Expat Guide To Spain

While the package hotels of Benidorm and city-centre Airbnbs in Valencia tend to dominate travel headlines, a quiet transformation has swept across the eastern coastline. The days of battered frame tents and cramped wash blocks are long gone; today, Spain's campsites (campings) frequently rival four-star hotels for amenities, offering sprawling water parks, wellness spas, and designer timber lodges alongside traditional touring pitches.

Whether you are touring down from the UK in a motorhome, planning a multi-generational family holiday, or scouting locations for an eventual property move, the Valencian Community (spanning Castellón, Valencia, and Alicante) boasts some of the finest holiday parks in southern Europe.

1. La Marina Camping & Resort (La Marina, Alicante)

Voted the Best Campsite in Spain at the prestigious ACSI Awards, La Marina is less of a campsite and more of a full-scale Mediterranean holiday village.

• The Highlights: A massive themed aqua park with towering slides, an 800m² gym, a comprehensive wellness spa, and multi-sport pitches.

• Accommodation: Over 447 touring pitches for caravans and campervans, alongside 70 fully equipped bungalows and 75 premium safari-style villas.

• Best For: Families with energetic children and teens who want an all-in-one resort base minutes from the sandy dunes of Elche.

2. Alannia Resorts (Crevillente & Guardamar, Alicante)

Operating flagship sites across the Costa Blanca (notably Alannia Costa Blanca in Crevillente and Alannia Guardamar), this group represents the pinnacle of modern "glamping" and winter sun touring.

• The Highlights: Massive tropical outdoor lagoons in summer, heated indoor pools in winter, on-site supermarkets, medical clinics, and even hairdressers.

• Accommodation: More than 1,000 spacious gravel and grass pitches catering to large British motorhomes, plus upwards of 200 Polynesian-style chalets.

• Best For: Snowbirds looking for vibrant winter-sun communities and families wanting resort-grade entertainment programmes.

3. Camping Villasol (Benidorm, Alicante)

Tucked within striking distance of Levante Beach, Villasol strikes a clever balance between traditional camping charm and modern holiday conveniences.

• The Highlights: A resort-style outdoor swimming pool surrounded by subtropical gardens, seasonal children’s clubs, and crucially, a heated indoor swimming pool for cooler winter months.

• Accommodation: Shaded gravel pitches for caravans, as well as distinct "resort suites" and traditional Spanish wooden chalets.

• Best For: Holidaymakers who want the entertainment, dining, and nightlife of Benidorm on their doorstep without having to stay in a high-rise hotel.

4. Camping Valencia – Bungalows (Puçol, Valencia)

Located just 15 minutes north of Valencia city centre, this coastal retreat in Puçol provides an idyllic beachside base with fast commuter-train access right into the heart of the regional capital.

• The Highlights: Tennis and padel courts, outdoor pool complex with waterslides, and direct pedestrian access to the beach.

• Accommodation: Includes four tiers of bungalows; the flagship Open model stretches across 45m² and features two flat-screen TVs, a dishwasher, and a dedicated shaded veranda with chill-out loungers.

• Best For: Culture seekers who want to explore Valencia’s historic Old Town and City of Arts and Sciences by day while sleeping to the sound of the sea at night.

5. Ribamar Camping & Bungalows (Alcossebre, Castellón)

For those who prefer birdsong and pine scent over water slides and evening cabaret, Ribamar is nestled inside the protected Sierra de Irta Natural Park.

• The Highlights: An environmentally conscious site that prioritises low light pollution, tranquil walking trails, and electric vehicle charging points.

• Accommodation: Modern wooden lodges blended seamlessly into natural Mediterranean scrubland, alongside secluded touring pitches.

• Best For: Hikers, mountain bikers, and nature lovers keen to explore Spain's unspoilt Costa del Azahar.

6. Camping Los Llanos (Dénia, Alicante)

Situated on the northern fringes of the Marina Alta, Los Llanos offers easy access to Dénia’s world-renowned culinary scene and dramatic rocky coves.

• The Highlights: A relaxed, family-run atmosphere with a sparkling swimming pool, a traditional bar-restaurant serving daily paellas, and a children's playground.

• Accommodation: Flat, well-shaded camping plots set under mature mulberry trees, complemented by air-conditioned family bungalows.

• Best For: Couples and foodies looking for a peaceful springboard to Dénia’s Michelin-starred restaurants and ferry links to Ibiza.

7. Camping Armanello (Benidorm, Alicante)

A perennial favourite among British motorhomers, Armanello is one of the most tech-forward campsites in the region, offering robust high-speed Wi-Fi across every pitch.

• The Highlights: Two outdoor pools, an artisan café-bar, bike hire, and an on-site supermarket stocked with both local specialities and familiar British essentials.

• Accommodation: Pitch sizes up to 100m² with individual water and drainage hook-ups, alongside safari tents and Scandinavian timber chalets.

• Best For: Digital nomads working from the road and winter tourers who require top-notch connectivity and spotless facilities.

Whether you prefer pitching a tent under the pine trees of Castellón or relaxing on a sun lounger in a five-star Alicante holiday park, the Valencian Community proves that outdoor holidays in Spain offer luxury to suit any budget.