Barranco Rubio beach, Orihuela (Campoamor)

Orihuela’s longest beach is well equipped all year round

According to the official figures, Playa Barranco Rubio is Orihuela Costa’s longest beach at 655 metres, and although it is not the widest there is enough room to ensure that it is also one of the best equipped and most popular.

The name of the beach means “white cliff” or “white ravine”, but this can be misleading for a couple of reasons. Firstly the rocks behind the sand are mostly not white but a golden orange colour, and secondly, the beach is not as inaccessible as such a name might suggest. Certainly it is necessary to make your way down stairs at most access points, but there is a ramp in the centre of the beach and wooden walkways make it possible for those of limited mobility to enjoy it with some help.

Despite this and the availability of an amphibious bathing chair, it is certainly not the most disabled-friendly of Orihuela’s beaches: although efforts have been made to improve access, there is no denying that it is not a “stroll-on, stroll-off” beach in the same way as some of those which lie a little further north.

The lifeguard facilities and first aid point are manned throughout the summer, and pedalos can also be hired, while the children’s play area and amphibious bathing chair for the disabled are among the facilities which are maintained all year round.

The rocky outcrop lying behind the beach makes it a sheltered location, ideal for those seeking spring or autumn sunshine away from the chilly breeze.

Access to the beach is from the exit at kilometre 768 of the Autopista del Mediterráneo onto the N-332, from where any of the streets to the right lead down towards the shore. The two beaches (La Glea and Barranco Rubio) are separated by a headland at the foot of which the marina is located, with Barranco Rubio occupying the southern half of this stretch of the coastline. Parking is, predictably, a potential problem in high season (mid-June to mid-September), and the beach is not as well served by public bus services as its neighbour to the north, La Glea.

Those planning to have lunch here during their day at the beach can choose the beach bar snack option in the summer, but even out of season the options of taking a coolbox or making a trip back up towards the main N-332 road are complemented by the existence of several restaurants just a short distance away.
The restaurant in the marina may require a change of clothes (and is also a stiff climb up the hill), while just on the other side, at the southern tip of La Glea beach, there are several beach-front establishments. Although they are close by, though, those not keen on steep gradients would be well advised to take the car!

Click for map, Barranco Rubio beach

Click for beach overview of beaches within the Orihuela municipality