Playa de la Ampolla, Moraira
The verdict
- Best for: Value minded families who want a sheltered, shallow, Blue Flag town beach for nothing, with showers, a play park and restaurants all within a short walk.
- Best spot: The northern end nearest the breakwater, where the water is calmest and the entry gentlest, ideal for young children in the cool of the morning.
- Know this: Parking and sand fill fast in August. Arrive early for a free space, or walk on to Cala del Portet for a quieter swim that costs nothing.
Published 28 March 2026. Last reviewed 29 April 2026
Playa de la Ampolla is the main town beach of Moraira and the easy, low cost family swim of this stretch of the northern Costa Blanca. It is a crescent of fine golden sand, rare on a coast of pebble coves, sheltered behind a breakwater on the north side of the marina so the water stays calm and the entry shelves gently. That setting is the whole point: clear, calm, shallow water with a Blue Flag, a play park, foot showers and lifeguards in season, all a few steps from the sand. For a paddle with small children, it does almost everything right.
The honest catch is that this is a busy resort beach, not a wild one, and it is not large. In high summer the sand fills, the free parking goes early, and the gentle water comes with crowds and the buzz of a holiday town behind it. Come expecting comfort and convenience rather than seclusion or drama. If you want clear turquoise water against pine cliffs, that is Granadella or Cala del Moraig a short drive away, and you should not judge Ampolla against them. Judge it as what it is, a safe, free, family friendly town beach, and it earns its keep.
The value plan is timing and a short walk. Arrive before mid morning in summer for a free street or bay space and your pick of the sand, bring your own parasol, water and a cool bag rather than paying for sunbed sets and beach bar rounds, and keep a restaurant lunch for a treat. If the beach is full or you want a quieter swim for nothing, Cala del Portet is a few minutes away with the same calm shallow water in a smaller, prettier cove. For a long open beach with natural shade you would drive south, but for a cheap, sheltered, easy family day, Ampolla is the sensible choice.
Clubs on this beach
Ampolla has beachfront restaurants and a relaxed promenade rather than a club scene. Names and opening status change through the year, so check the current options in our Costa Blanca beach clubs directory.
Restaurants on the Ampolla promenade
The seafront behind the sand has a run of restaurants and cafes serving Mediterranean food, fish and drinks a short walk from the water, the main catering at the beach. Specific operators, opening status and prices change through the year and are to be confirmed before you visit.
Restaurants at Moraira marina
A short walk south around the breakwater, the marina and town centre add a wider choice of bars and restaurants, useful when the beachfront is full or you want a longer evening. Operators and terms vary by season and are to be confirmed.
Playa de la Ampolla sits in the centre of Moraira on the northern Costa Blanca, around twenty five minutes from Calpe and forty minutes from Benidorm by car, with local buses serving the town. The beach is free, and the only spend is optional, sunbeds and parasols, pedalo or paddleboard hire, and meals on the promenade behind the sand.
The cheapest plan is to arrive before mid morning for a free street or bay space, bring your own shade and a cool bag, and swim in the calm of the morning at the sheltered north end. If the beach is full, walk or drive a few minutes to Cala del Portet for a quieter swim, and come in the shoulder months for warm water and easy parking.
Reserve a day near Playa de la Ampolla
Tell us the date and party and we will match you to a beach restaurant near Playa de la Ampolla and Moraira and pass on your request. No charge to enquire.
Common questions
Is Playa de la Ampolla free?
Yes. The beach is free to enter and to swim, and the seafront promenade costs nothing to walk. The only spend is optional, a sunbed and parasol set, a pedalo or paddleboard hire, or a meal at one of the restaurants behind the sand. Bring your own shade and a cool bag and a day here is close to free.
Is Playa de la Ampolla good for families?
Yes. The beach sits in the shelter of a breakwater on the north side of Moraira marina, which keeps the water calm and the entry shallow and gentle, and there is a childrens play park, lifeguards in season and foot showers behind the sand. Conditions are typical rather than guaranteed, so follow the daily flags and keep young children within reach.
Where do you park at Playa de la Ampolla?
There is free street and bay parking around Moraira and near the beach, but it fills early through July and August. Arrive before mid morning for a free space within an easy walk, or come in the shoulder months when parking is simple. Paid options near the marina exist for busy days and are to be confirmed for current rates.
How do you keep a day at Playa de la Ampolla cheap?
Bring your own parasol, a cool bag and water rather than paying for the sunbed sets and beach bar rounds, and arrive early for a free parking space. Save a restaurant meal for a treat. If you want a quieter and equally calm swim for nothing, walk or drive a few minutes to Cala del Portet.
When is the best time to visit Playa de la Ampolla?
May, June, September and early October give warm calm water, open services and far easier parking than August. Mornings are quietest and calmest for a gentle family swim before the town beach fills through the middle of a summer day.
