The 200km Costa Blanca stretches from the city of Denia in the north to Pilar de la Horadada in the south, making it one of the most popular areas in Europe. Its popularity grew due to its beautiful unspoiled coastline of white sand interspersed with rocky coves and pebble beaches, plus Spain was very cheap in the 1960s when it first opened up at the end of the Franco dictatorship era.
At first glance, it may seem that everything has changed, but this only applies to the busy tourist areas of Torrevieja in the south and Benidorm in the northern part of the Costa Blanca.
If you enjoy bustling coastal spots with 24-hour entertainment, then you couldn’t do better than to stay in the very popular Benidorm. A city that continues to grow with impressive high-rise buildings, with much to offer to entertain the whole family, from water parks to cabaret nightclubs with international stars.
If, on the other hand, you prefer the quieter serenity away from the bustle, then staying in the smaller resorts along the coast or just inland may appeal and is a very different experience to, say, Benidorm. It doesn’t stop you from paying a visit to see some attractions in and around the big tourist areas, so if some of the family want to go experience the thrill of, say, the theme water park in the mountains just behind Benidorm , then it is only 30 minutes by car from towns like Moraira.
Against the magnificent backdrop of the Bernia and Montgó mountains, you will find picturesque Spanish towns, where time has stood still for centuries.
The prolific vegetation contrasts with the drier Costa de Almería to the south. The production of grapes, oranges, lemons, figs, olives and almonds is very evident and very cheap to buy. The late Valencian orange is probably the sweetest orange of all, and it is most definitely sweet from December to March when they are picked.
Why rent a villa on the Costa Blanca?
A villa holiday on the Costa Blanca allows you the flexibility of simply relaxing by your own pool, as well as discovering what is on offer and what is nearby.
Excellent Climate: The World Health Organization has declared the Moraira, Jávea and Denia peninsula of the Costa Blanca to have ‘one of the most environmentally perfect climates in the world’. This microclimate is also attractive in winter.
Warm sea temperature: the sea of the Costa Blanca is much warmer than that of the Costa del Sol, which is cooled by the Atlantic sea. Bathing in the sea between September and December is quite common.
Great coastline: The coastline between Altea and Denia is one of the most spectacular and picturesque in southern Spain.
Gran Vela – Moraira has one of the most beautiful marinas on the Costa Blanca. Discovering some of the inaccessible beaches can be reached by ski motorcycle or by taking a kayak.
Easy communications – The area is serviced by both Alicante and Valencia airports, either of which is about an hour’s drive from Moraira, Calpe and Javea. The motorway stretches along the Costa Blanca and through Northern Europe – Moraira to Calais is an easy 18 hour drive.
Incredible places on the Costa Blanca
1) Guadalest
Located on the CV-70 road, 25 km inland from Altea, is the town of Guadalest. Occupying one of the most impressive positions in Spain, this small town perches precariously on the pinnacle of a granite mountain, offering fabulous views of the valley carved out by the river from which the town takes its name.
Arriving at Guadalest via the winding road that climbs ever higher, past the village of Polop, is almost as spectacular as the village’s location, but the stunning views make the trip worthwhile for even the most nervous of passengers!
Arriving at Guadalest, you can see why the Moors, who built fortifications to defend the area, considered this place to be of strategic importance.
Some of these fortifications were impregnable and the remains of several can still be seen today, despite the fact that they were bombed in the 18th century during the War of the Spanish Succession.
The building you’ll see on most postcards, however, is the whitewashed bell tower of the Peñón de la Alcalá that seems to cling to the mountainside.
Interestingly, the old village and castle are accessed through a tunnel cut into the rock and when you reach the other end and see the old houses, you seem to have been transported to another time.
Guadalest has many museums, so you can learn more about its history, small craft shops and places to buy a souvenir of your visit. The visit through the tunnel to the village, which costs only a few euros, is definitely worth it, as the castle tour (from 10am) goes through the dungeon (great for children) and offers fantastic views of the valley from the cobbled paths and viewpoints.
The population of just 200 people is now dedicated entirely to tourism, which is why some of the best museums in the area are located here. If you want to be transported to another world when the land was fiercely defended, don’t miss out on a trip to the town of Guadalest!
Also, while you’re in the area, visit the nearby waterfalls listed below.
2) Algar Waterfalls in Callosa d’En Sarrià
Callosa d’En Sarria is a 30 minute drive from Teulada – Moraira. The trip there is an experience in itself; Vast orange groves follow the path on both sides. But the special attraction of Callosa d’En Sarria lies in the beauty of its Natural Park known as Fonts d’Algar and which received the name “Fonts de Fonts” (Fountains of all Fountains).
From Callosa the distance to Fonts de Algar is not very long and everything is well signposted. Leaving Callosa, you can see the water channels and the lush green landscape of the Natural Park on the right side of the valley.
Numerous small fountains that merge into wonderful waterfalls and small lakes, form the Fonts d’Algar. Here you can find many trails to explore the area and see natural pools carved by the famous waterfalls. In summer, visiting the Fountains is a great alternative to a day at the beach, as the 18°C water temperature offers you a refreshing swim and you can always find a shady spot. So don’t forget your bathing suit.
Other attractions in the park are the Museum of the Environment and the tree nurseries, which are irrigated by the existing irrigation channels in the fountains.
3) Elche
Elche is the third largest city in the Valencian Community in terms of population size and resources. A walk through the streets of the city will reveal an interesting historical center, a silent witness to its glorious past. Between the 8th and 9th centuries it was a walled city of Al-Andalus, falling into the hands of the Christians in 1265; however, barely two kilometers south of the current city is its original site, La Alcudia, known as Heliké. It was continuously inhabited from the Neolithic to the Visigothic period. The primitive settlement became the Iberian city of Helike. The Iberian culture of the city lived a golden age, producing sculptures such as the Dama d’Elx. The Iberian city was Romanized in 209 BC and in the 1st century BC it was granted the title of Colonia Iulia Ilice Augusta. This glorious past contrasts harmoniously with all the characteristic elements of a young, dynamic city with a unique urban landscape due to its location in the largest palm grove in Europe. El Palmeral, a legacy of Andalusian peasant culture, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The night of August 13, Nit de l’Albà, is one of the celebrations that the people of Elche look forward to most. Hundreds of fireworks light up the sky in a barrage of color and sound.
4) Visit the city of Valencia.
The capital city of the region of Valencia is approximately an hour and a half drive north of Moraira. Stroll through the old town, visiting the Lonja, the Central Market, the Cathedral, the Palau de la Generalitar, the Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas, the Serranos and the Quart towers. Stroll down Calle Colón where you will find shops selling the best Spanish fashion brands, which are cheaper than in the UK. Continue to the Central Market, Market Square, where you’ll see an Art Nouveau beamed and glass covered market with over 1,000 stalls, selling everything from live eels and ostrich eggs to vegetables and cheese. Don’t leave without trying the paella.
Visit the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, Calle Arzobispo Mayoral 14. Forget walking: you’ve done enough. Take a taxi and get ready for the amazing design of Santiago Calatrava. Piercing the horizon like whitewashed cathedrals, the complex is home to interactive exhibits, an Imax cinema, galleries, a concert hall, a science museum, an oceanographic park, and Europe’s largest aquarium.
5) Get closer to nature.
A short drive from Benidorm is the Serra Gelada (ice mountain) natural park, which is a rugged area on the coast rising more than 300 meters above Benidorm, Alfàs del Pì and Altea.
While you’re in the area, you may want to take a lovely drive up to the Bernia mountain national park plateau, which then allows you to hike around the mountain and even through the natural cave, without having to climb the mountain.
6) Take the ‘Lemon Train’
It is not that you necessarily need a car to enjoy the Costa Blanca. There is a lovely narrow gauge railway called the ‘Tren Limón’ that rocks and rattles all the way from Alicante to Denia, with stations in all the main cities, simply a must to experience.
It’s worth it as an experience in itself because it gives quite a different view of the countryside, away from the main roads, and can be quite exciting as you plunge through tunnels and over bridges. But it’s also worth taking the train to Alicante for a day out of the city: it’s a stunning and vibrant city with an attractive promenade.
