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There is a particular moment on a Costa Blanca holiday when you realise exactly why this corner of Spain has remained a favourite with British holidaymakers for generations.
Perhaps it comes over a leisurely lunch beside the Mediterranean, when another plate of seafood arrives and nobody is paying much attention to the time. Maybe it happens while wandering through a whitewashed old town in the early evening, or simply when you look out across a brilliant blue sea and wonder why life at home ever needs to be quite so complicated.
Stretching along the Mediterranean coastline of Alicante province, the Costa Blanca combines the ingredients Spain does exceptionally well: beautiful beaches, characterful towns, excellent food and a wonderfully relaxed way of life. Official tourism sources describe more than 200 kilometres of coastline, with everything from long sandy beaches to secluded rocky coves.
Yet the real appeal of the Costa Blanca is its variety.
From the bright lights of Benidorm to the whitewashed streets of Altea, the dramatic coastline around Calpe and Jávea, and the city beaches and historic sights of Alicante, there is a Costa Blanca holiday to suit almost everyone.
Why choose the Costa Blanca for your next holiday?
The Costa Blanca has mastered something many destinations struggle to achieve: it can be wonderfully easy without ever needing to be boring.
Families can choose resorts with broad beaches, plenty of restaurants and activities close at hand. Couples can retreat to smaller coastal towns and hidden coves. Food lovers can seek out seafood restaurants, local rice dishes and leisurely lunches, while more adventurous travellers can head inland towards mountains, villages and walking trails.
Then there is that famous Spanish sunshine. Spain's official tourism website highlights more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year in the Costa Blanca, alongside an average annual temperature of around 18°C.
It all makes this a destination that works remarkably well for both a traditional summer beach holiday and an escape outside the busiest summer months.
Where should you stay on the Costa Blanca?
Ask ten regular visitors where to stay on the Costa Blanca and you may receive ten different answers.
That is part of its charm.
Benidorm – brilliant for families and entertainment
Forget any preconceptions you might have about Benidorm.
Yes, it is lively. Yes, there is nightlife. And yes, it remains one of Spain's best-known holiday resorts. But Benidorm is also extremely good at being a holiday destination.
Its beaches are a major part of the attraction, while the sheer choice of hotels, restaurants, bars and entertainment means you can make your holiday as relaxed or as busy as you like.
For family holidays to the Costa Blanca, Benidorm is particularly appealing. Everything is close at hand, there's plenty happening for children and teenagers, and adults aren't exactly short of places to enjoy themselves either.
If you want a holiday where nobody has time to announce that they're bored, Benidorm deserves its place on the shortlist.
Alicante – beach holiday meets Spanish city break
For travellers who want more than a resort, Alicante offers an excellent compromise.
You still have the Mediterranean and golden beaches, but they come with the atmosphere of a genuine Spanish city.
Spend the morning beside the sea before wandering through the historic centre, stopping for tapas and heading towards the imposing Santa Bárbara Castle, which watches over Alicante from its hilltop position. The city also offers museums, shopping, restaurants and the attractive Explanada de España promenade.
Alicante is an especially good choice for couples who like their beach holidays with a little culture attached.
Altea – the Costa Blanca at a slower pace
A short journey can completely change the mood of a Costa Blanca holiday.
Altea feels a world away from the larger resorts.
Its old town climbs above the Mediterranean in a maze of cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, flower-filled corners and viewpoints. At its heart is the distinctive church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, whose blue dome has become one of the area's most recognisable sights.
Come here for long lunches, evening strolls and the pleasure of having nowhere particularly urgent to be.
For couples looking for a quieter Costa Blanca holiday, Altea is difficult to resist.
Calpe – beaches with a dramatic backdrop
Then there's Calpe, instantly recognisable thanks to the enormous Peñón de Ifach rising from the coastline.
At 332 metres high, this limestone landmark dominates the landscape and sits within a protected nature reserve. Around it you'll find beaches and coves, a marina, promenade and a historic old town.
Calpe strikes an attractive balance.
There's enough going on to make it feel like a proper holiday resort, but it retains plenty of Mediterranean character. Add good seafood and impressive coastal scenery and it's easy to understand why visitors return year after year.
Jávea – coves, scenery and Mediterranean charm
Travel further north and the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic.
Jávea, also known as Xàbia, combines beaches and rocky coves with a characterful old town and easy access to beautiful natural landscapes.
This is the Costa Blanca for travellers who enjoy discovering their surroundings rather than remaining beside the hotel pool for seven days.
There are opportunities for sailing, diving and walking, while nearby natural landscapes such as Montgó provide a completely different perspective on the coastline.
Hire a car and suddenly those tempting little bays, villages and waterfront restaurants become part of the adventure.
Dénia – a Costa Blanca favourite for food lovers
At the northern end of the Costa Blanca, Dénia offers around 20 kilometres of coastline alongside a castle, marina and the atmospheric old fishermen's quarter of Baix La Mar.
But we'd also come here hungry.
Seafood plays a starring role in the local kitchen, with Dénia particularly associated with its prized red prawns. More broadly, food is one of the great pleasures of travelling anywhere along this coast.
Which brings us neatly to lunch.
What should you eat on the Costa Blanca?
There is more to Spanish food than paella, although we certainly wouldn't suggest skipping the rice dishes while you're here.
The cuisine of Alicante province is closely connected to both the Mediterranean and the surrounding countryside. Expect seafood, fish, rice dishes, local wines and the kind of beautifully simple cooking that makes you question why lunch at home so often involves a sandwich eaten near a computer.
Spain's tourism authorities specifically highlight traditional paella dishes, grilled seafood, local wines and the region's internationally recognised restaurants as part of the Costa Blanca experience.
Our advice?
Find somewhere overlooking the sea, order a few dishes for the table and don't rush.
You're on holiday.
Don't forget the Costa Blanca beyond the beaches
It would be very easy to spend an entire week moving between swimming pool, beach and restaurant.
And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
But head inland and you'll discover another side to the Costa Blanca.
One of the best-known excursions is Guadalest, a historic mountain village sitting dramatically on rock more than 500 metres above sea level between the Aitana and Xortá mountain ranges.
Its old town has Moorish origins, and visitors can climb towards the remains of the 11th-century San José Castle for wonderful views across the surrounding landscape and reservoir.
It's an excellent reminder that the Costa Blanca is much more than a line of beach resorts.
Is the Costa Blanca good for family holidays?
Absolutely.
One of the biggest strengths of Costa Blanca family holidays is the amount of choice available.
Families wanting entertainment and plenty happening nearby may gravitate towards Benidorm and the larger resorts. Those travelling with younger children might prefer somewhere quieter, while families with older children can combine beach days with watersports, sightseeing and trips inland.
There is also a wide selection of accommodation, from large hotels and all-inclusive resorts to apartments and smaller properties.
The important thing is choosing the right resort rather than simply choosing "the Costa Blanca".
That's where good holiday advice makes all the difference.
Is the Costa Blanca good for couples?
Very much so – particularly if you look beyond the biggest resorts.
Think boutique hotels, atmospheric old towns, hidden coves, marina-side dinners and lazy evenings over a bottle of Spanish wine.
Altea, Calpe, Jávea and Dénia are particularly worth considering if you're looking for a Costa Blanca holiday for couples with a more relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.
For couples who prefer shopping, sightseeing and nightlife alongside the beach, Alicante provides another excellent option.
When is the best time to visit the Costa Blanca?
Summer remains the classic choice for travellers dreaming of long, hot days beside the Mediterranean.
But don't automatically overlook spring and autumn holidays to the Costa Blanca.
Travelling outside the peak summer period can be particularly appealing if you're more interested in sightseeing, walking, exploring towns and enjoying leisurely meals than spending every waking hour on a sunlounger.
And with the Costa Blanca known for its abundant sunshine, it has long appealed to travellers looking beyond the traditional July and August getaway.
So, is the Costa Blanca worth visiting?
We think the better question might be: which Costa Blanca is right for you?
There's the energetic Costa Blanca of Benidorm.
The historic, urban Costa Blanca of Alicante.
The whitewashed, romantic Costa Blanca of Altea.
The dramatic landscapes of Calpe.
The coves and natural beauty around Jávea.
And the beaches, marina and fabulous food of Dénia.
Few holiday destinations offer quite so many different experiences within one stretch of coastline.
Perhaps that's the secret to the Costa Blanca's enduring popularity. You can visit for the sunshine and beaches, then discover that the best memories happen somewhere else entirely – over a long Spanish lunch, wandering through an old town or watching the Mediterranean turn golden at the end of another beautifully unhurried day.
Find perfect Costa Blanca holidays
Whether you're planning a family holiday to the Costa Blanca, a relaxing couples' escape or simply a week of Spanish sunshine, choosing the right resort and hotel can transform your holiday.
Speak to our travel experts and we'll help you find the Costa Blanca holiday that's right for you.
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