Playa de San Juan
Alicante's long city beach, and a favourite with families and remote workers.
Playa de San Juan is the long sandy beach just north of Alicante city, around 7 km of it if you count Muchavista at the far end. It's more residential than the centre, with apartment blocks, wide pavements and a lot of people out walking, running and cycling along the front.
The restaurant and bar scene runs along the seafront and the streets just behind it, with plenty of terraces that stay busy well outside summer. The TRAM gets you into the centre of Alicante in about 20 minutes, which is why so many expats and remote workers end up living here.
Playa de San Juan guides
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Where to Eat and Drink in Playa de San Juan (2026)
From decades-old paella spots to beachfront seafood, vegan fusion, and the bars worth staying out for - our local guide to eating and drinking in Playa de San Juan.
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Food & DrinkBest Bars in Playa de San Juan - For Expats & Visitors
A 25-year-old rock bar with Thursday jam sessions, an award-winning burger chain, a vegan kitchen with a 4.9-star rating, and a Japanese fusion chef who learned to cook in Osaka. The real San Juan bar and restaurant scene.
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Playa de San Juan's best-rated restaurant serves no meat at all. Here's what that 4.8 on Google actually gets you.
Food & DrinkCIRCO Playa San Juan: the real verdict on the circus restaurant
Circus decor, serious seafood, and a 4.6 from 2,615 reviews on the Playa San Juan beachfront. Who it's for and who should skip it.
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An honest look at Boga Sky Lounge, Alicante's rooftop cocktail bar: the sunset views, the 4.5 rating, and how it stacks up.
Food & DrinkPelican Restaurante in Playa San Juan: An Honest Review (2026)
Pelican Restaurante is rated 4.8 on Google. Here's an honest look at it, and how it stacks up against a couple of other seaside spots.
Places in Playa de San Juan
22 listings
Restaurants & Cafes(12)
Baobab Soul Kitchen & Bar
Plant-filled vegetarian spot in Playa de San Juan run by three Argentine friends. Get the pad Thai.
Pelican Restaurante - Playa San Juan
Japanese-fusion sushi, tempura prawns and cocktails on a big San Juan terrace, with DJs later on.
CIRCO Playa San Juan
Playa de San Juan burger joint with bravas with lime, a monthly special burger and well-loved staff.
Restaurante Casa Julio
Family-run beach restaurant since 1948 with a terrace on the sand and classic seafood rices
Restaurante Daksa
Modern rice house on Av. de Niza: paellas, grilled octopus, croquettes and a good-value set menu.
Azul Playa
Beachfront rice restaurant on Playa de San Juan with a glazed promenade terrace and long lunches.
Bars & Nightlife(6)
Boga Sky Lounge
Hotel rooftop bar in Playa de San Juan with panoramic views, signature cocktails and themed DJ nights
Frontera
San Juan's rock bar with live bands, jam sessions, a pool table and a terrace, open till late
BeerLand
Evening beer and cocktail bar near Playa de San Juan, with tapas and burgers, open nightly till late
Hakuna Matata Foods & Drinks
Relaxed San Juan terrace for burgers and cocktails, from the Texaco team; book via WhatsApp
Máster Pub - Playa San Juan
Hookah and music bar in Playa San Juan with house music, cocktails and private party bookings.
Texaco
San Juan's 35-year-old party bar: daily 4pm to 4am, terrace tardeo, salsa nights and Sunday paella
Wellness & Fitness(3)
Bikram Yoga Spain Alicante
Playa de San Juan hot yoga studio: Bikram at 40°C, Hot Vinyasa, hot Pilates and unheated outdoor classes
Pilates House
Playa de San Juan reformer studio: groups of up to six, private sessions, pregnancy and over-70s classes
CrossFit Lucentum San Juan
Playa de San Juan cross training box with indoor and outdoor zones, open box, trial class and drop-ins
