The Costa Blanca is a region in southeastern Spain with a total coastline of almost 250 kilometers. Officially, the Costa Blanca runs from the village of Denia to the village of Pilar de la Horadada. The Costa Blanca is a popular summer destination and also a winter sun destination, as the temperature is almost 20 degrees in winter. The total number of beaches is 74. What are the highlights of the Costa Blanca?
The 5 highlights you can’t miss when you visit the Costa Blanca!
The Costa Blanca
The name Costa Blanca literally means “white coast” and there are some stories where this name comes from. Are the white beaches or the white houses in the villages the reason? No, these are all fabulous, because the name comes from the white-pink blossom on the almond trees. Formerly, this region was very active with the cultivation of almond trees.
The 5 highlights of the Costa Blanca, Spain
1. Guadalest
One of the most beautiful villages in all of Spain is Guadalest. This town is one of the best highlights of the Costa Blanca! This special and thousand year old town is located in the interior of the Costa Blanca, half an hour’s drive from the resorts of Calpe, Altea and Benidorm. Guadalest is a small village with no more than 200 inhabitants and was built in a unique way in the rocks, making it look like a crowded nest around the castle.
This “El Castell de Guadalest” was built by the Mores in the 12th century. From the castle you have a great view of the mountains and the reservoir. The castle is worth it, but the village itself also has two very special miniature museums, a nice town hall and a few terraces and squares. The road to Guadalest is also amazingly beautiful.
2. Altea
Altea is an artist town with its own artistic appearance and atmosphere. For centuries, Altea has been a town where various artists and writers have settled. This is reflected in the many galleries in the city and the decoration on the outside and inside of many buildings. At the highest point of the city is the Virgin de Consuelo church with its beautiful blue domes. The church stands on a pleasant square with several terraces and every evening there is a small market.
The streets with the white houses and all the colored plants on the facade are all equally atmospheric and fun to walk through. Altea is a town that knows a lot of altitude and there are several viewpoints where you can stop and enjoy the view. Altea has a total of eight kilometers of beaches, which makes Altea very suitable for sunbathing.
3. Las Fuentes del Algar
The Algar Falls are 15 kilometers from Benidorm and are hidden in the mountains. There are a number of water sources, a river, a number of lakes and a few waterfalls. They are very beautiful and impressive to see and you can cool down here by taking a dip in the cold and clear waters. The locals visit these waterfalls massively and therefore it can be busy on a nice day in the weekend. A walkway has been laid that runs through the beautiful nature with several different flowers and plants.
4. Denia
One of the oldest villages on the Costa Blanca is Denia. Denia is a nice and typical Spanish fishing town with long sandy beaches. The characteristic view of this city is the Castle of Denia, which was built in the 11th century AD. This castle is in the middle of the city on a hill. Narrow streets around the castle feature beautifully colored houses. The square “Plaza de la Constitución” is very beautiful due to the presence of the town hall and a baroque church. Marques de Campo shopping street looks beautiful through the many trees that stand there. Here you can shop nicely or enjoy delicious tapas on one of the many terraces.
5. Javea
Javea is a small town located at the easternmost point of Spain and is also called Xàbia in Valencia. It consists of numerous beautiful bays and a beautiful landscape. This city is still authentic and is not directly on the sea, but only a mile inland. The church of Sant Bartomeu and the Chapel of Santa Anna are a lust for the eye. The most beautiful place in Javea is Montgo, where you have a beautiful view of the city. On a clear day you can even see Ibiza. Around the marina there are some good restaurants where fish is at the top of the menu and you have a beautiful view of the sea.
These are my 5 highlights of the Costa Blanca! What are your highlights of the Costa Blanca?
Tips for your holiday on the Costa Blanca
- You fly to Valencia airport (north of the Costa Blanca) or Alicante (south of the Costa Blanca).
- The Costa Blanca is a big area that is best explored by renting a car. The distance from the airports to your accommodation is usually high, which means that taking a taxi for example is pricey. Parking in the various places is generally paid but not very expensive.
- The Costa Blanca is a busy destination, but it is nice that there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate a quiet holiday. This is due to the many accommodations of private villas with a private pool as well as simple bungalows.
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