Costa Blanca – A Dream in White

The Costa Blanca ("White Coast") is a part of coast in the Spanish province of Alicante and the autonomous community of Valencia. It extends from the town Dénia and the Costa Valencia in the north to the town Pilar de la Horadada and the Costa Calida (Murcia) in the south. The "White Coast" is one of the country's most popular holiday destinations because of its wonderful white sandy beaches and its wholesome climate. The prevalent and consistent Mediterranean weather (less than 30 rainy days per year, mild winters, pleasantly warm and dry air) is particularly soothing for your health (rheumatism, asthma, heart and circulatory problems), which is why many doctors recommend holidays at the Cota Blanca to their patients.

The Costa Blanca owes its name to the bright rocks, the wonderful white sandy beaches and the fantastic blossom spectacle in February. The latter is an impressive experience for every visitor, during which almond, orange, clementine and cherry blossoms cover the region's smooth hills in a beautiful white layer. At the seaside, cliff coasts with rock formations overgrown with pines alternate with long, fine sandy beaches and romantic bays.

It was not only the white blossoms, the shining rocks and the bright sandy beaches which gave the Costa Blanca its name but also the scenic white villages in the hinterland and along the coast. They form a contrast to the wonderfully blue sea, which is also present in Alicante's flag. Worthwhile, traditional towns are Jalon, Castell de Castells, Murla, Denia and Guadalest. Novelda with its art nouveau buildings, Elche with the largest palm garden on earth (El Palmeral, World Cultural Heritage site of the UNESCO) and Altea with the church La Mare de Déus del Consol and its domes, which are covered in blue white tiles, are also worth a visit. These sites contrast with popular tourist destinations like Benidorm and Torrevieja near the coast, which mainly consist of holiday complexes and apartments as well as hotels.

The cuisine at the Costa Blanca does not differ considerably from the rest of Valencia. Local specialities, for example from the village Jalon, are raisins, almond products, wines and air-dried sausages. Travellers can buy these on local weekly markets. There are more shopping facilities in Benidorm, which has the highest density of skyscrapers worldwide in relation to its population and reminds of New York. Besides the wide range of restaurants, bars and residential towers (e.g. the Intempo, Europe's highest residential building), the vibrant nightlife is very popular with tourists. Party-goers definitely get their money's worth in this cultural tourist destination. They can enjoy themselves in discos or cabarets like the Benidorm Palace throughout the year.

The "White Coast" offers great conditions for a number of water sports. Surfing, sailing, diving, canoeing and swimming are particularly popular leisure activities at the Costa Blanca. The hinterland, e.g. the mountains of Jalon, are excellently suited for hikes. Other popular destinations are the leisure parks Terra Mítica, Mundo Mar and Terra Natura.

You can go on holiday at the Costa Blanca at any time of the year. Travellers who prefer it quiet, however, should travel the region in the autumn and winter months. In summer, many towns are crowded with tourists. The nearest airports are located in Valencia and Alicante.