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.

Estepona – relaxed Mediterranean charm

For something a little gentler, consider Estepona.

The town combines beaches and a marina with a wonderfully attractive historic centre, where colourful flowerpots decorate whitewashed streets and traditional buildings.

Estepona feels unmistakably Spanish while still offering the hotels, restaurants and facilities you'd expect from a popular holiday destination.

It's particularly attractive for couples looking for a Costa del Sol holiday with plenty of character and a more relaxed atmosphere.

Málaga – city break and beach holiday in one

For years, many holidaymakers landed at Málaga, collected their luggage and immediately travelled elsewhere.

Today, that feels like a missed opportunity.

Málaga has become one of Spain's most enjoyable city destinations, with historic sights, museums, tapas bars, shopping and a lively waterfront – plus the considerable bonus of having beaches.

Explore the Alcazaba, discover the city's connection with Pablo Picasso or simply wander through the old streets stopping whenever somewhere looks tempting.

For travellers who can't decide between a Spanish city break and a beach holiday, Málaga offers the best of both.