- Region
- Vega baja
- Marina Alta
- Marina Baixa
- Alicante
- Baix Vinalopo
- Alto & Mitja Vinalopo
-
ALL TOWNS
- ALICANTE TOWNS
- Albatera
- Alfaz Del Pi
- Alicante City
- Alcoy
- Almoradi
- Benitatxell
- Bigastro
- Benferri
- Benidorm
- Calosa de Segura
- Calpe
- Catral
- Costa Blanca
- Cox
- Daya Vieja
- Denia
- Elche
- Elda
- Granja de Rocamora
- Guardamar del Segura
- Jacarilla
- Los Montesinos
- Orihuela
- Pedreguer
- Pilar de Horadada
- Quesada
- Rafal
- Redovan
- Rojales
- San Isidro
- Torrevieja
- Comunidad Valenciana
- EDITIONS: Spanish News Today Murcia Today Andalucia Today
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.
Drug-dealing British expat arrested in Costa Blanca cannabis clubThe Torrevieja venue was shut down for allegedly pedalling illegal drugs to tourists A British man has been arrested in connection with a drug dealing operation at a cannabis club in the Costa Blanca city of Torrevieja. According to reports, the Guardia.. 16/05/2024
Dog digs up severed arm of German woman on Alicante farmPolice are still searching the property in Jijona for the rest of the woman’s remains A gruesome discovery has been made in the small town of Jijona in the northern part of Alicante province. On April 27, a dog belonging to a local farm in the.. 16/05/2024
Final blast of heat before rain: Alicante weather forecast May 16-19There’s a good chance of showers across Alicante province this Saturday and Sunday Minimum and maximum temperatures on Saturday May 18 After a week more typical of summer than mid-spring, Alicante residents can look forward to a.. 16/05/2024
Unsightly spills flood Orihuela Costa beachThe Playa Flamenca beach has retained its Blue Flag despite the mysterious spillages Council workers are once again present on Cala La Mosca in Playa Flamenca, trying to stop the flow of unsightly spills which are pouring down through the beach and.. 15/05/2024
Plan to build 80m skyscrapers on Torrevieja beachfront scrapped for blocking viewThe courts have denied building permits for 5 skyscrapers along the Costa Blanca coastline Plans for constructing five skyscrapers in Torrevieja face uncertainty after the Valencian Community Superior Court and the Supreme Court rejected the detailed.. 14/05/2024
Alicante Airport celebrates the busiest April of all timeAn incredible 1.5 million people passed through the doors of the Costa Blanca airport last month It seems the only way is up for the Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández following yet another record-breaking month. In April, a staggering 1,590,828.. 14/05/2024
Norwegian fugitive arrested in Orihuela following seven years of abuse towards partnerThe suspect was caught when he turned up at the Orihuela Costa Foreigners Office last week A violent fugitive, accused of habitually mistreating and abusing his partner both physically and psychologically, has been arrested in Orihuela. The Norwegian.. 13/05/2024
Excom celebrates its 23rd anniversary with 23 months of promotionsMurcia and Alicante’s favourite internet, mobile and landline provider has launched an exciting promotion To mark this milestone birthday, Excom is excited to announce an amazing promotion exclusively for its valued customers. Benefit.. 13/05/2024
Plans for new runway at Alicante Airport blocked by governmentThe Ministry of Transport insists that Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport can handle 26 million passengers with a single runway Hopes for a second runway at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport have been dashed by Spain&rsquo.. 13/05/2024
Temperatures soar past 30 degrees: Alicante weather forecast May 13-16The mercury will peak mid-week in Alicante province before dipping back to the mid 20s Temperatures expected on Tuesday afternoon After a bit of a cloudy and breezy start, the weekend turned into a real scorcher in most of Alicante province.. 13/05/2024
Landmark win for Alicante expats as hundreds of homes legalised after decades-long battleIt’s a potential watershed moment for hundreds of expats in the village of Llíber, Alicante and hundreds of thousands across the Valencia region by John Michael Kirby, Technical Architect and Building Engineer Terms such as &ldquo..
VIDEO: British drug baron caught in Benidorm after 4 years on the runThe fugitive from Manchester fled to Alicante in 2020 A Manchester drug dealer, on the run since 2020, has been arrested in Benidorm. The man fled the UK four years ago after being accused of using encrypted communication systems to sell cocaine.. 10/05/2024
Work begins to repair Campoamor beach road, but will it last?Orihuela City Council plans to put a wooden walkway beside La Glea beach Five years after a powerful DANA storm ripped up the roadway beside Campoamor’s La Glea beach on the Orihuela Costa, which has just been awarded a prestigious Blue.. 09/05/2024
Popular Orihuela Costa beach denied Blue Flag for 2024The Orihuela Costa will fly 10 tourism quality banners this year, one fewer than in 2023 Cala Estaca beach in Playa Flamenca on the Orihuela Costa has sadly had its Blue Flag removed this year due to ongoing problems with drainage and unidentified.. 08/05/2024
Prepare your home for summer sun and storms with Leak ProofMake sure your Spanish property is ready, whatever the weather! The weather is hotting up as we approach the summer, but property owners in the south of Spain know we’re likely not done with the rain and storms yet. That’s why smart homeowners.. 07/05/2024
More drought fears in Alicante as the skies remain dryWeather models predict very little rain in Alicante province this May With the exception of a few isolated storms at the beginning of the month, Alicante province has received very little rain since the winter, and the ever-present drought.. 07/05/2024
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
Car Sales Costa Blanca