"Strut your stuff along Alicante's marina. Belt out karaoke hits in Benidorm. Or take it easy in fishing villages as Spanish as a sangria-sipping matador. Welcome to the fun-loving Costa Blanca."
For decades, holidaymakers have been hopping on a plane headed for the Costa Blanca. In fact, you only have to hear it mentioned and you can almost feel the sun on your face, hear the distant rev of a jet ski and get a whiff of coconut-scented suncream. For a sunshine break that comes with a large helping of fun, this slice of Spain is pretty hard to beat – it is, after all, the home of Benidorm. And you probably don't need us to tell you that of all the Costa resorts, this great glitterball of a place is the don. Think sun-toasted sands. Skyscrapers that give Manhattan a run for its money. And more neon-tastic nightspots than you can shake an umbrella-clad cocktail at. And that's only the half of it. Every yin has its yang, and that's true of this place, too. Delve into the old town and it's like you've been whisked back in time to authentic Spain on a go slow. Benidorm aside, the Costa Blanca serves up a pair of Spanish Cities you'll love. First up is Alicante. Think it's just an airport hub? Then allow us to set the record straight. All whitewashed houses and colourful fishing boats, it's every inch the postcard scene. And with its chic boutiques and cocktail bars, there's more than enough to satisfy the sophisticated crowd here. Then there's Valencia to think about, too, giving Madrid and Barcelona a run for its money in the city stakes. It goes without saying, there's more to these parts than lazing on the beach. But if glittering sands do happen to top your wish list, you've struck gold with this sun-kissed Costa.
Inland, it's a different story. The tranquil hillsides of the Costa Blanca play host to tiny whitewashed villages that look out over citrus groves and lush vineyards. Combining lively Latin spirit with unpretentious holiday fun, the Costa Blanca simply bubbles exuberance for all ages.
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Costa Blanca holiday resorts
Resorts in Costa Blanca include Benidorm, Benissa, Denia, Javea and Moraira.
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Beaches
When it comes to Spain's great tapas bar of beaches, few come tastier than the famous Blue Flag stretches in Benidorm. The star of this sandy show is the ultra family-friendly Playa de Levante, or Sunrise Beach. Its bustling backdrop is a promenade crammed with places to eat, drink and shop 'til you drop. And further out to sea, there's even an aquatic playground, with swinging bridges, diving board, rafts and slides. Peace-seekers among you, however, may prefer to kick back on Playa de Poniente, or Sunset Beach, which manages to turn things down a touch. Whichever one you go for, expect a stellar sweep of sand that shelves gently into a swimming-friendly sea. Or slightly quieter still, are the sun-kissed curls of Albir and Altea, an easy drive from Benidorm. Over in Alicante, meanwhile, Playa del Postiguet is another one virtuously flapping the Blue Flag thanks to its immaculate golden sands and crystal waters. Head north to Albufereta and take your pick of sandy bays and rocky coves. Or get yourself a sunlounger on San Juan's velvet sands – you shouldn't have too much trouble, the beach here is seven sun-kissed kilometres long. Valencia finds a home on the Costa Blanca's sunbathing menu, too. Join fellow sun worshippers on La Malvarrosa or chill out on Saler Beach, which offers up six kilometres of pure seduction right by Valencia's La Albufera National Park. If the idea of staying sand-bound leaves you cold, worry not – the Costa Blanca's shores buzz with watersports. And most of the beaches here are a flip-flopped stroll from bars and cafes – perfect when you're ready for a shady snack and a cool-down cocktail.
Eating out
- Paella anyone? If you're a big fan of the Spanish favourite or looking to taste it for the first time, you've come to the right place. Valencia invented the famous rice-based recipe. Paella aside, there's plenty more temptation in the Costa Blanca. Of course, UK holidaymakers have staked a claim to Benidorm's sands for decades now so it'll come as no surprise the menus here have a British leaning. You may be hundreds of miles from home, but that won't stop you tucking into roast beef and fluffy Yorkshire puddings on a Sunday. Or putting pay to a hangover with an all-curing plate of bacon and eggs. There's all your favourite fast-food joints, too, as well as things like Chinese, Indian and Italian so you can eat your way round the world without leaving Benidorm. For something a bit more authentic, roadtest some of the tapas in bars that freckle the old town. It's out of this world. Or head for Alicante, where you'll find some of the region's most talked-about tapas restaurants. Of course, entire forests' worth of column inches have been devoted to the wines of the region, so don't be afraid to experiment. Try the dessert wine Fondillon, which comes from the Monovar region. It may take 20 years to mature but we can assure you, it's worth the wait.
- Aitena, Benidorm Succulent steaks and fresh-from-the-net fish expertly prepared on a huge open-fire grill. Delicious.
- Casa Toni, Benidorm Locals can't get enough of this sophisticated spot, which serves up uber-traditional food with a regional spin.
- La Cava Aragones, Benidorm Abuzz with chatter, this lively tapas bar is always packed – testament to its top-notch food and authentic atmosphere.
- Vincent's Kitchen, Benidorm Fish and chips, steak and kidney pie, bangers and mash - for good old-fashioned pub grub, head for Benidorm's first Brit pub.
- Restaurante Darsena, Alicante For the best range of Alicante's famous rice dishes, come to this place. It's got around 150 takes on the classic recipe.
Nightlife
- When it comes to beaches, the Costa Blanca excels. But there's another category in which it comes top of the class – nightlife. In Benidorm, that means cabaret, karaoke and cut-price cocktails that keep the mood firmly focused on fun. The Square in the new town draws people siren-like with its neon-lit bars and clubs. Meanwhile, the old town comes into play when you're ready for a taste of authentic Spain. Let your nose lead you through the topsy turvy streets to a tapas bar where you can sip a sundowner and pick at plates of ham, cheese and olives. If that all sounds a little too sedate for you, serious clubbers will relish a trip to thumping nightspots KM, Pacha and Space. Away from Benidorm, the Costa Blanca's fringed with fishing harbours that have got that delicious, slow-paced Spanish thing down to a T. Villajoyosa, for instance, is just ten kilometres south of Benidorm and the perfect place for a laid-back, sangria-sipping night out. For something with a little more va-va-voom, don your sky-high stilettos or designer loafers and hotfoot it to the fabulous bars and fish restaurants of Alicante's marina – the party playground of the Spanish glitterati. A night out in Valencia's a must, too. Over 2,000 bars and restaurants find a home in this city which is emerging as a major player in the Spanish city break stakes. The harbour, Avenida de Neptuno and the Barrio del Carmen are all top choices for a night out. Get ready to let your hair down…
- Lennon's, Benidorm Join the Stella-swilling crowd at this neon-lit favourite that knows how to have a good time.
- KM Disco, Benidorm Catch Judge Jules manning the Technics during the summer months at this Ibiza-style superclub.
- Benidorm Palace, Benidorm Vegas-style showgirls don their feathers and sequins at this cabaret-crammed wonderland.
- Havana Cafe, Alicante The old quarter's heaving with drinking dens but this is busy, wood-panelled affair is arguably the most famous of them all.
- La Indiana, Valencia Follow in the kitten-heeled footsteps of the jetset to this nightspot which offers up shark-filled tanks with your bouncing bass lines.
Shopping
Naturally, the Costa Blanca's biggest beach resort, Benidorm, has got its fair share of shops selling your straw donkeys and sombreros. But there's plenty more to relieve you of your euros. For starters, try La Marina. It's an all-singing, all-dancing shopping centre in Finestrat, just outside Benidorm. The Carrefour hypermarket alone will keep you browsing for days – you name it, this place has got it. If you're looking to blow a serious hole in your holiday budget, meanwhile, head for the cities. Alicante's crammed with shops that range from the pocket-friendly to the eye-popping price tag variety. The best place to head is in and around Avenida de Maisonnave, a shopper's paradise. Then there's Valencia to think about. The city's really big on leather, plus it's home to the Lladro family so you'll find loads of delicate ceramic figurines. If you're a bit of a foodie, don't miss Mercado Central, Europe's largest indoor fresh food market. And save some time for the shops around Calle Colon where you'll find familiar names like Zara and Mango. On top of all that, both Alicante and Valencia have got the famous Spanish department store, El Corte Ingles, whose name alone is enough to get your credit card quivering. If you're more of a root and rummage kind of shopper though, the Costa Blanca's markets will be right up your street. Every Wednesday, Benidorm hosts an open-air market crammed with cut-price goods. Nearby Altea stages a similar event on a Tuesday, with everything from delicate lace to lip-smacking chorizo. On the subject of shopping in Altea, it's worth ditching the map and losing yourself in the winding cobbled streets. It won't be long before you stumble upon stylish shops and galleries spilling over with temptation.
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