alicante compass
Playa del Saladar, Alicante.
Blue Flag beach with dunes, free parking, and more space than you'll find at Postiguet. Around 9 kilometres south of Alicante city centre.
"Playa del Saladar doesn't get the attention it deserves. Nine kilometres south of the city, past the noise — and suddenly you're on a long, wide beach with free parking, a proper promenade, good restaurants, and room to actually breathe.
It's a well-equipped beach that works for a full day out without any of the logistical headaches of the city beaches. Clean, maintained, and noticeably less crowded than Postiguet even on a summer weekend.
Two things worth knowing before you go. First: the beach sits directly under the flight path for Alicante Airport (ALC) — planes pass overhead regularly on approach and departure. For some people it adds a certain energy to the place. For others it's a dealbreaker. Worth knowing in advance.
Second: the far end of the beach is a designated naturist zone — there's a sign marking it clearly. Nothing dramatic, just worth being aware of so you're not caught off guard."
It's a well-equipped beach that works for a full day out without any of the logistical headaches of the city beaches. Clean, maintained, and noticeably less crowded than Postiguet even on a summer weekend.
Two things worth knowing before you go. First: the beach sits directly under the flight path for Alicante Airport (ALC) — planes pass overhead regularly on approach and departure. For some people it adds a certain energy to the place. For others it's a dealbreaker. Worth knowing in advance.
Second: the far end of the beach is a designated naturist zone — there's a sign marking it clearly. Nothing dramatic, just worth being aware of so you're not caught off guard."
Petro
Alicante Compass
Playa del Saladar, Alicante — Visitor Guide
Getting there, parking, facilities, naturist zone, and everything worth knowing before your first visit.
Playa del Saladar is a Blue Flag beach — which means the facilities are maintained to a consistent standard throughout the season.
During high season (June to September) you'll find foot showers, public toilets, sunbed and umbrella rentals, and a Red Cross lifeguard station on the sand. The promenade runs the full length of the beach with benches, bins, and lighting.
What sets it apart from the city beaches is the scale — at over a kilometre long, the facilities are spread out enough that you're never fighting for space at the showers or queuing for a sunbed. Restaurants and chiringuitos sit directly along the promenade with outdoor terraces facing the sea.
During high season (June to September) you'll find foot showers, public toilets, sunbed and umbrella rentals, and a Red Cross lifeguard station on the sand. The promenade runs the full length of the beach with benches, bins, and lighting.
What sets it apart from the city beaches is the scale — at over a kilometre long, the facilities are spread out enough that you're never fighting for space at the showers or queuing for a sunbed. Restaurants and chiringuitos sit directly along the promenade with outdoor terraces facing the sea.
- Outside of high season the sunbed rentals close but the beach itself remains clean and accessible year-round.
Yes — and it works well for different ages for different reasons. The beach is wide and open which means plenty of space even on busy weekends, and the sand is clean and well-maintained as a Blue Flag beach.
The water entry is gradual which helps with younger children, though Playa del Saladar faces open sea so it's less sheltered than a bay like Albufereta. Always check the flag before letting small children in.
The water entry is gradual which helps with younger children, though Playa del Saladar faces open sea so it's less sheltered than a bay like Albufereta. Always check the flag before letting small children in.
- There's a children's playground directly on the sand, full wheelchair and pushchair access along the promenade, and lifeguard cover during high season. The flat, wide promenade makes it one of the more practical family beaches near Alicante — easy to navigate with a buggy, nowhere near as crowded as Postiguet, and free parking close by.
Not particularly — and that's worth knowing before you pack the fins. Playa del Saladar is a long open sandy beach with a flat sandy bottom, which means limited visibility and not much underwater structure to explore.
If snorkelling is the priority, Cala Cantalar at Cabo de las Huertas is the better option — rocky coves, clearer water, and part of a marine reserve. It's around 15km north along the coast.
What Playa del Saladar does well is everything else — space, facilities, free parking, and a beach that doesn't feel like a city centre. For a straightforward swim in clean Blue Flag water without crowds, it's hard to beat.
If snorkelling is the priority, Cala Cantalar at Cabo de las Huertas is the better option — rocky coves, clearer water, and part of a marine reserve. It's around 15km north along the coast.
What Playa del Saladar does well is everything else — space, facilities, free parking, and a beach that doesn't feel like a city centre. For a straightforward swim in clean Blue Flag water without crowds, it's hard to beat.
Depends what you're after. July and August the beach gets busy — still noticeably quieter than the city beaches, but arrive early if you want a good spot near the promenade. The free parking fills up faster than the beach itself.
September is the sweet spot. Sea temperature at its warmest, families gone back to school, and the whole of Urbanova slows down to something close to its natural pace. The promenade restaurants are still open, the water is still warm, and you'll have more space than you'll know what to do with.
Spring and autumn are underrated — the beach is practically empty, the dunes are worth walking, and the light along the Costa Blanca coastline at this time of year is genuinely something.
Weekday mornings any season. That's always the answer.
September is the sweet spot. Sea temperature at its warmest, families gone back to school, and the whole of Urbanova slows down to something close to its natural pace. The promenade restaurants are still open, the water is still warm, and you'll have more space than you'll know what to do with.
Spring and autumn are underrated — the beach is practically empty, the dunes are worth walking, and the light along the Costa Blanca coastline at this time of year is genuinely something.
Weekday mornings any season. That's always the answer.
Playa del Saladar is around 9km south of Alicante city centre in the Urbanova district — easy to reach by car or bus.
- By car: The most practical option. Take the N-332 south towards Santa Pola and follow signs for Urbanova. Free parking is available at two spots along the beach:
- GPS: 38.288902, -0.520581 — large free car park, plenty of space
- GPS: 38.279384, -0.520392 — smaller car park, closer to the children's playgrounds
- By bus: Line 23 connects Alicante city centre to Urbanova and stops close to the beach. Journey time around 25–30 minutes.
- On foot or by bike: The coastal path from Alicante port runs south towards Urbanova — a longer route but one of the better rides or walks on the Costa Blanca.
Yes — and this is one of the genuine advantages over the city beaches. Free parking at Playa del Saladar is available at two dedicated spots along the beach:
No pay-and-display, no time limits, no parking helpers expecting a tip. Just park and go — which is more than can be said for Playa del Postiguet.
- Large free car park — GPS: 38.288902, -0.520581. Plenty of space, fills up last.
- Smaller car park closer to the playgrounds — GPS: 38.279384, -0.520392. More convenient for families but fills up faster on peak weekends.
No pay-and-display, no time limits, no parking helpers expecting a tip. Just park and go — which is more than can be said for Playa del Postiguet.
Playa del Saladar — Photo Gallery
Real shots of the beach, dunes, promenade and free parking — so you know exactly what to expect before you make the trip.
Alicante doesn't end at the waterfront.
Keep exploring:
Best Beaches
in Alicante & Costa Blanca
From hidden turquoise coves to vast golden sands — find your perfect beach on the Alicante, Costa Blanca.
Day Trips from Alicante
The Costa Blanca doesn't end at the city limits. Castles, coves, mountain towns, and seaside villages — all within an hour. Here's where to go.
Parks & Nature in Alicante
The green spaces, coastal paths, and quiet corners of Alicante that most visitors walk straight past. Worth slowing down for.
Stop Guessing. Start Planning.
A small selection of tools that make Costa Blanca travel easier. Some links are affiliate — meaning I earn a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. I only include services I'd genuinely recommend.
Hotels, apartments, and villas across the Costa Blanca. Summer fills up fast — the good spots go first.
Alicante Airport (ALC) connects to most major European cities year-round. Compare and lock in the best price before it moves.
The Costa Blanca stretches 200km. A rental car is the only way to actually see it — buses don't go where the good stuff is.
Day trips, boat tours, and guided excursions across the Costa Blanca — handpicked and worth your time.
Hi, I’m Petro, the face behind Alicante Compass.
This guide is free and always will be. Running it takes time, fuel, and a lot of coffee — researching places that don't show up on Google Maps, verifying details that other sites get wrong, and writing guides I'd actually want to read myself. If Alicante Compass has saved you time, money, or given you one moment worth remembering — I'd be grateful for your support. Every contribution keeps me on the road and the content free for everyone.
Ask Petro Directly
No question is too small. If you can't find the answer on the site, send me a message — I'll get back to you personally.
You agree to our Terms and Conditions