Where is Gran Alacant?
Gran Alacant sits on the Costa Blanca South, between Alicante city and Santa Pola. It is a modern residential area in the municipality of Santa Pola, built mainly from the 1990s onwards on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean.
To the north it runs down to the beach and the seaside town of Arenales del Sol. To the west it is bordered by the N-332 road and the Clot de Galvany nature park, and a stretch of pine woodland separates it from the centre of Santa Pola.
The town is made up of many separate urbanisations rather than one old centre. Most are gated, with communal gardens and pools, and many homes look out towards the sea and the island of Tabarca.
What is it like to live in Gran Alacant?
It is quiet, green and practical. This is not a nightlife resort: the emphasis is on the outdoors, the beach and everyday living, with a population of roughly ten thousand people split fairly evenly between Spanish residents and international owners.
Unlike some coastal spots, Gran Alacant stays open through the winter. Clubs, community groups, sports and a local market keep things going out of season, though it is clearly busier in July and August.
Day to day amenities are good for a town of this size:
- Shops and supermarkets in and around the two local commercial centres, plus bars, cafés and restaurants
- A local health centre, with larger hospitals and specialists in Alicante, Elche and Santa Pola
- Sports facilities and a municipal park in the Sierra de Santa Pola
- Schools: a state primary locally, with bilingual and international schools within a short drive, including in Elche and Alicante
- Buses to Alicante, Santa Pola and the airport, although most residents keep a car
The outdoor side is the real draw. The Clot de Galvany reserve covers around 366 hectares of ponds, pine woods and trails, with birdwatching hides, marked walks and Civil War bunkers in the hills. Walking, cycling, running, windsurfing, kitesurfing and paragliding are all popular here.
How much does property cost in Gran Alacant?
All prices below come from our own listings at the time of writing (September 2026) and are rounded. They are asking prices, not sold prices.
- Two-bedroom apartments and duplexes: most sit between about €190,000 and €290,000, with the typical one around 90 m² built
- Townhouses and semi-detached homes: usually from the high €200,000s into the €400,000s, depending on plot, terrace and views
- Detached villas: from roughly €450,000 up to around €690,000 at the top of our current range
The middle of our Gran Alacant market is close to €340,000, which reflects a mix of apartments and larger houses. Almost everything we have here is resale rather than new build, and roughly one in five properties comes with a private pool. Many of the rest sit in communities with a shared pool, so budget for monthly community fees.
On a resale purchase in the Valencian Community, transfer tax (ITP) is 9% of the price, rising to 11% on the portion above €1M from 1 June 2026. New build carries 10% IVA plus 1.4% stamp duty (AJD) instead. Allow extra for notary, land registry and legal fees.
Two things move prices most here: sea views and how far you are from the beach. A hillside apartment with an open view will cost noticeably more than a similar home set back inland.
How far is Gran Alacant from the beach and the airport?
The nearest beach is El Carabassí, a wide, natural sandy beach backed by fossil dunes and pine trees, with wooden walkways and Blue Flag status. From parts of Gran Alacant you can walk down to it, though the hill means the walk back up is real exercise. Many residents drive or cycle.
Next along is Arenales del Sol, with its long seafront promenade and beach bars. Santa Pola's town beaches, marina and fishing port are a short drive south, including the family-friendly Playa Levante.
Alicante-Elche airport is about 6 km away in a straight line, which is roughly 10 to 15 minutes by car. Alicante city, with its high-speed rail link to Madrid, is around 20 to 25 minutes. Región de Murcia airport at Corvera is about 106 km away, or just over an hour by road.
Is Gran Alacant good for golf?
Honestly: golf is not the reason people buy here. There is no golf course inside Gran Alacant itself, though El Plantío is within 15 km.
That said, several courses sit near Alicante city and Elche, so a round is a short drive rather than a day trip. If golf is your main priority, the resorts further south around Orihuela Costa and Murcia are a better fit, and we can point you to those instead.
What Gran Alacant does offer is nature and water sports: dune walks, birdwatching, sea swimming from May to October, diving near Tabarca and sailing from Santa Pola.
Who buys in Gran Alacant, and is it good for renting out?
Buyers here are a mix. British, Scandinavian, Dutch, Belgian, German and Polish owners sit alongside a large Spanish community, many of whom live here all year. Retirees like the flat-ish urbanisations, the climate and the closeness of healthcare and the airport; families come for the beach, the nature reserve and the school options.
For letting, the strength is the airport. Being ten minutes from arrivals makes short stays easy to sell, and the beach and nature reserve give guests something to do beyond sunbathing. Demand is strongest from late spring to early autumn, with a quieter winter season that suits long stays from northern Europe.
If you plan to let, check that the community allows it and look into the Valencian tourist licence before you commit. A sea view, a lift and a walkable location make a clear difference to bookings.
If you would like to compare Gran Alacant with Alicante or the quieter beaches around La Marina, or you have questions about a particular property, our office in Cabo Roig is happy to help. You can also browse the homes listed above.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gran Alacant part of Santa Pola or Alicante?
It belongs to the municipality of Santa Pola, in the province of Alicante. Some of the neighbouring beach and reserve land falls within Elche, which is why you will see different names used online.
Can I live in Gran Alacant without a car?
You can manage, as there are supermarkets, bars and buses to Alicante, Santa Pola and the airport. Most residents still keep a car, partly because the area is spread out and hilly.
Are there community fees, and what do they cover?
Almost all homes here sit in a community. Fees typically cover the shared pool, gardens, lighting and building insurance, and vary with the size and facilities of the urbanisation.
Does Gran Alacant feel empty in winter?
It is much quieter than in August, but it does not close down. A good share of residents, Spanish and international, live here all year, so shops, bars and clubs stay open.
Do properties here have sea views?
Many do, because the town is built on a hillside facing the Mediterranean. Views vary a lot between urbanisations and floors, so it is worth visiting the specific property before deciding.
What is the beach at Gran Alacant like for children?
El Carabassí is sandy and gently sloping, but it is a natural beach with dunes and fewer facilities than a town beach. Families who want more services often use the beaches at Arenales del Sol or Santa Pola.