Nature lovers, the Guardamar Dunes are waiting for you. These mobile dunes in Alicante create a beautiful setting, uniting the sea and nature on the Costa Blanca, as they include an impressive forested area on the Mediterranean: 800 hectares of sand, pine, palm, eucalyptus and cypress trees. It is a Site of Community Importance and undoubtedly an essential stop if you’re planning to travel around this area of eastern Spain.
In this article, we reveal what there is to see at the Guardamar Dunes, what to do in the area and which are the best beaches nearby so that you can enjoy organising your trip and take in one of the wonders of the Costa Blanca.
Exploring the Natural Beauty of the Guardamar Dunes
The Guardamar Dunes are located in the Bajo Segura region of Alicante, and are proof that collaboration between nature and human beings is possible (and positive).
By car, they are approximately 40 minutes from Alicante, 30 minutes from Elche and 50 minutes from Murcia. These mobile dunes move between 2 and 8 metres per year because of the winds and storms of eastern Spain, though a plan to fix them was approved in 1987, with the help of reforestation: 600,000 trees planted in almost 40 years.
But this process is not over. In fact, the Tree Festival is celebrated annually in honour of this impressive work and every year new plantations are added to this natural oasis. If you want to take part, schedule a visit to the Guardamar Dunes for the 31st of January. This is an excellent way of educating little ones about the importance of protecting nature.
Golden Sand and Stunning Views: Guardamar Dunes
Thousands of travellers take advantage of their holiday on the Costa Blanca to visit the Guardamar Dunes and take photos of this spectacular landscape, but there is much more to this area than its impressive views. The Guardamar Dunes contain two very interesting archaeological sites: the port city of Fonteta, which belonged to the Phoenicians, and Rábita Califal, which emerged during the time of the Moors. Both are points of interest that are worth visiting for their historical, religious and cultural importance.
Beaches at the Dunes of Guardamar del Segura
The Segura river flows into the middle of the Guardamar Dunes, and on both sides lie beaches of fine sand with the forest as a backdrop:
- A naturist beach, called Tossals Beach.
- The Montcalo Beach, where you can make out the remains of old Roman towns.
- Los Viveros Beach, where you can find the archaeological sites of La Fonteta and Rábita Califal, mentioned earlier in this article.
Around the beaches at the Dunes of Guardamar del Segura, there are miles of coastline to be explored and enjoyed, as well as several archaeological sites – but with our recommendations, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on your sun and sea holiday.
Unique fauna and flora: Secrets of the Guardamar Dunes
With so much nature, it makes sense that the Guardamar Dunes are home to a wide variety of fauna and flora, and the immense forest, the site’s proximity to the sea and the presence of a river are fundamental factors in this biodiversity. Here, it is possible to spot herons, egrets, black-winged stilts, seagulls, the little grebe, the common moorhen, and much more.
This is also a very fertile area, and for that reason there is a lot of agriculture all around, with the Guardamar ñora pepper being one of the most interesting ingredients in the local cuisine. This is a pepper, also called a “bola” in Alicante and Murcia, that is highly valued for its aroma and used in rice dishes after being naturally dried on the beach dunes.
Coastal cuisine: Delicacies near the Guardamar Dunes
We know that a good holiday must include good food. At the Dunes of Guardamar del Segura, you can try typical regional dishes, such as the various rice dishes. Noteworthy icons of Valencian cuisine include arroz a la marinera (a seafood paella), arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish stock) and caldero (a typical seafood dish). Naturally, fish and shellfish greatly influence the region’s dishes, and at the fish market at the Guardamar Dunes, you can buy fresh ingredients to cook at home. We particularly recommend the famous Guardamar prawns.
Near the Guardamar Dunes, you can find lots of restaurants and bars where you can try the local cuisine or something simpler, like pizza or tapas, or even just enjoy a drink to combat the heat and spend an evening at the beach. Whatever you do, there are lots of ways to have a great time on your holiday at Costa Blanca.
For an Unforgettable Visit to the Guardamar Dunes
The beaches, cuisine, good weather and natural landscapes are just some of the Costa Blanca’s best assets, and the Guardamar Dunes combine all this in a truly exceptional way. Don’t miss this wild setting on your next visit! Of course, Alicante airport is just half an hour away, if you prefer to come by plane.
If you’re looking for accommodation near the Dunes of Guardamar del Segura, you’ve come to the right place, as we can point you to options for every taste and budget. Whether you’re coming alone, with your family or with a group of friends, on this site you’ll find apartments, houses, bungalows, chalets and villas very near the Guardamar Dunes. This location is perfect for visiting Alicante, Murcia, Elche, La Manga, Santa Pola and Cartagena. As you can see, you’ll be able to organise the perfect holiday for a visit to the Guardamar Dunes.
