More than 300 sunny days per year, hot summers, mild winters, beautiful beaches, scenic landscapes, charming towns, many leisure activities and cultural attractions… Oh, and fairly cheap flights from many places in Europe! All of that attracts thousands of travelers to Costa Blanca all year round. No wonder it became one of the most popular travel destinations in Spain! There is really a lot to see and do there.
We lived on Costa Blanca for 4 months and got a chance to know it pretty well. So here are our recommendations for amazing places to visit in Costa Blanca in Spain. Vamos, let us show you charming towns and breathtaking landscapes!
To keep things organized we divided this post into two parts. The first one covers cities, towns, & villages, and the second – natural sites.
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Places to visit on Costa Blanca – Villages, towns & cities
Villajoyosa
Villajoyosa is a lovely town famous for three things: colorful houses, beautiful beaches, and chocolate manufactured by Valor. Old colorful houses give Villajoyosa a unique vibe and make it one of the most picturesque and colorful places to visit on Costa Blanca. Taking a walk through the maze of narrow streets and enjoying pretty squares is a pure pleasure!
Altea
Altea is a peaceful seaside town on Costa Blanca where it seems as if time has stopped. It has something magical in it – narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and great beaches with calming sea views come together perfectly.
The town is also known as the Cúpula del Mediterráneo which refers to the blue dome of the town’s main church, which even from afar is an iconic landmark of the Altea. In town you’ll also find numerous workshops, small art galleries, and craft shops with various handmade items – it’s a real paradise for artists and art lovers.
Calpe
Calpe is most famous for Peñon de Ifach, a mighty mountain that dominates the landscape and gives the area a very unique look. The town also stands out for its colorful and charming old town, picturesque sandy beaches, small hidden coves, and salinas where you’ll find… dozens of cute pink flamingos! Be sure to add Calpe to your list of places to visit on Costa Blanca – you won’t regret it.
Denia
Denia is one of the most interesting and vibrant places to visit on Costa Blanca. Whether you’re looking to explore an old town full of history, admire spectacular views, relax on the beach, taste local specialties, or be active on hiking trails – Denia won’t disappoint you! It’s an amazing destination for a Costa Blanca getaway whether you plan typical beach holidays, a day trip from any nearby city, or a longer stay.
Interesting fact. Denia is also recognized for its culinary scene and was named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. It’s a real treat for food lovers!
Benidorm
Benidorm in just about 50 years evolved from a small sleepy fishing village to one of the most popular holiday resorts in Spain. It’s often affectionately called the “Manhattan of Spain”, and one look is enough to tell that this place is totally different from most Spanish cities. Besides the unique coastline look with many skyscrapers, Benidorm has a lot to offer – beautiful beaches, mountain views, vivid nightlife, and lots of attractions both for adults and kids.
Finestrat
Finestrat is divided into two main parts: the old town located at the foot of Puig Campana mountain and La Cala which is tightly squeezed between Villajoyosa and Benidorm. So the whole town is located at altitudes from 0 to… 1406 m a.s.l!
Finestrat is a truly enchanting small town, which without a doubt still can be called a hidden gem. Colorful narrow streets and viewpoints where you can admire stunning views over the coast and Puig Campana make Finestrat one of the best places to visit on Costa Blanca in Spain.
Alicante
Alicante is the capital of the Costa Blanca area. Thanks to a typical Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters with lots of sunshine Alicante is a very popular travel destination, both in summer and winter. And no wonder because it has a lot to offer!
From charming old town, hilltop castle, and Mushroom Street to many cultural attractions, vivid nightlife, delicious Mediterranean food, and great beaches. It’s definitely one of the most fun places to visit on Costa Blanca!
Javea
Javea, or Xabia in the local Valencian language, is a coastal paradise with amazing beaches, crystal-clear waters, a beautiful historic center, breathtaking viewpoints, scenic hiking trails, and delicious cuisine. For sure Javea has something for every traveler! What’s more, Javea is not as popular as nearby Costa Blanca towns yet, so if you are looking for a slightly quieter destination this one will do!
Guadalest
Guadalest is a little quaint Spanish village that has existed since the Muslim period. It sits on top of a high rock at an altitude of about 550m. Guadalest is full of history, culture, charming buildings, and spectacular views of the surroundings – all together offer an unforgettable atmosphere right from the village doorsteps.
What’s more, the town is named one of the most beautiful villages in Spain! Be sure not to skip this one of the most fascinating places on Costa Blanca during your trip.
Guadalest is very small so a trip can be easily combined with a visit to Fonts de l’Algar waterfalls.
Places to visit on Costa Blanca – Natural sites
Puig Campana
Puig Campana is located just beside Finestrat’s old town. With an altitude of 1406m, it’s the second-highest peak in the Province of Alicante, visible from many places in the area.
There are three hiking routes available: circular route, circular route + ascent, and vertical kilometer. Routes vary in distance and difficulty, but each of them guarantees spectacular views and unforgettable experiences. It’s one of the most spectacular places on Costa Blanca, not to be missed.
Fonts de l’Algar waterfalls
Fonts de l’Algar is a very picturesque nature reserve with a walking path among waterfalls, springs, and natural pools. The surrounding landscape is the result of the karst process on the limestone. In 2002 Fonts de l’Algar was declared a Protected Water Area. It’s a beautiful place, so be sure to add it to your list of places to visit in Costa Blanca.
A trip to Fonts de l’Algar can be easily combined with a trip to Guadalest.
Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada
Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada is a perfect place for a long and peaceful walk in nature. You can enjoy beautiful landscapes all the way through – from the entrance up to the lighthouse. High cliffs, mountains, Mediterranean Sea, and coastline views – it’s all here. The path is very easy and well-maintained so almost everyone will be able to enjoy this route.
Explore local attractions
Places to visit on Costa Blanca Spain – Summing up
As you can see now, there are so many beautiful places to visit on Costa Blanca. Charming towns, sleepy villages, lively cities, natural sites… If you’re staying longer in the area or planning a road trip you definitely won’t be bored.
We hope this post came in handy for you, and now you’re one step closer to choosing great places to visit in the area, best suited to your needs. Enjoy Costa Blanca!
Our opinion & TOP3
So far we’ve spent 4 months living on Costa Blanca (October, November & January, February) during our #season1 and #season4 of digital nomad life. During that time we lived in Benidorm and Finestrat and found it a great starting point for discovering the area.
Overall, we enjoyed our trips and until today Costa Blanca is one of our favorite regions in Spain. To be honest, we can’t think about the many downsides! And our TOP3 places on Costa Blanca? Denia, Villajoyosa & Altea.
Great article thanks!!