Holidays in Spain are not without reason associated with beach relaxation for most people. It is a country that is famous for its phenomenal coastline and coasts such as Costa del Sol, Costa Brava, or Costa Blanca. In this article, we will take a closer look at the latter.
Costa Blanca (Eng. White Coast) is an excellent proposition for people who prefer peace and quiet to the tourist hustle and bustle. This popular coast is located in the south-eastern part of Spain in the autonomous community of Valencia. If you are looking for beautiful corners of Europe, offering both excellent conditions for water sports and safe relaxation on the beach, this is the perfect place for you. The large amount of sunshine makes this a direction that is still growing in popularity among tourists. When we add interesting tourist attractions to this, we get a recipe for an unforgettable vacation.
The city of Alicante
The Spanish city of Alicante is one of the most famous places on the Costa Blanca. In addition to visiting the wide beaches and walking along the picturesque promenade, it is also worth visiting the castle of St. Barbara. It is Castillo de Santa Barbara that is the real symbol of Alicante, hiding in its walls wonderful stories telling about the past of this part of Spain.
This beautiful city is also worth visiting on June 20-24. This is when the grand welcome of summer takes place here, the Hogueras de Alicante fiesta, which gives the whole city a truly fiery atmosphere!
Algar Waterfalls
The Costa Blanca is also an ideal choice for people who are looking for unusual views in the middle of wild nature. Not far from towns such as Benidorm, Altea or Calpe, we will find beautiful mountain waterfalls and natural pools, which are a salvation during hot summer days. It is an ideal attraction for the whole family. Especially since you can combine it with trekking on the surrounding trails, a visit to the former fortress or a trip to the Dino Park Algar dinosaur park. The best way to take a trip to the Algar waterfalls is by car (you can rent it, for example, on RentalCars) or by booking an organized trip on GetYourGuide.
Tabarca Island
If you want to see breathtaking landscapes during your vacation, you will also find them on the island of Tabarca. This former pirate enclave on the Mediterranean Sea is today largely a marine reserve, and the inhabitants of the local waters (various species of fish, crabs and corals) are under protection. Many of them are also endemic species, and therefore species that do not occur in any other part of the world.
Cruises to Tabarca Island are organized in various towns on the Costa Blanca. You will easily find cruise ships in Alicante, Santa Pola, Torrevieja, or Benidorm. The fastest way, however, is to book such a cruise on this website.
The best beaches on the Costa Blanca
The location of the Costa Blanca on the Mediterranean Sea makes finding a sandy beach or charming coves not the slightest problem. And we will find them in virtually every seaside resort. On the list of the best places for sunbathing, it is definitely worth mentioning the wonderful beaches in Benidorm (Playa de Levante, Playa de Pe Poniente, Playa del Albir, Cala Finestrat) and Alicante (Playa de San Juan, Playa del Postiguet, Playa de la Albufereta). Beautiful beaches washed by azure water can also be found in many smaller towns such as Jávea, Calpe, Santa Pola, Dénia, Moraira, or Villajoyosa.
Chocolate trail in Villajoyosa
The tiny town of Villajoyosa is a real treat for all sweet tooths. The history of this place has been connected with chocolate production for centuries, which we will see when visiting the factories producing this delicacy, as well as the local Chocolate Museum. Those interested can even find a special Chocolate Trail, which allows you to learn about the history of this place from an unusual perspective. You can book this type of guided tour, for example, on GetYourGuide.
Attractions for children
The Costa Blanca is a tourist region that is willingly chosen by families with children for a reason. Many of the local attractions are ideal not only for adults, but also for young explorers. Toddlers who love to play in the water can use their energy not only on the beach, but also in water parks such as Aqualandia (in Benidorm), Aquapolis Water Park (in Torrevieja) or Rojales Aquapark (in Ciudad Quesada).
We will also find numerous zoos here (e.g. Terra Natura in Benidorm, Rio Safari Park in Elche, Mundomar dolphinarium in Benidorm), but a much better way to introduce the youngest to the local fauna and flora is to take trips to parks and nature reserves, where they can see animals in their natural habitat. Among such places, the following deserve special attention: the Guadalest Valley, the El Montgó nature reserves, Peñon de Ifach and Serra Gelada, as well as the aforementioned marine reserve near the island of Tabarca.
The Costa Blanca coast also has fabulous beaches where the water is usually very calm, which is conducive to fun even for small children. Both on the beaches and in parks or city gardens, we will also find playgrounds, which guarantees that toddlers will certainly not be bored here.
Charming towns on the Costa Blanca
If you are planning a longer trip to the Costa Blanca, consider visiting more than one city. Each of them has many different attractions to offer, which will work well both during a romantic getaway for two, a family vacation, or a solo trip. From larger cities to choose from, we have not only sunny Alicante, but also Benidorm – a city called the New York of Spain. This is due to the numerous skyscrapers that have dominated the cityscape here. Benidorm is a city that will certainly appeal to fans of good fun, because it is here that we will find, among others, the Terra Mitica amusement park.
If you prefer a less active holiday and relaxation seasoned with hedonism, visit Calpe, Altea or Villajoyosa. These small towns have a much more intimate character, and time here seems to pass more slowly. Calpe will also appeal to lovers of nature and trekking. The Peñon de Ifach nature reserve located here is ideal for a leisurely walk, and the towering massive limestone rock in it is often called “Little Gibraltar”.
While spending holidays on the Costa Blanca, it is also worth visiting Elche. This city, the hallmark of which are beautiful palm groves. The first of them were established by the Phoenicians and Romans, but it was the Moors who contributed the most to their spread. In addition to a huge number of palm trees and beautiful nature, Elche also has several interesting monuments, such as: the Altamira Palace (Palacio de Altamira) or the 12th-century Arab baths.
Torrevieja is also an extremely picturesque place. It is here that we can see with our own eyes the phenomenal pink lakes – these are actually salt pans, for which this town is famous. The city also boasts numerous hiking trails (e.g. the Nature Trail, the Sea Trail, the Salt Trail), which bring closer the history and culture of the surrounding areas.
1-day trip to Valencia
Holidays on the Costa Blanca are also a good opportunity to visit the capital of the region – Valencia. The journey itself should not be a problem, because we can get here by train from most towns (you can buy tickets on the Omio website). You can also rent a car (e.g. on RentalCars), which will also get you to Valencia quickly.
And why is it worth visiting this city at all? First of all, due to the numerous monuments and museums that can be found in and around the Old Town. However, Valencia is also a city where history clashes with modernity. We can best see this by visiting the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. This unique complex was designed by Santiago Calatrava, and inside it we will find, among others, the huge Oceanarium, the Science Museum and the IMAX cinema.
