Cargador beach is Alcossebre's best-known beach and the one most families choose. It's in the centre of town, in front of the seafront promenade, and it's the closest beach to the Al Andalus apartments.
What Cargador beach is like
According to the official Alcossebre tourism website, Cargador beach is 850 metres long and about 70 metres wide, with fine sand. Behind the beach there's a dune system of high ecological value, with a colony of sea daffodils, a protected plant of Mediterranean sandy shores. The beach is fully accessible and has held the Blue Flag without a break since 1987; in 2026 it is one of four Alcossebre beaches with the award, along with El Moro, Romana and Manyetes.
Why it's a good beach for children
- Fine sand and lots of space: at 70 metres wide there's room to play without treading on your neighbour's towel, even in August.
- Accessible: boardwalks and access points make it easy to arrive with a pushchair or with grandparents.
- Promenade right by the beach: ice-cream parlours, cafés and facilities a few steps from the sand.
- Activities: sailing club and paddleboard hire on the beach itself.
- Children's area or activities in season, according to the town council.
- Warm water: around 25 °C in high summer.
Getting there from the Al Andalus complex
From Al Andalus, on Avenida Blasco Ibáñez, Cargador beach is about a 7-minute walk. You don't need the car, which saves you hunting for a parking space near the promenade in high summer. With young children, a beach trolley for the parasol and buckets makes the walk easier.
Tips for a beach day with children
- Go early in the morning: the sand is cooler and there's more space.
- Avoid the middle of the day in July and August: that's the time to head back to the pool at the Al Andalus complex or for a siesta.
- Respect the dunes: cross them only on the boardwalks, to protect the plants.
- Check sea conditions and seasonal services at the Alcossebre Tourist Info in Plaza Vistalegre.
- Come back at sunset: the light is soft and the beach is quiet for playing.
What to take to the beach with children
A short list that saves trips back to the apartment:
- A parasol and high-factor sun cream: there's no natural shade on the sand.
- Water and some fruit, especially in July and August.
- Water shoes for the little ones if you'll be walking over rocky stretches or along the Senda Litoral.
- Buckets, spades and a ball: the beach is wide enough to play without bothering anyone.
- Towels from home: remember they're not included in the apartments.
- A sun hat for each child and light clothes for the walk back.
A living beach: dunes and sea daffodils
The Cargador isn't just sand: its dune system is one of the town's natural treasures, and it's home to the sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum), a white summer flower typical of sandy shores. It's a good chance to teach children to look after the beach: keep off the dunes, use the boardwalks, don't pick the plants and take your rubbish home. These small things are what allow the beach to keep its Blue Flag year after year.
The Senda Litoral: from the Cargador to Playa Romana
From the southern end of the Cargador the Senda Litoral sets off, a wooden boardwalk along the sea that leads to Playa Romana, another fine sandy, accessible Blue Flag beach (500 × 40 m). It's an easy walk to do as a family in the late afternoon.
Other beaches in Alcossebre
| Beach | Type | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Cargador | Fine sand, 850 m | The central beach and the closest to Al Andalus |
| Romana | Fine sand, 500 m | Accessible, linked to the Cargador by the Senda Litoral |
| Les Fonts | Fine sand, next to the marina | Freshwater springs on the beach itself |
| El Moro | Fine sand between rocks | Small, with lifeguards, showers and toilets |
To plan the rest of your trip, go back to the guide to family holidays in Alcossebre or see how to get to Al Andalus.