CAMPOAMOR BEACH Orihuela Costa's magnificent Playa de la Glea is internationally recognised as one of the finest beaches in the South Costa Blanca. A generous expanse of white sand, Campoamor Beach is a mecca for sunseekers and a major tourist attraction for this part of Spain.
It is Orihuela Costa's biggest beach, with a waterline that stretches more than half a kilometre (officially 513 metres) and a fine sandy surface measuring 35.910 square metres that dwarfs all other beaches in the municipal area.
As beautiful as it is endearing, the sheer size of Campoamor Beach is one of its main appeals. There is always an opportunity to find a place in the sun, and the beach never feels overcrowded – even in the height of summer.
Campoamor Beach lies on the Mediterranean coastline just 4.0 km south of La Zenia, with an east-facing orientation that bathes in sunshine throughout the day. Unlike Playa Barranco Rubio to the south, Playa de la Glea hasn't seen such heavy-handed coastal development and its topography remains relatively flat.
The only exception is the towering fire-red sandstone cliffs that mark the northern periphery of the beach, replete with an impressive elevated walkway that hugs the vibrant cliff face and provides a thoroughfare seamlessly connecting to Aguamarina beach and its curvaceous grand promenade.
Playa de la Glea, Orihuela Costa's biggest beach
Like other beaches in the area, Campoamor Beach acts as a natural basin during the spring and autumn seasons, and the southern end of the beach is marked by the Rio Nacimiento.
The ravine is dry for most of the year, but during periods of prolonged rain, the ravine brings floodwater from inland areas around Las Ramblas and Campoamor Resort golf courses to the Mediterranean Sea.
The southernmost terminus of Playa de la Glea hosts a magnificent leisure marina. Puerto Deportivo Miguel Caballero offers 348 private moorings for all sizes of sporting boats, yachts, and personal watercraft.
The centre provides leisure and water-sports facilities in the summer months and boasts the haute-cuisine Restaurante Los Ángeles. The port also hosts a yacht club, Club Nautico Dehesa de Campoamor, which has stood adjacent to the safe-water harbour for nearly fifty years.
In common with Orihuela Costa's other eleven beaches, Playa de la Glea is accredited with the Foundation for Environmental Education's Blue Flag award, globally recognised as the gold standard for excellence.
One of the finest Blue Flag beaches in the South Costa Blanca
Orihuela Costa has maintained the coveted Blue Flag status for more than five years, accorded for consistently high levels of water quality, ease of accessibility for all, and abundant essential facilities.
The beach is generously wide, tapering at either end and formed from idyllic soft golden sand. The sea tends to be reassuringly calm, and a relatively shallow depth makes the beach ideal for families with children.
A Chiringuito Beach bar offers a full bar service with refreshments and a menu of tasty light bites during the main summer season. Located mid-way on Campoamor Beach, the beach bar provides welcome shade, bathroom facilities, and a food and drinks service directly on the sand.
At the southern end of the beach, Restaurante Montepiedra Playa offers beach cocktails, a traditional Spanish menu, a formal dining room, and a beachfront terrace with breathtaking Mediterranean Sea views.
Further north, visitors will find WOW Beach Club by Las Colinas Golf. The upscale summer-only venue boasts a spectacular infinity pool, a spacious sun-drenched bathing terrace, and a Mediterranean restaurant serving an exquisite a la carte menu that changes depending on the day of the week.
Campoamor beach, access and parking in Dehesa de Campoamor
For a special treat, WOW Beach Club offer a relaxing personal massage service and the rental of luxurious Balinese beds accompanied by Veuve du Vernay Ice rosé French sparkling wine or Mumm Grand Cordon Brut Champagne with prices starting from €90.
A lifeguard service runs throughout the main Easter and summer seasons on Playa de la Glea.
Watersports are available during the main summer months from the beginning of July until Friday 6th September, including jet-ski hire and a notoriously exhausting floating assault course guaranteed to wear out children with excess energy to burn. The latter costs 8€ per half-hour session.
Accessibility for vehicles in Dehesa de Campoamor can be problematic, particularly during the summer season, with parking directly adjacent to the beach prohibited. Calle Rambla del Nacimiento offers the best choice of on-street parking with a large car park on the right just through the arched bridge.
Alternatively, Ramon de Campoamor adjacent to the southern end of Campoamor beach offers a small car park and generous on-street parking on both sides of the road.
Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.
Photo credit: LaZenia.com
