COSTA BLANCA
Costa Blanca, literally translated to “White Coast” is an area over 200 kilometers along the east coast of the Mediterranean in the Alicante province, Valencia community. Due to widespread of salt lakes, this area is considered as one of the healthiest regions in Europe. Microclimate created by the salt lakes helps with all sorts of health problems such as achy joints, backpain, skin diseases and upper respiratory sicknesses (asthma).
Costa Blanca beaches are one of the best in Spain and a lot of them have gained the status of “Blue flag” https://www.blueflag.global/. You can find different range of beaches from beaches with white sand and palm trees to isolated rockier beaches with crystal clear deep blue water and colorful fishes. The beaches are well-kept and easily accessible.
In the area you can also find a lot of outdoor markets. Every small town has their own traditional market day, where one could find fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables, local crafts, clothes etc.
Costa Blanca is not huge, but its landscape is very varied – north of costa Blanca is mountainous and green, south of CB is a bit warmer, drier and flatter.
The climate is generally stable all year around. Winters are a bit chillier, but even winter days are comparable to weather in North of Europe during summer.
Dénia and Javea
Dénia is a small town in the northern part of Costa Blanca. In addition to great beaches, Dénia also offers historical and cultural value. Dénia has a mixture of Iberian, Roman, Islamic and Christian culture, all of it has left a mark on this city. Dénia is built around the mountain castle in the city center from where you can see marvelous views of the city, port, sea and Montgó mountain. The castle is built on the 11th century and hosts the local city museum.
Dénia's beach line is 15 kilometers long including sandy beaches and shadier rocky beaches for rock diving. Water loves will find lots of opportunities for entertainment- diving, snorkeling, boat hire, catamaran rides, dolphin trips etc. Being the closest peninsulan city to the balearics, Dénia has a good boat connection with the islands. Why not take a day and spend it discovering Ibiza?
When arriving to Dénia one cannot definitely miss 753 meters high Montgó mountain that separates Dénia from Javea. Montgó national park is the home for a lot of special and unique plants and birds. The mountain is easily accessible and attracts hikers and cyclists all over Europe.
Javea is located on the southern side of Montgó. It is a small, picturesque city founded already 30 000 years ago. Javea has a historical city center, small beaches with clear light blue water and loads of festivals in different times of the year.
Calpe
Calpe is known for its massive 332 meters high rock boulder that stretches out to the sea. You can even see the rock from a highway far away and it is so easily recognizable for its shape. The rock is surrounded by Penyal d’lfac natural park, where one can find rare plant and bird species. There is a lot more to see and enjoy in Calpe, such “Los Baños de la Reina” meaning the queen’s baths, salt flats and of course spectacular old town and a promenade.
Benidorm
Benidorm, that can also be called a local Manhattan is a popular tourist destination between Dénia and Alicante. Benidorm began to grow and gain popularity only around 1950s, when tourists mainly from inland Spain started build their holiday homes and spend holidays in Benidorm. Nowadays Benidorm is a very distinctive city with a lot of skyscrapers which for example cannot be find in the neighboring bigger city Alicante. Benidorm is extremely popular among the British, Irish, Belgian and Germans thanks to cheap holiday packets from their countries. The city has a giant amusement park, waterpark and a theme park. It is also known for its endless night life that normally does not silence even during the winter nights.
Inland from Benidorm has a lot of beautiful and scenic places such as Guadalest castle and the town, Algar waterfalls, dinosaur park etc. Who does not wish to live in skyscraper, but still does not want to be far from the city, a small town called Polop would be the perfect option.
Alicante
Alicante is the biggest city in Costa Blanca and the Alicante province and the second biggest city in the Valencian county. Not only is Alicante a tourist attraction but is also an important economical center. There are a few universities in the city, a huge port, the city serves as the headquarters of the European Union Intellectual Property Office, several factories etc. Amongst the most notable features of the city is the Castle of Santa Barbara, which can be seen kilometers away from the city.
Santa Pola
Santa Pola is a diffused area by the coast in between Alicante and Torrevieja. The town is strategically in a particularly good location – the airport is only 10-15 minutes and Alicante city center only around 20 kilometers away. Santa Pola coast lines varies from sandy beaches to pine forests and rocks. When you look on the map, the surroundings of Santa Pola look like a quilt. It looks like this because of several salt mines and salt lakes. In the salt lakes you can see thousands of flamingos wading along, one of the few places where flamingos in Europe can be found. Not far from Santa Pola is the island of Tabarca which is surrounded by noticeably clear and unpolluted water where people can enjoy snorkeling and other water activities.
Torrevieja
Torrevieja is one of the most well-known resorts in Costa Blanca. It is a town where life is bustling all year around and is extremely popular amongst all sorts of nationalities. About 100 000 people live in Torrevieja permanently, but the population quadruples in the summer. Only half of the population is Spanish, the rest are Dutch, French, Russians, Norwegians, Swedish and so on. Torrevieja is situated in an incredibly good location. From one side it is surrounded by the Mediterranean and from the other side by two salt lakes, that create a specific microclimate. This microclimate is perfect for people who suffer from diseases like asthma, backpain or psoriasis. Torrevieja hospital is one of the best hospitals in Spain and recognized all over the world.
Everybody, the young and the old can find something to do in this city – the city has museums, an amusement park, water park, cinema, shopping malls, beaches, schools etc.
Torrevieja is a good choice for holiday makers and permanent residents.
Orihuela Costa
Orihuela Costa is the coastline area of a bigger city Orihuela. Orihuela Costa is divided between La Zenia, Cabo Roig, Punta Prima, Dehese de Campoamor, San Miguel De Salinas, Villamartin, Pilar de Campoverde, Los Dolses, La Fuente and Los Montesinos meaning it is quite big. Orihuela Costa is the most popular among British so some of the streets almost remind you mini-England.
Orihuela Costa’s coastline is unique with a diversity of different types of beaches. You can find those paradise beaches with white sand and parasols, but also beaches that are rocky and surrounded by cliffs with the only access being from stairs up the top of the cliff. One of the most beautiful areas of Orihuela Costa in our mind is Punta Prima characterized by wide palm tree avenues, new buildings with their own spas and gyms and lots of greenery. For lovers of Golf, Orihuela Costa is like paradise- many of the most popular golf courses in Costa Blanca are situated just there.
COSTA CÁLIDA
Costa Cálida meaning “Hot Coast” is about 250 kilometers of coastline in the county of Murcia. The name comes from the fact that the air temperature in the county is on average higher and there is less rainfall than in other counties of Spain. The area is not as popular amongst tourist as Costa Blanca, but it idefinitely worth a visit. By the way, the only real desert in Europe is located in Murcia county. Loads of Hollywood western movies have been filmed in the Tabernas desert.
Real estate prices are a bit cheaper than in other areas on the coastline so one can find incredibly good second-hand and new good value properties.
The biggest city in Costa Cálida is Cartagena with a very well-preserved old town. Cartagena was already founded 2000 years ago, and its most glorious moments were in the Roman ages when it was also called the new Cartago. Nowadays Spanish navy’s headquarter is in that city along with an array of sightseeings like an over 700 years old Santa Maria La Vieja Cathedral.
Check out a short video clip of Costa Calida from our Youtube channel from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgi_iItLdIc&ab_channel=LexlauProperties
