Altea beaches and coves: the complete guide
Altea has more than 6 kilometres of coastline and one defining trait: there is no sand here. Its beaches are pebbles and gravel, and that — off-putting for anyone after a comfortable towel — is precisely what keeps the water exceptionally transparent and the beaches less crowded than its neighbours’. It is the best coast in the Marina Baixa for snorkelling straight off the shore.
This guide covers the municipality’s nine beaches and coves north to south, from Mascarat (the Calp boundary) to Cap Blanc (the l’Albir boundary), with seabed, facilities and who each one suits.
Comparison table
| Beach / cove | Seabed | Facilities | Access | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cala del Mascarat / la Barreta | Boulders, rocky bottom | Watersports hire | Easy | Kayak, paddle, snorkelling |
| Cala de la Barra Gran | Boulders | None | Difficult | Solitude |
| Platja de l’Olla | Pebbles and gravel | Pine shade; dog area | Easy | Snorkelling, dogs |
| Cala del Soio | Pebbles | None | On foot | Peace and quiet |
| Cap Negret beach | Gravel and pebbles | Hotel and restaurants nearby | Easy | Snorkelling, geology |
| El Bol beach | Pebbles | Near the old town | Easy | A quick dip |
| Platja de la Roda / l’Espigó | Mixed | Everything; accessible | Urban | Families, services |
| Cap Blanc beach | Gravel and sand | Sunbeds, volleyball, activities | Easy | A long, wide beach |
| Cala Solsida | Pebbles and rock | None | On foot | Naturism, calm |
The beaches, north to south
Cala del Mascarat and la Barreta
On the Calp boundary, at the mouth of the Mascarat ravine and beside the Marina Greenwich marina — the Greenwich meridian runs through here, hence the name. Boulders and a rocky seabed with posidonia: excellent snorkelling even in shallow water, and a regular spot for kayaking and paddleboarding. There is a free dirt area behind the beach, but in summer arrive before mid-morning. One of Altea’s busiest.
Cala de la Barra Gran
Sheltered by the rocky Mascarat headland, with difficult access and no facilities at all: pebbles, clean water and almost nobody. For anyone after a solitary cove without leaving the municipality.
Platja de l’Olla
One of the best loved: pebbles and gravel, with pines that give shade — a rarity on this coast — and traditional fishing boats hauled up on the shore. It has a designated dog area. Every August it is the setting for the Castell de l’Olla, the firework castle over the sea that fills the bay. Good snorkelling. Guide: Platja de l’Olla.
Cala del Soio
A small pebble cove beside the Cap Negret volcanic formation, between l’Olla and the beach of the same name. No facilities; reached on foot from the promenade.
Cap Negret beach
1.5 km from the centre, between the mouth of the Algar river and Cala del Soio. Gravel and pebbles, quiet and rarely full. Its distinction is geological: the volcanic rock outcrop that gives it its name has been a declared Natural Monument since 2020. The seabed combines stone, rock and patches of posidonia: good, easy snorkelling. Scattered parking on the N-332 service road, which fills early in summer; the hotel has paid spaces.
El Bol beach
A small pebble beach next to the town centre, between Cap Negret and la Roda. The option for a quick dip without going far.
Platja de la Roda (l’Espigó)
Altea’s urban beach, at the foot of the old town, with a promenade full of restaurants and shops. Mixed seabed, full services and adapted access: the most convenient for families who want beach and town at once. From here you climb to the old town and its blue-domed church.
Cap Blanc beach
In the south of the municipality, a long, wide stretch of gravel and sand that forms the transition towards l’Albir. Semi-urban, with sunbeds, parasols, volleyball and activities; it usually flies a Blue Flag (check the current year). The easiest one for parking.
Cala Solsida
To the south, on the way to the Serra Gelada: an isolated, quiet cove of pebbles and rock, no facilities and access on foot. Traditionally frequented by naturists, and one of the quietest in the district.
Which one to choose
- With children and full facilities: la Roda or Cap Blanc.
- Snorkelling: Mascarat/la Barreta and Cap Negret; l’Olla as the comfortable alternative.
- With a dog: the designated area at l’Olla.
- Shade: l’Olla, the only one with pines.
- Solitude: la Barra Gran and Solsida.
- Without a car: la Roda and el Bol, on foot from the centre.
Practical tips
- Water shoes are essential everywhere in Altea: these are pebble beaches, not sand.
- The water gets deep quickly at several of them; take care with small children outside la Roda and Cap Blanc.
- Parking: easy at Cap Blanc and la Roda; difficult at Cap Negret and Mascarat from mid-morning in summer.
- Season: June to October for swimming. In August the Castell de l’Olla fills the bay: if you go that day, arrive hours ahead.
More about Altea
- Altea guide · Old town · Platja de l’Olla
- Fiestas and culture: Castell de l’Olla · Moors and Christians · Jazz Festival · Nit de l’Art
- To the north: Calp beaches and coves · To the south: Cala de la Mina below the Albir lighthouse and the Serra Gelada Natural Park
- 🗺️ All the coves of the Costa Blanca — the index by municipality, from Dénia to El Campello