Playa de Guardamar, Costa Blanca
The verdict
- Best for: Value minded families and long stay travellers who want kilometres of free sand and free natural shade rather than paid sunbeds on a packed strip.
- Best spot: The dune backed stretches a short walk on from the town beach, where the pines come close to the sand and the shade and quiet cost nothing.
- Know this: Park in the forest where spaces are often free, carry water and a picnic, and a full day here can run to almost no money at all.
Published 13 March 2026. Last reviewed 3 June 2026
Guardamar is the south coast answer for anyone who hates paying for a beach. This is around eleven kilometres of fine sand made up of several connected beaches, the whole run backed by an 800 hectare forest of pines, palms and eucalyptus planted long ago to hold the dunes. That forest is the secret. It throws free natural shade right to the edge of the sand, and the car parks among the trees are often free, which together turn a beach day into one of the cheapest you can have on the Costa Blanca.
The honest note is that Guardamar is not glamorous. It is a working family resort rather than a designer scene, the central town beach gets busy and goes to paid parking, and an open coast can pick up wind and a little more swell than a sheltered cove. None of that dents the value. The length means you are never short of space, the gentle entry suits children, and the difference between a crowded paid patch and a quiet free one is just a short walk.
The value plan writes itself. Skip the busy central beach and walk on to the dune backed stretches such as the Vivers and Moncayo sections, where the pines shade the sand for free and the crowds thin out. Park in the forest, carry water and a picnic, and bring a windbreak for the breezier afternoons. Save a beach bar or a meal in town for a treat rather than a necessity. Anyone who actively wants a polished promenade scene should look to Calpe or Benidorm, but for honest, low cost, family friendly sand with shade thrown in, very little beats Guardamar.
Clubs on this beach
Guardamar is a long natural beach with seasonal beach bars 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.
Beach bars on the central beach
The central town beach carries seasonal beach bars and restaurants with food, drink and some sunbed hire in the warmer months. Specific operators, opening status and terms change through the year and are to be confirmed before you visit.
Town restaurants behind the sand
Guardamar town behind the beach has the wider and cheaper choice of restaurants and bars a short walk from the sand. Operators and terms vary by season and are to be confirmed.
Guardamar del Segura sits south of Alicante near Torrevieja, around forty minutes from Alicante airport by car and reachable by regional bus. The beaches are free, the forest parking is often free, and the only cost is optional, sunbeds, beach bars and meals in town.
The cheapest plan is to park among the pines, carry water and a picnic, and walk a little to the quieter dune backed sand for free natural shade. Come in the shoulder months for warm water and easy parking, and bring a windbreak for the breezier afternoons on this open coast.
Reserve a day near Playa de Guardamar
Tell us the date and party and we will match you to a beach bar or restaurant near Guardamar del Segura and pass on your request. No charge to enquire.
Common questions
Is Playa de Guardamar free?
Yes. The beaches are free to enter and to swim, and the pine and dune forest behind them gives free natural shade. Parking in the forest areas is often free too, so a full day here can cost nothing beyond your own picnic. The only spend is optional, a sunbed, a beach bar or a meal in town.
How long is Guardamar beach?
Guardamar has around eleven kilometres of fine sand made up of several beaches, from the central town beach to long wild stretches backed by dunes and pine forest. Because it is so long you never need to pay for space, you simply walk a little further for quiet and free natural shade.
Why is Guardamar good value?
Few beaches offer this much for free. Kilometres of fine sand, free natural shade under the pines, often free forest parking and a gentle entry suited to families. You pay only for the extras you choose, which makes it one of the best value beach days on the south Costa Blanca.
Which part of Guardamar beach should you choose?
The central beach near town has the fullest facilities, lifeguards, showers and beach bars, but the busiest crowds and paid parking. For free shade and quiet, walk on to the dune backed stretches such as the Vivers and Moncayo sections, where the pines come close to the sand. Conditions are typical rather than guaranteed, so follow the flags.
When is the best time to visit Playa de Guardamar?
May, June, September and early October give warm water, open services and easy free parking. The pine shade makes even high summer comfortable, but mornings are coolest for a swim and quietest on the central beach before the day fills.
