The northern Costa Blanca - the most beautiful part of the Spanish coast
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Here you will find Information about the different localities on the northern Costa Blanca. Simply click on the link to the descriptions of the place that interests you.
Alfaz del Pi
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is a small town with around 15.000 inhabitants and is located in a triangle formed by Benidorm, the sea and the mountains.
In contrast to Benidorm, Alfaz del Pí has decided against constructing high rise buildings. The town council is also committed to the protection of the coastal scenery, and even rejected the development of the "Sierra Helada" 2 years ago.
Around 50% of the inhabitants of the town are foreign nationals who have felt drawn by the peaceful and idyllic atmosphere of the town.
Here you will find wonderful sandy beaches, rugged cliff scenery and magnificent bays. The palm fringed promenade, the "Paseo de las Estrellas" is a popular meeting point and is lined with numerous restaurants and small shops.
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Alicante
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is among the fastest growing cities in Spain. Alicante's economy is focused primarily on wine production and tourism, but Alicante is also renowned for its fruit and olive oil exports.
Due to the steadily rising interest in the Costa Blanca, Alicante's international airport is currently being extended.
From Santa Barbara Castle, perched on top of the 166 metre high Mount Benacantil, you can enjoy fantastic views over the city, the Mediterranean and the surrounding countryside. Alicante offers contrasting architecture, beautiful scenery, a healthy economy, a variety of beaches and lively nightlife.
Visit "Santa María", the city's oldest church which is built in the Gothic style, or the art collection "casa de la asegurada" which includes works by Picasso, Miró, Dalí and Gris.
The town hall in Alicante is a wonderful baroque edifice with twin towers and dates from the year 1760. At the foot of the main staircase, a metal plaque can be seen which indicates the height of sea level, and is the reference point for the measuring heights throughout Spain.
These are, however, only a few of the many attractions which Alicante has to offer. There are innumerable places of interest in Alicante, but the beaches, the harbour and the promenade are what Alicante is famous for. You will find the finest sandy beaches in and around Alicante which are awarded the European Union's blue flag every year.
The promenade "Esplanada de España", built in 1867, is the probably the world's longest mosaic. It is composed of 6.6 million pieces, each measuring 4 cm x 4 cm, which together stretch for nearly 500 m. The palm-lined promenade is one of the finest promenades in Spain, and in the evening it is often transformed into "the meeting place" of Alicante.
The international harbour is Alicante's entertainment centre offering restaurants, pubs, discos and a yacht club. This year, the "Volvo Ocean Race 2008" will start from Alicante. It is the worlds oldest sailing regatta and, this year, with 2000 yachts participating, it will also be the worlds largest. In the harbour at Alicante you can book your ticket on the frequent ferry service to the Balearic Islands or book an excursion by boat to the island, "Isla de Tabarca" which was declared a marine nature reserve in 1986 and with its beaches and marine wildlife has much to offer.
Whether you travel to Alicante because of its numerous places of interest, for the fantastic shopping, the miles of beaches, or for the "Hogueras" festival which takes place every June in the streets of Alicante, you will see that, both in summer and in winter, Alicante never stands still.
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Altea
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is one of the most charming towns on the Costa Blanca, and is often called "the white city".
On the hillside you can see the picturesque old town with the towering church of "Nuestra Señora del Consuelo" which is "the meeting place" in Altea for people of all nations. The Old Town has a great deal to offer: narrow, winding alleys; arts and crafts stores; chic boutique; balconies decked with flowers, excellent and cosy restaurants, a good choice of bars and, of course, breathtaking views.
Altea has been awarded the title "Capital Cultural" by the Comunidad Valenciana. There is such a varied array of culture on offer that there is little danger of becoming bored in Altea. A plethora of art galleries, the local library, numerous musicians and, of course, the "Palau Altea", which opens its doors for top level exhibitions; congresses; ballet, opera and theatrical performances; concerts and shows all go to fully justify the title awarded to Altea.
In Altea you will find ultra modern marinas and long beaches, as well as smaller harbours for sporting craft, and coves offering you an extensive range of aquatic sports.
The scenery around Altea is so varied, that it catches everybody's eye as soon as they arrive. The high rugged cliffs are punctuated by sun drenched pebble beaches. The " Sierra Bernia " and the " Sierra Aitana " rise to around 1100 and 1500 metres respectively and protect Altea against cold winds from the north and north west. The "Sierra Helada", which was declared natural reserve in 2005, stands at the south end of the bay of Altea.
Due to its location, Altea has a very mild microclimate with an annual average temperature of 19° C.
The residential area of Altea is known for its developments in the higher segment of the market. Imposing villas and apartment complexes have been built around the 5* "Melia Altea Hills" resort in the Altea Hills. The neighbouring areas of "Altea Sierra" and "Altea La Vella" are distinguished by their developments with plenty of green space and panoramic views towards Altea and the coast.
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Benidorm
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never stands still. It has become one of the the biggest tourist hot-spots of the Mediterranean.
This city is "a must" for all action freaks. Whether you spend an afternoon in the water park and afterwards ride the roller coaster in the theme park "TerraMitica", or simply let your hair down in the numerous pubs and discos - Benidorm offers you everything you would expect from a tourist hot-spot.
Benidorm has two sandy beaches, separated by the "Canfali" hill. In the summer, these two beaches, named "Levante" and "Poniente", are mainly visited by a lively young crowd.
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Benissa
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includes, on its landward side, a part of the Bernia mountains which are a paradise for hikers and ramblers and towards the coast, Benissa has plenty of land available for building. Over the past few decades foreigners already resident in Spain, long-term holidaymakers and increasing numbers of young families who have emigrated from Northern and Central Europe have settled along the coastline at Benissa. In contrast to Calpe and Benidorm, which is often known as the “Manhattan of the Costa Blanca”, Benissa has decided against constructing high rise buildings. Instead, the shore at Benissa is dominated by detached houses and imposing villas.
The 4 kilometre long coastline at Benissa is punctuated by small sheltered bays and rocky coves nestling between pine woodlands and cliffs. The area's beaches are mostly pebble and shingle, an exception to this being the sandy “La Fustera” beach.
The centre of Benissa is located 275 metres above sea level and around 6 kilometres inland. Until the beginning of this century, the town's main source of income was agriculture. Today, Benissa lives mainly from tourism.
Benissa has a wealth of historic buildings. The medieval town centre is recognised as one of the finest in the region and has preserved its distinctive character with its steep, narrow lanes and alleyways. Among the many historic buildings in Benissa's town centre are the “Lonja” built in the Renaissance style, the Franciscan convent, the town hall and the 18th century mansions and palaces which are today occupied by the university. Benissa's best known landmark, however, is the Gothic “Purissima Xiqueta” church which was built between 1902 and 1929. The church, which is also known as “Catedral de la Marina”, has 3 halls and often surprises visitors with its extraordinary proportions.
When in Benissa, be sure to sample the local culinary specialities in one of the town's small and homely “bodegas” and bars. One dish which is well worth trying is “El putxero del polp”, which is a kind of octopus stew. Benissa – a journey through time.
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Calpe
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is located in a sheltered bay on the Mediterranean with a view to probably the most famous landmark on the Costa Blanca: the "Peñon d'Ifach" which has become a symbol of Calpe. The majestic limestone rock which rises 332 metres above the sea, is part of a nature reserve which hosts eighty different species of birds and more than 300 different species of plants.
Calpe's yacht harbour and fishing port are situated directly at the foot of the "Peñon d'Ifach", and just inland from the rock is the salt lagoon, from which salt was acquired in former times and used for preserving meat and particularly fish for the fish trade. Sandy beaches backed by boulevards extend on both sides of the "Peñon d'Ifach". The mountains "Cometa", "Oltá", "Mascarat" and "Collado" form a green belt on the landward side of the the municipal area, which the town council has pledged to preserve.
Calpe not only offers a complete sports program, but also several small museums and an attractive and large cultural centre offering events such as concerts, theatre and exhibitions. Whether visiting the fish market, strolling among the shops, sightseeing, sailing, climbing, taking in the town's "Moros y Cristianos" fiesta or relaxing and sampling the local cuisine in the numerous restaurants, bars and cafés, Calpe is always worth a visit.
The mild climate, the natural beauty of the surrounding area and the tranquillity in Calpe have persuaded people of 102 different nationalities to move here. At the beginning of 2008, Calpe was reported by the residential registration office to have 30.000 residents. The number of people living permanently in Calpe is, however, estimated to be over 50.000. Only around 36% of the towns population is Spanish, the majority being of foreign origin. The most common among them are British, German, Belgian, Romanian, Dutch, Swiss, French and Colombians.
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Denia
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is a lively seaport with about 45,000 inhabitants.
Due to its harbour and the resulting trade, Denia was an important coastal metropolis for the Romans and the Arabs. The castle in Denia was built in the 11th and 12th century by the Moors and is now one of the city's major landmarks. Today the castle houses Denia's archaeological museum.
Denia has something for lovers of nature both above and below the water. The prominent "Montgó" mountain, which was officially declared a national park in 1987, offers numerous hiking trails. The "Montgó" mountain ends in the breathtaking cape "San Antonio", from which there is a sheer 160 metre drop into the sea. In the sea below, the Cabo San Antonio marine reserve with its rich and varied marine life is one of the Spanish mainland's most interesting dive sites.
In Denia you will find several beaches which together total around 20 kilometres in length. The finest sandy beaches are in the north while in the south you will discover rocky coves with crystal clear water.
The most well known festival in Denia is called "Bous en la Mer" and takes place every July. Bulls are let loose in an open arena next to the sea. The young men participating avoid getting trampled, often, by jumping into the sea.
Because of its vitality, its variety and its Mediterranean flair, Denia has quickly become one of the most popular destinations on the Iberian Peninsula. As a result, Denia has been strongly affected by tourism which has included not only the classic seasonal tourism, but also the so-called residence tourism. Many Germans and British nationals have settled in the more than one hundred residential areas which are mostly gathered around the rock massif "Montgó" or on the land behind the "Marinas" beaches. Many exclusive residential schemes have also been developed in the town itself over the last several years. A popular area for these has been the area of "Els Poblets".
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El Campello
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is 10 kilometres from Alicante and at the beginning of 2008, its inhabitants numbered around 25,000. The local council has always followed a policy of preserving the original charm of this quiet coastal town.
El Campello has a 23-kilometre-long coastline with a harbour for sporting and fishing craft. As well as the natural cliff scenery and coves such as "Coveta Fuma" or "Venta La Nuzza", El Campello also has long sandy beaches like "Muchavista". The wonderful promenade is excellent for a leisurely stroll followed by a visit to one of the numerous restaurants and bars.
The mountainous scenery surrounding El Campello is covered with abundant vegetation and is often only sparsely settled. The "Cuevas de Canalobre" are among Spain's most fascinating caves and are situated in the mountain range of El Campello at an altitude of 700 meters.
At the foot of the "Torre Vigía" you can visit one of the most important historical sites on the Mediterranean. The peninsula "La Illeta dels Banyets" was first settled over 5000 years ago in the Neolithic period and remained inhabited until medieval times in the 11th century. Today, you still can see the ancient ruins of a Roman city and Roman bath.
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Jávea (Xábia)
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covers an area of 68 square kilometres and is situated between two of the most spectacular promontories on the Spanish east coast. The “Cabo San Antonio”, to the north, forms part of the Montgó nature reserve and to the south, the “Cabo de la Nao”, which is the most eastern point of the province of Valencia, separates the bays of Alicante and Valencia.
As a protection against attacks by pirates, Jávea was originally built as a walled settlement 2 km inland. The town's wall remained until around 140 years ago. With its town hall, market hall, museums and the chapel “Santa Ana”, which is well worth a visit, the influence of this period can still be seen in the the historical town centre. Also worth a visit is the “Iglesia de San Bartolomé” church which is built in the Gothic style and consists of a single nave with several chapels situated between the buttresses. You can also discover the rich history of this part of the coast by visiting the town's Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum.
In the 19th century, the economy of Jávea was dominated by the cultivation and production of raisins. Later, with the advent of modern irrigation techniques, it was possible to support large orange plantations. It is tourism, however, that provides the principal source of income for the area, and more and more of the areas agricultural land is being sold to construction companies.
The character of the 25 km stretch of coast in the Jávea area alternates continually between small bays, extensive beaches, such as the beach at Arenal, and spectacular cliff scenery. Many residential developments, such as the well known “Balcón al Mar” area, have sprung up behind the cliff line. A great many Germans and Swiss and English people have settled permanently in these developments. In 2007, Jávea had around 27,000 officially registered inhabitants. It is estimated, however, that more that 40,000 people live in the town permanently. This is, perhaps, one reason for the large number of restaurants, cafés and bars in Jávea.
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Villajoyosa
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is a small, picturesque town on the Costa Blanca with around 28.000 inhabitants. It is often referred to as a contrast to the overcrowded and busy towns of Benidorm and Alicante. Among Villajoyosa's most well known features are the colourful painted houses of the seafront and the "casco antiguo" in the town centre.
The distinguished and exclusive residential area of "El Montiboli" is located directly on the seashore at the southern limit of Villajoyosa. Here you will encounter the typical long sandy beaches, as well as smaller sheltered beaches.
The long promenade behind the "Playa Centro" leads directly to Villajoyosa's harbour which is frequented by fishing boats as well as yachts. You should also not miss the opportunity to visit the typical Spanish market hall and the famous "Royal Palm Casino " whilst in Villajoyosa.
The spectacular celebration of "Moros y Cristianos" begins with numerous processions along the promenade on the 25th of July. What distinguishes the "Moros y Cristianos" festival in Villajoyosa from the festival as it is celebrated in other towns and makes it a unique experience, is the landing of the Moors on the beach. At daybreak on 28th July every year, more than 30 Moorish ships land on the "Playa Centro" beach followed by the clash of the Christian and Moorish armies re-enacting the battles of 1538 between the beach and the castle.
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