Costa Blanca Holiday Homes - By the Mediterranean Sea

General information on the Costa Blanca - the White Coast

The Costa Blanca, a 110-mile stretch of Mediterranean coastline in southeastern Spain, is renowned for its stunning beaches and wonderful climate. The region, which is part of the Valencia province, boasts a wealth of attractions and entertainment options, as well as numerous quaint villages that offer a taste of Spanish country life. Visitors from all over the world flock to the Costa Blanca to bask in its sun-drenched beauty.

Contrary to what you might think, the Costa Blanca is not named after its beaches, but rather the white blossoms on the fruit trees that dot the landscape. The region extends from Denia in the north to Torrevieja in the south, encompassing golden beaches, secluded coves, and tree-covered hills, vineyards, and almond orchards.

Thanks to its mild winters and sunny summers, the Costa Blanca is a year-round destination. Popular resorts like Benidorm, Altea, Alicante, and Torrevieja draw sun-seekers from far and wide.

Costa Blanca Beaches

For those who love sun, sea, and sand, the Costa Blanca is an ideal vacation spot. Its broad stretches of golden sand, as well as intimate coves and rocky inlets perfect for snorkeling and diving, are sure to delight beach lovers. The region's beaches are also characterized by towering rock formations, creating a breathtakingly beautiful landscape.

Overall, the Costa Blanca is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the best that Spain has to offer, from its world-class beaches to its charming villages and stunning natural beauty.

Other places of interest

Aside from its breathtaking coastline, the Costa Blanca offers plenty of sights to explore in its lush interior. Whether you're traveling by car, bike, or on foot, there are many points of interest along scenic routes that are sure to delight.

Sports on the Costa Blanca

For the active traveler, the Costa Blanca is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Many towns, including Javea, Denia, Moraira, and Altea, have sailing schools, yacht clubs, and instructors for windsurfing, waterskiing, swimming, and diving. Jet skis, sailing boats, motor yachts, and water bikes are available for rent at numerous locations along the coast. Some areas are great for fishing as well. Be sure to visit the harbors and yacht clubs in Denia, Javea, Moraira, Benitachell, Benissa, Calpe, Altea, Benidorm, Villajoyosa, El Campello, Alicante, Santa Pola, Torrevieja, Dehesa de Campoamor, Cabo Roig, and Pilar de la Horadada.

Thanks to its mild climate, golfers can tee off year-round on the Costa Blanca's many golf courses. With stunning views of mountains and sea, the area is a golfing paradise. The ideal weather, good visibility, and mild winds make it the perfect place to practice your swing.

Overall, the Costa Blanca offers something for everyone, whether you're looking to relax on its beaches, explore its stunning interior, or engage in outdoor activities like water sports and golf.

Day excursions on the Costa Blanca

There are many options for day excursions at the Costa Blanca. From entertainment parks, zoos and water parks, to caves, waterfalls and nature parks. Some of the varied options are:

Denia:

• Castillo de Denia, a historic castle overlooking the city and the sea.
• Parque Natural del Montgó, a beautiful natural area with hiking trails and views of the coastline.
• Las Rotas, a coastal area with hidden coves and crystal clear waters.

Javea:

• Playa del Arenal, a popular beach with shops and restaurants.
• Cala Granadella, a beautiful secluded beach with turquoise waters and rock formations.
• Parque Natural del Montgó, a beautiful nature reserve with hiking trails and views of the coastline.

Moraira:

• Castillo de Moraira, an ancient castle overlooking the sea.
• Playa de l'Ampolla, a beautiful beach with crystal clear waters and a promenade.
• Club Nautico de Moraira, a marina with restaurants and shops.

Benissa:

• Playa de la Fustera, a beautiful beach with shallow water and rock formations.
• Cova de les Calaveres, a cave with stalactites and stalagmites.
• Sierra de Bernia, a mountain range with hiking trails and views of the coastline.

Benitachell:

• Visit the Cova dels Arcs in Benitachell, a beautiful cave system right on the coast.
• Go hiking in the nearby Granadella Natural Park, which offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and rugged cliffs.

Calpe:

• Visit the iconic Peñón de Ifach, a towering rock formation that is a natural park and a symbol of the Costa Blanca.
• View the fish auction in the port of Calpe, where you can watch local fishermen sell their catch of the day.

Alicante:

• Castillo de Santa Barbara, an ancient castle with stunning views over the city.
• Explanada de España, an iconic promenade along Alicante's port.
• Museo Volvo Ocean Race, a maritime museum dedicated to the race around the world.

L'Alfàs del Pi:

• Parque Natural de la Serra Gelada, a beautiful natural park with hiking trails along the coast.
• Albir Lighthouse, a historic lighthouse with panoramic views of the coastline.

Altea:

• Old Town Altea, a charming town with narrow streets and white houses.
• Playa de la Olla, a secluded beach with crystal clear waters.

Benidorm:

• Terra Natura, a zoo with a focus on Africa and Asia.
• Aitana Safari Park, a safari park featuring wildlife from Africa.
• Las Vegas Show, a popular dinner show in the heart of Benidorm.

Calpe:

• Playa de Levante, one of the best beaches on the Costa Blanca.
• Penyal d'Ifac, an iconic rock formation with walking paths and views over the sea.

Elche:

• Palmeral de Elche, a UNESCO world heritage site known for its palm grove.
• Museo Arqueológico y de Historia de Elche, a museum dedicated to the history and archaeology of the region.

Jalon Valley:

• Bodegas Xaló, a winery where you can taste and buy wine.
• Font de la Figuera, a beautiful waterfall in the heart of the valley.

Torrevieja:

• Parque Natural de las Lagunas de la Mata y Torrevieja, a natural park with salt lakes and salt flats.
• Playa de La Mata, a long sandy beach with crystal clear waters.

Vergel:

• Les Rotes, a beautiful rocky coastline with hidden coves and crystal clear waters.
• Cova Tallada, a spectacular cave accessible only on foot or by boat.

Shopping on the Costa Blanca

The Costa Blanca provides a wide array of shopping experiences. Many towns and villages have ample fun shops, a diversity of souvenir shops, boutiques and open-air markets. Whether you wander along a sunny seaside boulevard or visit a busy indoor market: there are many options for buying the things you need. Real shop-a-holics can find anything that they can dream of in the huge indoor Centro Comercial La Marina shopping centre near Benidorm.

Nightlife and more

The Costa Blanca offers a delightful nightlife experience that can be enjoyed by everyone. After the sun sets, the cool evening air makes it perfect for sitting at a sidewalk café with a drink or some food. The cities of Alicante, Elche (Elx), Benidorm, and Torrevieja have a lively nightlife scene, with plenty of bars, music, trendy discotheques, and restaurants that are often located in the historic center of the town. The seaside promenades are particularly enchanting, with a vibrant atmosphere that lasts well into the early hours of the morning.

For those who prefer a more tranquil evening, there are plenty of options in the nearby towns like Altea, Moraira, Javea, Denia, Guardamar, and La Marina. These towns offer an abundance of restaurants, cozy bars, and discotheques to choose from, especially during the summer months.

Aside from the nightlife, there are plenty of other exciting activities to partake in while visiting the Costa Blanca. For the adventurous types, there are endless opportunities for water sports, such as sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, swimming, and diving. The coastal towns of Javea, Denia, Moraira, and Altea have a variety of sailing schools, yacht clubs, and diving schools, making it easy to try out these activities.

For those who prefer to stay on land, the mild climate of the Costa Blanca allows for year-round golfing. There are numerous golf courses to choose from, many of which boast breathtaking views of the mountains or the sea.

Lastly, if you enjoy exploring, the interior of the Costa Blanca has plenty of interesting sites to visit. The landscape is dotted with charming villages and towns, each with its own unique history and culture. There are also many scenic routes, perfect for taking a leisurely drive, bike ride, or stroll. Additionally, some of these routes can even be taken by train, offering a unique perspective of the surrounding countryside.

Local celebrations

The Costa Blanca is known for its vibrant festivals and cultural events. Two of the most popular celebrations are "Moros y Christianos" (Moors and Christians) and "San Juan". "Moros y Christianos" is a re-enactment of the historical battles between the Moors and Christians, and is celebrated in every village and town in the province of Alicante at different times of the year. The festivities are marked by processions, parades, music, dancing, and fireworks.

One of the most impressive aspects of the celebration is the re-enactment of the arrival of the Moors, with mock fights in the streets and the ultimate defeat of the Moors by the Christians. It's an incredible display of pageantry and local pride, and a must-see for visitors to the Costa Blanca.

In mid-June, the Costa Blanca comes alive with the festival of "Les Fogueres de San Juan". The festival is marked by bonfires, dancing, fireworks, bull runs, and massive paper-maché artwork. The highlight of the festival is on the night of Saint John, when all the paper-maché artwork is set ablaze, creating a spectacular and unforgettable display of fire and light.

Although fiery rituals like the "Fallas" are more common in the region around Valencia, the towns of Denia and Benidorm also celebrate this festival with equal enthusiasm. The Costa Blanca is a hub of cultural activity and an incredible place to witness traditional Spanish celebrations.

Cuisine of the Costa Blanca

The Costa Blanca is a paradise for food lovers, with a wide range of traditional Spanish cuisine to choose from. The region's most famous dish is undoubtedly Paella, a rice-based dish that can be prepared in many different ways.

In the mountainous areas of the Costa Blanca, the typical cooking style involves using rice as a key ingredient, along with pork, sausages, pumpkins, turnips, beets, garbanzos, and other beans. On the coast, a great variety of fish and shellfish are found on the menu, with many excellent fish restaurants located in the local harbors.

But the Costa Blanca's culinary delights don't end there. The region also offers a range of wonderful desserts, including nougat and ice-cream from the Xixona region, grapes, raisins, dates, almond pie, pastry soaked in sugary syrup accompanied by coffee-liqueur from Alcoy, and spicy-liqueur from the Sierra Mariola.

When it comes to drinks, the Costa Blanca is known for its fantastic wine. The finest red and rosé wines come from the Alto Vinalopó and Marina Alta areas. There are also plenty of opportunities to sample the local spirits, including the popular aniseed-flavored drink, Anis del Mono.

Overall, the Costa Blanca's cuisine is a celebration of fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and a deep-rooted culinary tradition. Don't miss the chance to indulge in the delicious food and drink that this beautiful region has to offer!