The 200 km Costa Blanca stretches from the town of Denia in the north to Pilar de la Horadada in the south, making it one of the most popular areas in Europe. Its popularity grew due to its beautiful unspoiled coastline of white sand interspersed with rocky coves and pebble beaches, plus Spain was very cheap in the 1960s when it first opened at the end of the Franco dictatorship era.
It may seem, at first glance, that everything has changed, but this only applies to the busy tourist areas of Torrevieja in the south and Benidorm in the northern part of the Costa Blanca.
If you enjoy the bustling seaside venues with 24-hour entertainment, you can’t do better than stay in popular Benidorm. A city that continues to grow with high-rise buildings in incredible shapes, with much to offer to entertain the whole family, from water parks to cabaret nightclubs with international stars.
If, on the other hand, you prefer the quieter serenity away from the hustle and bustle, then staying in the smaller resorts along the coast or just inland can be attractive and is a very different experience than Benidorm. It doesn’t stop you from taking a visit to see some attractions in and around the big tourist areas, so if some family members want to go experience the thrill of, say, the water park in the mountains just behind Benidorm, then It is only a 30 minute drive from towns like Moraira.
Against the magnificent backdrop of the Bernia and Montgó mountains, you will find picturesque Spanish villages, where time has stood still for centuries.
The prolific vegetation contrasts with the drier Costa de Almería to the south. The production of grapes, oranges, lemons, figs, olives and almonds is very obvious and very cheap to buy. The late Valencian orange is probably the sweetest orange of all, and it certainly is from December to March, when they are harvested.
Why rent a villa on the Costa Blanca?
A villa holiday on the Costa Blanca allows you the flexibility to simply relax by your own pool, as well as discover what is on offer and what attracts you nearby.
Excellent climate: the World Health Organization has declared that the Moraira, Jávea and Denia peninsula of the Costa Blanca have “one of the most environmentally perfect climates in the world”. This microclimate is also attractive in winter.
Warm sea temperature: the sea of the Costa Blanca is much warmer than that of the Costa del Sol, which is cooled by the Atlantic sea. Swimming in the sea between September and December is quite common.
Great coastline: the coastline between Altea and Denia is one of the most spectacular and picturesque in southern Spain.
Great Sailing – Moraira has one of the most beautiful marinas on the Costa Blanca. To discover some of the inaccessible beaches can be reached by ski bike or kayak.
Easy Communications: The area is served by Alicante and Valencia airports, either of which is an hour’s drive from Moraira, Calpe, and Javea. The motorway runs along the Costa Blanca and runs through northern Europe. Moraira to Calais is an 18-hour drive away.
Incredible places on the Costa Blanca
1) Guadalest
Located on the CV-70 road, 25 km inland from Altea, is the town of Guadalest. Occupying one of the most impressive positions in Spain, this small town stands precariously on the pinnacle of a granite mountain, offering fabulous views of the valley carved by the river from which the town takes its name.
Getting to Guadalest on the winding road that climbs higher and higher, passing through the town of Polop, is almost as spectacular as the town’s location, but the stunning views make the trip worthwhile for even the most nervous passengers.
Upon reaching Guadalest you can see why the Moors, who built fortifications to defend the area, considered this place as a site of strategic importance.
Some of these fortifications were invincible and the remains of several can still be seen today, despite the fact that they were bombed in the 18th century during the War of the Spanish Succession.
However, the building that you will see on most of the postcards is the whitewashed bell tower of the Peñón de la Alcalá that seems to cling to the mountainside.
Interestingly, the old town and castle are accessed through a tunnel dug into the rock and when you get to the other end and see the old houses, it seems that you have been transported to another time.
Guadalest has many museums, so you can learn more about its history, small craft shops and places to buy a souvenir of your visit. At a cost of only a few euros, the visit through the tunnel to the village is definitely worth it, as the castle tour (starting at 10 am) includes the dungeon (great for children) and offers fantastic views of the valley from cobbled paths and viewpoints.
The population of just 200 people is now entirely devoted to tourism, which is why some of the best museums in the area are located here. If you want to be transported to another world when the land was fiercely defended, don’t miss a trip to the town of Guadalest!
Also, while in the area, visit the nearby waterfalls mentioned below.
2) Algar waterfalls in Callosa d’En Sarrià
Callosa d’En Sarria is a 30-minute drive from Teulada – Moraira. The trip there is an experience in itself; Vast orange groves follow the road on both sides. But the special attraction of Callosa d’En Sarria is in the beauty of its Natural Park known as Fonts d’Algar and it was named “Fonts de Fonts” (Fountains of all sources).
From Callosa the distance to the Fonts de Algar is not very long and everything is well signposted. As you leave Callosa, you can see the water channels and the lush green landscape of the Natural Park on the right side of the valley.
Numerous small fountains that merge into wonderful waterfalls and small lakes, form the Fonts d’Algar. Here you can find many trails to explore the area and see the natural pools carved out by the famous waterfalls. In summer, visiting the Fountains is a great alternative to a day at the beach, as the 18C water temperature offers you a refreshing swim and you can always find a shady spot. So don’t forget your bathing suit.
Other attractions of the park are the Museum of the Environment and the tree nurseries, which are watered by the existing irrigation channels of the sources.
3) Elche
Elche is the third largest city in the Valencian Community by population size and resources. A walk through the streets of the city will reveal an interesting historical center, a silent witness to its glorious past. Between the 8th and 9th centuries it was a walled city of Al-Andalus, falling into the hands of the Christians in 1265; however, just two kilometers south of the current city is its original site, La Alcudia, known as Heliké. It was continuously inhabited from the Neolithic until the Visigothic period. The primitive settlement became the Iberian city of Heliké. The Iberian culture of the city lived through a golden age, producing sculptures such as the Dama d’Elx. The Iberian city was Romanized in 209 BC. C. and in the 1st century BC. C. was granted the title of Colonia Iulia Ilice Augusta. This glorious past contrasts harmoniously with all the characteristic elements of a young, dynamic city with a unique urban landscape due to its location in the largest palm grove in Europe. El Palmeral, a legacy of Andalusian agricultural culture, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The night of August 13 Nit de l’Albà, is one of the celebrations that the inhabitants of Elche expect the most. Hundreds of fireworks light up the sky with a barrage of color and sound.
4) Visit the city of Valencia.
The capital city of the Valencia region is approximately a 1.5 hour drive north of Moraira. Stroll through the old town, visiting the Lonja, the Central Market, the Cathedral, the Palau de la Generalitar, the Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas, the Serranos and the Quart towers. Stroll down Calle Colón where you will find the best Spanish fashion stores, which are cheaper than in the UK. Continue to the Central Market, Market Square, where you will see a glass and beam covered Art Nouveau market with over 1,000 stalls, selling everything from live eels and ostrich eggs to vegetables and cheese. Do not leave without trying the paella.
Visit the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, Calle Arzobispo Mayoral 14. Forget walking: you’ve done enough. Take a taxi and get ready for the amazing design of Santiago Calatrava. Piercing the horizon like whitewashed cathedrals, the complex is home to interactive exhibits, an Imax cinema, galleries, a concert hall, a science museum, an oceanographic park, and the largest aquarium in Europe.
5) Get closer to nature.
A short drive from Benidorm is the Serra Gelada (Ice Mountain) Natural Park, a rugged area of the coast that rises more than 300 meters above Benidorm, Alfàs del Pì and Altea.
While in the area, you may want to take a beautiful trip up to the plateau of the Bernia mountain national park, which then allows you to walk around the mountain and even through the natural cave, without having to climb the mountain.
6) Take the ‘Lemon Train’
It is not that you need a car to enjoy the Costa Blanca. There is a lovely narrow gauge railway called ‘Tren Limón’ that sways and rattles all the way from Alicante to Denia, with stations in every major city, just a must see.
It is worth it as an experience in itself because it offers quite a different view of the countryside, away from the main roads, and it can be quite exciting going through tunnels and bridges. But it is also worth taking the train to Alicante for a day out of the city: it is an impressive and vibrant city with an attractive promenade.