The Nude Beaches of Alicante
Costa Blanca coastline near Alicante
Five beaches around Alicante city, from wild dune walks to a signposted clothes-free classic.
snapshot
Alicante’s nude beaches stretch along more than 30 kilometres of Costa Blanca coastline, from a rocky headland just outside the city to a five-kilometre run of dunes near the salt flats. Five beaches are covered here, ranging from a signposted official clothes-free beaches to informal coves used by people who enjoy being nude for years. Most suit travellers who already feel comfortable being naked outdoors. A car makes reaching most of them far easier.
season
April to November
LEGAL STATUS
Nudity legal
GETTING THERE
car recommended
Vibe
Varied, mostly local
where we are
REGIONAL orientation
Alicante is a coastal city on Spain’s Costa Blanca, known for its old town, castle views over the bay, and a long stretch of Mediterranean coastline running both north and south of the centre. Nudity is legal on every beach in Spain, but only a handful of beaches around Alicante see regular use by clothes-free visitors. The five beaches covered here run from a rugged headland just past the marina to a wide stretch of dunes bordering wetlands about 40 minutes south of the city.
Beyond the beaches, the region has a handful of clothes-free resorts, so this is not a destination that requires improvising accommodation. The coastline mixes urban coves close to apartment blocks with remote stretches backed by pine forest or salt flats, so the character shifts considerably depending on which direction you head from the city.
the nude beaches
ONE BY ONE
Cap de l'Horta
38.35365370947315, -0.4140407078486382
Cap de l’Horta is a headland just north of Alicante’s marina, with several small coves rather than one continuous beach. Cala Palmera is the most hidden, a rocky inlet near a lighthouse. Cala Cantalares is the most popular with clothes-free visitors, a sheltered, mostly sandy cove with views back over the city. Cala de los Judíos is a long stretch of flat rock, easier to reach on foot than to swim from.
QuietRemoteNatural settingRockyNo facilities
Los Tossales
38.124177229212066, -0.640348218178584
Los Tossales, in the Costa Bella area south of Alicante, has official nude beach signage. A wide stretch of golden sand runs along the coast, and turning right at the end of the access trail leads to the marked naked section. It gets busy in summer, but arriving early even in high season improves the odds of a quiet visit.
LivelyAccessibleNatural settingSandyNo facilities
El Pinet
38.156642582499046, -0.6252048661868302
El Pinet borders the Santa Pola salt flats, a wetland reserve known for birdwatching, and is Santa Pola’s only nude beach. The beach runs for about five kilometres, so there is always space even when the small car park near Restaurant Galicia is full. Dune trails run parallel to the shore for those who want to explore before settling down. This is the most remote and least crowded beach on the list.
QuietRemoteNatural settingSandyNo facilities
El Carabassi
38.23073409493632, -0.5116823595107374
El Carabassí, between Elche and Santa Pola, is backed by dunes and pine forest and has a long-standing nudist tradition. The whole area functions as a nude beach, and it is common to find naked sunbathers right at the entrance. In peak season, textile visitors also use the beach, so walking further from the car park usually means more privacy. Some sections are rocky, so watch your footing near the water.
LivelyAccessibleNatural settingSandyNo facilities
Los Saladares
38.294995064710974, -0.5199942066825108
Los Saladares, also known as Urbanova, is the least scenic beach on this list and runs alongside a road, but its location makes it useful. It sits only a few kilometres from Alicante airport, making it a practical spot for a final skinny dip before a flight home or a first one on arrival. The nude zone runs along the far end of the promenade toward the boundary with Elche.
AccessibleSandyNo facilities
WHO THIS IS FOR
WHO SHOULD GO & who should not
Great for
- ✓ Visitors looking for a more independent beach experience
- ✓ Travellers who want variety, from urban coves to remote dunes
- ✓ First-timers looking for clearly signposted beaches to start with
- ✓ Nature lovers who enjoy walking dune trails or coastal paths
not ideal if
- ✕ You want facilities like showers or bars at every beach
- ✕ You're relying on public transport to reach most of the beaches
- ✕ You expect guaranteed solitude in July and August
practical
GETTING THERE & what to know
getting there
All five beaches lie within a 45-minute drive of Alicante city centre, stretching from Cap de l’Horta just north of the marina to Los Saladares near the airport. A car is the most practical way to reach any of them, since public transport does not run close to most access points. Alicante’s airport is a useful reference point: several beaches, including Los Saladares, are only a short drive away.
best time to go
Weekday mornings and the shoulder months of May, June and September offer the best chance of quiet beaches. Los Tossales and El Carabassi see the heaviest crowds in July and August. El Pinet and Los Saladares stay quieter even in peak season simply because they are less central. If a quiet beach matters to you, arrive early and expect popular spots to fill by mid-morning in summer.
legal status
Being nude is legal on beaches throughout Spain, but only Los Tossales and El Carabassi have formal signs indicating that nude bathing is permitted. At the other three beaches, nudity is an established local custom rather than an official designation.
what to bring
Footwear matters more than usual here. Cala de los Judíos and parts of El Carabassi are rocky rather than sandy, and the walk to El Pinet crosses dune paths with no shade. Bring plenty of water and food for El Pinet and the far end of El Carabassi, since facilities are minimal or absent there. A hat is worth packing even for a short visit, given how exposed most of these beaches are.
WHERE TO STAY NEARBY
virtual visit
SEE FOR yourself
Sometimes a two-minute watch tells you more than a page of text. Our video shows you what the beaches in this overview actually look like.
FAQ
most asked questions
Is nudity mandatory, or can I keep some clothes on?
Nudity isn't mandatory at any of these beaches. Textile bathers do use some of them, especially the entrance areas of El Carabassi in peak season. At Los Tossales and El Carabassi, the marked naked sections are understood as clothes-free by custom, so keeping a swimsuit on there will stand out.
Are these beaches good for first-timers?
Los Tossales and El Carabassi are the easiest starting point, since they have official signage and marked clothes-free sections, so there's no guesswork involved. The other three beaches rely on local custom rather than signs, which can feel less certain if you're new to try nudity.
Are these beaches family-friendly?
None of the five beaches are set up specifically for families. El Carabassi has lifeguard cover in season. The other four are more remote, with no facilities to fall back on.
Do I need a car to visit?
A car makes visiting any of these beaches far easier, since parking is the main access point for four of the five. Los Saladares is the exception, with a public bus route running between Alicante and the airport stopping nearby.
What time of year are the beaches at their best?
May, June and September offer the best balance of warm weather and manageable crowds. July and August bring the busiest crowds, especially at Los Tossales and El Carabassi, while El Pinet and Los Saladares stay quieter even in peak season. Given the warm Alicante climate, you can often have great naked beach days even in the middle of winter.
Are there toilets or food available at the beaches?
Facilities are limited and vary a lot by beach. Cap de l'Horta, Los Tossales and El Pinet have no facilities at all, so bring your own water and food.
