Playa Flamenca, Orihuela Costa

Playa Flamenca is the easy, low cost family swim of the Orihuela Costa. It centres on two small Blue Flag coves of fine golden sand, the larger Cala Estaca and the smaller Cala Mosca, separated by a promenade with a little play park. Because the coves are crescent shaped and sheltered, the water stays calmer and shallower than an open beach, which makes them genuinely good for young children. The sand is free, the promenade is free, and the gentle entry asks nothing of nervous swimmers.

The honest catch is space. These are small coves in a busy holiday area, so in high summer they fill quickly, the nearest parking goes early, and by midday in August there is not much room left. This is package holiday country rather than a designer coast, and you should arrive without grand expectations. What you get instead is reliable, safe feeling, no fuss family sand at no cost, which is exactly the trade a value traveller wants.

The value plan is timing and a short walk. Come in the shoulder months or early on a summer morning for a free residential street space and your pick of the sand, bring your own parasol and a cool bag rather than paying for hammocks and rounds, and keep the beach bar for a treat. If both coves are full, take the coastal path to neighbouring Cala Cerrada in La Zenia, around seven to ten minutes away, where there is more room. Anyone wanting long open sand and natural shade should drive south to Guardamar, but for a cheap, sheltered, family friendly cove, Playa Flamenca does the job.