Costa Blanca Tourist Information.

This section contains a complete guide to all our pages on the topic of Costa Blanca tourism and holidaying on the Costa Blanca.

For a comprehensive list of all the tourist information pages please see the index further down the page.

The Costa Blanca area of Spain is located approximately half-way along the east coast of Spain. The area is a very popular tourist destination because of its excellent weather and climate and the many superb beaches which stretch for miles and miles along the coast.

Costa-Blanca-beaches One of the good things about coming on holiday to the Costa Blanca is the different types of places you can visit. There is great variety and each place has something for everyone. For example you can go inland and enjoy the unspoilt 'real' Spain or you can stay on the coast and enjoy the hustle and bustle and nightlife of Benidorm or alternatively within a short distance you can stay on the coast in quaint, quiet fishing villages - the choice is yours!

In this tourist guide to the Costa Blanca we help visitors who are planning a trip with useful and practical advice on many tourism related subjects such as car hire, accommodation, sightseeing, weather, where to go, where to stay, travel information and what to see and do in the Costa Blanca. To make the best of your visit and holiday we cover everything you need to know about the Costa Blanca.

We also have photos, picture galleries, views, videos and webcams of the Costa Blanca so you can see what the various towns and cities of the Blanca have to offer you for your holiday.

NORTHERN COSTA BLANCA

The Northern Costa Blanca coast starts around Gandia, then heading south we pass Oliva then Pego and Ondara. This area is full of orange groves and majestic mountains in the background. The sandy beaches are excellent and uncrowded. Inland is pretty with Jativa a beautiful town with a superb castle and Villalonga.

Moving down the coast you come to Els Poblets, then Denia which has a marina and port from which you can get a ferry across to Ibiza and Majorca. Now the coast changes from being flat to rugged with coves and rocky beaches.

Inland is the Orba valley with villages such as Sagra, Orba, Benimeli, Benidoleig (with big urbanisations of Colina del Sol and Panosol), Beniarbeig, Sanet y Negrals, Tormos, Murla with the popular Puerta del Valle Urbanisation, Benichembla, El Rafol d'Almunia, Benimaurrell, Fleix, Campell, Fontilles, Paradisorba, Aspre-Obreta and Montaneta El Eden.

To the south of Denia comes Javea with its sandy beach followed by Moraira, a smaller town also with a good sandy beach. Inland are the working towns of Gata de Gorgos, Jesus Pobre, La Jara, Pedreguer and Benitachell and the Jalon Valley famous for its vineyards and blossoms comprising of the towns and villages of Lliber, Jalon, Xalo, Alcalali and Parcent.

Teulada is inland of Moraira as is the town of Benissa although its rolling hills extend down to the coast where there are rocky beaches and coves, then to Calpe, one of the Costa Blanca's most famous tourist destinations. Originally a small fishing village, Calpe is now a busy town with high rise hotels and apartments blocks dominating the skyline. Calpe has the famous rock called the Penon de Ifach which rises from the sea. On either side are two fantastic wide sandy beaches.

Heading south we come across swanky Altea with its hills full of whitewashed houses, winding cobbled streets and designer shops. Next is Alfaz del Pi (also known as L'Alfas del Pi) and then Benidorm, the biggest tourist resort on the Costa Blanca.

Benidorm is huge with masses of high rise skyscrapers. The beaches of Playa Levante, Playa Poniente, Playa de Mal Pas and Playa de Cala Finestrat are excellent and the nightlife is legendary. There are plenty of hotels, cafes, entertainment, shopping and a number of fine theme parks for the family such as Terra Mitica, Aqualandia, Mundomar and Terra Natura. Take a boat trip to La Isla de Benidorm, a small uninhabited island great for snorkeling. Go watch a show at the Benidorm Palace.

After Benidorm the coast becomes flat with mile after mile of sandy beaches. Also the mountains in the background begin to fade further and further away. Take an excursion from Benidorm inland past La Nucia, Polop, Callosa d'En Sarria to the castle at Guadalest, a renowned Costa Blanca tourist attraction. Also close to Callosa d'En Sarria are the Fuentes de Algar natural park which is beautiful and you can bathe in the crystal clear water of the Algar Water Falls (el Algar waterfalls).

Much further inland is the large town of Alcoy, (also known as Alcoi) famous for its many bridges, Muro de Alcoy, Bocairent, Castalla, Ibi, Cocentaina, Albaida, Xixona and Ontinyent.

SOUTHERN COSTA BLANCA

South of Villajoyosa there is a succession of similar beach resorts with high rise apartment blocks and hotels although nothing like as big as Benidorm. First there is El Montiboli, El Campello, (the famous caves of Canelobre are just inland near Busot) then San Juan and then we hit Alicante, the gateway to the Costa Blanca. Alicante airport is where most people arrive into the Costa Blanca. Strangely because it is a lovely city, has a great marina, beaches and the Santa Barbara Castle (Castillo) most people immediately exit the airport either south towards Torrevieja or north towards Benidorm.

Inland from Alicante the road heads towards Madrid, in this area are many old towns and villages many with castles set on hills such as Sax, Villena, Elda, Novelda, Petrer as well as Monovar, Monforte del Cid, Aspe, Yecla, Caudette and Jumilla.

South of Alicante are a number of coastal beach resorts. Firstly Aqua Amarga, Urbanova, Los Arenales del Sol, Gran Alacant, Casa del Cap and then Santa Pola with miles of good sandy beaches, from Santa Pola you can take the ferry out to the small island of Tabarca once used by pirates this is a good spot for some snorkelling. A massive salt lake is south of Santa Pola (Salinas de Santa Pola).

La Marina, La Escuera (inland), Urbanisation Bonavista, Urbanisation Las Pesqueras, Guardamar del Segura , Urbanisation Portic Playa (Platja), Urbanisation El Moncaio, Urbanisation Portic Mediterrani, Pinomar and then Torremlamata (also known as La Mata). In this area just inland are the La Marquesa golf and country club and La Finca golf close to the towns of Formentera del Segura, Benijofar, Daya Nueva, Daya Vieja, Rojales with its unique cave houses and Ciudad Quesada a modern town only built in 1972.

Further inland are towns of note such as Elche (or Elx) famous for its many palm trees, historic Orihuela, Crevillente famous for making carpets, Albatera, Almoradi, Callosa de Segura, Catral, Dolores, Algorfa, Benejuzar, Urbanisation Montemar and Urbanisation Fincas de la Vega.

Back to the coast and we arrive at Torrevieja with its nice beaches and surrounding salt lakes (Laguna Salada de la Mata and Laguna Salada de Torrevieja).

The amount of building in this area has been immense with sprawling developments everywhere such as Urbanisation Dona Ines, Los Dolses, Villamartin, Los Montesinos, San Miguel de Salinas, Villa Rosa La Cinuelica, Urbanisation Las Calas, Urbanisation Las Chimosa, Las Filipinas, Las Escalericas, Lomas de Don Juan, Castillo de Don Juan and Los Balcones.

There are quite a number of golf courses in this area south of Torrevieja with Royal Campoamor golf course, Las Ramblas golf course and Villamartin golf course.

South of Torrevieja are more beach resorts - Residencia Los Altos, Punta Prima, Playa Flamenca where the La Florida Urbanisation is popular, La Zenia, Cabo Roig, Urbanisation La Regia, Campoamor. The town of Pilar de la Horadada is set slightly off the coast but there are beach areas at Torre de la Horadada, La Colonia and El Mojon.

We then cross into the region of Murcia and the large towns of San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier and its airport Murcia San Javier International, Santiago de la Ribera, Los Alcazares and finally the Mar Menor lagoon and its coastal strip La Manga.

Visitors to the southern Coast Blanca will find it less scenic than the northern Costa Blanca but then there are more tourist activities and both Alicante airport and also Murcia airport (known as San Javier airport) are close by.

OUTSIDE OF THE COSTA BLANCA AREA

Although we concentrate primarily on the Costa Blanca we also have a guide to the two biggest Spanish cities - the capital Madrid and second city Barcelona - a visit to both of these cities is essential for anyone visiting Spain.

Also to the south of the Costa Blanca is the Costa Calida coast and we cover some towns such as Murcia, Cartagena, Mazarron and Camposol. Further south comes the Costa Almeria with resorts and towns such as Mojacar, Garrucha, Roquetas de Mar, Almeria and Almerimar.

Even further south are the famous tourist destinations along the Costa del Sol coast.

COSTA BLANCA TOURIST INFORMATION INDEX

Costa Blanca Car Hire - A number of useful pages including how to find cheap car hire from Alicante airport, general car hire tips and a quick car hire quote from the cheapest Costa Blanca car hire company we have found.

Costa Blanca Hotels - We have a general guide to the hotel star rating system in Spain and a guide on facilities you can expect in your hotel.

Costa Blanca Weather Forecasts - This page has an overall guide to the typical weather conditions for each month of the year. Also we have a list of Costa Blanca towns so you can obtain a specific weather forecast.

Costa Blanca Webcams - Many towns on the Costa Blanca have webcams which are cameras transmitting and streaming live video, pictures. This enables you to see what places look like and to see the current weather conditions. This page contains a list of all webcams in the Costa Blanca area.

COSTA BLANCA TOWN GUIDES

Alcoy Tourist Information - Alcoy (also known as Alcoi) is far inland from the coast and is only suitable if you want to get away from the crowded beaches in summer and experience authentic Spain.

Alfaz del Pi Tourist Information - Between Altea and Benidorm. A nice town but best used as a useful base for all the Costa Blanca sights.

Useful Alfaz del Pi Tourism Links: Alfaz del Pi Weather | Alfaz del Pi Car Hire | Alfaz del Pi webcams

Algorfa Tourist Information - Algorfa is a village in the Vega Baja Valley by the banks of the Segura river in the southern Costa Blanca. Algorfa is close to Almoradi, Dolores, Daya Nueva, Rojales and Formentera del Segura. Algorfa is now home to many expats. Nice surroundings with many fields of oranges and lemons. Close to beaches on the coast at Torrevieja and Guardamar.

Alicante Tourist Information - The gateway to the Costa Blanca. Most probably you will arrive at Alicante Airport and pick up your hire car.

Almoradi Tourist Information - Almoradi is a small agricultural village in the Vega Baja Valley. Good location on the southern Costa Blanca close to great beaches at Torrevieja and Guardamar, Almoradi is close to Algorfa, Rojales and Formentera del Segura.

Useful Almoradi Tourism Links: Apartments to rent in Almoradi

Altea Tourist Information - One of Costa Blanca's nicest and scenic towns. Once a small fishing village Altea has retained its charm and history.

Aspe Tourist information - Aspe is inland set inbetween Novelda and Elche on the CV-84 road. Predominantly a wine-making agricultural town.

Benidorm Tourist Information - Most popular Costa Blanca tourist destination. Very busy, plenty to see and lots of places to stay. Many package holidays here. Come to Benidorm for entertainment and nightlife.

Benijofar Tourist information - Benijofar is a small traditionally agricultural village in the Vega Baja Valley. With its great location on the southern Costa Blanca close to great beaches at Torrevieja and Guardamar, Benijofar is becoming a home to many expats. Benijofar is close to Rojales, Ciudad Quesada and Formentera del Segura.

Useful Benijofar Tourism Links: Map of Benijofar | Benijofar Weather

Benissa Tourist Information - Benissa town centre is inland but Benissa also extends to the coast which is full of rocky coves. Best for villa holidays.

Benitachell Tourist Information - A small working town inland from Javea and Moraira. Popular urbanisations called Les Fonts, Los Molinos and Cumbre del Sol, location of the Lady Elizabeth Primary school.

Useful Benitachell Tourism Links: Benitachell Weather | Benitachell Restaurants

Busot Tourist Information: Busot is a small but charming village set 5km inland from the coastal town of El Campello with it's fine, sandy beaches. The famous caves of Cuevas del Canalobre are nearby.

Cabo Roig Tourist Information - South of Torrevieja so close to at least three good golf courses as well as three beaches all with the EEC Blue Flag award.

Useful Cabo Roig Tourism Links: Cabo Roig Weather | Cabo Roig Car Hire | Cabo Roig Webcams | Cabo Roig Map

Calpe Tourist Information - Large tourist destination. Good beaches, cosmopolitan, plenty to do and see, fish market and Penon de Ifach rock.

Campoamor Tourist Information - Campoamor is a small beach resort south of Cabo Roig .

Useful Campoamor Tourism Links: Campoamor Weather Forecast | Campoamor Webcams

Ciudad Quesada Tourist Information - Directly inland from Guardamar del Segura and Torrelamata (La Mata) and just 8km north of Torrevieja. A good modern urbanisation with plenty of facilities as well as Aqua Splash water park.

Useful Ciudad Quesada Tourism Links: Ciudad Quesada Weather | Restaurants in Ciudad Quesada | Map of Ciudad Quesada | Ciudad Quesada Property

Crevillente Tourist Information - Crevillente is a industrial inland town approximately 10 km south-west of Elche towards Orihuela. Crevillente is famous for its making of carpets

Useful Crevillente Tourism Links: Crevillente Weather | Crevillente Car Hire |

Denia Tourist information - A large working town Denia has a port, marina, castle and nice beaches. Overlooked by the impressive Montgo mountain.

El Campello Tourist Information - Flat coastal town with mostly high rise hotels and apartments and sandy beach. A scaled down version of Benidorm.

Useful El Campello Tourism Links: El Campello Weather | El Campello Hotels | El Campello Villa Rental | El Campello Car Hire | El Campello Webcams

Elche Tourist Information - Elche is 23 km inland from Alicante. A large town with a population of over 200,000 it is famous for having over 200,000 palm trees (Palmerar D'Elx), and the Huerto del Cura Gardens. Elche is also known as Elx.

Useful Elche Tourism Links: Elche Weather | Elche Hotels | Elche Villa Rental | Elche Car Hire | Elche Webcams

Elda Tourist Information - Elda is 30 km inland from Alicante and is on the A-31 inbetween Sax and Novelda. By the Vinalopó river Elda is famous for shoemaking. You can visit the Museo del Calzado to see the history of making shoes. The town of Petrer joins Elda with a single street dividing the two towns.

Formentera del Segura Tourist information - Formentera del Segura is surrounded by Rojales, Heredades, Urbanisation Benimar and Benijofar in the Vega Baja Valley on the southern Costa Blanca. Agriculture plays a big part in the village as it sits by the River Segura. The main products are oranges, lemons, vegetables and honey.

Useful Formentera del Segura Tourism Links: Map of Formentera del Segura | Formentera del Segura Weather

Gandia Tourist information - Gandia is on the northern Costa Blanca coast near to Oliva. Good sandy beach. Mainly high rise apartment blocks.

Gata de Gorgos Tourist Information - Gata de Gorgos is a small inland town on the N332 close to Javea and Pedreguer and famous for it's wicker work and furniture.

Gran Alacant Tourist Information - Gran Alacant is a new development of properties situated around 15 km south of Alicante near to Alicante El Altet airport. Nearest beaches at Los Arenales del Sol and slightly further (but still close) at Santa Pola. The Clot de Galvany nature reserve is here.

Guadalest Tourist Information - Inland from Benidorm is Guadalest castle - worth a day trip.

Useful Guadalest Tourism Links: Guadalest Weather | Guadalest Webcams |

Guardamar del Segura Tourist Information - South of Santa Pola and north of Torremalata Guardamar has fifteen kilometres of sandy beaches and a marina.

Useful Guardamar del Segura Tourism Links: Guardamar del Segura Weather | Guardamar del Segura Hotels | Guardamar del Segura Villa Rental | Guardamar del Segura Car Hire | Guardamar del Segura Webcams

Jalon Valley Tourist Information - Inland from Javea, Moraira and Benissa. Perfect for a quiet relaxing villa holiday. Surrounded by mountains and full of vineyards. The Jalon Valley comprises of the towns and villages of Lliber, Jalon, Xalo, Alcalali and Parcent. Murla with the Puerta del Valle Urbanisation and Benichembla are nearby.

Jativa Tourist information - Jativa - also know as Xativa is a bustling inland town not too far from Valencia. Beautiful countryside and a great castle.

Useful Jativa Tourism Links: Jativa Weather | Jativa Hotels | Jativa Villa Rental | Jativa Car Hire | Jativa Webcams

Javea Tourist Information - Javea has three unique and distinct areas - the Arenal beach area with a great family-friendly beach, the Port area with its cosmopolitan restaurants and the Old Town with its historic monuments.

La Manga Tourist Information - La Manga is a resort on a coastal strip of 24 km next to the Mar Menor, Europe's largest salt water lake.

La Marina Tourist Information - Small beach resort south of Santa Pola and north of Guardamar del Segura.

Useful La Marina Tourism Links: La Marina Weather | La Marina Webcams

La Zenia Tourist Information - Small beach resort with a high standard of small sandy beaches nestling in coves.

Useful La Zenia Tourism Links: La Zenia Weather Forecast | La Zenia Webcams | La Zenia Map

Los Arenales del Sol Tourist Information - Los Arenales del Sol is 8 km south of Alicante and is very close to Alicante El Altet airport. Great beaches here but noisy due to the planes taking off. High-rise apartment blocks mostly but a nice promenade lined with palms and some restaurants.

Los Balcones Tourist Information - Los Balcones is a thriving urbanisation and community situated just 3 km south of the huge town of Torrevieja on the Southern Costa Blanca (on the Orihuela Costa).

Useful Los Balcones Tourism Links: Los Balcones Weather Forecast

Los Dolses Tourist Information - Los Dolses is a growing gated community (also known as a large urbanisation) situated between Villamartin and La Zenia on the Southern Costa Blanca.

Useful Los Dolses Tourism Links: Los Dolses Weather Forecast

Monforte del Cid Tourist Information - Monforte del Cid is a small town inland from Alicante on the A-31, mostly famous for its dessert grapes and production of marble.

Monovar Tourist Information - Monovar is a small town just to the south of Elda. Monovar is famed for red wines produced from the Monastrel grape.

Moraira Tourist Information - Small very attractive town with good shops, restaurants, marina and beach. Very good for villa holidays.

Novelda Tourist Information - Novelda is inland from Alicante, just off the A-31 and close to the town of Monforte del Cid. Novelda is noteworthy for the ancient Castle of Mola and the Modernist museum (Casa Museo Modernista).

Oliva Tourist Information - South of Gandia, smaller but with a nicer beach full of sand dunes. Attractive countryside full of orange groves and home to Oliva Nova golf course.

Ontinyent Tourist Information - Ontinyent is a small town located inland of Alcoy.

Useful Ontinyent Tourism Links: Ontinyent Weather | Ontinyent Hotels | Ontinyent Villa Rental | Ontinyent Car Hire |

Orba Tourist Information - Orba is 18 km inland from the coastal town of Denia in the Marina Alta area of the Costa Blanca. Set inbetween the airports of Valencia and Alicante it is just over an hours drive from each. Orba is a charming village surrounded by orange groves and small villages such as Sagra, Benidoleig, Benimeli, Beniarbeig, Sanet y Negrals, Tormos and El Rafol d'Almunia.

Useful Orba Tourism Links: Map of Orba

Orihuela Tourist Information - Orihuela is a large inland city located between Elche and Murcia and approximately 50 km from Alicante. Orihuela is the capital of the Vega Baja region of the southern Costa Blanca, it has a rich history and today retains many churches and monasteries. The Orihuela Costa is the coastal strip containing beach resorts such as La Zenia and Playa Flamenca.

Useful Orihuela Tourism Links: Orihuela Weather | Orihuela Hotels | Orihuela Villa Rental | Orihuela Car Hire | Orihuela webcams

Pedreguer Tourist Information - More a base than a tourist destination. Has the five star Marriott hotel (La Sella) and is close to Denia, Javea and the Jalon Valley.

Useful Pedreguer Tourism Links: Pedreguer Weather | Pedreguer Hotels | Pedreguer Villa Rental | Pedreguer Car Hire | Pedreguer Property

Pilar de la Horadada Tourist Information - Pilar de la Horadada is the most southerly town on the Costa Blanca, set inland just off the coast it also has a separate coastal area with good beaches called Torre de la Horadada. The town of Pilar de la Horadada is a modern one with plenty of good facilities. It is named after its 16th century watchtower known as La Torre.

Useful Pilar de la Horadada Tourism Links: Pilar de la Horadada Weather | Pilar de la Horadada Hotels | Pilar de la Horadada Villa Rental | Pilar de la Horadada Car Hire | Pilar de la Horadada Webcams

Playa Flamenca Tourist Information - Playa Flamenca is a small beach resort just south of Punta Prima and north of La Zenia on the southern Costa Blanca. One of the large developments in Playa Flamenca is the La Florida urbanisation.

Useful Playa Flamenca Tourism Links: Playa Flamenca Weather Forecast | Playa Flamenca Webcams | Playa Flamenca Car Hire | Playa Flamenca Property

Punta Prima Tourist Information - Punta Prima is a small beach resort just south of Torrevieja and north of Playa Flamenca on the southern Costa Blanca.

Useful Punta Prima Tourism Links: Punta Prima Weather Forecast | Punta Prima Webcams | Punta Prima Car Hire | Punta Prima Property

Rojales Tourist Information - 10 minutes drive to the beaches of Guardamar, Rojales still has kept its charm which a number of bigger towns nearby have lost, visit the cave houses (El Rodeo) built into the hills south of Rojales. A traditional farming village with a growing expat population. Close to Ciudad Quesada, Benijofar and Formentera del Segura.

San Juan Tourist Information - South of El Campello and in truth very similar. Just north of Alicante so good location if you just want a beach holiday.

Useful San Juan Tourism Links: San Juan Weather | San Juan Hotels | San Juan Villa Rental | San Juan Car Hire | San Juan Webcams

San Pedro del Pinatar Tourist Information - Has a long beachfront and marina in the Lo Pagan area. Retains much of its Spanish culture despite tourism.

Useful San Pedro del Pinatar Tourism Links: San Pedro del Pinatar Weather | San Pedro del Pinatar Hotels | San Pedro del Pinatar Villa Rental | San Pedro del Pinatar Car Hire |

Santa Pola Tourist Information - Good beach resort just 20 kilometres south of Alicante. Has some important Roman ruins which attracts tourists.

Useful Santa Pola Tourism Links: Santa Pola Weather | Santa Pola Hotels | Santa Pola Villa Rental | Santa Pola Car Hire | Santa Pola Webcams

Sax Tourist Information - Sax is a picturesque town inland from Alicante in the Vinalopó Valley inbetween the towns of Villena and Elda. The castle (Castillo de Sax) is set on a hillside and is a great sight at night when it is all lit up.

Useful Sax Tourism Links: Map of Sax | Sax Weather

Torrelamata Tourist Information - 5 km north of Torrevieja, the beach at La Mata is one of Costa Blanca's best with a European Blue Flag for many years.

Useful Torrelamata (La Mata) Tourism Links: Torrelamata Weather | Torrelamata Villa Rental | Torrelamata Car Hire |

Torrevieja Tourist Information - Huge sprawling developments have turned this once fishing village into one of the largest cities on the Costa Blanca.

Villajoyosa Tourist Information - Famous for making chocolate. Beach resort south of Benidorm. Has a international casino with lavish buffet.

Villamartin Tourist Information - Slightly inland but close to beaches and in particular close to many well-known golf courses. Has a great plaza.

Villena Tourist Information - Villena is set inland from Alicante on the A-31 road (just past Sax). Its wine is well-known but its best sight is the stunning hilltop castle dating back to the 11th Century (Castillo de La Atalaya).

If you are visiting the Costa Blanca on holiday, if you live on the Costa Blanca or are thinking of moving to the Costa Blanca then we hope this Costa Blanca tourist information has been useful. Please help us to make this the number one tourist resource for the Costa Blanca by adding any comments, reviews, ratings and feedback on any aspect of the Costa Blanca that you know about. We also welcome your photos, pictures and videos of the Costa Blanca for posting on our website.