The Costa Blanca

¡Felices vacaciones!

The Costa Blanca is the 160 km coastal strip along the Spanish province of Alicante, to the South of Valencia. Does the Costa Blanca – white coast – derive its name from the many almond plantations which provide a lavish white bloom and delightful aroma in February? Or, has it been named after its breathtaking white beaches? Whatever the answer may be, it is an ideal holiday destination for families who love the sun, sea, culture and being active.

Are you already familiar with the Costa Blanca? If so, we’re not telling you anything you don’t already know. However, you may not have heard about these places situated close to our villas: Moraira, Jávea and Denia.

Here especially you will come across broad sandy beaches; but smaller pebbled ones too, ones which are only accessible by boat. Do you love picturesque fishing villages or fashionable seaside resorts with prestigious yacht marinas? You’ll come across both, and everything in between, along the Costa Blanca. The countryside is magnificent too and rich in culture; a place where old castles and sleepy mountain villages are just waiting to be discovered. Make trips through expansive pine tree woods, past rock formations and orange groves. White houses bake in the sun. Can you envisage it? Don’t forget about the delicious food, tapas and surprising Spanish wines.

The Costa Blanca is easily accessible by car or air. Cars can be hired locally; further information on car hire is given with the description of each accommodation.

Climate

The Costa Blanca boasts a lovely climate. The rugged mountain range behind the coast keeps the wind from the Spanish countryside at bay. Summers aren’t too hot and the winters are very mild. The average temperature is 18°C. Temperatures don’t exceed 30°C in the summer. And should you spend Christmas on the Costa Blanca there’s a high chance temperatures will reach 20°C. The Costa Blanca enjoys more than 320 sunny days in a year.

Sun & sand

The Costa Blanca is rightly known for its magnificent sandy beaches and intimate bays. Children build sandcastles on the beach and collect shells along the tidemark, whilst you can keep an eye on them from your lounger under the parasol. Try a little fishing in the evening in the harbour before heading back to your deluxe villa. Would you like to cook the fish yourself? Many of our holiday homes have a large BBQ area on the patio where you can cook to your heart’s content.

Sailing, skiing and diving – everything is possible! There are plenty of marinas where sailing boats or surf boards can be hired. Many diving schools offer courses to one day diving instruction. You can also be sailed around on one of the many boat trips. One top tip – certainly for your children – is a trip in a glass-bottomed boat along the coast. Thrilling glimpses into the crystal clear Mediterranean waters!

Various (water) amusement parks are to be found along the Costa Blanca too.

Countryside

The Costa Blanca naturally boasts a splendid coast line, but the countryside is spectacular too; it’s hilly with much vegetation. Heading inland you’ll see bare rugged hills and granite and sandstone mountains of all shapes and sizes. You’ll come across wooded valleys, vineyards, almond gardens and extensive fruit tree groves. The fauna in the countryside is very diverse: wild boars, deer, foxes, hares and rabbits and birds such as the woodpecker, owls and bantams. Be on the lookout during your walk and you’ll most likely surprise one of these animals.

The Moors built an extensive irrigation network across the valleys which still functions to this day. The many orange and lemon groves flank it. If you’re visiting in the springtime take a walk through these groves; the blossom aroma is overwhelming. The terrace style farmland and numerous palm trees also point to the Moorish past. Seek the shade on warm days in the expansive pine tree forests, just as the Spanish do when picnicking.

You’ll come across many Spanish villages, each with their own particular characteristics and festivities. One recommendation are the Busot grottos (Las Cuevas de Canalobre – 700m high).

Eating & drinking

There is an abundance of excellent restaurants along the Costa Brava; from the typically Spanish to the more international cuisines such as Mexican or Chinese.

Traditional fare on the Costa Blanca is – is to be expected – based on fish. Deliciously fresh fish the locals themselves catch in the Mediterranean Sea. Fruit and vegetables are also important components. A holiday on the Costa Blanca isn’t complete without having tasted a delicious paella! The region is renowned for its rice; often prepared with bouillon and fish, just as the fishermen cooked in a pot over the fire during their sea trips. You’ll always find fish and shell fish on the menu in many restaurants. A gilthead or sea bass cooked in a bed of salt, with shell fish drizzled with lemon juice, fresh red mullet or hake. You’ll smell the sea on your plate!

Tapas is another delicacy; small fresh sardines, garlic prawns (gambas à l’ajillo) and deep-fried squid (calamares fritos) to mention but a few. Delicious with a lovely glass of Spanish wine in a bar on the boulevard, or even an ice cold beer too.

Golf

Do you like golf? If so, the Costa Blanca is the right place for you with its numerous verdant golf courses. For example, the Club de Golf La Sella at Dénia alongside the Montgo nature park. Or, Bonalba just above Alicante. A little smaller but certainly worth the effort is the Jávea Club de Golf at Jávea, the Ifach Club at Moraira and the Don Cayo Golf Club at Altea.

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Moraira

Those who love Spain love Moraira too. The old fishing village of Moraira has truly retained its authentic character. No high rise buildings or mass tourism to be found here, rather, a lively village centre with atmospheric pavement cafes and good shops … and of course, delicious fish restaurants. Or, you could choose from one of the many other international cuisine restaurants.

Numerous fishing boats still line the harbour, but nowadays side by side with modern pleasure yachts. Moraira is one of the most important fishing markets on the Costa Blanca. Fish buyers trade hectically at the traditional fish market. You can buy your fresh fish in the morning, just as they do.

There are still many pretty historical buildings in Moraira, like the old ‘El Castillo’ castle and the watch tower. In days gone by this tower protected the inhabitants against the many sea pirates. There is also an impressive marina which lies sheltered between the Cap Blanc and Punta de Moraira rocks.

Beach

The Moraira coastline is 8km long. Wild rock formations are interchanged with child-friendly sandy beaches. El Portet is a beautiful sandy beach where convivial restaurants and small cafes are to be found. The L’Ampolla sandy beach – the longest in Moraira – is close to the centre. Should you be looking for peace and quiet we recommend the rocky bays of L’Andrago and El Cap Blanc. All beaches have been awarded the sought-after Blue Flag in recognition of their clean water and sand.

Tips

8 km away lies Benissa with its lovely city centre. When you follow the pretty coastal road to the South after approximately 11 km you’ll come across the imposing Peñón de Ifach rocks measuring 332m high.

A trip into the countryside is also certainly worth the effort. Here you’ll find rugged landscapes and high mountain peaks. Approximately 42km away lies the middle-aged mountain village of Guadalest, which is built into the rocks. Guadalest lies alongside an impressive reservoir (Embalse de Guadalest). 40km further you’ll come across the 1.558m high Sierra Aitana mountain range. This mountain even sometimes has snow-capped peaks. Atop the Sierra Aitana are breathtaking panoramas across the countryside.

Your children (and you) will most certainly enjoy yourselves in the Aqualandia water amusement park, or the Terra Mítica theme park. Both lie approximately 45km from Benidorm. Moraira also boasts a tennis park.

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Jávea

Jávea is a romantic and lively coastal town ideal for holiday makers of all ages. The Jávea valley is strewn with extensive almond, olive and orange groves. The beautiful Jávea coastline is 25km long. Jávea lies nestled between the capes of San Antoni and La Nau. During the Middle Ages the bays formed an ideal shelter for smugglers and pirates.

The ‘old city’ of Jávea – Xàbia has retained its historic features well. A must for culture enthusiasts! Amble through the charming Arabic streets, past whitewashed buildings decorated with ‘tosca’ trellises and window frames – a form of natural stone. The town also has a lovely gothic fortress church called de San Bartolomé. This church was a haven to those fleeing pirate attacks.

Beach

Close to the centre is the ‘Arenal’ sandy beach and is known for being the most child-friendly beach in the region. It has separate child designated areas. A stoney bay encircles the gently rolling sandy beach thus keeping the water safe and clear, making it ideal for sunbathing and swimming. There is a lifeguard too. For those who feel like a boat trip on the sea a small motorboat can be hired.

In the evening you can stroll under the palm trees along the promenade. There is a wide range of excellent restaurants and bars. Do you fancy a Mexican, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Italian, fish and chips or traditional Spanish meal? It’s all here.

15 minutes walk from the ‘Arenal’ beach lies a typically Spanish harbour. Along the boulevard there is always something to eat or drink at one of the many ambient pavement cafes and restaurants. The gift shops sell their beautiful souvenirs. There is good fishing off the pier, but should the catch be disappointing there is always the nightly fish market…

Along the pebbled and rocky La Grava and Calablanca beaches you can sail, swim, canoe, waterski and jet ski. Tangó and Portichol have small private bays with pebbled beaches, where it’s great to snorkel and dive.

Tips

Montgó (10 km away) forms the spectacular foothills behind Jávea. There are fantastic walks here in this splendid nature reserve, such as the La Granadella (5km away).

Close by are various golf courses such as the 18 hole Jávea Golf Club or the one in Denia (10km away). Or do you rather play tennis? Jávea boasts a tennis park.

Your children (and you) will most certainly amuse themselves at the Aqualandia water amusement park, or the Terra Mítica theme park. Both lie approximately 45km from Benidorm. Or, visit the exciting (Aitana) safari park!

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Denia

Denia is a delightfully cosmopolitan town on the Mediterranean coast to the north of Costa Blanca. The sun shines here pretty much all year round. The town lies in the foothills and atop the hill you can enjoy marvelous views across the city. There are lively fishing harbours and yacht harbours. You can shop along the palm boulevard or in the centre, and during the summer months there are all kinds of fiestas and markets. Denia lies directly opposite the island of Ibiza, which has a ferry service.

Beach

The Denia coastline is almost 20km long. To the north of the small town lie the lovely sandy beaches of Les Marines, L’Almadrava, Les Deveses, Les Bovetes and Els Palmars. Its ideal here for sailing, rowing, canoeing, windsurfing, fishing, jet skiing, diving, swimming… The water is irresistibly crystal clear and entices you to take a refreshing dive on a sun-drenched day.

To the south lies Las Rota; a number of small coves along the rocky coast. A true paradise for fishermen and divers.

Tips

The spectacular foothill of Denia lies to the north of Montgó. Fantastic walks can be made in this splendid nature reserve.

Route

The La Caza accommodations are all located along the Spanish Costa Blanca. The distance from Utrecht is approximately 2000 km.

  • If traveling by car follow the tourist route through France. Take the A7 along the Spanish coast to junction 63, Benissa/Teulada.
  • If traveling by air fly to the airports of either Alicante or Valencia. From these its approximately 45 minute drive to your end destination.

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