Castle
Castell de Guadalest
Castle ruins high above the mountain village of Guadalest in the Marina Baixa. You reach the old town centre through a rock-hewn tunnel, and from above you look out over the valley and the Guadalest Reservoir.
Spain
Costa Blanca
Region
The coast of Alicante province, known as Costa Blanca, stretches from Dénia in the north to Pilar de la Horadada on the Murcia border.
by Felix Gillen
The coast of Alicante province, known as Costa Blanca, stretches from Dénia in the north to Pilar de la Horadada on the Murcia border. To the north, limestone mountains like Montgó and Penyal d'Ifac drop steeply into the sea, dotted with coves and small ports. South of Alicante, the coast becomes flat, featuring long sandy beaches, salt flats, and dunes.You'll find resorts like Benidorm, old towns such as Altea, Elche's palm grove, and a mountainous interior with villages like Guadalest.
The Costa Blanca spans over 200 km of coast. The north (Marina Alta, Baixa) is rocky, green, featuring towns Dénia, Jávea, Calp, Altea. Around Benidorm and Alicante, hotels and apartments cluster. South, wetlands and salt lakes (e.g., Santa Pola, Torrevieja) and Guardamar's dunes shape the scenery. The climate is dry, mild; many Northern Europeans spend long periods or retirement here. Inland, a detour is worthwhile to mountain villages like Guadalest and the Fonts de l'Algar waterfalls.
More places in Costa Blanca
Elche, in Valencian Elx, is located approximately 20 kilometres southwest of Alicante, inland. The city is known for its palm grove, boasting around 70,000 date palms alone in the city gardens, which UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site in 2000, and for the 15th-century mystery play Misteri d'Elx.
Xàbia (Jávea) lies between Capes Sant Antoni & La Nau on northern Costa Blanca. It has three parts: Old Town (with fortified church Sant Bertomeu), Duanes de la Mar port, and Arenal beach. Nearby are rock coves, viewpoints, and Montgó Natural Park.
Sights in Costa Blanca
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Park
Fonts de l'Algar
Cascades and natural pools of the Algar River near Callosa d'en Sarrià. A path approximately 1.5 kilometers long runs along the river, and bathing is permitted in some of the pools. Admission is charged and visitor numbers are limited; in summer and on weekends, it's best to buy tickets in advance.
Attraction
Colorful Houses of La Vila Joiosa
The colorfully painted houses by the sea are the hallmark of La Vila Joiosa. A common explanation is that fishermen could thus recognize their houses from the water. The historic town center also includes the Gothic fortified church of the Asunción and remnants of a Renaissance city wall, and the town is also known for its chocolate production.
Historic Landmark
Coves del Canelobre
The stalactite cave near Busot in the Alicante hinterland is renowned for its vast vault, approximately 70 meters high, which strikingly resembles the interior of a cathedral. It is explored during guided tours, and occasionally hosts concerts.
Attraction
Isla de Tabarca
The small island lies about 15 kilometers off Alicante and 9 kilometers off Santa Pola. Karl III. had it fortified and settled from 1760 with Genoese sailors shipwrecked off Tunisian Tabarka; the walled village dates from then. The island's waters were designated Spain's first marine reserve in 1986; boats cross from Alicante, Santa Pola, and Torrevieja.
Essen & Trinken
Pizzeria in the Old Town of Alicante, near Calle Virgen del Socorro.
Restaurant with Tapas, rice dishes and seafood in the center of Alicante.
Traditional restaurant with a tapas bar in the center of Alicante, known for its rice dishes.
Italian restaurant on Plaça de San Cristóbal in the center of Alicante.
Restaurant on València Street in the center of Alicante.
Food and Drink
Arroz a banda
Rice cooked in fish stock; fish and seafood are often served separately. Served with Allioli.
Arroz con costra
Rice dish from the Elche region, with sausage and meat, baked with an egg layer to finish.
Turrón
Almond nougat from Xixona in the Alicante hinterland, as hard Turrón de Alicante or soft Turrón de Jijona.
Gamba Roja from Dénia
Red prawns from the waters off Dénia, usually simply prepared on the plancha.
Culture & Events
The Costa Blanca belongs to the Comunitat Valenciana. In addition to Spanish, Valencian is an official language. Town signs therefore often bear two names, such as Jávea and Xàbia or Elche and Elx.FestivalsIn Alicante, during the Hogueras de Sant Joan in June, large figures made of wood and cardboard are erected and burned on the night of June 24th to 25th. Many towns celebrate Moros y Cristianos with parades in historical costumes, the most famous being the festival in Alcoi in the hinterland. In Elche, every year on August 14th and 15th, the 15th-century mystery play Misteri d'Elx is performed, which UNESCO has recognized as intangible cultural heritage since 2001.
Getting There & Around
Alicante-Elche Airport is located southwest of Alicante and has direct flights from many German cities. High-speed trains connect Madrid to Alicante.Getting AroundThe TRAM d'Alacant tram connects Alicante with El Campello and Benidorm; Line 9 continues via Altea and Calp to Dénia. Buses connect the larger towns. A rental car is practical for the hinterland and secluded coves. The AP-7 coastal motorway has been toll-free in the Alicante–Valencia section since 2020.
