Located in the province of Alicante. Alicante consists of around 200 km of Mediterranean coastline. In the north it includes the popular resorts of Gandia, Javea and Denia, and in the south - Torrevieja. This is where the Costa Calida begins.
The entire Costa Blanca region has a rich and distinguished history, and many artefacts have been found as far back as the Neolithic era. The Costa Blanca has been conquered and occupied by various important civilisations, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, Carthaginians and Moors. Each civilisation left its own identity in the region and each resulted in significant cultural and religious consequences for the indigenous population. Perhaps the greatest impact on the region was caused during the Roman and Arab occupations, both of which shaped the areas subsequent history.
The main attraction for holidaymakers (especially northern Europeans) is of course the wonderful climate, with over 300 days of sunshine each year and very low rainfall, making it the perfect place for a relaxing summer holiday or a well-earned winter break. Sunshine is practically guaranteed from May to October.
Average daytime temperatures reach low 30s in the summer months and rarely drop below 16s in winter. In July and August temperatures can reach 40s.
The Costa Blanca has some of the best beaches in Spain and they are generally very well maintained and safe, with a large number of Blue Flag beaches.
The main resorts on the Costa Blanca:
Altea is a small town with a population of around 25,000. people, located between the cities of Benidorm and Calpe, on the Costa Blanca, the silhouettes of the skyscrapers of Benidorm and the famous Peñón de Ifach (Calpe) are perfectly visible from the observation decks of the city. Altea also belongs to the administrative unit called Marina Baja (Marina Baja/Baixa), part of the province of Alicante.
This city is rightfully considered the most beautiful city on the Costa Blanca: located on a hill, paved paths and stairs leading to the top, which towers over the city with the blue-white glossy domes of its symbol - the Catholic church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo.
The old part of the city is located around this church, on the slopes of the hill. Altea has a stylish marina and a lively promenade.
Benidorm - Benidorm was a quiet fishing village until the 1960s, but today it is Europe's largest resort, attracting around 5 million annual visitors.
Calpe - Dominated by a huge rock called the Peñón de Ifach, Calpe is probably the most developed resort on the Costa Blanca, apart from Benidorm. At the foot of the mountain is a protected park area - here are more than 300 species of different plants, among which you can see unusual orchids. In the 17th century, Calpe gained fame as a heroic city for its successful resistance to pirates.
The rich history of the coast has left Calpe with a great heritage of different cultures: Iberian, Phoenician, Roman. The cathedral in the old town is the only monument preserved in Valencia, in the Gothic-Moorish "Mudéjar" style. The famous fish market is a major magnet for gourmets: the menu of one of the restaurants located nearby offers a full range of the freshest seafood delicacies.
Denia is an attractive resort with a fascinating old town, located in the north of the Costa Blanca. The city is located at the foot of the Montgó mountain near the natural park of the same name. The mountain range protects Denia from the west from the cold winds of the Atlantic, helping to maintain its own mild microclimate. Today, the city has a population of just over 42,000, of which about a third are foreigners. There is a regular ferry service from Denia to Ibiza, which takes about 2 ½ hours. Denia is famous for its 20-kilometer line of sandy beaches. The old town and new residential areas stretch along the coast, so from almost any point in the city you can walk to the sea in 15 minutes. The local beaches regularly receive Blue Flags - a sign of cleanliness and quality. That is why Denia is considered a favorite place for family holidays.
Gandia is the northernmost resort on the Costa Blanca. Gandia is called the "northern pearl" of the Costa Blanca. It is a famous historical and cultural center, a port city, and a popular seaside resort in Valencia. It is divided into two parts: the city and the beach - Playa de Gandia. It caters mainly to Spanish tourists, but the beaches are fantastic and worth a visit.
Javea is one of the most popular resorts on the Costa Blanca. It has an interesting old town and the beautiful sandy beach of El Arenal. In the summer, the Javea Festival is held.
