Costa Blanca which means White Coast is in the Alicante province of Spain, and stretches from Denia 200km down the coast to Pilar de la Horadada. It is a really popular tourist destination, especially for Brits and Germans! The southern half of the Costa Blanca includes Benidorm and Alicante which are famous for being the region’s party capitals, but the northern part of the coastline is a lot quieter and has quite a different personality. While the area might not offer the most authentic Spanish holiday, if you are looking for buzzing nightlife, white beaches and clean sea, and accommodation suitable for every budget then the Costa Blanca has it all!
Where to Stay on the Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the whole of Spain and the vast array of holiday accommodation available reflects that! Once you have decided which area you are interested in staying, get online and check out the Wimdu website to find your perfect holiday getaway! It’s quick and easy to search for exactly what you need - from kid-friendly villas with swimming pools for family holidays through to fully-equipped apartments in the centre of towns, for when you just want somewhere to sleep in between tanning and socialising!
Fun Facts about the Costa Blanca
- The name Costa Blanca was originally invented in 1957 by British-European Airways to market their new route between London and Valencia.
- Benidorm was the first ever package holiday resort in Spain! Now it attracts over five million tourists a year!
- According to the World Health Organisation, the Costa Blanca has one of the healthiest climates in Europe, especially for people suffering from asthma and arthritis.
Places to Visit on the Costa Blanca
Alicante
The chances are, if you are visiting the Costa Blanca, that you will fly into the coastal city of Alicante. Most people then head straight out to one of the beach resorts to the north or south, but there is more than enough to occupy you if you decide to book an apartment and stay in Alicante for a night or two. Check out the Castle of Santa Barbara, one of Spain’s largest medieval fortresses, sitting high above the city and offering impressive views of the town and coastline far below. If this has piqued your interest in local history, you should also check out the Archaeological Museum which covers the history of the town from the Stone Age through to medieval times. Once you’ve got the culture covered, head down to Postiguet beach in the centre of the city, or take a bus a few kilometres down the coast to San Juan beach - some people say this is one of the best beaches in Spain!
Benidorm
Since the 1960s, Benidorm has transformed from a small village to a town of 80,000 people and with the third biggest number of skyscrapers in Europe, after London and Milan! If you are after a holiday of sun, sea and sangria, then Benidorm is the perfect destination. It has over 40,000 holiday beds, in accommodation ranging from basic bed and breakfast guest houses to luxury self-catering villas. The beaches are pristine, and the nightlife is everything you have heard… and more!
Denia
The town of Denia lies at the northern most end of the Costa Blanca and is famous for its 20 km stretch of beaches, ranging from pristine white sand through to craggy rocks, popular for daredevil diving stunts! The town has a very long history, and you can see ancient ruins throughout the town, including a castle which is still in fairly good condition. It has a charming old town as well, with shaded winding streets, perfect for getting out of the Spanish sun for a few hours.
Eating and Drinking
Like everywhere in Spain, food on the Costa Blanca is fresh, zingy and plentiful. As it is such a tourist destination there are restaurants everywhere, and your Wimdu host will be able to point you in the direction of their favourite places within walking distance of your holiday rental. For a chilled out lunch, head to the local market and pick up some fresh fish, caught from the Mediterranean that morning, and take it back to your self-catering apartment to cook on the barbecue with a splash of lemon juice and enjoy with a bottle or two of the local wine.
Getting Around
Most people fly into Alicante Airport, but if you are aiming at the southern end of the Costa Blanca you might also want to look at flights going to Murcia San Javier’s Airport. You can get buses from the airports to the main resorts. If you want to explore the coast you can use public transport, but obviously it is faster and easier to get around if you are able to rent a car. Most holidaymakers aim for one resort and stay there for the duration, and all the main towns and resorts will have more than enough to occupy you for a week or so!