British mum Ellis has shared a 'hidden gem' she discovered during a recent family holiday to Benidorm, urging tourists to visit an award-winning beach just an eight-minute tram ride from the city centre.
Beach with decades of awards
El Albir Beach (Playa del Albir) is a clean, Blue Flag-awarded pebble and shingle beach located in L'Alfàs del Pi on Spain's Costa Blanca, nestled between Benidorm and the coastal village of Altea. It has earned the Blue Flag award consecutively every year since the international environmental program began in 1985, maintaining the distinction for nearly 40 years.
The award is given annually by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) for exceptional water cleanliness, safety protocols, sustainable environmental management, and accessible facilities. The beach was also named the second best 'refreshing' beach in the Valencian Community by National Geographic, which praised its crystal-clear water, peaceful atmosphere, and scenic views.
Quiet and smoke-free
Ellis praised the beach's turquoise waters, saying: "So turquoise you can literally see clearly to the bottom, which makes it look like it's really shallow and it's actually really deep and intermittently over the tunnel." She also noted the beach is a smoke-free and vape-free zone, which she said "makes it even more rare and unique."
In 2025, the mayor of L'Alfàs, Vincente Arques, announced a ban on vaping and smoking on all beaches in the area to prevent littering and promote a healthier lifestyle. Those caught smoking could face a fine of up to £1,700 (€2,000).
Ellis explained the beach is pebble, but the pebbles are tiny and white, making them soft to walk and lie on. She added: "And it absolutely baffled me how quiet it was considering it was such a stunning beach. But would you believe this is the closest beach of Benidorm and probably 99% of visitors that go there don't even know it exists."
