The Costa Blanca

The Costa Blanca is the strip of coastline that belongs to the province of Alicante. It is 200 kilometers long and offers wonderful beaches and places of exceptional beauty. Its warm and transparent waters, its palm groves and natural parks immerse those who visit it in a true paradise. 

The name "Costa Blanca" is not surprising, when we see an aerial photo of this coast. In contrast to the intense blue of the Mediterranean, large white surfaces stand out, whether they are from its sandy beaches, pale rocky elevations or villages with whitewashed houses. And therefore it is not surprising that it is said that the name was invented by the airlines "British European Airways" in 1957 as a "slogan" to promote an air connection between London and Valencia.

The mild climate, with more than 300 sunny days a year and an average annual temperature of 17°C, and a quality tourist offer, make the Costa Blanca a privileged destination throughout the year.
The Costa Blanca is a land of contrasts, where the mountains merge with the sea giving rise to dreamy cliffs and secluded coves with crystal clear waters and rich sea beds. Here the beaches of fine golden sand alternate with small coves of pebbles, gravel or rock.
From north to south there are highly contrasting tourist destinations, each with its own special charm: Denia, a beautiful historical and cultural city, Javea, a small fishing town, Calpe, with its impressive rock and lively port, Altea, an artists' paradise , Albir, a destination for very varied tastes, Benidorm the metropolis of leisure, and right next to Alicante, the family destinations of Cala Finestrat and El Campello.
Continuing our journey to the south of the capital we find Santa Pola, famous for its stupendous beaches and its ancient history, Guardamar del Segura, with its extensive pine forests and paradisiacal beaches, Torrevieja with its spectacular landscapes and Pilar de Horadada, very close to Murcia, the hottest and driest destination in the province.

Denia is a historical and cultural city that has remained free of mass tourism and has grown organically while preserving all its authenticity. Its spectacular beauty, its lively and cheerful atmosphere and the cordial and hospitable character of its people are reasons why Denia has attracted intellectuals since the beginning of the 20th century.

Its situation in a bay sheltered by an impressive mountain massif, the "Montgó", from where on clear days the silhouette of Ibiza can be seen, gives it a privileged climate with about 300 hours of sunshine a year.

In the center of the bay is the Port with its charming Mediterranean air, adorned with palm trees. Despite its importance and the fact that the "ferries" depart from here to Mallorca and Ibiza, which is only 3.5 hours away by boat, it has not lost its charm as a traditional fishing port. Every morning the traditional fish auctions are held here, and the afternoons and evenings are lovely to walk around or enjoy on its lively terraces.

Dominating the port, on the hill is "El castillo", a fortress built in the 11th and 12th centuries that underwent subsequent extensions to the point of becoming an important monumental complex. From its towers, splendid panoramic views can be seen and, especially in summer, it is the setting for concerts.

On the slopes of the hill, remains of houses and fortifications of the Roman city "Diannium" have been discovered. These finds can be visited in the Archaeological Museum inside the castle, which shows exponents from the Iberian, Roman, Muslim and Christian periods of Denia.

Around the castle stretches the entire old town with its narrow and picturesque Moorish streets. In the lower town, modernist architecture dominates, revealing the economic prosperity that Denia experienced since the end of the s. XIX thanks to the raisin trade and later to its toy industry. To delve into these historical aspects we can visit the Ethnological Museum and the Toy Museum.

Near the port we find the "Baix la mar" neighborhood where sailors have lived until the 1970s, with its low houses, picturesque squares and charming corners. We recommend this neighborhood to try Denia's wonderful fish, such as the highly reputable "red shrimp". Another specialty in Denia is "mistela", a sweet raisin wine that is usually drunk for dessert or as an aperitif.

Denia has 16 kilometers of fine sandy beaches, which for their cleanliness and water quality hold the EC blue flag. These are located to the north in the "Area de Les Marines" and to the south in "La Marineta Casiana". This last beach is followed by a rocky area highly valued for diving due to its rich seabed.

Denia is also a cultural city where many artists and intellectuals live and where very good concerts, theaters and exhibitions are offered. Its fun and original popular festivals are another of its attractions. Among them we highlight the "Fallas" in March, the "Hogueras de San Juan" in June or the colorful and original festival "Bous en la Mer" held in July. In it, the young people of the place prove their courage and skill in front of the bull in a joyous show. In an improvised plaza open to the sea, young people run in front of the bulls with the aim of being pushed by the bulls to fall into the water.

Jávea is a small fishing city north of the Costa Blanca, located 90 km. from Alicante and 113 km. From Valencia. It is located in a bay surrounded by two capes from which on clear days there are wonderful views.

In Javea we find three population centers: the historic center, the port and the Arenal beach:

The Foto Historic Center is 3 km away inland. It is very pretty with its network of narrow streets dotted with white houses and medieval palaces with arches and stone trim. The most striking monument is the "Iglesia Fortaleza de San Bartolomé", from the 14th to the 16th century, which stands in the center and can be seen from almost the entire city.

The port is located at the foot of the cliffs of Cabo San Antonio, in a 170 meter cliff, offering a beautiful landscape. It has a marina area with 352 moorings and another fishing port. The area is very lively and has all the Mediterranean charm. It is worth contemplating the arrival of the fishing boats and attending the traditional fish auction. Boat trips are offered from the port during a large part of the year to visit the bay or nearby towns such as Denia, Calpe and Altea. In the surroundings is the fishing quarter with narrow streets and old fishermen's houses.

Playa del Arenal, located in the center of the bay, is the main tourist center and the most frequented beach thanks to its fine sand and shallow waters. Along the beach there is a promenade with shops, restaurants, bars and recreational spaces that is the nerve center day and night. Summer nights in the Arenal are extraordinarily lively and boisterous, being the area of concentration for young people and the most cosmopolitan.

The rest of the beaches in Javea are made of gravel, stones or rocks, and are a paradise for lovers of scuba diving due to their beautiful sea beds. The tourist offices have a small guide with ten recommended routes for this.

Jávea also has a wide range of routes on foot and by bike, which run through beautiful landscapes and lead to viewpoints and the Montgó Natural Park. Going down from there to the area known as Les Planes, about 190 m. high above sea level, there are eleven Windmills, built between the XIV-XVIII centuries. From there you descend to Cabo de San Antonio, which dominates the port with a lighthouse, which can be reached by car.

The important agricultural and seafaring tradition of Javea is reflected in a rich gastronomy based on fish, shellfish, salted fish and rice dishes with local products, as well as sweets and wines.

When we arrive in Calpe, the first thing that impresses us is a large rock that rises 332 m above the sea and is connected to the land by a narrow isthmus. This extraordinary rock, which we have seen so many times in photos of the Costa Blanca, is the famous "Peñón de Ifach". It is a natural park of about 50,000 m2 that is a great challenge for climbers and divers due to its steep walls and depths.

The Town of Calpe has a great charm with its Mediterranean architecture, its old walls and its beautiful port. Not in vain already in the first half of the s. The 20th century attracted international tourists such as Ernest Hemingway, and today more than half of those who live here are not Spanish.

Its sports and fishing port offers a charming setting with direct views of the rock and access through steep streets to viewpoints from which fantastic panoramic views can be seen. It has a yacht club, a diving center and many restaurants specializing in seafood at very good prices. Its charming terraces are very lively at night.

In Calpe we find clean beaches of fine, clear sand that are ideal for family vacations as they offer good access, multiple services and have little waves and wind as they are sheltered from the rock.

To the left of the rock is the Levante Beach or "La Fosa" and to the right the Arenal-Bol Beach and the Cantal Roig Beach.

Near these we find beautiful coves that are very good for diving and fishing, such as "Cala Calalga", "Cala Gasparet", "Cala Les Urques", "Cala La Manzanera", "Cala el Racó", "Cala del Rock" and "Cala Les Basetes".

Very close to the Peñón de Ifach, on the same beach, we found something very interesting; "Los Baños de la Reina", a Roman complex of fish nurseries from the IV-V century AD. c.

Another unique attraction is the "Castell del Mascarat", a 16th century watchtower located on a nearby hill, which was built on the ruins of a previous Moorish castle. From it you can see fantastic panoramic views of the coast.

Additionally, in Calpe we find other beautiful green spaces with native vegetation such as the "Parque Enginent" (1km from the urban area), the "Parque de la Vallesa" (10,000 m² in the urbanization "La Merced") and "Las Salinas" (a lagoon where there were some salt pans already exploited by the Romans and that today are a Natural Park that offers shelter to a large colony of migratory birds).

Altea is one of the most beautiful corners of the Levantine coast. Located on a hill, its cobbled streets descend slowly towards the sea, dotted with towers and viewpoints from where splendid views can be seen.

Its pure Mediterranean atmosphere and its spring weather almost all year round have made it the ideal destination for those seeking relaxation or retirement. This has attracted numerous writers, painters, sculptors and potters who have settled here. In fact, Altea has been known for years as a paradise for artists from all over the world.

The old town ("El Fornet"), with its cobbled streets and its white houses, adorned with bars and flowers, is one of the most beautiful areas of the city. Apart from the viewpoints, here we find numerous art galleries, bars and restaurants, which still preserve the traditional Mediterranean atmosphere.

On the seashore is the fishing and sports port, which offers a beautiful picture. Here the tranquility of the mornings when we see the fishermen at work contrasts with its lively atmosphere at sunset.

The Paseo Marítimo begins at the port, which continues as far as the old fishing village, full of shops, cafes and restaurants with terraces.

Altea has more than 6 km. of coast where cliffs and small coves alternate. Among them are:

La Roda, pebble beach which is the busiest, as it is located in the urban area.

La Olla, beautiful beach of sand and stones that is located in front of the islet of La Olla. It offers lifesaving services and many bars and restaurants. The name "olla" is due to the fact that in the coldest time of the year there is a place on this beach where the water begins to boil.

Cap Negret, is a beach with very clean waters. The name "Negret" comes from the black color of the volcanic rocks found on one of its beaches.

El Mascarat is a charming cove of gravel and clear waters, next to the "Puerto Deportivo Campomanes".

Altea also has three nudist beaches, Playa de la Solsida, Playa Mascarat Norte and Cala de la Barra Grande, all of which are gravel and have been awarded the Q for tourist quality.

Finestrat is a beautiful coastal town that is also mountainous. Here the cosmopolitan attraction of its cove, a familiar and welcoming beach destination, is perfectly combined with the silence of the lofty peaks of "Puig Campana", 1,410 meters high.

The old town of Finestrat is located 5 kilometers from the beach and stands on a hill. On its slope run the narrow streets of Moorish origin, with beautiful whitewashed and colorful hanging houses.

Cala Finestrat is a sandy beach, surrounded by hills, with warm and transparent waters. Despite being only 3 km. south of Benidorm, it is much less bustling, so one can enjoy the beach during the day and choose for the night between the quiet nights of Cala Finestrat or the vibrant nightlife of Benidorm with its many bars and discos.

Finestrat has hotels for all budgets and very good sports structures. On the coast we find a varied offer for the practice of water sports and its mountains offer the ideal setting for climbing or excursions.

Cala Finestrat is also optimal for family tourism, not only because its beach is very safe for children as it is not very steep, but also because of the varied leisure offer that we find for the little ones:

Terra Mítica, a theme park focused on the history of ancient civilizations, is only 6 kilometers away. Nearby we find Aqualandia, a water park with impressive slides and Mundomar marine park with dolphins, penguins and exotic animals.

Another attraction, and not only for children, is the possibility of taking a submarine trip from Cala Finestrat to the island of Benidorm, located 3 km away. from the bay, to see its beautiful seabed.

Finestrat offers a complete program of cultural and leisure activities every month. Of special interest are the summer performances on the beach or in the Castell Auditorium, on the viewpoint.

The municipality of Santa Pola borders two natural areas that flank it, to the west, the Natural Park of the "Salinas de Santa Pola", and to the east, the "Sierra y el Cabo de Santa Pola".

The main attractions of Santa Pola are its beaches, its port and its important historical remains.

Its 13 km. of coast they offer very varied beaches: To the east, small coves of fine sand and crystalline waters; to the west, wide shallow beaches ideal for children, and on the cape, wild and little-traveled coves.

Heading south, in the direction of Guardamar del Segura, we find a fine strip of sand where the virgin beaches of El Pinet and La Gola are located, which can only be accessed on foot.

The urban beaches such as Playa Tamarit, Playa Lisa, Gran Playa, Playa Levante, Calas Santiago Bernabeu and Playa Varadero, are sandy and have all the services (lifeguards, access for the disabled, showers, WC...) and structures (chiringuitos , rental of sunbeds and umbrellas...). Many of them offer a nautical area for windsurfing and rollerblading.

In Santa Pola there is only one beach where you can practice nudism, Playa Tamarit, but in the nearby municipality of Elche there is another sandy nudist beach, Playa del Carabassi.

The Port of Santa Pola has a very ancient origin and is today one of the most important fishing ports in the Spanish Mediterranean. In its vicinity is the Lonja where you can visit the fish auction from Monday to Friday from 4:30 p.m.

Nearby are the "Ruins of Portus Illicitanus", an Iberian site from the 4th century BC. C. in which a large quantity of Iberian and Greek ceramics has been found. On it, a Roman settlement was discovered, of which today we can visit a fish-salting factory, the commercial area of the city, several warehouses, houses and a luxurious Roman villa with mosaics; "The Roman House of the Palm Grove".

Facing the coast, just 8 km. from the port, is the Island of Tabarca. From Santa Pola you can take boat trips to see its beautiful beaches that are a paradise for divers.

Other interesting visits in Santa Pola are the "Castillo-Fortaleza de Santa Pola", from the s. XVI and the watchtowers of the same period, such as "Torre del Tamarit" in the Salinas, "Escaletes" Photo in the mountains and "Atalayola" in the current lighthouse.

The "Palmeral de Santa Pola" is also a beautiful setting for walking, and camel rides are offered in its vicinity.

Pilar de Horadada is the southernmost municipality of Alicante, being located 45 km. from Murcia and 68 km. from Alicante.

Within the Alicante coast, it is one of the least affected by tourism, so it is still possible to find secluded and natural places here.

The sea is calm and the beaches are safe since there are no sudden descents or unevenness. Here we find both extensive beaches of fine white sand and secluded coves of golden sand. The transparency of its waters and the richness of its seabed invite sports diving. These have been reasons, among others, for which they have been awarded the Blue Flags of the CE.

Pilar de Horadada also enjoys the driest climate in the province, with rainfall that does not exceed 300 mm per year. This, together with the comforts that the town offers with modern developments and all kinds of services and sports resources, means that many visitors have established their definitive place of residence here.

In the municipality of Pilar de la Horadada are the coastal towns of "Torre de la Horadada", surrounded by modern urbanizations "Pueblo Latino", "Victoria Playa", "Mil Palmeras" and "El Mojón". On the mountain are "Pinar de Campoverde" and the "Antiguas Casas de Rebate" (currently an agricultural area).

The Club Náutico Torre de la Horadada is an attractive and quiet marina located in a residential area. Its public offer of moorings is quite high and among the activities that are held here, the light sailing and cruising regattas stand out. It has an approved sailing school where light sailing courses are taught during the summer months.