Spain, as we know, is a favourite destination for most Europeans, the sun is guaranteed, the rich gastronomy, the friendly people and the endless hours of daylight make this country a great attraction for many tourists.
It has a lot to offer, from significant vacation spots like Madrid and Barcelona to the country’s most hidden gems. Moreover, since it is situated in Southwestern Europe, it will surprise you with its natural beauty.
But when it comes to deciding where to spend your holidays, the two Costas that are always in the competition are the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca. Of course, choosing one over the other can be a little tricky. Without knowing their differences, you might end up paying for a vacation not suitable for you.
Therefore, in order to help you determine the best Costa for you, we have listed the differences between them for your appreciation. So please keep reading as you may be surprised at why they attract different tourists.
Natural beauty
The Costal del Sol is known by the name “coast of the sun”, while the Costa Blanca is known as the “white coast”. However, by their nickname alone, with their landscapes, their natural offerings are miles apart.
The Costa del Sol is located on the country’s southern coast and it is endowed with the Sierra Nevada mountains on one side and the Mediterranean coast on the other. The activities you can find here are varied. For example, you can skate and ski in the morning in the Sierra Nevada mountains that are close while enjoying the sunset and the beach in the afternoon.
On the other side, there is the Costa Blanca offering white sandy beaches along its coast and not only that but the Costa Blanca has also mountains and a lot to discover on like the Montgo Natural Park that is the nature reserve that dominates the skyline in the northern part of the Alicante province. It is very popular with walkers and cyclists and offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.
In addition to this, you can visit some of the most touristic cities in Spain like Benidorm or Alicante and their attractions.
Costa Blanca also attracts more tourists due to its pure and serene white beaches compared to those on the Costa del Sol, which are rockier.
Warm hospitality
Both the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca are different when it comes to welcoming tourists. On the one hand, the Costa Blanca is friendlier than Costa del Sol by popular opinion.
Second, there is more affordable entertainment on the Costa Blanca than on the Costa del Sol since prices are more reasonable.
The Costa del Sol, on the other hand, can be classed by some as being more upscale than the Costa Blanca so that you will find an array of attractions that cater to the super-rich and celebrities and due to this you will observe many first-class infrastructures on the Costa del Sol as well as see high-end boutiques and malls appear in places like Marbella.
This is to accommodate the lavish lifestyle and elite living of their guests.
Accessibility
Since Costa Blanca is more affordable and also has better accessibility as a result, more foreign travelers focus on Costa Blanca than the Costa del Sol.
Through the Costa del Sol you can reach the beautiful town of Granada or even Gibraltar whilst on the Costa Blanca you can visit one of the most wonderful historic cities such as the splendid Valencia. Both have different attractions and are very interesting cities to visit.
Therefore, both the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol receive annually a number of visitors flocking to these regions, so the two of them are hard to ignore.
Real estate
Most visitors who have fallen in love with this country would like to settle there and buy a holiday home or property.
As the Costa del Sol is more upscale, property prices are usually higher and more expensive than the Costa Blanca, however real estate markets on both coasts are similarly organized.
The fastest selling products are holiday apartments and houses, detached and town-houses are popular. Each of the markets has its most prestigious, and most expensive addresses in the main areas near the coast .
On the Costa del Sol they are Marbella, Puerto Banus, Benahavis, and for several years the leaders have been bravely catching up with Estepona also.
On the Costa Blanca, in turn, they are Altea, Moraira, Javea, Denia as here the prices are similar to those on the Costa del Sol.
Cleanliness and tranquility
Both of the coasts have numerous Blue Flag certified beaches which is one of the world’s most recognized voluntary awards for beaches.
The Costa Blanca earned 132 Blue Flags from the Valencia region recently whilst on the other side the Costa del Sol received 97 Blue Flags because of beautiful Andalucia.
On both the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca you will find paradise beaches with crystal clear waters where you can enjoy whole days with family and friends and an endless number of hidden coves to enjoy the summer to the fullest. The only difference is the sand which is darker on the Costa del Sol while on the Costa Blanca the beaches are full of white sand.
Cultural attractions
We all know that Spain has a colorful and splendid past, the country made history through the past thousands of years and this is reflected throughout all its geography.
However the glorious past and the heritage of Spain are more on the Costa del Sol and this is obvious when you visit the Picasso Museum in Malaga where you can both enjoy Flamenco and bullfighting, one of the many cultural imprints the country made on the world.
Costa del Sol also has Puerto Banús which is well-known as Costa del Sol’s playground for the rich and wealthy that come here for the beaches, the beach clubs, and the buzzing nightlife. Considered as the most fashionable and famous port of Spain, is a must-visit for its exclusive area of luxury shops, impressive mansions, and unique restaurants where the rich eat.
On the other hand, the Costa Blanca is more contemporary. You can enjoy the Benicassim Music Festival at Castellon which is a modern celebration of the country’s unwavering commitment to music, among many other activities. But it is also home to one of the most celebrated traditions in Spain, Las Fallas in Valencia, a festivity that combines tradition, satire and art which shouldn’t be missed for anything in the world. Firework displays, live music, and traditional costumes feature prominently in Las Fallas celebrations, but the true focal point of the festival is the hundreds of towering cartoonish monuments that fill the streets of Valencia.
Also worth mentioning is the famous and majestic Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante that is the symbol of the capital of the province. It is probably the most well-known castle in the area. Sat on the top of the mountain Benacantil overlooking the city, you can’t miss it and shouldn’t visit Alicante without a trip to this castle.
In the Costa Blanca, you will meet many foreigners who move here all year round to enjoy the wonderful climate and beaches, which is why the area is sometimes called the California of Europe. Once you reach the beach and the authentic Spanish interior, you will understand why.
Also the cosmopolitan city of Malaga is a great place for cultural trips, but on the Costa del Sol, if you want to go out and relax, you can also choose spas and health resorts. It is even a great destination to spend winter holidays in the sun, as it is famous because Christmas lunch is served on the beach.
At Spain Life we can assure you that both of these coasts are wonderful and have a lot to offer so if you have not yet visited either of them, we recommend that you do so and see for yourself the authentic Spanish Mediterranean summer.