There is a reason why so many people flock to the Costa Blanca for their holidays every summer. This lucrative destination is popular with foreigners as well as Spaniards, with a coastline offering much more than a plethora of white sandy beaches and intimate tranquil coves. With larger locations popular for their vibrant nightlife such as Alicante and Benidorm to smaller towns famous for their picturesque historic centres such as Altea and Jávea, choose where to stay for your ideal holiday on the Costa Blanca.
Family Holiday To The Costa Blanca
Benidorm has long been a firm favourite for family holidays on the Costa Blanca. Famous for its impressive skyscrapers likened to those of Manhattan, Benidorm has all the entertainment, facilities, restaurants and activities to keep the whole family entertained.
For families with younger children, the beaches in Benidorm and Calpe will keep them entertained for hours, playing on the sand and paddling in the shallow waters. The main beaches in these towns such as Playa Poniente in Benidorm and Playa de La Fossa in Calpe are equipped with all the facilities from restaurants to play areas, as well as sunbed rentals and inflatables.
There are many fun family activities on the Costa Blanca for the whole family from water parks to museums. For adrenaline seeking families, many of the beaches along the Costa Blanca offer endless opportunities to practise water sports. For example in Calpe, Club Nautico located in Cala Les Bassetes offers diving experiences for children and adults.
City Break On The Costa Blanca
Traditionally, not many people considered the Costa Blanca for a city break, but now people are venturing away from conventional weekend breaks in favour of up and coming cities such as Alicante. With more to offer than the beaches, Alicante has museums, historic monuments, Casco Antiguo (Old Town) and an intrinsic Valencian culture which is often overlooked.
Alicante has become a bustling cosmopolitan city, brimming with history and tradition. Ideal for groups of friends as well as couples looking for a romantic break, rent an apartment or quaint townhouse in Alicante's Old Town in the neighbourhoods such as Santa Cruz or El Barrio for an authentic Spanish city break.
Shopping is always a popular past time on a city break and the shopping experience in Alicante will not disappoint. Spend a morning browsing amongst the stools on the Paseo Explanada where you will find everything from clothes and jewellery to handcrafted, local products. No one visits Alicante without a trip to the Mercado Central where you can easily spend a few hours in this bustling indoor market with local vendors proudly sell top quality fresh food, locally grown produce and handmade items, the ideal souvenirs to take home from your holiday.
Beach Holiday On The Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca is most famous for its plethora of pristine beaches and rustic coves. Throughout the summer months, this unique coastline is a favourite for snorkelling enthusiasts, paddle boarders and kayakers due to the calm conditions of the Mediterranean and diverse marine life.
Moraira has some of the prettiest beaches along this coast, from bays with fine white sand to hidden quiet coves. Playa del Portet is a special beach in Moraira, set in a small bay and hugged by green hills scattered with whitewashed houses. The shallow turquoise water is ideal for families with young children and the setting makes for a romantic beach break for couples.
Benissa is home to some of the most picturesque coves on the Costa Blanca. Couples and nature lovers choose these small intimate beaches over the bigger sandy stretches as they have a more tranquil, calm atmosphere, where you can spend the day relaxing away from the crowds. Some of these Calas can be harder to access and require a bit of walking, and many do not have any facilities making them less popular for families with young children.
For those seeking more urban beaches with all the amenities, visit the bigger beaches in Calpe such as Playa de la Fossa, Playa El Postiguet in Alicante city and Playa de Poniente in Benidorm where you will find rental equipment, entertainment, facilities, restaurants and bars.
Luxury Holiday On The Costa Blanca
For a luxury holiday on the Costa Blanca, look to the smaller destinations such as Moraira. This quiet, traditional fishing harbour has a picturesque centre full of bustling boutiques, restaurants and bars. Moraira is also famous for its pristine white sandy beaches and stunning serene coves. The landscape surrounding these bays connotes luxury, characterised by vineyards, pine trees and beautiful white washed villas dotted about the hills, looking out over the Mediterranean.
Jávea has been named the most charming town in the province, its historic quarter has been beautifully preserved with one of the most emblematic monuments being the church of San Bartolomé. Jávea is also home to one of the most famous beaches in Spain, La Granadella, the long winding drive down to this little cove makes it even more special when you reach it. There is a feeling of exclusivity and tranquillity here, relax in the secluded cove and slip off for some lunch in one of the three restaurants that only open during the summer for fresh fish straight off the boats and of course, paella.
Budget Holiday On The Costa Blanca
A budget holiday on the Costa Blanca will feel nothing less than luxury. Up and down this coastline everyone can experience a taste of the good life, from sampling the local cuisine to relaxing on the pristine beaches without breaking the bank.
Benidorm offers holidays to suit all tastes, from accommodation to food. Families, couples and groups of friends can enjoy an abundance of entertainment and relax on the stretches of golden sand at a cheaper cost. Running parallel to the promenade you will find many restaurants all offering 'menu del dia' where you can eat a 3-course meal for around €9 per person. For families with children, visit Aqualandia waterpark for the whole day at €26 per person or take a boat trip to Benidorm Island, the boat leaves every hour from the port and the journey time takes around 20 minutes costing €12.50 for adults and €10 for children.
The cheapest activity on the Costa Blanca is to spend your days on the beaches. Find budget accommodation in Calpe and escape to these stretches of fine white sand and glittering turquoise waters. Up and down the Costa Blanca you can find many free things to do, to keep the cost of your holiday down. It is free to enter Alicante's impressive castle which has exhibitions and unparalleled views overlooking the whole city. Similarly, the salt flats in Santa Pola are free to explore, with a fascinating mix of flora and fauna, including a large number of flamingos.
Where To Stay For Nightlife On The Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca has two of the biggest party capitals in Spain, Benidorm and Alicante. These towns have been attracting party-goers for years. Every weekend Benidorm and Alicante become a bustling hub of hen and stag parties, and groups of friends all enjoying the vibrant party scene they have to offer.
Benidorm gained a reputation for attracting a slightly older demographic of traveller, but now it is drawing younger generations to party on its shores. The nightlife in Benidorm has been likened to Ibiza but cheaper, and every summer has a number of famous Dj's frequent the decks in various clubs. Rent an apartment in Benidorm to be within walking distance of best clubs on Avenida Communitat Valencia where you will find, KM Dance Club and Hippodrome.
If dance clubs aren't your thing, Benidorm Palace has been voted the best theatre style nightclub in Europe. Their shows feature a mixture of singers, dancers, live musicians and acrobats, with the option of a dinner to accompany the entertainment.
In recent years, Alicante has become a popular party destination. The nightlife in Alicante has a diverse offering, something for everyone, from live music venues to clubs and lively bars. Head to El Barrio Antiguo located near the Cathedral and Rambla de Méndez Núñez to find the trendiest bars and clubs, as well as restaurants and traditional tapas bars where you will find yourself eating and drinking amongst the locals.
From party places with cosmopolitan bars, clubs and restaurants to small towns full of culture, tradition and history, the Costa Blanca has something for everyone for all budgets and all tastes.