The beach of La Glea in Campoamor

Half a kilometre of fine white sand, parking nearby and beach-side restaurants all year round

Campoamor was just another area of Spain’s unspoilt and unexploited coastline until the early 1960s, but now the area is a well-established semi-urban residential and beach complex which attracts visitors and residents from all over Europe.

Access to the beaches is from 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, La Glea being just to the north of this central feature.

It is one of the longest in the municipality of Orihuela with an official length of 513 metres, and at its maximum it is also 70 metres wide. The wide range of facilities make it one of the best equipped of Orihuela-Costa’s beaches, with jet-ski and pedal-boat hire, a children’s play area, sunbeds and sunshades at the disposal of those using the beach bars and complete safety measures (lifeguards, watchtower and first aid point).

The beach can be accessed by stairs at either end, but in the centre it lies in front of the wide rambla (or floodwater channel) which runs down from the area of the Las Ramblas golf course. This not only provides easy flat access, which is further enhanced by the installation of wooden walkways during the summer, but also supplies a wide area of land which cannot be built on in the middle of the well occupied residential area of Campoamor. In the centre of this area, next to a viaduct the origins of which date back to Roman times, is an impromptu football pitch, and the flat terrain also means that there is plenty space for parking, if not right next to the beach then at least nothing more than an easy five-minute walk away. Public bus services also serve the area.

Other aspects which make this a disabled-friendly beach are the amphibious bathing chair, specially designated parking spaces, access ramp and adapted toilet facilities. In summer 2014 there were even secure lockers which could be hired for five euros per day, a price which included an access code to the wi-fi connection at the beach.

Unsurprisingly the beach boasts not only the Blue Flag but the “Q” banner denoting quality tourist facilities, and even in the winter the seaweed is cleared every day, the amphibious chair is still provided and the children’s play area remains in operation.

The beach really is a year-round attraction, and is well-served at the southern end, next to the marina, by a couple of bars and restaurants with beach terraces where sunbeds can be hired. This is a popular meeting point in the off season for both residents and visitors – even outside high season there are numerous sunbathers  - and it means that a day out at La Glea need not entail the preparation of a coolbox or a hike inland to find somewhere to eat.

La Glea is also a nice place to base yourself for a pleasant coastal walk. To the south lie the marina and Barranco Rubio beach, while as the sand of La Glea peters out at the northern end there begins a raised cliff path which connects round the headland to the area of Aguamarina.

Click for map, Playa La Glea.

Click for overview of beaches within the Orihuela municipality.