Playa de San Juan Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Colorful beach huts with striped awnings and a wooden boardwalk leading to the beach.
A beach with people sunbathing, a lifeguard on a wooden chair, and a clear blue sky.
A crowded beach with people walking along the shore and others in the water.
A crowded beach with people swimming and walking along the shore.
A crowded beach with people sunbathing and swimming, a mountain in the background, and buildings along the shore.

This beach is a popular Alicante destination, but it’s easy to find your own spot of sand to lounge in the sun and the water is perfect for swimming and watersports.

Playa de San Juan is a short drive from Alicante’s city centre, but is impeccably clean with crystal-clear waters and a leisurely atmosphere unaffected by the recent tourism developments on nearby beaches. Local bars and cafés have taken up prime position along the beach’s promenade and offer traditional food from the region as well as cool drinks, such as sangria. This stretch of the Costa Blanca is the most popular beach in Alicante. Despite this, it’s not difficult to find your own private patch along the wide sand.

The warm Mediterranean sun can get quite intense in the warmer months, so find some shade under the tall palms. Hire a sun umbrella from one of the beach stalls if you plan to spend the day and hire a lounge or deck chair to ensure complete comfort and relaxation.

Many of the restaurants, bars and shops are located at the city end of the beach. Vendors wander up and down the beach, so you can purchase cold drinks, snacks and even sunglasses without having to leave your seat!

Cool off with a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear Playa de San Juan waters. The shallow waters are ideal for young children and families to play and swim. Hire watersports equipment from the esplanade. Try out windsurfing and explore the water by skimming across the waves with the wind in your hair. Hire a ball and set up a match of beach volleyball or play beach soccer with the locals. The Alicante Golf Course is located just behind the beachfront.

Playa de San Juan beach is situated a 20-minute tram ride away from the Alicante city centre. It’s a quick 6-kilometre (4-mile) drive if you come by car. Parking is available behind the promenade for a small price. Playa de San Juan is open to the public day and night. There is no fee to use the beach.


Stay near popular Playa de San Juan attractions

Activities


Our pick of the best Playa de San Juan Hotel Deals

Hotel Castilla Alicante

Hotel Castilla Alicante

3.5 out of 5
Av. de los Paises Escandinavos, 7 Alicante Alicante
The price is NZ$316 per night from 16 Aug to 17 Aug
NZ$316
16 Aug - 17 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in Alicante. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Alicante Harbour and San Juan Beach are located ...
Hotel Castilla Alicante
Hotel Port Alicante City & Beach

Hotel Port Alicante City & Beach

4 out of 5
Av de Cataluña, 20 Alicante Alicante
The price is NZ$510 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$510
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Alicante. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (736 reviews)
"Mycket god mat , fina pooler, och fina drinkar ett bra familjehotell"

Reviewed on 16 July 2026

Hotel Port Alicante City & Beach
Hotel Alicante Golf

Hotel Alicante Golf

4 out of 5
C. José Escultor Gutiérrez, 23 Alicante Alicante
Stay at this golf hotel in Alicante. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Alicante Harbour and San Juan Beach are located ...
8/10 Very good! (537 reviews)
"A very pleasant clean hotel with polite staff"

Reviewed on 17 July 2026

Hotel Alicante Golf
Hotel Almirante

Hotel Almirante

4 out of 5
Avenida Niza, 38 Alicante Alicante
The price is NZ$648 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
NZ$648
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Alicante. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Alicante Harbour and San Juan Beach are located ...
Hotel Almirante
Melia Alicante

Melia Alicante

4 out of 5
Plaza del Puerto, 3 Alicante Alicante
The price is NZ$645 per night from 21 July to 22 July
NZ$645
21 July - 22 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Alicante. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,287 reviews)
"Clean room, staff friendly and helpful"

Reviewed on 13 July 2026

Melia Alicante
Four Points by Sheraton Costa Blanca Resort

Four Points by Sheraton Costa Blanca Resort

4 out of 5
Carretera Benidorm a Finestrat Benidorm Alicante
The price is NZ$366 per night from 22 July to 23 July
NZ$366
22 July - 23 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Benidorm. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (559 reviews)
"Good-sized rooms, clean, and with a great view. Breakfast has multiple choices and the staff is very friendly. Parking outside is free, but space is limited."

Reviewed on 16 July 2026

Four Points by Sheraton Costa Blanca Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Our guide on where to stay in Playa de San Juan

Find the best Playa de San Juan areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Playa de San Juan
Learn more about Playa de San Juan

Alicante City Centre

A noteworthy feature of Alicante City Centre is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Alicante Harbour and Calle Castaños.

Ensanche Diputación

If you're spending some time in Ensanche Diputación, Alicante Harbour and Alicante Cruise Ship Terminal are top sights worth seeing.

Barri Vell - Santa Creu

While visiting Barri Vell - Santa Creu, you might make a stop by sights like Alicante Town Hall and Basilica of Santa Maria.

Vista Hermosa

You'll enjoy the beaches and monuments in Vista Hermosa. You might want to make time for a stop at Gran Via Shopping Center or Postiguet Beach.

Cabo de las Huertas

Cabo de las Huertas is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Almadraba Beach and San Juan Beach.



Playa de San Juan Travel Guide

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