Bol Nou Beach (Villajoyosa)

Bol Nou Beach: Villajoyosa's Hidden Costa Blanca Cove

Tucked between dramatic ochre cliffs just south of the colourful fishing town of Villajoyosa, Bol Nou Beach Spain is one of those Mediterranean secrets that locals quietly hope you won't discover. This slender ribbon of pale golden sand and smooth pebbles, framed by pine-dotted bluffs and lapped by water so transparent it looks photoshopped, offers a slice of old-school Costa Blanca magic — the kind that existed before high-rises crept down the coast. If you're craving a swim in genuinely clear water without the elbow-to-elbow crowds of Benidorm or Alicante city beaches, this is your cove.

What Makes Bol Nou Special

Bol Nou (sometimes written Cala Bol Nou Alicante) sits in a semi-wild stretch of coastline where the Serra Gelada foothills tumble into the sea. The beach itself is modest — roughly 180 metres long and only a few metres wide at high tide — but its personality punches far above its size.

• The water is the headline act: a graduated palette of turquoise shallows deepening to indigo, often with visibility of 10 metres or more. Snorkellers routinely spot octopus, sea bream, and salema darting around the rocky edges.
• The sand is a soft beige mixed with fine gravel and pebbles near the shoreline, so water shoes make swimming entries far more comfortable.
• The setting is wonderfully undeveloped. There are no apartment blocks looming overhead — just rust-coloured cliffs, scrubby Aleppo pines, and the occasional kestrel riding the thermals.
• The vibe skews local and relaxed. You'll hear Valencian and Spanish more than English, and families typically arrive with coolers and umbrellas for a full day rather than passing through.

The beach shares its stretch of coast with the adjacent Cala del Xarco and Playa del Paraíso, meaning a short scramble opens up even more secluded swimming spots if Bol Nou feels busy.

Getting Into the Water and Snorkelling

The entry is gradual for the first few metres, then drops into deeper water — perfect for actual swimming rather than just paddling. Head to the rocky outcrops on either end of the cove for the best snorkelling. The left (eastern) side has shallow reef where young fish shelter; the right side slopes steeper and sometimes reveals larger grouper and the odd ray gliding past the sand line.

Bring your own mask and fins — there's no rental kiosk directly on the beach. The seabed is a protected part of the Serra Gelada marine environment, so no fishing or shell collecting.

Facilities and What to Bring

Bol Nou is semi-serviced, which is part of its charm but also means some preparation.

• Lifeguard service operates mid-June through mid-September, generally 11:00–19:00.
• A small chiringuito (beach bar) typically opens for the summer season, serving cold beers, bocadillos, and simple paellas. Prices run about €3–4 for a caña and €14–18 for a rice dish.
• Showers and basic toilets are available in high season near the access ramp.
• Sunbeds and umbrellas are generally not rented here — bring your own parasol, especially since there's almost no natural shade on the sand.
• No big resort infrastructure, so pack water, snacks, and sunscreen before you arrive.

Essentials to bring: reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, a snorkel set, plenty of drinking water, and a bag to carry out any rubbish (the beach relies on visitors keeping it tidy between cleanings).

How to Get There

Bol Nou sits roughly 2 km south of Villajoyosa's old town, just off the N-332 coastal road.

• By car: From Alicante, it's a 30-minute drive north on the AP-7 or the slower, scenic N-332. There's a small free parking area at the top of the cliff, but it fills by 11:00 in July and August. Additional roadside parking is available further along the N-332 with a 5–10 minute walk down.
• Access path: A concrete ramp and a set of stairs lead down the cliff to the sand. It's manageable but not wheelchair-friendly, and the climb back up in afternoon heat is a workout — bring water.
• By train: The TRAM Metropolitano de Alicante (Line 1 or 9) connects Alicante, El Campello, Villajoyosa, and Benidorm. Get off at Creueta station in Villajoyosa, then it's a 15–20 minute walk south along the coast.
• By bus: Local Villajoyosa buses stop near the N-332 turnoff in summer.
• From Benidorm: 15 minutes by car south, or a scenic TRAM ride.

Best Time to Visit

The Costa Blanca enjoys over 300 days of sunshine, but timing matters at a small Costa Blanca cove like this one.

• May, June, and late September are the sweet spot — warm enough to swim (water temperatures 20–24°C), long sunny days, and far fewer people than peak summer.
• July and August bring Spanish holidaymakers in force. Arrive before 10:00 to secure a good spot, or come late afternoon (after 17:00) when day-trippers start packing up and the light turns golden against the cliffs.
• October can still deliver swimmable water and empty sand on weekdays.
• Winter is for scenic walks and photography rather than swimming, though hardy locals do take the plunge on calm January days.

Avoid days after easterly storms (llevant winds), which can churn up seaweed and reduce visibility for a day or two.

Combining Your Visit with Villajoyosa

Don't just hit the beach and leave — Villajoyosa beach life is only part of the appeal. The old town, just a 10-minute drive or 25-minute coastal walk north, is famous for its row of brightly painted fisherman's houses lining the Amadorio river mouth, originally colour-coded so sailors could spot their homes from sea.

• Visit the Valor Chocolate Museum (free tours, small shop with excellent dark chocolate) — Villajoyosa has been a Spanish chocolate-making capital since the 18th century.
• Wander the medieval walls and the Gothic-Renaissance Asunción church-fortress.
• Eat arroz a banda or caldero at a harbour-front restaurant — expect to pay €18–25 for a proper rice dish.
• Grab a sundowner at one of the colourful plazas; the town stays authentically Spanish rather than tourist-tuned.

Insider Tips

• Weekdays beat weekends by a huge margin — Spanish families descend on Saturday and Sunday.
• The southern end of the cove is quieter and has the best snorkelling rocks.
• Phone signal is patchy at the base of the cliff, so download maps and tickets beforehand.
• No dogs on the beach between April and October.
• If Bol Nou feels full, walk 10 minutes south to Cala del Xarco — equally beautiful, often emptier.
• Bring a small torch if you stay for sunset; the climb back up the path is unlit after dark.

Bol Nou isn't flashy, and that's precisely why it has stayed wonderful. Pack light, plan a little, and you'll leave with sun on your shoulders and salt in your hair — the Costa Blanca the way it used to be.