Playa del Charco

The main beach feels open, informal and comparatively quiet. Fishing and diving are associated with the area, while swimmers and walkers use the long shore when conditions are settled. The distance from the town centre reduces casual footfall, although summer access by road can still bring a noticeable number of visitors.

Stones are common at the waterline, so suitable footwear is useful. The beach faces open sea and may receive stronger wave action than a protected cove. The designated dog area is at one end rather than applying to the entire beach, and visitors should follow the local signs separating uses.

El Xarco is a long mixed sand-and-pebble beach on the southern edge of La Vila Joiosa, reached from the N-332 coastal corridor. Its watchtower, rugged shoreline and separate dog-friendly section give it a more varied identity than the neighbouring resort beaches.

The Torre del Xarco stands above the coast as the defining landmark. It belongs to the network of watchtowers built to observe maritime approaches and warn communities of danger along the Valencian shore.

La Vila Joiosa lies several kilometres to the north, with its fishing port, coloured waterfront and chocolate industry providing the wider municipal context. El Xarco itself remains more closely tied to the coastal road, scattered development and the tower than to the old town.

The beach extends along a broad, irregular line of pebbles, coarse sand and rocky sections. Low cliffs and Mediterranean scrub rise behind parts of the strand, while the watchtower gives the shoreline a strong historical silhouette.

This is not an enclosed turquoise cove. Its appeal is the length and rougher texture of the coast, with room to walk and views that feel less urban than Playa Centro. The combination of open water, mixed shore, coastal vegetation and the stone tower makes El Xarco one of La Vila Joiosa's most distinctive southern beaches. The tower and the dog-friendly section are separate features, so signs should be checked rather than assumptions made from one access point.