Amazing villages on Alicante’s Costa Blanca
One of the most beautiful seashores in Spain is waiting for you!
Next to Alicante, the Costa Blanca is only half an hour’s drive from the Casita Alegria. You really should explore this wonderful seacoast and admire the typical Mediterranean charm of some of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Below is our selection of the most amazing ones!
Dénia
A small port and UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, where you can savour the famous red shrimp of Dénia.
Points of interest: the castle, the Baix la Mar district, the harbour, the Montgó Massif – one of the Autonomous Community of Valencia’s nature reserves – the Toy Museum, and the Archaeological Museum.
Xàbia (Jávea)
This port boasts both a beautiful beach and an old town. Points of interest: Saint Bartholomew’s Church (Iglesia de San Bartolomé), the market, the Ethnological Museum, and the town hall.
Don’t miss the opportunity to go swimming in a sea cave – the Cova Tallada.
Benissa
Although the small village of Benissa is famous for its beaches and numerous creeks, it boasts many more attractions.
The Torres-Orduna Palace, the Llotja and the well-known Franciscan convent are must-sees.
Calpe
This seaside city boasts the Peñón de Ifach, a massive outcrop which recalls the Rock of Gibraltar. It is a nature reserve with many hiking possibilities.
Enjoy delicious seafood and discover the beautiful old town!
Altea
A stone’s throw from Benidorm, Altea is reputed to be the most beautiful village on the Costa Blanca, with its cobbled streets, blue-domed churches, and craft shops.
Altea’s must-sees are stunning beaches, little coves with crystal-clear water, the harbour, and the sailing club. Don’t miss Saint Michael the Archangel Church – a golden-domed, Russian Orthodox place of worship. In summer, the fireworks on L’Olla Beach are the most spectacular in the whole Mediterranean!
Benidorm
This Mediterranean Manhattan is famous for its rows of skyscrapers. Once a small fishing village, Benidorm became the Spanish capital of tourism in 50 years. Sail through the natural marine reserve on a boat with underwater views. Or you can go swimming in crystal-clear sea.
You will find a great choice of theme parks next to Benidorm: Terra Natura and Aqua Natura (in Murcia and Benidorm), Terra Mitica, Aqualandia, Aquarama (in Benicassim), DinoPark Algar (near Alicante), and the Rio Safari Zoo in Elche.
Villajoyosa
A fishing village that stays away from mass tourism, with 9 miles of coastline. Points of interest: the Archaeological Museum and its collections of relics, the Vilero chocolate factory, the Torre de San José, the Torre del Aguiló, and the Amadorio Dam.
If you get the opportunity, after a walk on the beach, visit the harbour in the afternoon. Watch the fishing boats at work and the fish auction!
Santa Pola
This is one of the most famous coastal towns in the province of Alicante, with long, fine sandy beaches and picturesque coves. Santa Pola is an ideal place for water sports lovers – windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, scuba diving, etc. Explore the Salinas nature reserve, a protected area for wild birds where you will find unique plant life and wildlife – especially the graceful flamingos – and the Salt Museum.
Other points of interest: the castle (one of the Spanish Assets of Cultural Value), the Sea Museum, and the biggest saltwater aquarium in the Autonomous Community of Valencia. Have fun at Pola Park – a theme park with 30 attractions for all ages!
Tabarca
This is the smallest permanently inhabited island in Spain!
15 minutes’ trips to the island are organised by several shipping companies. Tabarca is characterised by arid vegetation. This ecologically interesting place is a natural marine reserve, and a sanctuary where you’ll be able to watch protected bird species.
Pebble beaches and picturesque little coves make it a perfect spot for snorkelling.
Guardamar del Segura
This is the most surprising town on the Costa Blanca – its fine sandy beaches and dunes are worth the journey. Enjoy astounding natural scenery, protected and unique!
Discover the Archaeological Museum, the castle and its citadel, and the Engineer Mira House Museum. Stroll among tall pines in Reina Sofía Park. Don’t miss the lagoons either, where many seabird species and turtles dwell. In Guardamar’s hinterland, you can visit the Cuevas del Rodeo (Rodeo Caves), an arts and crafts neighbourhood in Rojales, where old troglodyte homes are now used as workshops.
Torrevieja
One of the Costa Blanca’s gems and one of the most visited cities in the area. Here are some of Torrevieja’s wonders: El Moro Tower and its magnificent panoramic viewpoint, La Mata Tower, the Parque de las Naciones with many birds, Water Mill Park (Parque del Molino del Agua), La Mata Lagoons.
You can also discover Torrevieja’s many churches, the casino, or a variety of museums – Sea and Salt Museum, Habanera, and Natural History Museum (dedicated to the animal species that live in the Mediterranean).
Guadalest
El Castell de Guadalest is one of the most visited towns in the Autonomous Community of Valencia.
Countless museums complement the main castle, a wonderful historical monument and the town’s number one tourist site. The typical, picturesque old town is worth the journey too – Guadalest is indeed a member of The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain Association!
Fonts de l'Algar
A very popular place to visit on the Costa Blanca, located within the municipality of Callosa d’en Sarrià. Explore this bucolic nature reserve with wonderful waterfalls, swimming spots and many hiking paths.
Enjoy the best natural swimming pools in the area for a day – the famous Fonts de l’Algar are among them!