- 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
- Playa Flamenca
- 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.
The Costa Blanca becomes a golfing goldmine, boasting a 601 million euro successThe majority of golfers holidaying in Alicante come from Britain and Nordic countries The Costa Blanca is celebrating a hole in one for its golf tourism industry, which brought in a whopping 601 million euros last year. The Association of Golf Courses.. 05/12/2024
Bryan Adams returns to the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol in 2025The Canadian rock sensation has released several Spanish dates and venues, including Alicante and Malaga Classic rock star Bryan Adams is set to thrill music fans in Spain once again with the announcement that he’ll return in 2025 with the highly.. 05/12/2024
Best Christmas Markets to visit in Alicante this yearDiscover the dates and opening hours for the top Alicante festive markets As December arrives, the city of Alicante transforms into a winter wonderland, filled with festive markets, decorations, lights and attractions that bring joy to visitors of.. 04/12/2024
From Mercedes to Lamborghini: Alicante becomes the new hotbed of luxury car theftsThieves and criminal organisations choose high-end vehicles from tourist towns in Marina Alta and Vega Baja Alicante has become a hotspot for luxury car thefts, with a 9% increase in vehicle robberies in the first half of 2024 compared to the same.. 29/11/2024
British tourist fighting for his life following Benidorm attackThe critically ill 42-year-old will be driven from Alicante back to the UK for specialised treatment A 42-year-old man from St Helens in Merseyside is battling for his life in a Spanish hospital after a brutal attack in Benidorm. Andrew Frazer.. 29/11/2024
Roadworks between Vega Baja and Alicante-Elche airport for the next 3 yearsThe contract for the work is set to be nearly 16 million euros The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility in Spain is ready to release the contract of the works for the maintenance and operation of state roads in the province of.. 25/11/2024
Migrant reception centre soon to open on the Costa BlancaThe Spanish government has chosen Torrevieja as the site for the new migrant facilities Torrevieja has been chosen by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration to house a new reception centre for migrants in the province of Alicante.. 22/11/2024
Alicante-Valencia rail link reopens on December 22The Cercanías commuter line is the main connection from Alicante city and was damaged during last month’s floods After weeks of disruption, Alicante is finally set to regain its rail connection with Valencia, with the C2 Cercaní.. 21/11/2024
Campervans turn Zenia Boulevard car park into rubbish dumpFor years, residents and tourists have been asking for a campsite in Orihuela Costa Campervan drivers are in the spotlight again in Orihuela Costa, this time for reportedly leaving mounds of rubbish in the car park directly across the road from Zenia.. 21/11/2024
Orihuela Costa beach bars to be put out to tender againThe chiringuitos at Punta Prima, Cala Mosca and Cala Estaca have remained closed for two summers Hold onto your hats for a (not so) shocking revelation: the contracts to open three of Orihuela Costa’s beach bars will have to go out to tender.. 21/11/2024
6 ways to make the most of the December holidays and Christmas in the Region of MurciaFrom fiestas in Yecla to diving in the Med, passing through wine tours, cultural days out and medieval and Christmas markets in the Region of Murcia With national holidays falling on both 6th and 8th December, and the latter being a Sunday and postponed to..
British family held at gunpoint in case of mistaken identity in Orihuela CostaFour armed men broke into the Lomas de Cabo Roig home and attacked the terrified expats Urbanisation in Lomas de Cabo Roig An expat family living in the Torrezenia urbanisation of Lomas de Cabo Roig in Spain’s Orihuela Costa.. 21/11/2024
Torrevieja takes to the skies to tackle mosquito menaceTorrevieja Council will use drones, bat boxes and birds of prey to rid the city of pests In a bid to combat the persistent mosquito problem plaguing its residents and tourists, the City Council of Torrevieja has unveiled a revolutionary new arsenal.. 19/11/2024
Irish man arrested in Orihuela Costa on suspicion of international drug traffickingThe 57-year-old was arrested while dumping rubbish near his Pilar de la Horadada home A 57-year-old Irish man, wanted by the authorities in the Czech Republic for his alleged involvement in a massive international drug trafficking operation, was arrested.. 18/11/2024
Orihuela sets its sights on golf tourism from Alicante cruise passengersThe cultural capital of the Costa Blanca wants to lure Alicante holidaymakers down south Cruise tourism is booming on the Costa Blanca and by the end of 2024, a hundred cruise ships with more than 230,000 cruise passengers are expected to arrive at.. 18/11/2024
Alicante festivos 2025: These are all the local bank holidays next yearAlicante will enjoy a long weekend during the Bonfires of San Juan Alicante City Council has officially announced the public holidays for the 2025 working calendar, which will include 14 paid and non-recoverable holidays. The two local.. 12/11/2024
town
Contact Murcia Today: Editorial 000 000 000 /
Office 000 000 000
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