Costa Blanca: something for the whole family

The 200km Costa Blanca stretches from the city 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 the fact that Spain was very cheap in the 1960s when it first opened at the end of the Franco dictatorship era.

At first glance, it may seem 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 resorts with 24 hour entertainment then you couldn’t do better than staying in the very popular Benidorm. A city that continues to grow with impressive high-rise buildings, 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 quieter serenity away from the hustle and bustle, then staying in the smaller resorts along the coast or just inland can appeal and is a very different experience to, say, Benidorm. It doesn’t stop you from paying a visit to see some attractions in and around the big tourist areas, so if some members of the family want to go experience the thrill of, for example, the theme water park in the mountains just behind Benidorm , then it is only 30 minutes by car from towns such as Moraira.

Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Bernia and Montgó mountains, you’ll 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 evident and very cheap to buy. The late Valencian orange is probably the sweetest orange of all, and it is definitely sweet from December to March, when they are picked.

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 is nearby.

Excellent climate: The World Health Organization has declared that the Moraira, Jávea and Denia peninsula of the Costa Blanca has “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 cools with the Atlantic sea. Bathing 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.

Gran Vela – Moraira has one of the most beautiful marinas on the Costa Blanca. Discovering some of the inaccessible beaches can be reached by ski scooters or by taking a kayak.

Easy Communications – The area is served by both Alicante and Valencia airports, either of which is about an hour’s drive from Moraira, Calpe and Javea. The motorway runs along the Costa Blanca and through Northern Europe: Moraira to Calais is an easy 18-hour drive.

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 perches precariously on the pinnacle of a granite mountain, offering fabulous views of the valley carved out by the river from which the town takes its name.

Getting to Guadalest via the winding road that climbs higher and higher, passing through the town of Polop, is almost as spectacular as the location of the town, but the stunning views make the trip worthwhile for even the most nervous passengers!

Arriving at Guadalest, you can see why the Moors, who built fortifications to defend the area, considered this place a place of strategic importance.

Some of these fortifications were impregnable 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 you will see on most postcards is the whitewashed bell tower of the Peñón de la Alcalá that seems to cling to the side of the mountain.

Interestingly, the old town and castle are accessed through a rock-cut tunnel and when you get to the other end and see the old houses, you seem to 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. The visit through the tunnel to the village, which costs only a few euros, is definitely worth it, as the visit to the castle (from 10am) walks through the dungeon (great for children) and offers fantastic views of the valley from the cobblestone paths and viewpoints.

The population of just 200 people is now devoted entirely to tourism, so some of the best museums in the area are located here. If you want to transport yourself to another world when the land defended itself fiercely, don’t miss a getaway to the town of Guadalest!

Also, while you’re in the area, check out the nearby waterfalls mentioned below.

2) Algar Waterfalls in Callosa d’En Sarrià

Callosa d’En Sarria is located 30 minutes by car from Teulada – Moraira. The trip there is an experience in itself; Vast plantations of orange trees follow the path on both sides. But the special attraction of Callosa d’En Sarria lies in the beauty of its Natural Park known as Fonts d’Algar and which received the name “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. Leaving 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 springs 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 natural pools carved by the famous waterfalls. In summer, visiting the Fountains is a great alternative to a day at the beach, as the 18°C ​​water temperature offers you a refreshing swim and you can always find a shady spot. So don’t forget your swimsuit.

Other attractions of the park are the Museum of the Environment and the tree nurseries, which are irrigated by the existing irrigation canals in the sources.

3) Elche

Elche is the third largest city in the Valencian Community in terms of population size and resources. A walk through the streets of the city will reveal an interesting historic 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 to the Visigoth period. The early settlement became the Iberian city of Helike. The Iberian culture of the city experienced a golden age, producing sculptures such as the Dama d’Elx. The Iberian city was Romanized in 209 BC and in the 1st century BC it was granted the title of Colonia Iulia Ilice Augusta. This glorious past contrasts harmoniously with all the characteristic elements of a young, dynamic city and with a unique urban landscape due to its location in the largest palm grove in Europe. The Palm Grove, a legacy of Andalusian peasant 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 people of Elche look forward to the most. Hundreds of fireworks light up the sky in a barrage of color and sound.

4) Visit the city of Valencia.

The capital city of the Valencia region is approximately an hour and a half 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 Marquis of Dos Aguas, the Serranos and the Quart towers. Stroll down Calle Colón, where you will find stores of the best Spanish fashion brands, which are cheaper than in the UK. Continue to the Central Market, Plaza de Mercado, where you’ll see an Art Nouveau-style glass-and-beam covered market with more than 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 about walking: you’ve done enough. Take a taxi and get ready for the amazing design of Santiago Calatrava. Piercing the skyline like whitewashed cathedrals, the complex is home to interactive exhibits, an Imax cinema, galleries, a concert hall, a science museum, an oceanographic park, and Europe’s largest aquarium.

5) Get closer to nature.

A short drive from Benidorm is the Serra Gelada (Ice Mountain) Natural Park, which is a rugged area on 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 drive up to the Bernia Mountain National Park Plateau, 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 necessarily need a car to enjoy the Costa Blanca. There is a lovely narrow gauge railway called the ‘Tren Limón’ that sways and rattles all the way from Alicante to Denia, with stations in all the major towns, simply a must to experience.

It’s worth it as an experience in itself because it provides quite a different view of the countryside, away from the main roads, and can be quite exciting as you plunge through tunnels and over bridges. But it’s also worth taking the train to Alicante for a day out of the city: it’s a stunning, vibrant city with an attractive seafront promenade.