Three places on the Costa Blanca you must visit on your next trip.
The Costa Blanca, meaning “White Coast” in Spanish, welcomes travellers with promises of sun-drenched beaches and sparkling turquoise waters. But this vibrant region on Spain’s southeastern coast offers so much more than just a beach holiday.
This feature unveils my favourite areas along the coast of the Costa Blanca. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature enthusiast, a foodie, or simply seeking a relaxing holiday the Costa Blanca has something for everyone and has many towns and villages to get lost in along the way.
So, pack your bags, embrace the Spanish sunshine, and discover why the you should add these three towns to your next visit to the Costa Blanca .
When to visit the Costa Blanca?
The best time to visit is between April and October, when the weather is warm and sunny. If you want to save some money, you can consider going in April-May or September-October, which are less crowded and more affordable months for accommodation. The most popular airport to fly into is Alicante Airport. However, you can also fly into Valencia Airport, or Murcia Airport which are slightly further away.
If the routes above are not available you can also fly to Madrid or Barcelona and then take a train or bus to the Costa Blanca. To travel around the area, you can use public transportation such as trains, buses, and trams, or rent a car. We took a lot of trams which are an affordable way to travel to each of the towns in the area.
Altea:
Altea is a lovely place to relax and enjoy the laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle. With its beautiful beaches, charming old town, and stunning scenery, it has something to offer everyone. We visited during a time when the weather was more overcast and slightly cloudy but there was still a warm breeze in the sky.
Get yourself lost in the charming streets of Altea’s old town which is perched in the hilltops of the town, a beautiful place to wander with its whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, and colourful bougainvillea flowers cascading from balconies. The old town is car-free so it’s a great place to relax and soak up the atmosphere. I would recommend wearing comfortable shoes as reaching the old town requires a lot of walking uphill.
The skyline is dominated by the beautiful Church of Our Lady of Consolation (Nuestra Señora del Consuelo)) which you can go inside of and light candles and take a moment to remember and be peaceful.
You can take a stroll along the Altea Harbour, admiring yachts and enjoying fresh food at the waterfront cafes which are reasonably priced too. For a cultural fix, visit the Altea Museum or soak in panoramic views from the Mirador de Cronistas de España, a viewpoint in the hills.
Altea to me feels very traditionally Spanish and is a lovely way to escape more touristy and resort like areas for the day as you can fully immerse yourself in local life.
Villajoyosa
Villajoyosa is a hidden gem that we stumbled upon during our travels to the Costa Blanca. We had no prior knowledge of the town, aside from seeing pictures of its colourful houses on the beachfront, but it was enough to pique our interest. As we arrived, we immediately understood why it translates as the Joyful Village. The town has a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere that is reflected in the friendly locals and vibrant architecture.
We could spend hours wandering through the narrow streets, admiring the vibrant buildings and soaking up the laid-back atmosphere. One of the highlights of our visit was the seafood at the beachfront restaurants. The dishes were made with fresh ingredients sourced from the local area, and the difference in taste was remarkable. We highly recommend sampling some of the traditional tapas dishes and paellas, which were some of the best we’ve ever had.
Despite it being a small coastal town, the area boasts some lovely beaches such as Playa Malladeta, Platja de Villajoyosa, Playa de los Estudiantes and a few more. All of the beaches have clean sand and clear blue waters.
One of my highlights of the day was on the walk back to the tram stop we saw a family who was setting up a dinner table in the middle of a side street ready for an afternoon feast after a siesta. Each member of the family was bringing out different components of the dinner with bottles of wine spread across the table ready for an evening of good food and family time.
Villajoyosa is somewhere I think about revisiting all the time and it is a place I cannot wait to go back to as I felt at home when wandering around the quaint streets towards the beach.
Old Town of Benidorm
During our visit to the Costa Blanca, we took a walk into the old town of Benidorm to find some traditional Paella. The Old Town offers a delightful contrast to the touristy modern resort area known for more large hotel chains, bars and nightclubs. The charming streets and local Spanish character make for a lovely experience in the heart of Benidorm. The Old Town is closer to Poniente Beach which is lovely to walk the length of as it is 1.8 miles long and a great way to spend some time on the beach with your feet in the water.
If you are visiting Benidorm, the Balcón del Mediterráneo is worth a visit. The views from the viewpoint are simply stunning, and it is a great place to relax, take photos and soak in the atmosphere of the area especially when the sun is shining. A nearby restaurant provides the perfect Helados (Ice Creams) after spending time at the Balcony. The Balcón del Mediterráneo is easily accessible by foot, car, or public transportation. A small car park is located next to the viewpoint, and several bus stops are nearby. The viewpoint is open 24 hours a day and free to enter.
Benidorm’s Old Town offers a more quiet feel. We loved to wander cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses, tapas restaurants and paella at local bars, and soak up the relaxed atmosphere. Breathtaking views await at El Mirador, and history buffs can delve into Benidorm’s maritime past at the Cultural Centre. It’s a hidden gem waiting to be explored!
