Costa Blanca Beyond the Beaches: Uncover Hidden Villages, and a Taste of Authentic Spain
The Costa Blanca has a way of pulling you in and making you want to stay forever. It’s got that perfect mix of breathtaking beaches, charming old towns, buzzing coastal resorts, and a seriously good food scene. You get that relaxed Mediterranean vibe, but there’s also plenty to keep you on your toes—whether you’re into exploring, eating, or just soaking up the sunshine.
First things first, the beaches here are unreal. The coastline stretches for miles, with everything from long, golden sandy beaches to secret little coves tucked between rocky cliffs. If you want the classic, lively Costa Blanca experience, Benidorm’s Levante Beach is the place—soft sand, clear waters, and a buzzing seafront lined with bars and restaurants. But if you prefer somewhere more peaceful, head to Granadella Cove near Javea—a little hidden paradise with the kind of blue water that looks almost too good to be true.
Then there’s Alicante, which is way more than just an airport stop. It’s got a gorgeous old town, a castle perched on a hill with jaw-dropping views, and some of the best seafood paella you’ll ever eat. There’s something special about wandering through the streets of El Barrio, stopping for a cold beer or a plate of tapas in one of the tiny bars.
And if you fancy a bit of adventure, the mountains just inland are spectacular. A drive up to Guadalest, a tiny hilltop village with insane views, is a must. You’ll find little museums, a castle ruin, and streets that feel like something out of a storybook.
Further up the coast, Altea is a dream—all whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, and a seafront perfect for a long, lazy lunch. Then you’ve got Denia and Moraira, both with a laid-back, upmarket feel, great restaurants, and a more local vibe. And if you hop on a ferry, you can be in Ibiza in just a couple of hours—pretty tempting, right?
The Costa Blanca is all about contrasts. You’ve got the buzz of the bigger resorts, the peace of the smaller villages, and the stunning landscapes just waiting to be explored. One trip is never enough—you’ll always find an excuse to come back.
The average annual temperature in Costa Blanca is around 20 degrees Celsius, enjoying a sunny spring, while in autumn, impressive quick passing thunderstorms that would leave any photographer speechless.
The Costa Blanca is a first-class golf holiday destination with a number of quality golf courses located all over the province including Alenda Golf, Lo Romero Golf, Golf Las Ramblas, La Finca, Las Colinas, Alto Real and the Alicante Golf Club.
Best Things To Do In Costa Blanca
- Visit Terra Mitica, one of the top theme parks in Spain, located close to Benidorm
- Explore the historic church - Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, located in Altea
- Spend a lazy day on the famous Playa Levante beach in Benidorm.
- Take a walk along the promenade and marina at Denia.
- Discover the picturesque coves and beaches at Santa Pola.
- Explore the marina and the impressive Penon de Ifach rock of Calpe.
- Enjoy one of the many festivals and fiestas held in every town and village along the Costa Blanca.
- Visit the stunning mountain village at Guadalest.
- Spend at least a whole day exploring Torrevieja.
- Visit Elche, the city of Palms, located close to Alicante airport.
- Party at the vibrant nightlife of Alicante
- See the Algar waterfalls located in Callosa d’En Sarria close to Benidorm.
- Visit the Mundomar theme park and swim with the dolphins.
- Spend a fascinating day out in the region's capital city, Valencia.
- Visit the Castillo de Santa Bárbara located high above the city of Alicante.
Top Holiday Resorts on the Costa Blanca
Benidorm
As a tourist destination, Benidorm is ranked as one of Spain's most popular beach resorts, attracting over eight million holidaymakers annually. Its popularity is primarily due to the impeccable selection of hotels in Benidorm and the vast amount of holiday-friendly amenities offered by each.
A big draw, though, is its three impressive beaches: Playa de Levante, Platja del Mal Pas, and Playa de Poniente. All have been awarded Blue Flags because they offer excellent conditions for sunbathing and swimming.
Some of Benidorm's attractions are the amusement park Terra Mitica, the zoo Terra Natura, Aqualandia Water Park, and the nearby island, also called Benidorm, which is a nature reserve.
In addition to these, many restaurants, clubs, festivals, cabaret shows, and the tallest buildings in Europe are found here in Benidorm.
Alicante
Situated between the mountains and the sea, the historic city of Alicante is one of the best-known towns on the Costa Blanca. With a three-thousand-year history, Alicante’s mix of old and new offers stunning architecture, abundant shopping and beautiful beaches.
The main pedestrian walkway, Esplanada de España, is a stylish, palm-bordered boulevard with an elegant tri-coloured marble path depicting the waves of the Mediterranean Sea.
The heart and soul of the city, the promenade wraps around the harbour and boasts many shops, cafes and restaurants. From here, take an elevator to the impressive 16th-century Castillo de Santa Barbara and wander among the castle’s drawbridges, stone passageways, hidden tunnels, dungeons and beautiful gardens.
Check out our See our Alicante travel guide.
Torrevieja
Bordered by a trinity of natural beauties – the Mediterranean Sea and two salt lakes, one pink and one green - the Torrevieja salt mining city boasts many attractions. It has a variety of museums and water parks on offer, along with a vibrant nightlife.
Situated between the mountains and the sea, Torrevieja experiences hot summers with welcoming sea breezes. July and August reach average daily temperatures of around 30°C. If you’re looking for a cooler, slightly quieter holiday, June and September are ideal months to visit.
Javea
Javea ( Xabia) is a quaint haven along the Costa Blanca. It is centred around a 14th-century church, shops, cafés, and restaurants, creating an old-world-meets-modern vibe.
Enjoy tapas and sangria at one of the many traditional restaurants and visit the old town’s Arenal Bay for a vibrant nightlife scene. Restaurants feature flamenco dancers, and clubs play disco, house and techno from midnight to dawn.
Javea also boasts two blue flag beaches, the most popular of which are Arenal and La Grava.
Guadalest
The charming village of Guadalest is a must-visit place when visiting the Costa Blanca. It is located some 20 kilometres away from Benidorm and is surrounded by the Sierra d´Aixorta, Sierra de Serella, and Sierra de Aitana mountain ranges.
The town can be reached by a natural tunnel and is overlooked by the charming San Jose Castle. Visitors enjoy incredibly picturesque views of the Guadalest Valley and the turquoise reservoir.
Although there are only a handful of residents, the town bursts into life during the summer months, and tourists are eager to explore it.
The main attractions include the stunning views, the reservoir, a walk around the old quarter and a visit to the San Jose Castle.
Denia
Denia is a popular seaside resort on the Costa Blanca, close to Alicante and overlooking the Montgo mountain range. Denia has one of the most important ports and marinas in the region, with a large fishing fleet and ferry connections to Ibiza and Majorca. The port and marina have made Denia quite a prosperous town over the past 40 years.
With an average temperature of 20 °C, Denia is an ideal holiday destination year-round. It is an attractive resort with a captivating old town, fine restaurants and glorious beaches stretching for many kilometres.
The town enjoys a privileged location, with the Montgo Mountains in the background. Its other attractions include ruined castles, a beautiful marina, and a walk through the narrow streets of the old town. Alternatively, you can simply chill out on over 20 kilometres of beaches.
Calpe
Calpe is located between Alicante and the region's capital, Valencia. It is a popular Costa Blanca seaside resort famous for the impressive rock formation that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea, the “ Penon de Ifach.”
Calpe is one of Costa Blanca's most popular holiday resorts due to its privileged location, golden-sand beaches, and cosy yet vibrant atmosphere.
Well before the tourists arrived, Calpe was known for its large fishing fleet and salt production. The town is a nice mixture of old and modern, with numerous Gothic churches and Roman ruins.
There are plenty of good tapas bars, seafront restaurants, plus a selection of late bars and nightlife to help you enjoy those long summer nights.
Altea
If you are looking for a more tranquil destination on Costa Blanca, the pretty town of Altea is the perfect place.
The town is devoid of discos, music pubs, and nightclubs, so it is much more suited to visitors who prefer to explore historic sites and enjoy a slower pace of life.
One of the main pastimes for visitors is walking through cobbled streets lined with quaint local gift shops and a good selection of first-class restaurants where they can enjoy the local cuisine.
Local attractions to explore include the Navarro Roman Museum and the town's Cultural Centre, the Christian and Moors Museum and the most emblematic of churches, Parroquia de Nuestra Senora de Consuelo, with its two blue domes.
And for sun worshippers, head down to the town's promenade where a long stretch of beach awaits, plus a healthy selection of fish restaurants and tapas bars.
Elche
Historic Elche is just a short drive from Alicante Airport and is known as the city of Palms, as it is located within the largest Palm forest in Europe.
The city has excellent motorway links to Alicante, Valencia, Torrevieja, Cartagena, and Murcia and is just a few kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea.
Often overlooked by holidaymakers in the southern Costa Blanca, Elche offers many attractions to keep visitors busy.
Elche is now a significant shoe producer with over 1,000 shoe manufacturers based around the city.
A must-visit place is the Elche Palm Grove, which has over 200,000 palm trees and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Santa Pola
The seaside resort of Santa Pola is located just a 20-minute drive from Alicante airport and the busy resort of Torrevieja.
The town is best known for its fishing industry, modern marina, salt lakes, numerous sandy beaches, and distant mountain backdrop.
Santa Pola is ideal for all kinds of nautical sports and has become a popular destination for windsurfing, fishing, jet skiing, sailing, swimming, fishing and paragliding.
Visit Tabarca Island, located just a short boat ride offshore. Berber Pirates once inhabited the island, and it is now a marine reserve.
Well worth visiting is the marshland area of Las Salinas, where you can see a variety of wild birds, including flamingos.
Golf On The Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca is also a fantastic destination for golf lovers. With its pleasant climate, stunning landscapes, and championship golf courses, it offers an unforgettable golfing experience for players of all skill levels.
The region offers an impressive selection of top-notch golf courses. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner looking to improve your swing, you'll find a course that suits your needs.
Here are some of the top golf courses in the area:
Las Colinas Golf & Country Club: Nestled in a picturesque valley, this championship golf course boasts a challenging layout with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Villaitana Golf Club: Designed by the legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, this 36-hole complex offers two unique courses that cater to both experienced players and beginners.
La Finca Golf & Spa Resort: Located in Algorfa near Torrevieja, La Finca Golf Course is renowned for its well-maintained fairways and challenging design. It offers a fantastic golfing experience amidst beautiful natural surroundings.
La Sella Golf Resort: Surrounded by the Montgo Natural Park, this course combines beautiful landscapes with a challenging layout, making it a favourite among golf enthusiasts.
Alenda Golf: Known for its scenic beauty, this course features wide fairways and well-manicured greens, providing an enjoyable experience for players of all levels.
Bonalba Golf Resort: With its gentle slopes and strategically placed bunkers, this course offers an exciting challenge while providing breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and coastline.
So, pack your clubs and get ready to tee off on the Costa Blanca for a wonderful golf holiday in Spain.