The Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca or
White Coast stretches south from the shores of Valencia to those of Murcia. It is mainly flat and sandy with the occasional area of high land where the sierras drop down to the sea. The hot climate, low rainfall, with its long beaches and turquoise water attract a large number of Spanish and foreign tourists throughout the year.
Gandia is at the centre of a "huerta" which produces large quantities of oranges. A seaside resort has developed near the harbour along a 3km long sandy beach, with famously well-manicured beaches and a buzzing nightlife scene in the summer.
Denia, the former Greek colony was taken over by the Romans with its fortress, which looks down over the town. It is now a commercial port and fishing harbour as well as popular seaside resort with its family friendly beaches to the north and a pretty, cove-scattered stretch called Les Rotes to the south. The bald peak of Montgo looms above the town that is perfect for hiking and picnicking.
Javea. The old quarter stands on high ground, with its houses closely grouped around a fortified 14c gothic church. The resorts modern quarter has grown up near its harbour around a sandy beach, which is caught between two dramatic capes: the Cap de Sant Antoni and the Cap de la Nau.
Moraira boasts an exclusive marina, a beautiful gently sloping, sandy and sheltered beach, a superb selection of fine restaurants and bars, as well as many shops. Fridays are market day where a good selection of ceramics, leather goods, fruits and fresh nuts of every description can be purchased very keenly (depending upon your negotiating skills). Moraira remains home to the local fishermen who moor their small boats alongside the palatial super yachts and motor cruisers permanently moored in the new marina. Fish “fresh from the morning catch” can be bought at the fish auction most mornings.
Calpe is famous for the Penyal d'Iflac an impressive rocky outcrop (332m high) that provides Calpe with a distinctive setting and from which you can view along the coastline and mountain chains.
Guadalest is perched high on a crag amongst mountain peaks, this whitewashed village is huddled under the ruins of an ancient castle is situated in a stunning location with its old-fashioned lanes and squares. Guadalest is now the most visited village in Spain and has museums cafes and shops.
Altea rising in tiers up the hillside and overlooking the sea this delightful town with its white walls, rose coloured roofs and blue glazed tiled domes with a view from the square over the village and beyond to the Penyal d'Iflac.
Benidorm benefits from two immense beaches (the Levante and the Poniente) with modern blocks of apartments overlooking the sea and a lively and varied nightlife, with the added attraction of Terra Mitica one of the newest and largest Theme Parks in Europe and Aqualandia the wonderful waterpark and it's unforgettable rides. Benidorm is also home to the internationally renowned Benidorm Palace with it's Dinner show and dancing from Tuesday to Saturday. However there is also an old town of typically Spanish charm with its narrow streets behind a castle.
Cala de Finestrat boasts much old world charm and has a large sandy cove on the southern outskirts of Benidorm, it also includes an ancient village in the foothills of the Puig Campana.
Villajoyosa, is a quaint old village with narrow streets with rainbow coloured houses fanning out to the seafront, the facades are deliberately painted bright colours so they are visible to sailors at sea.
Elche (Elx) is home to Europe’s greatest palm grove. Its 200,000 palm trees are fully protected against felling. Elche (Elx) was originally an Iberian village - Illici - colonized later by Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. Elche (Elx) has a long 9km stretch of coastline within its municipal boundaries providing many handsome beaches, namely L’Altet, Arenales de Sol and Carabassi down to Pinet. La Marina, Les Pesqueres-El Rebollo in Elche (Elx) and Guardamar sand dunes are beside the mouth of the river Segura.
Alicante has a quality coastline with sandy beaches, exotic dunes, rolling hills and challenging golf courses. There is much history attached to the castle of Santa Barbara, the bastion that stands on the hilltop today, which has historically housed political prisoners. At the foot of the castle, the ancient part of the town, with its narrow and often steeply climbing streets, is the home of most of the monumental buildings. The Baroque architecture of the Town Hall, the magnificent collegiate church of St Nicholas (17th Century), decorated in Rococo style and the Gothic church of Sta. Maria also with its Baroque facade. The buildings gradually slope to the sea where the much famed Esplanade of Spain separates the port from the city. There is always a buoyant atmosphere on the esplanade, where some stroll beneath the palm trees and others sit on terraces sipping the local beverages. Alicante offers excellent shopping whilst the marina is surrounded by many superb restaurants and cafes.
Santa Pola has an altitude of 140m which is high enough in to command a panoramic view over the province of Alicante and the Mediterranean coast and also to protect the town of Santa Pola from the easterly winds. The elongated island of Tabarca can be seen from the nearby lighthouse.
Guardamar del Segura situated on the river Segura is surrounded by rich farmland of orange groves, lemon groves, almond trees and various other crops. Its main attraction is its 11km stretch of natural golden sand with a backdrop of shady pine forest. The forest, originally planted to prevent the movement of the sand dunes, is now a beautiful nature reserve and is a popular place for cool walks and picnics. You will find everything you need in Guardamar from ice cream parlors, restaurants, shops and bars to a wide variety of sports facilities including tennis courts, a large municipal pool and a well equipped sports complex. There is a strong family atmosphere in Guardamar, especially in the evening when the craft market and fun fair come to life.
Torrevieja is a cosmopolitan town hosting a wide variety of bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and many local flamboyant fiestas. This town caters for all the family and you can take part in many activities such as walking, snorkeling, swimming and horse riding. It is also worth knowing about the new cycle path, which encircles the Torrevieja salt lake. It is to these salt lakes that sailing ships from Cuba anchored in the docks to load salt and consequently their influence can still be felt around Torrevieja. The famous Friday market is certainly not to be missed, it sells everything from fresh fruit to housing accessories and gifts and of course there is plenty of choice in the many boutiques of the town. A living, breathing, commercial Spanish town! The lovely Maritime Paseo (Promenade) alongside the Mediterranean with bars and restaurants completes the picture.
The Golden Triangle of golf courses to the west of Cabo Roig and south of Torrevieja consists of Las Ramblas which by consensus, the most demanding of the three and is a very picturesque and desirable area. Campoamor has a superb hotel, clubhouse and sports complex, the course plays long with wide fairways. Villa Martin, a championship course has a bustling square at its centre offering international restaurants and bars.
