HOME > ALICANTE COMARCA > COSTA BLANCA
Costa Blanca Today
Costa Blanca means white coast, a reference to the fine sandy beaches for which this coast is so famous
The Costa Blanca is the name given to the coastline of the province of Alicante, which runs from El Campello and Denia in the north to Pilar de la Horadada in the south and features coves, cliffs, promontories and, above all, the fine white sandy beaches which lie behind its name.
Estimates vary as to the official length of the Costa Blanca, but all agree that it is between 200 and 250 kilometres, and such is the pull of its climate, gastronomy, culture and beaches that many of the seaside towns, which only a couple of generations ago were tiny fishing villages, are now as well known in northern Europe as some of the continent’s major cities. This is the case of Alicante itself, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Calpe and Denia, and as the tourist industry occupies a more and more central role in the provincial economy the fame of these resorts continues to grow.
The raison d’être of the Costa Blanca is its beaches, and these are the constant feature all along the coast. It was in 1957 that flights between London and Valencia began, and not long after the El Altet airport of Alicante took over the role of bringing British and north European tourists to the Costa Blanca. The main attraction continues to be the beaches, and as a result the coast is now fairly built-up and crowded, especially in the summer months and in Benidorm.
Although many different cultures have settled in this area over the last three millennia, including Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Visigoths and Romans, perhaps the definitive influence comes from the occupation by the Moors which began in the year 711. Many of the place names still reflect this period, and the Moors also introduced irrigation farming and the typical crops of oranges, peaches and almonds. Alicante was regained for Christendom in 1248, but even after that there were frequent Berber pirate raids until the seventeenth century, and many of the area’s castles date from that period.
Although the past explains many aspects of the Costa Blanca’s cultural identity, in modern times the invaders arrive by air from the UK, Germany, Scandinavia and most of the rest of northern Europe: indeed, nowadays more and more are coming from the East as direct flights are being set up from Russia and other former Soviet bloc countries. All of this makes the area truly cosmopolitan, and many visitors choose to spend rather more than a fortnight here and set up home in the province.
It shouldn’t be forgotten, though, that the Costa Blanca is more than just sun and sand. Inland the province is the second most mountainous in Spain, and here the scenery is matched by the scent of the different crops and wild plants which populate the steep mountainsides and green valleys. These crops also contribute to the rich local cuisine, in which vegetables, seafood, rice and fruit all play important roles in defining the “Mediterranean diet”. Of course, all of this is normally washed down with a glass or two of local wine!
The invasion of northern Europeans has also brought with it a host of golf courses, and golfers are spoilt for choice as the weather makes it possible to play any of the province’s twenty-plus courses all year round. Water sports and mountaineering are also popular attractions for those seeking an active holiday – the twenty marinas provide plenty of opportunities for sailors - and on top of this there is a proliferation of water parks and the Terra Mítica theme park in Benidorm.
As in the rest of Spain, no description of the Costa Blanca is complete without mentioning the fiestas. Among the best known are the Moros y Cristianos celebrations throughout the province, the San Juan bonfires in the provincial capital and the Easter Week processions, but each town has its own local traditions and all are celebrated in a festival of noise, light and laughter.
In many ways it is easier to try and list the attractions which the Costa Blanca doesn’t have, rather than those it does. Of course visitors are attracted by the beaches, but regional tourist offices are rightly encouraging them to venture inland and discover more about a province where the climate has combined with history and entrepreneurship to provide a perfect concoction of various different elements, all of them a part of the mix which makes the Costa Blanca one of the leading tourist destinations in Europe.
The main coastal towns in the Costa Blanca are, from North to South: Els Poblets, Denia, Moraira, Calpe, Alfaz del Pi, Altea, Benidorm, Villajoyosa, El Campello, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, El Altet, Santa Pola, Guardamar, Torrevieja, Campoamor, Pilar de la Horadada.
Images with authorization from the Patronato de Turismo de la Costa Blanca.

Sunny skies and highs of 20 degrees this weekend: Alicante weather Feb 2-5Daytime temperatures will rise over the next few days in Alicante province, although it will remain cold at night The weather in Alicante province looks set to take a welcome turn over the next few days with a continued rise in daytime temperatures.. 02/02/2023

Alicante farmer faces 3,000 euro fine for illegally capturing finches with homemade trapThe 78-year-old from Mutxamel allegedly trapped the birds to breed them for singing contests A Mutxamel farmer is being investigated for illegally capturing finches with a homemade trap and faces a fine of up to 3,000 euros. According.. 27/01/2023

94-year-old man dies and woman is injured in Sax house fire, AlicanteThe victim's daughter-in-law was taken to Elda Hospital with minor burns An elderly man has tragically died in a house fire at a three-storey property in Sax, Alicante. When police arrived at the scene around 9.30pm on Thursday January.. 27/01/2023

Alicante airport goes green with vertical gardens to improve image and traveller wellbeingThe walls of natural plants are located in one of the busiest areas at Elche-Alicante airport Two vertical gardens of natural plants have been installed at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport to improve the overall image of the terminal.. 26/01/2023

Telecable: a special connection with the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida communityA community message from Telecable: “We start the New Year with hope and committed to continue contributing to the development of all the communities across Murcia and Alicante where we have a presence. This year, same as in the past years, Grupo.. 25/01/2023

First snowfall in Alicante province as temperatures plummet below zeroThermometers have plummeted to -7ºC overnight in parts of Alicante province The mercury has nose-dived over the last week in Alicante province, plunging the region into colder, wintry conditions that have seen temperatures drop to well.. 25/01/2023

Two Alicante towns rank in the top 10 most expensive places to buy a house in SpainHouse price tags in the Marina Alta and Marina Baixa areas of Alicante province are up there with the priciest in the country A rise in interest rates, hiked prices per square metre and the loss of purchase power have done nothing to slow down house.. 25/01/2023

New Alicante-Berlin flight route gets off the ground from April 2023Low-cost airline Eurowings is also reinforcing Costa Blanca flights to Stuttgart and Dortmund German low-cost carrier Eurowings is launching a new route between Alicante-Elche airport and Berlin from April and plans to increase flights and passenger.. 23/01/2023

Two Alicante towns make National Geographic list of most beautiful places in SpainThe municipalities in the Marina Baixa area of Alicante province are considered well worth a visit in 2023 National Geographic magazine has published its list of the most beautiful towns and villages in Spain that are "well worth a trip in 2023.. 20/01/2023

10 incredible and unforgettable places to visit in Alicante provinceFrom impressive caves to stunning salt lakes, there's more to Alicante province than its coastline Alicante province has been alluring tourists worldwide for decades with its cultural heritage, colourful festivals and picturesque coastline and.. 19/01/2023

Cost of living in Spain: Is it really cheaper than the UK?How much does it cost to live in Spain? These are the prices of energy bills, Wi-Fi, shopping, eating out and more… It’s often said that life in Spain is cheaper compared to the UK, which is one of the many reasons (besides the weather, lifestyle..

7 amazing facts about the internet you probably never knewThe first webcam was only used as a coffee-CCTV camera, the first emoji predated the internet by about 4 years, and other crazy internet facts It’s nearly impossible nowadays to imagine our lives without the internet. We use it every day to read..

Zumba and yoga classes for mature residents in Torrevieja and La MataTwice-weekly classes are being held to improve quality of life for senior citizens registered in the Vega Baja town and suburb Senior residents registered in Torrevieja and the urban district of La Mata, both of which are home to large communities of UK..

February 4 and 5 Dama Festival in Teulada MorairaThe municipality in the Marina Alta region of Alicante province celebrates 'Festa de la Dama' (Lady's Festival) in honour of Saint Blai Teulada Moraira is hosting its traditional festival known as 'Festa de la Dama' (Lady's Festival..

February 5 to 26 Alcalali in bloom festivalThis colourful Feslalí Festival celebrates the annual flowering of almond trees in Alcalali, in the Marina Alta region of Alicante province Once again, the arrival of February has brought with it the flowering of almond trees and the annual '..

You can fly to 97 destinations from Alicante Airport this autumn and winter 2022-23Alicante-Elche airport connects this winter with 23 countries and 87 cities, with Ryanair maintaining its position as the leading airline at the airport This autumn and winter season, Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport has a total of 155.. 28/10/2022
town
Contact Murcia Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268
News Costa Blanca
Whats On Costa Blanca
Where To Go Costa Blanca
Andalucia News Costa Blanca
Alicante News Costa Blanca
Lifestyle Costa Blanca
Spanish News Costa Blanca
Property Listings Costa Blanca
Weather Costa Blanca
Spanish Lifestyle Costa Blanca
Spanish Travel & Tourism Costa Blanca
Spanish Arts & Culture Costa Blanca
Spanish Weather Costa Blanca
Andalucia Weather Costa Blanca
Andalucia Lifestyle Costa Blanca
Andalucia Travel & Tourism Costa Blanca
Andalucia Arts & Culture Costa Blanca
Alicante Whats On Costa Blanca
Alicante Where To Go Costa Blanca
Alicante Lifestyle Costa Blanca
Alicante Weather Costa Blanca
Alicante Property Costa Blanca
Property News Costa Blanca
Motoring & Travel Costa Blanca
Spanish Property News Costa Blanca