Hotels in Guardamar del Segura

Guardamar del Segura is a low-key Costa Blanca town at the mouth of the Segura river, best known for one of the longest unbroken stretches of sandy beach and dune on this coast, backed by a pine forest planted in the early twentieth century to stop the shifting sands from swallowing the town. That forest, with its shaded walking trails and the duck-filled park at its edge, gives Guardamar a greener, calmer feel than its high-rise neighbours to the south around Torrevieja. History buffs will find Iberian and Phoenician archaeological sites nearby, including the place where the Dama de Guardamar bust was found.

Be honest: this is mostly a residential and family resort, ringed by sprawling villa developments popular with northern European residents, and it gets very quiet outside summer, with little nightlife and a small choice of hotels. Alicante-Elche airport is within easy reach, which makes it a practical base for a beach stay. Stay in the town centre near the main beach and the pine park, where you can walk to the sand, the restaurants and the shops without needing a car.