One of Spain’s premier holiday coasts, Costa Blanca or the White Coast is the name of the 218 km long coastline of the province of Alicante. One can find here wide sandy beaches as well as small coves, beautiful landscapes with palm groves, wetlands and mountains. Costa Blanca also has hundreds of different cities and countryside just waiting to be discovered, a vibrant cultural and social life and a superb gastronomic offer.
With no less than 9 natural parks, 22 golf courses spread in the landscape or 25 nautical clubs along the coast, and with great facilities for all water and land sports, Costa Blanca is among the favourite Spanish destinations for outdoor lovers. Also, the fantastic climate of Costa Blanca has over 300 days of sunshine per year and an annual average temperature of 17 degrees Celsius.
The name Costa Blanca was supposedly invented in 1957 by the British European Airways, which advertised their flights from London to Valencia with this slogan. The name will not be surprising for anyone who has seen an aerial view of the coast: the white sand beaches, rock formations and small villages with whitewashed houses form an impressive contrast to the deep blue Mediterranean sea.
There area comprises charming villages and towns, buzzing with traditional cultural events, vivid scenery to enjoy in the mountains, and plenty of authentic, local life to be explored.
Costa Blanca has hundreds of different cities and countryside just waiting to be discovered. In the northern part of the coast, also known as Marina Alta, Dénia is located between rocks and long sandy beaches. Nearby, Jávea offers a fantastic walk through the historic centre of the town, and crystal clear waters. Further south, the impressive the impressive Peñón de Ifach, the highest cliff on the Mediterranean, is in the vicinity of the picturesque towns of Calpe and Altea located in a bay in the shelter of the mountains. Benidorm with its skyscrapers and golden sand beach is destination for millions of people thaat arrive here every year to enjoy the beaches, the leisure activities and the vibrant local life. then, passing through Villajoyosa and the brightly coloured façades of its houses, we arrive at Alicante, the City of Light and capital of the province. Alicante has a wide offer of cultural and artistic activities waiting to be discovered. Between the sea and the city is the Explanada promenade, with its thousands of red, black and cream mosaic tiles, and if we pass though the old city centre we’ll reach the castle of Santa Bárbara, from where we will have an incomparable panoramic view. Then further south of Alicante (the Marina Bajo) there are Santa Pola, Guardamar del Segura, Torrevieja and Pilar de Horadada.
Besides landscape and activities, gastronomy is another specialty with which Costa Blanca never fails to impress the traveller. It is famous for its rice dishes, fish and seafood, its fresh vegetables, fruits and exquisite local wines that go together to make an explosion of tastes and menus.
Cover photo credit @costablancaorg