The Costa Blanca, sited between the provinces of Valencia and Murcia on the South East coast of Spain, attracts millions of tourists every year to an assortment of resorts of all sizes and characters. The Costa Blanca offers 100 miles of coastline featuring turquoise seas and white sandy beaches centred around the main airport and medieval town of Alicante. Beaches are numerous and attractive all along this beautiful stretch of Spain but there is more to offer in this holiday region than sunbathing, buckets and spades and watersports. The mountainous interior offers plentiful fascinating and intact medieval towns and fortified villages to explore. There are also lots of sports facilities including plenty of golf courses.
The Costa Blanca includes several charming traditional towns including Denia and Javea in the North which are overlooked by mountain landscape. In the South many other places of interest include Guardamar, Torrevieja and Elche, the latter famous for its concentration of palm trees. There is also Villajoyosa, South of Benidorm, with its grand old town. For many though the Costa Blanca is synonymous with Benidorm, its cobbled streets competing with a spectacular modern skyline, beautiful beaches and some of the liveliest nightlife in Europe.
Jávea, a portside town of 20,000 in the North strides a hill. Narrow streets with old houses nestle around a 15th Century Gothic fortress church. The landscape is preserved and no high-rise buildings are allowed.
Spectacular skyline features the impressive 18th-century Castillo de Denia. Twenty miles of Blue Flag beaches are to the North of the town. To the South rocky coves provide excellent opportunities for scuba diving.
Twelve miles inland and West of Alicante is Europe's only palm forest around the city of Elche. Elche offers several beautiful parks and public gardens to enjoy, including The Parque Municipal, covered in palm trees, grassy spaces and playgrounds. Hort del Cura is popular for its many shaded tree areas and flower bed displays.
The small islet of Tabarca is a popular day trip destination ten miles South of Alicante. This quiet fishing village includes an old fort, a rocky beach and several coves to explore with good swimming conditions, including tidal pools perfect for families.
Its two large beaches backed by clubs, bars and restaurants attract 300,000 mainly British holiday makers every summer. Those looking for a lively and entertaining holiday should not be disappointed.
El Altet airport is the Costa Blanca's main airport seven miles South of Alicante. Regular buses leave every half hour for the main bus station in Alicante. Taxis and hire cars are also available. Alicante's Airport offers scheduled and charter flights to and from all major European centres with flights from the UK taking two and a half hours. Visitors can also make use of nearby airports in Valencia and Murcia. Alicante's Renfe Railway station also offers daily services to Madrid. Main roads are also in good repair and it is possible to drive along the vast coastal road, enjoying spectacular views. A daily ferry links Denia with Ibiza and the Balearic islands.
The Costa Blanca is popular with sun worshipers all year round. In August temperatures typically reach 30C. In January temperatures struggle to get below 12C. High season is June to August but many people prefer spring which provides the best conditions for walking. Autumn remains very warm compared to Northern Europe.
There is accommodation to suit all tastes. From the luxurious Hotel Villa Mediterranea, or villas around Moraira, Calpe, Denia or Torrevieja; to budget campsites at La Merced in Calpe or Cap Blanch in Altea or self-catering apartments in Benidorm.
This formidable castle towering over Alicante was built in 400BC by the Carthaginians and later used by Romans and Moors. The fortress, including tower and keep is enormous with impressive moats, drawbridges, tunnels and dungeons. From the top of the castle there is a wonderful view of the bay and city. You can enter via a lift from the Explanada d'Espanya.
The modern art collection, donated by painter and sculptor Eusebio Sempere in 1977 includes works by Dali, Picasso and Miro among others. It's also Alicante's oldest building, a 17th Century former granary.
Terra Mitica is a popular Mediterranean themed park based on myth and ancient civilisations. There are four huge roller coasters. Spain's largest theme park also includes restaurants, live shows and shops.
Benidorm and its spectacular sandy beaches are extremely popular, curving majestically from either side of Benidorm's Old Quarter. East is Playa de Levante. West is Poniente. The latter the least busy one.
Blue Flag beaches and small coves stretch over 20km of breathtaking coastline. Les Marines and Marineta Cassiana are particularly nice.
Nice sandy beach near the town and next to dramatic 350m Penon de Ifach rock face.
Lots of good beaches such as La Mata, which is ideal for watersports. El Mojon and Zorras offer delightful coves. Locos and Cura are great beaches in front of busy promenades.
Lots of quiet sandy beaches including L'Andrago, Punta Estrella, La Cala Plagetes and El Portet.
Costa Blanca restaurants are numerous, often providing solely for tourists. They include English pub food in Benidorm and exquisite restaurants in Alicante and Denia. Fish restaurants are recommended and the region is also renowned wine country, especially for its strong red and rosé varieties.
