5 Reasons To Visit Playa San Juan Instead of Playa Postiguet in Alicante

We are finally back in Alicante after six weeks in the U.S., and the city is buzzing with excitement thanks to the annual Hogueras festival. (Look for my next post on that… I’m still figuring out what all it entails.) In the meantime, my little sister Carrie is here visiting, and we wanted to take her to the beach. Alicante actually has its very own beach, Playa del Postiguet, and it’s only a 20-minute walk from here! But it’s not our beach of choice. Instead, when we want to go to the beach, we head out of the city to a smaller town named San Juan.

We’ve now been to San Juan twice, and each was a slightly different experience, but both have been amazing beach days that left me very happy that we decided to go there instead of Postiguet.

So here are 5 reasons why you should visit Playa San Juan.

1. You Can Get There in 20 Minutes by Tram

Alicante doesn’t have a metro, but it does have an above-ground tram system for traveling slightly longer distances. The main station in the city center is called Luceros, which is about a 15-minute walk from our place, but it may be even more central for you depending on where you’re staying. The tram is the best way to get from Alicante to San Juan.

Once you’re in the station, all you have to do is buy a ticket for €1.40 (one-way) at one of the ticket machines. Then, take the L1 or L3 tram to the Costa Blanca stop, or the L4 to the Cabo Huertas or Avenida Benidorm stop. It should only take about 20 minutes. And when you get off, you’ll be at Playa San Juan!

(Note: the L4 takes a different route on the way back to Alicante so keep in mind you’ll need to walk farther to catch the tram at the end of your beach day.)

2. It’s Way Less Crowded

While Postiguet is super close, and I’ve definitely never lived anywhere near as close to a beach in my life, its close location isn’t only unique to me. Which means that almost everyone who lives in Alicante, and any tourists, has quick and easy access. As you can probably imagine, it gets crowded quickly — especially because the beach itself isn’t very big.

Here’s what it looked like from above, at the Castillo de Santa Barbara, the other day. This is the case pretty much every day during the summer.

At San Juan’s beaches, on the other hand, there is way more space for people to spread out. The fact that it takes a little bit more work to reach from Alicante also means it’s less crowded.

3. Locals, not Tourists

The truth is that most tourists are more likely to stay in the city center rather than trekking out to another town to go to the beach. Which means that the majority of people on San Juan’s beaches are locals and expats/immigrants. You won’t hear as much English, you’re less likely to be annoyed by people being obnoxious, you won’t come across people trying to sell you beach blankets every 5 minutes, and your stuff is less likely to be stolen while you’re in the water.

Overall, the vibes are just better.

4. The Water is Crystal Clear

Going along with the fact that it’s not as crowded, the water at San Juan’s beaches is so CLEAR! When we were there, I was standing neck-deep in the water, and I could still see my feet. It was some of the cleanest water I’ve ever been in.

If you want that crystal clear water, I recommend the south end of Playa San Juan which is technically called “Playa de las Huertas.” We went further north during our first visit, and the water was still nice, but it wasn’t as clear. Also, there seemed to be more fish that tried nibbling on us. 😂

But the plus side of the the northern beach is its proximity to the tram. From the south end, that’s where you have to walk more when it’s time to catch the tram back to Alicante.

5. Amazing views of the Costa Blanca

While Playa del Postiguet has a really nice view of the castle, San Juan has some stunning views of Spain’s “Costa Blanca,” or white coast. If it’s a clear day, you can see all the way from San Juan to Benidorm, a city about 40 km to the north that is sometimes known as the “NYC of the Mediterranean” thanks to the density of skyscrapers in its skyline.

Besides that, there are plenty of beachfront shops, restaurants, and cafes where you can relax with a drink or snack and continue to enjoy the views. And don’t forget to check out the two “Alicante Beach” lifeguard stations, famous for their colorful Miami-inspired makeovers.

 

Now you know why I prefer Playa San Juan over Playa del Postiguet in Alicante. What do you think? Do you prefer city or suburb beaches? Let me know in the comments!

-Cathy

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