The Costa Blanca (white coast) is situated halfway along the east coast of Spain. It covers the province of Alicante. To the north of Denia is the Costa del Azahar and to the south of Torrevieja is the Costa Calida
This area is extremely popular with tourists due to its superb weather and climate. The climate is recognised as one of the best in the world by the World Health Organisation. Many people with arthritis come to the Costa Blanca and within days feel much better. In the winter months the Costa Blanca is lucky enough to have nearly as many sunny days as in the summertime.
Its lively nightlife is perfect for anyone wanting to party until the small hours. The Costa Blanca has over 100 kms of sandy beaches and rocky coves and many of the beaches have the coveted European Blue Flag signifying cleanliness and safe bathing.
From whitewashed mountain villages to cosmopolitan tourist resorts this area has something for everyone.

BENIDORM

Probably THE best known and largest tourist resort on the whole Costa Blanca This resort is popular with people of all ages and nationalities. Tourism in Benidorm dates back to the early 1960s when it was no more than a small fishing port centred on a domed church next to Plaza del Castillo. Today Plaza del Castillo is called Placa del Castell but the same old church remains on its rocky peninsula surrounded by an unbelievable number of hotels, apartment blocks, bars and restaurants that the tourist could be forgiven for believing they were in Las Vegas rather than on the coast of Spain. The tallest building is the Gran Hotel Bali at 186 metres.

The old church of San Jaime is the perfect spot from which to describe the geography of Benidorm as it is the heart of the old town which splits the resort into two parts. To the north is Playa Levante, a 2km long beach of golden sand with restricted traffic access along the promenade and the livelier of the resort's two main beaches. To the south of the old town is Playa Poniente which is 3km in length, also has golden sand but is narrower with fewer hotels and a quieter and more relaxed feel about it
Also there are three theme parks Terra Mitica, Aqualandia and Mundomar all in close proximity.

GUADELEST

A village perched atop a mountain 600m above sea level,with stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountains.

A very popular tourist attraction, in part this is because of it's close proximity to Benidorm which allows for tours to be offered to Guadalest as it is only 30 minutes drive from the coast.  

With its moorish castle built over 1,300 years ago which can only be reached through a 15 foot tunnel. When you get through the tunnel you see the old village houses and it feels like you have entered an ancient time.

You can visit the restored house of the Orduna family to get an idea of what it used to be like living in ancient times in Guadalest.

The streets of Guadalest are cobbled, there are little squares, a school, an old jailhouse and also the white bell tower 'penon de la alcala which is often featured on postcards.

The village relies on tourism for its economy with local produce such as honey and wine,souveniers,crafts and handbags readily on sale.

ELCHE

Elche is the third largest city in the province of Alicante and is very rich in culture and history.It offers the tourist many Iberian, Phoenician, Roman as well as Greek architectural attractions.
The Palm Grove that surrounds Elche has up to 200,000 palm trees. It was designed by the Muslims in the 18th Century and became Elche's symbol of identity. The Palm Tree Grove was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 2000 and is the largest Palm Tree Grove in Europe.

Elche is divided by the Vinalopo River, which is more like a canal than a river. It was once a broad deep river that created the rift that divided the town. The two sides of the town are connected by seven bridges.This charming village of Elche is best known as the excavation site of one of the premier sculptures of the Roman Empire in Iberia, La Dama de Elche, and also as the Spanish footwear capital that produces more than half of the footwear manufactured in Spain.

The narrow alleys with neat white washed houses and domed churches appear as if straight out of a folk tale. The historical centre has several buildings of varying styles belonging to the different periods of Elche's history.This town has many interesting sights to see such as the city walls, the fortified palace and garden of the Alcázar de la Señoría , the Calahorra fortress, and the Basílica de Santa María, more than enough reasons for visiting Elche and taking a wander around.

ORIHUELA

A typical inland spanish city situated on the banks of the river segura with 7 national monuments.
Orihuela is a major resort within the region of Alicante, having around 50,000 inhabitants. Orihuela is also the capital of what is called “La Vega Baja” (or the low fertile lowlands), one of the largest regions in the province of Alicante which pertains to the Valencian Community.
Orihuela has one of the largest cultural heritages in the area and was home to the famous Spanish poet Miguel Hernandez. The duke of Teodoiro converted the city into the capital of the Christian kingdom. Later on,during the Muslim conquest, the city conserved it's independance until the 9th century. It was given to Castilla in 1265 although it was repopulated by people from Aragon and Catalunya. Orihuela has taken great pride in maintaining all its monuments.

The Cathedral and the Palace of Rubalcalva are monuments you have to visit. The Cathedral was built on grounds where a mosque had once been in the 12th century and shows a Gothic style. Through the entrance called Door of Loreto added on in the 15th century you will see a beautiful Baroque organ. Through another entrance, the Renaissance style is evident. The Palace of Rubalcava was inhabited by members of this family up until 1933 and in 1976 it became property of the town.

TORREVIEJA

Torrevieja (‘Old Tower’) is one of the best known resorts on the southern Costa Blanca, up until recent years just a small fishing town. In fact at the beginning of the 19th Century it consisted of just an old watchtower and a few scattered houses.It grew after 1802 maintly due to its becoming the headquarters for salt production in the area.

The production of salt along this part of the coast has been significant for centuries, the Romans realised its importance and in fact used the ‘white gold’ as a currency during their occupation of the area. For many centuries the main salt production took place at La Mata.In 1802 Carlos IV ordered the removal of the administration of salt from La Mata to Torrevieja and the town grew from this time for its importance in salt production and export. Due to the trade in salt, Torrevieja formed many alliances with foreign countries especially those of South America, Cuba in particular and this is reflected in its world famous Habaneras Choral Song Competition held every August, reminding us of the days when travelling sailors brought back new songs and dances from a far away Cuba.

Today Torrevieja is a growing tourist resort, steadily gaining popularity with many nationalities. It has many shops, bars and restaurants and even a casino, also with its sandy beaches and coves it is easy to see why.On the outskirts there are the salt flats which draw many species of birds including flamingos and is a mecca for birdwatchers. Also because of the concentration of salt combined with the temperature it has a healthy micro climate recommended by doctors as having beneficial properties.