also find lifeguards stationed on Cala Estaca beach at other selected popular times, such as the Easter holidays.

Playa Flamenca also benefits from an impressive promenade that separates the two beaches. Offering a small children's play park, public seating, and a functional ornate sundial, Playa Flamenca's plaza is punctuated with mature Mexican fan palm trees that produce a spectacular seaward vista.

The Playa Flamenca promenade, a Mediterranean plaza

A small parade of commercial units facing the promenade offers additional local facilities, hosting a café, a bistro, local shops, and restaurants, including the locally renowned Lobster Restaurant that serves freshly cooked seafood and speciality dishes daily.

Also noteworthy is the exceptionally popular Surfer's Bar. The restaurant has made a name for itself by providing high-quality, beautifully presented homemade food, with an extensive menu crafted to appeal to all palates – and prices that are acceptable to all pockets.

Both venues offer beautiful palm tree-lined views over the promenade and toward the Mediterranean Sea – spectacular locations to enjoy a lunch or dinner with family or friends after a relaxing day on the beach.

You can find plentiful on-street parking along Calle de las Orquideas and adjacent streets. A small car park and on-street parking in Calle Violetas provide additional parking spaces.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa, or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com

Punta Prima was one of the first beaches to be established in the area, and before the arrival of mass tourism in the 1970s, Punta Prima beach was the go-to hotspot for local Spaniards and domestic visitors that flocked to the area in their droves each summer.

Playa de Punta Prima is a thin sheltered strip measuring 234 metres at the waterline, offering 6,552 m² of fine sand. The sand is less filtered than other neighbouring beaches, and it's not unusual to find small pebbles and shells adorning the beach at certain times of the year.

Cut into the rocky coastline, the beach's southeast-facing aspect guarantees sunshine for most of the day, unlike most of the surrounding east-facing beaches which offer plenty of sun first thing in the morning, waning as the day goes by.

The cliff that rendered the beach relatively inaccessible has been bypassed by the installation of a lift toward the west end of the beach. Very few beaches in the southeast of Spain can boast such a luxury, and the lift makes it easy for families and persons of limited mobility to reach the golden sands below.

Playa de Punta Prima beach in Orihuela Costa

The Paseo Maritimo promenade wraps behind the beach, providing a pedestrian and cycle route to neighbouring Cala Piteras beach to the north, and Playa Flamenca's beautiful beaches to the south of Punta Prima.

A work of art in itself, the Paseo Maritimo is a wide stretch of colourful ornate paving that offers commanding views over the Mediterranean Sea and access to the beach via two sets of steps at either end of the sand.

The promenade passes the enigmatic Punta Prima Restaurante, which sits atop the beach. The restaurant is renowned locally for its first-class food, and the views from the outside dining terrace are rarely surpassed by other venues in South Costa Blanca.

It's a local favourite with all nationalities, and Punta Prima Restaurante offers an extensive Mediterranean à la carte menu every day that focuses on fresh seafood and Spanish rice dishes, with options to suit vegan and vegetarian palates.

The venue offers an à la carte al fresco dining experience on the spacious terrace or a formal dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The restaurant is naturally popular at lunchtime.

One of the most established beaches in South Costa Blanca

The beach is located to the south of a natural rocky headland that keeps the seawater calm, safe and suited to bathing at most times of the year. Relatively shallow water several metres from the water's edge makes the beach an ideal choice for families or less confident swimmers.

A lifeguard service operates during the main tourist season, and a shaded cabana overlooks the Mediterranean Sea – the perfect place to watch the world go by, exercise, or enjoy a picnic with family and friends.

A beach bar operates during the height of the summer season, and plentiful parking makes Punta Prima Beach a pleasure to visit at any time of year. A small road at the west end of the promenade offers on-road parking spaces.

Alternatively, virtually limitless on-street parking along Avenida Mar de Punta Prima close to the restaurant permits access to the beach via paths on either side, which lead to a set of steps at the east end of the beach.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com

It is Orihuela Costa's biggest beach, with a waterline that stretches more than half a kilometre (officially 513 metres) and a fine sandy surface measuring 35.910 square metres that dwarfs all other beaches in the municipal area.

As beautiful as it is endearing, the sheer size of Campoamor Beach is one of its main appeals. There is always an opportunity to find a place in the sun, and the beach never feels overcrowded – even in the height of summer.

Campoamor Beach lies on the Mediterranean coastline just 4.0 km south of La Zenia, with an east-facing orientation that bathes in sunshine throughout the day. Unlike Playa Barranco Rubio to the south, Playa de la Glea hasn't seen such heavy-handed coastal development and its topography remains relatively flat.

The only exception is the towering fire-red sandstone cliffs that mark the northern periphery of the beach, replete with an impressive elevated walkway that hugs the vibrant cliff face and provides a thoroughfare seamlessly connecting to Aguamarina beach and its curvaceous grand promenade.

Playa de la Glea, Orihuela Costa's biggest beach

Like other beaches in the area, Campoamor Beach acts as a natural basin during the spring and autumn seasons, and the southern end of the beach is marked by the Rio Nacimiento.

The ravine is dry for most of the year, but during periods of prolonged rain, the ravine brings floodwater from inland areas around Las Ramblas and Campoamor Resort golf courses to the Mediterranean Sea.

The southernmost terminus of Playa de la Glea hosts a magnificent leisure marina. Puerto Deportivo Miguel Caballero offers 348 private moorings for all sizes of sporting boats, yachts, and personal watercraft.

The centre provides leisure and water-sports facilities in the summer months and boasts the haute-cuisine Restaurante Los Ángeles. The port also hosts a yacht club, Club Nautico Dehesa de Campoamor, which has stood adjacent to the safe-water harbour for nearly fifty years.

In common with Orihuela Costa's other eleven beaches, Playa de la Glea is accredited with the Foundation for Environmental Education's Blue Flag award, globally recognised as the gold standard for excellence.

One of the finest Blue Flag beaches in the South Costa Blanca

Orihuela Costa has maintained the coveted Blue Flag status for more than five years, accorded for consistently high levels of water quality, ease of accessibility for all, and abundant essential facilities.

The beach is generously wide, tapering at either end and formed from idyllic soft golden sand. The sea tends to be reassuringly calm, and a relatively shallow depth makes the beach ideal for families with children.

A Chiringuito Beach bar offers a full bar service with refreshments and a menu of tasty light bites during the main summer season. Located mid-way on Campoamor Beach, the beach bar provides welcome shade, bathroom facilities, and a food and drinks service directly on the sand.

At the southern end of the beach, Restaurante Montepiedra Playa offers beach cocktails, a traditional Spanish menu, a formal dining room, and a beachfront terrace with breathtaking Mediterranean Sea views.

Further north, visitors will find WOW Beach Club by Las Colinas Golf. The upscale summer-only venue boasts a spectacular infinity pool, a spacious sun-drenched bathing terrace, and a Mediterranean restaurant serving an exquisite a la carte menu that changes depending on the day of the week.

Campoamor beach, access and parking in Dehesa de Campoamor

For a special treat, WOW Beach Club offer a relaxing personal massage service and the rental of luxurious Balinese beds accompanied by Veuve du Vernay Ice rosé French sparkling wine or Mumm Grand Cordon Brut Champagne with prices starting from €90.

A lifeguard service runs throughout the main Easter and summer seasons on Playa de la Glea.

Watersports are available during the main summer months from the beginning of July until Friday 6th September, including jet-ski hire and a notoriously exhausting floating assault course guaranteed to wear out children with excess energy to burn. The latter costs 8€ per half-hour session.

Accessibility for vehicles in Dehesa de Campoamor can be problematic, particularly during the summer season, with parking directly adjacent to the beach prohibited. Calle Rambla del Nacimiento offers the best choice of on-street parking with a large car park on the right just through the arched bridge.

Alternatively, Ramon de Campoamor adjacent to the southern end of Campoamor beach offers a small car park and generous on-street parking on both sides of the road.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com

Orihuela Costa's beautiful beaches entice visitors from across Europe and the world beyond. Each one is special and undeniably spectacular, but if we had to pick a personal favourite, it would be Cala Capitán Beach.

Okay, we lied – it would be Aguamarina beach, but that's not to say that there isn't something genuinely magical about Cala Capitán. In all honesty, we would be hard-pressed to choose between the two.

You see, of all 11 beaches in our part of the South Costa Blanca, Playa Cala Capitán is unique in several notable ways. Firstly, this is the only beach in Orihuela Costa to feature its own island. More specifically, it's an islet with a typically romantic Spanish name – Isla del Carmen.

Barely 50m long and half that wide, this rugged, craggy, low-lying barren piece of marine rock might not seem particularly impressive, but it is unique in our part of Spain and forms a natural lagoon at the beach's northernmost face.

Playa de Cala Capitán Beach in Cabo Roig, Orihuela Costa

Sparsely covered in wild shrubbery, Isla del Carmen can be reached without entering the water most of the year – dependent on the tide. The islet also contributes to the safety of the bathing waters further south along the beach's leading edge.

And that's one of the other unique features of Playa de Cala Capitán – a large proportion of the beach is hidden from view. Unlike other coves in the local area, the sands stretch out into the sea forming a diamond-like shape. It's the view most people are used to as they enter the beach, with a wide expanse of sand ahead.

But look around the corner to the right and this diamond has a tail, a long, thin spit of sand that runs north to south, overshadowed by tall cliffs along the western edge, and culminating in a rocky headland accompanied by another unexpected islet – the tiny Isla del Escullano.

These islets and the volcanic nature of the seabed along this stretch of coastline make Cala Capitán ideal for snorkelling, and the Mediterranean Sea waters here are rich in exotic marine life.

The beach itself is formed from fine, lightly-coloured golden sand, with an official size of 6,992 m2 and a length of 152 m measured at the waterline. Mainly facing eastward, Cala Capitán benefits from most of its sunshine hours in the earlier hours of the day, and those cliffs cast a shadow over the southern part of the beach later in the afternoon.

Where to find the best beaches in South Costa Blanca

Cala Capitán forms part of the Orihuela Costa coastal promenade that extends 16 km around the coast, and a wide paved ornate pathway connects the beach with Cala Bosque in La Zenia to the north.

Headed south from the beach, the “Sendero Azul Cabo Roig” is a 2 km-long walkway that leads directly to Playa Cala la Caleta further south in Cabo Roig. This magnificent Blue Trail winds around the cape, treating visitors to unparalleled views of the Mediterranean Sea and spectacular vistas toward La Manga del Mar Menor.

Depending on your physical ability, the journey from Cala Capitán to La Caleta Beach takes around 25 minutes on foot. The path is illuminated at night, and safety railings are provided along the entire length. Bench seating is provided at intervals along the promenade. However, there are no facilities en route, so remember to take a bottle of water with you.

Cala Capitán offers a host of quality facilities. The beach has received Blue Flag accreditation every year since 2003, recognised for its ease of access, excellent water quality, and services for people with mobility issues.

Lifeguards are present on the beach throughout the summer and popular times such as Easter, and a traditional Spanish Chiringuito beach bar provides a full bar service and light bites directly on the sand each day throughout the late spring, summer, and early autumn months.

Is Cala Capitán Beach safe for children and families?

The beach is ideally suited to families with young children, with relatively calm bathing waters and a shallow depth that extends some way out. The only notable exception is the area adjacent to Isla de Carmen, and it's not unusual for lifeguards to prohibit bathing in the lagoon if conditions are less than perfect.

Playa de Cala Capitán is meticulously maintained by the Town Hall, and the beach benefits from a sports area, toilets, foot showers, and beach sunbed and parasol hire. Beach House Bar and Grill adjacent to the beach provides alternative dining choices, with a menu served until late six days a week.

This beach is understandably popular year-round, but accessibility is first-class and parking is thankfully abundant. The main car park on Calle Cala Capitán is ideally located closest to the beach – if a little small.

The good news is that there is an additional car park with generous on-street parking in Calle Mar Gruesa, and four further small car parks south of the beach along Avenida del Cabo. Each car park has direct access to the coastal promenade and parking is provided free of charge.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com

La Zenia Beach is exceptionally popular with both locals and holidaymakers. There are actually two beaches to choose from, with the Hotel Servigroup La Zenia separating them.

Known locally as Playa Cala Bosque, this beach, in particular, has become even more popular since the opening of Zenia Boulevard shopping centre, which has contributed to the fast-paced rapid growth of the area.

La Zenia beach offers a total length of around 350 metres and an average width of 60 metres to the shoreline. The beach is 100% pure white golden sand, Blue Flag accredited, and the local town hall keeps the attraction in first-class condition year-round.

La Zenia beach, Playa Cala Bosque

“Cala” is Spanish for “Cove”, and the shape offers plenty of space for sunbathing, replete with a beach bar, a beachball court, and a dedicated children’s play area.

Sunbeds and sunshades are available for hire (17€ for 2 beds and parasols), and during the summer season, beachside water sports are provided, with pedalos for families, and high-powered jet skis for thrill-seeking adrenaline junkies.

La Zenia beach offers access for all, with designated parking spaces for those with limited mobility, ramps and a wooden walkway which is wider than usual to allow easy access for wheelchairs, and a designated toilet and shower. An amphibious bathing chair is also available.

Lifeguards provide vital life-saving assistance during the summer months, but the beach can get extremely busy, and as with any beach, it's important to bathe in the Mediterranean Sea with care and not to exceed a safe depth that you're comfortable with.

Eating out, the Chiringuito and La Mirada

The beach has numerous foot showers and plentiful rubbish bins. During high season, the local council provides first aid facilities and tests the seawater daily to ensure high water quality and check for jellyfish.

La Zenia beach is well equipped, with an iconic Spanish beach bar (a Chiringuito) serving refreshing sangria, cocktails, and full bar service with staple favourites such as burgers and chips, pizzas, salads and ice cream cones or frozen lollies. The beach bar is open every day, all year round.

For those with a larger budget, La Mirada beach restaurant allows you to enjoy traditional Spanish tapas in the sun on a large terrace that overlooks the beach and the Mediterranean Sea.

Of course, there are many bars and restaurants to choose from, all within an easy walk just minutes from the beach. You'll be spoiled for choice with both local and international eateries offering freshly prepared seafood and Spanish cuisine.

La Zenia beach forms part of the stunning Mediterranean coastal path that runs alongside the coastline, with a beautiful promenade that snakes south along the beachfront and leads to Cala Capitan beach in Cabo Roig.

Along the way, there are some truly breathtaking natural views, and you will frequently see surfers and windsurfers in the sea catching some waves at almost any time of year. A wonderful way to enjoy your day and take some amazing photos as you go.

Orihuela Costa town hall does an outstanding job of caring for this beautiful beach, and you can take a live view of La Zenia beach 24-hours a day with the Servigroup La Zenia Hotel webcam.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com

But each beach offers different benefits: some are small and relatively quiet, whilst other beaches are busy, active, and full of life. The latter is certainly true for Playa Cala La Caleta on the easternmost coastal fringes of Cabo Roig.

One of the most popular beaches in the South Costa Blanca, Cala La Caleta beach in Cabo Roig offers a crescent of fine white sand and safe, clean Mediterranean waters that captivate domestic and international tourists.

The beach measures 387 metres at the waterline with 16.641 m2 of soft sand. An imposing, ornate stone cliff wall stands behind the beach with villas overlooking the sea below, and a network of pathways links to the coastal promenade and slopes down toward the beach, providing access on foot.

Paradise found in Cabo Roig, one of the finest beaches

Playa Cala La Caleta faces south and benefits from direct sunshine all day. The beach is a shallow cove in shape with a sea wall on the west side. The headland and the adjacent Cabo Roig Marina guarantee calm, safe waters ideal for bathing and swimming whatever the weather.

A traditional Spanish Chiringuito provides soft drinks, a full bar service, and light bites and refreshments seven days a week. The small beach bar is open daily all year round and often hosts free entertainment at weekends, including live performances and acoustic sessions from local musicians and artists.

Sun Sea Adventures offers stand-up paddleboard hire, SUP classes, and organised yoga sessions on the water from early spring to the end of the season. Jetskis can be hired from Stella Maris Jetski rental in Cabo Roig Marina, and the La Bahia Restaurant offers more comprehensive dining choices with spectacular views over the cove.

It's an incredibly popular beach in the summer, and leisure craft, motor yachts, and cruisers regularly moor in the azure waters, with tenders ferrying passengers ashore. The sea remains reassuringly shallow close to the waterline, and the beach is suited to use by families, children, and adults of any age and swimming capability.

Playa Cala La Caleta, the year-round active beach

Unlike many other beaches on the Orihuela Costa, Cala La Caleta is active year-round, and the local town hall offers complementary activities in the spring and autumn months to make the most of the beautiful winter sunshine.

Orihuela Costa's Winter Beach programme includes free paddleboard sessions, kayaking, diving lessons, and group activities on the beach such as yoga and Zumba, that promote a healthy lifestyle amongst the local community, and events regularly fill the beach during weekends.

A small car park on Calle Levante in Cabo Roig offers free parking and access to the beach via a sloping walkway, ideal for persons of limited mobility. An additional car park at the end of Calle de la Ensenada offers more free parking, with access to the beach via a set of steps.

Playa Cala La Caleta is one of the best beaches in Orihuela Costa and probably ranks among the finest beaches you're likely to find here in the South Costa Blanca. A visit to this gorgeous natural space in Cabo Roig should be on your bucket list of things to do in Spain. Here's a Google Map with directions from your location.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com

In fact, with a total length measuring 655 m Barranco Rubio is the longest beach on the entire Orihuela Costa, but it's not the largest. That accolade goes to neighbouring Playa de la Glea, and sometimes it feels like Barranco Rubio lives in its sister's shadow.

Playa de la Glea seems to be universally loved by those who visit her idyllic shores, whereas Barranco Rubio attracts mixed and contrasting reviews – people either admire or dislike the beach in equal measure.

You'll need to look no further than the beach's reviews on TripAdvisor to appreciate the Marmite effect in action. Many reviewers praise the beach for its beautiful sands, the clean safe waters, and its suitability as a prestigious family holiday destination.

Whilst others cite the overbearing rocky cliffs that leave the beach in an undesirable perpetual shadow each afternoon, and overdevelopment of the coastline, with apartment blocks casting their shadows over the sands below at any time past midday.

Barranco Rubio, the longest beach in Orihuela Costa

Additionally, some comments blame the location and the shape of the beach for the unsightly build-up of seaweed during the height of the summer. It would seem that, just like the venerable British savoury spread, some people really do either love it or hate it.

The beach takes its name from the gully that brings rainwater from inland areas to the sea. Translated as “Blond ravine”, the terminology might be unbefitting considering the vibrant red colouration of the ancient rock that dominates the coastline.

At the south end of the beach, the headland reaches the water's edge concealing part of the beach, and at certain times of the day, the tide makes walking to neighbouring Mil Palmeras beach impossible without wading through knee-deep water.

Like all Orihuela Costa beaches, Barranco Rubio receives the Blue Flag award year after year assuring the quality of the beach, with 30.785 m2 of fine white sand and crystal clear Mediterranean bathing waters.

Barranco Rubio has a lifeguard service during the summer season and the beach is well served by bars and restaurants, including a chiringuito beach bar on the beach itself that provides refreshments and full bar service.

First-class services on and off the beach

The Delpuerto Restaurant at the northernmost end of the beach offers some outstanding Spanish dishes and an extensive tapas menu, with an elevated terrace that offers spectacular views of the beach and sea.

Special mentions should go to Fish Bowl Restaurant and Restaurante Los Ángeles. Visitors can find Fish Bowl just a short walk from the beach adjacent to the Campoamor Marina.

Restaurante Los Ángeles is located in Club Náutico Campoamor and boasts spectacular views across the sea and the marina. Both venues offer exquisitely prepared fresh food and beautifully appointed dining rooms suitable for special occasions and formal dining.

Accessibility to Playa Barranco Rubio is good, with gentle slopes toward the fine sand permitting access by wheelchair users and families with push-chairs and younger children.

However, parking can be problematic particularly in the summer months, with parking prohibited by yellow lines on many of the smaller roads closest to the beach. Calle Concha Espina and the neighbouring residential roads offer limited on-street parking, with access to the southern end of the beach via a slope with steps.

Despite its critics, Barranco Rubio Beach has plenty of benefits to attract visitors, and it is undoubtedly among the finest beaches the local South Costa Blanca area has to offer. But don't take our word for it, take a day out of your summer holiday this year and go see for yourself.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: Piotr Piosik / LaZenia.com

The long, fine stretch of sand disregards political boundaries, and the Cañada de Matamoros gully that cuts across the beach at its centre point divides the beach between the two coastal municipalities.

Mil Palmeras Beach measures 345 metres at the waterline and offers 15.570 m2 of pure white sand. The beach is relatively wide compared with other beaches in the area, faces due east, and tapers to a point at its northernmost tip.

In common with Barranco Rubio Beach found immediately to the north, Mil Palmeras Beach has a wide ravine at the south end of the beach that brings excess rainwater from inland areas to the sea during the spring and autumn months.

The ravine is part of the Rio Seco waterway, an ancient dry river that originates in the Sierra de Escalona mountain range and passes through Pinar de Campoverde inland before reaching the Mediterranean Sea basin.

Large stretches of Mil Palmeras beach feature tall vibrant red rock cliff faces that stretch into the sea at some points. The beach is noted for remaining quite shallow some way beyond the waterline, making the beach an excellent choice for families with children or less confident swimmers.

Playa de la Mil Palmeras beach in Orihuela Costa

The Blue Flag accredited beach is exceptionally popular in the summer but with a generous size, visitors will always find a space on the sand to call their own. Just add a couple of well-placed towels and a cool box – you've got yourself a picnic paradise in the sunshine.

Mil Palmeras offers a seasonal beach bar throughout the summer months. The Terrassa Beach Chiringuito occupies a prime spot on the sand offering a complete bar service with refreshing drinks and a selection of cocktails.

The traditional Spanish beach bar also offers a casual dining menu of snacks and light meals suited to all tastes, with plenty of popular choices for notoriously choosy children and younger adults. A calendar of live music events entertains visitors during summer weekends.

Sunbeds are available to hire for the day until late October each year, and a lifeguard service provides additional surety throughout the high season and on popular dates such as the Easter holidays.

There are plenty of local amenities around Mil Palmeras Beach including the Mil Palmeras commercial centre which hosts the upscale Blue Beach and Tango Beach restaurants.

A world of tastes, and flavours to savour off the sand

But head to the southern end of the beach and you're in for a real treat, with an extensive choice of lively bars, casual cafés, and bistro-style restaurants. Many of the venues offer glorious views over the beach and the Mediterranean Sea.

Strand Cafe Mil Palmeras directly on the beach promenade is a popular place with cyclists who often stop for refreshments en-route along the coastal path.

Immediately adjacent, visitors will find a pretty pedestrian walkway lined with bars and restaurants serving everything from traditional Spanish dishes and Asian cuisine, to Italian pizzas and German delicacies.

The lane leads to the Plaza de Mil Palmeras, a charming urban square with an additional selection of shops, café bars, and restaurants. The plaza also offers free parking with easy access to the beach.

Access to Playa de la Mil Palmeras Beach is easy thanks to plentiful free parking. Two large dedicated car parks in the south beach area offer off-road parking with a shallow ramp directly to the sands – ideal for people with limited mobility or families with young children.

An additional car park north of the beach offers further free parking with 60 spaces and a slope leading to the beach. A taxi from La Zenia to Mil Palmeras beach costs around 12€ to 15€ each way depending on traffic and journey time.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com

The Blue Flag accredited beaches in Playa Flamenca of Cala las Estacas and Cala Mosca offer pure white sands and a cove-shaped structure that offers bathers calm and safe swimming waters.

Both beaches are exceptionally popular throughout the year and undeniably striking, separated by a grand promenade built across an area of naturally weathered exposed ancient volcanic rock, and peppered with Mexican fan palm trees.

For most visitors to this part of the Orihuela Costa, that´s where the beach experience ends. But for local residents, knowledgeable visitors, and those of us who choose to spend our time poring over Google Maps, there is a third beach at Playa Flamenca – hidden off the beaten track.

Cala Cabo Peñas, the hidden beach of Playa Flamenca

And hidden Cala Cabo Peñas certainly is. There is no path to the beach, no well-worn track, and no signage to indicate its presence, but this natural beauty spot lies just 90 metres northeast of Cala Mosca separated from view by the undulating terrain of a heavily bouldered hill.

With a crescent-shaped beachfront measuring just shy of 100 metres at the waterline, Cala Cabo Peñas is some 10 metres longer than Cala Mosca but not as deep or large in terms of surface area.

Flanked on three sides by a rocky outcrop, the rear elevation overhangs the beach whilst the land slopes down to the white sandy beach on either side close to the shoreline.

Largely unadopted by Orihuela Town Hall except for the provision of several refuse collection points, the beach is unspoilt, secluded, and natural. You won't find bathroom facilities here, nor will you find a chiringuito – the popular beach bars that provide refreshments to Orihuela Costa's other beaches.

Unlike neighbouring beaches, Cala Cabo Peñas is bereft of lifeguard service, even at the height of the summer months, but it provides a popular alternative to the more prominent beaches during peak season.

Orihuela Costa's approved and official pet-friendly dog beach

In May 2021 Orihuela Town Hall signed an order designating the natural cove of Cabo Peñas in Playa Flamenca as the official dog beach for the municipal Orihuela area.

Cala Cabo Peñas offers plenty of space for man's (and woman's) best friends to enjoy the surf, feel the sand under their paws, and enjoy running in the surf and spending time with their owner.

A special “doggie-shower” is provided to help playful pooches rinse away the sand and seawater before they leave the cove.

For those looking for peace and tranquillity away from the madding crowds, Playa Flamenca's hidden beach is well worth a visit. Find Cala Cabo Peñas on Google Maps.

Looking for holiday ideas and inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what´s going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com

A total of 58 awards distinguish Orihuela's beaches, and each beach is Blue Flag accredited, certified to ISO standards, and carries Qualitur distinctions for excellence.

The beaches are the destination of choice for hundreds of thousands of international and local visitors year after year, and they remain popular attractions year after year despite recent global events.

But with Cabo Roig's popular La Caleta beach to the north, and Campoamor's majestic Playa de la Glea to the south, one beach very often remains overlooked.

And that's a shame, as Aguamarina Beach is naturally stunning and just as well-appointed as any of her neighbours. It's also our personal favourite.

Aguamarina is a shallow crescent of fine sand measuring 293 m at the waterline, with a maximum width of 38 m.

The beach offers plenty of space for families and sun-seekers, often when other local beaches are crowded during the summer.

The pristine safe waters are ideal for swimming, and during high season the Town Hall provides the additional surety of a lifeguard service.

During the summer a Spanish Chiringuito (beach bar) offers a variety of refreshments and casual dining options with some of the best open Mediterranean Sea views around.

Aguamarina Beach, one of South Costa Blanca's best beaches

Nearby rock pools and a rock and fossil beach to the north end of Aguamarina Beach provide plenty of opportunities for children to explore the Mediterranean Sea flora and fauna.

The beach is accessible for all, and a pretty promenade with seating runs the length of the beach from north to south.

An elevated walkway attaches to the vibrant cliff walls and connects Aguamarina to Campoamor Beach to the south. Part of the Mediterranean coastal path that leads from Mil Palmeras to Torrevieja in the north, the northerly path leads to neighbouring Cabo Roig.

Aguamarina Beach is composed entirely of fine white to golden sands, with exposed natural rock formations along part of the shoreline. It is generally regarded as one of Orihuela Costa's best beaches, and among the most beautiful beaches in the entire South Costa Blanca.

It's an ideal beach for families looking for something to entertain children, or for beach-goers looking for a sunny beachfront destination that's a little quieter in high season.

You'll find Aguamarina beach northward of Campoamor's Playa de la Glea beach, and south of Cabo Roig's La Caleta beach. Click here for a Google Map with directions from your location.

Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.

Photo credit: LaZenia.com