11 Best Things to Do in Costa Blanca
With its extensive beaches, coves and charming villages on the shores of the Mediterranean, find out all the things to do in Costa Blanca.
The Costa Blanca is an area on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in Spain that stretches from Denia to Torrevieja. It is characterised by its beautiful beaches, villages perched high in the mountains, nature reserves for hiking, mountains and coves for diving and bathing.
Although there are many places to visit, below we recommend 11 essential places to visit on a route along the Costa Blanca, to experience first-hand all the charm of this Mediterranean area.
Map – 11 Things to do in Costa Blanca
1) Denia
Among the things to do on the Costa Blanca is a visit to Denia. Its castle, located in the historic centre, dominates the heights and offers magnificent views of the port and the sea. At the foot of the castle is the charming fishing quarter of Baix La Mar, which is very lively at night, with its small squares and low houses.
The marina is very glamorous, with bars and restaurants to eat fish or seafood by the sea and bars to have a drink with excellent views. The long central beach of Las Marinas or the more secluded cove of Les Rotes are well worth a visit. In terms of gastronomy, Denia red prawns are the local favourite dish, which you can try at the Quique Dacosta restaurant, emblematic of the city and awarded with three Michelin stars.
💯 For more information on places to visit and excursions, see our article on things to do in Denia.
2) Javea
Very close to Denia, Jávea is an ideal destination to enjoy nature, both in the mountains and by the sea. The visit can begin in the centre and its historic buildings such as the Mercado de Abastos (“food market”) or the Ayuntamiento (“town hall”). If you feel like tasting some sea delicacies, then the restaurants in the port of Jávea are the perfect place to sit down and savour fish or the typical paella.
But the most important things to do in the town are in the surrounding area. One of the main activities to do in Jávea is to visit the coves such as Portitxol, Granadella or Sardinera. In all of them, the crystal clear water and gentle waves make them ideal for swimming or snorkelling. If you like the mountains, in the Montgó Natural Park there are several hiking routes, the most popular of which is the one that goes along the coast to the Cova Tallada, a cave by the sea where you can bathe.
💯 For more information on places to visit and excursions, see our article on things to do in Jávea.
3) The villages of Moraira and Teulada
Although they are two different villages located a few kilometres apart, they belong to the same municipality area. Moraira is a quiet enclave on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and stands out for the white facades of the houses, the remains of the castle, the seaside atmosphere and its promenade. Whether you want to go to the beach, go scuba diving or just take a stroll, this is a town with an absolute relaxing atmosphere.
In the inland part of the province of Alicante, Teulada is one of the most beautiful mountain villages on the Costa Blanca. Narrow cobbled streets, colourfully painted facades of the houses and the imposing church of Santa Catalina at the top of the historic centre are the distinctive features of this town.
4) The seafaring tradition in Villajoyosa
Villajoyosa is one of the most charming villages on the Costa Blanca. This is thanks to the colourful facades of the old fishermen’s houses. Another curiosity of the place are the houses hanging over the gorge of the river Amadoiro, ideal for taking lots of pictures.
The old town will surely also surprise you with its narrow streets that go down to the waterfront, the small squares that you find along the way and the tranquillity of the place. The beach of Villajoyosa is very nice with playgrounds for children and a wide sandy area. And if you are travelling with your family, one of the must-sees is the Chocolate Valor Museum, a national emblem born in this town.
💯 To find out more about the place check out this article on things to do in Villajoyosa.
5) Altea, one of the sights to see on the Costa Blanca
Altea is a dream village on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Its historic centre with its ups and downs and the white facades of the houses make it one of the main postcards of the Costa Blanca. Strolling through the steep narrow streets between shops on your way to the top, you can reach the church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, with its characteristic blue dome. From here there is a viewpoint to admire the beach and the sea at its best.
Outside the historic centre, Altea has a long promenade with bars and restaurants with terraces to enjoy a drink in the gentle sea breeze. The central beach, unlike other beaches in nearby towns, is pebble rather than sandy. However, the turquoise colour of the sea is not found in many other places.
💯 To find out more about the place check out this article on things to do in Altea.
6) Calpe and the Rock of Ifach
If there is one thing that makes Calpe different from the rest of villages in Costa Blanca, it is the Peñon de Ifach. Its rocky outcrop 330 metres high rises above the coast and can be reached by climbing a fairly difficult hiking route. The prize? To have a full view of Calpe and the immensity of the sea from the top. In addition, at the base of the rock you can visit the Racó cove, ideal for diving, and the Príncipe de Asturias promenade that runs along the bottom of the rock.
Other attractions to see in Calpe include the salt lake in the centre, where you will find flamingos and other birds. In terms of beaches, Calpe has two very long beaches such as La Fossa and Arenal-Bol with palm trees and lots of sand. Another must-see is the old town of Calpe with its ancient walls, very photogenic staircases and the Church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves at the top.
💯 For more information on places to visit and excursions, see our article on things to do in Calpe.
7) Guadalest
Guadalest is a beautiful village mainly due to its location, high up in the mountains. The castle is its great symbol, located at the highest point of the village. It is of Muslim origin and can be reached through a tunnel excavated in the rock. From the remains of the old fortification, the views of the natural surroundings are spectacular, both of the mountain slopes and the Guadalest reservoir, a small lake located in the lower part of the village.
The central square together with the Town Hall building and the church of the Assumption provide the perfect atmosphere to relax, take photographs and sit and observe the charming scenery. If you are travelling with kids there are many museums in Guadalest to keep them entertained such as the Microminiatures or Macrominiatures museum.
📷 If you want to visit Guadalest, there are organised tours from Alicante or Benidorm.
8) Benidorm
Benidorm is probably the most touristic city on the Costa Blanca, both for national and international tourism. The two main beaches that form the coast of Benidorm are the Poniente beach, with a family atmosphere, and the Levante beach, which is more lively and has a younger crowd. Separating the two beaches is the Balcón del Mediterráneo, a beautiful viewpoint overlooking both the sea and the beaches.
One of the perfect places for snorkelling is the island of Benidorm, which can be seen from the coast. If you are looking for family fun, you should visit one of the two most emblematic parks on the Costa Blanca such as Acualandia, a water park where you can spend the day with your family, and Terra Mítica, a theme park where the history of ancient civilizations, from Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Islands to Iberia, is on display.
📷 There are several interesting tours in Benidorm to do, from free tours, boat rentals, jet skis and more.
9) Tabarca Island
A different plan to do on the Costa Blanca is to visit the only inhabitable island in the Valencian Community, the Tabarca Island. This archipelago, despite being small, has many places to visit. The island is “divided” into two parts: the historical area where you can find the remains of the wall and the fishermen’s house, and the desertic area without any buildings, ideal for contemplating the views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Tabarca also has its central beach with crystal clear water where you can see lots of small fish, and some coves. To ensure the perfect plan, you must try the “caldero”, the typical dish of the island, a mixture of rice a banda and fish such as sea bream or sea bass, cooked in a metal container.
💯 For more information, see our article on things to do and how to get to the island of Tabarca.
10) Alicante
To finish with the things to do in Costa Blanca, we have to include Alicante, the capital of the province. Being a large city there are many places to visit. Start with the castle of Santa Barbara, a 9th century hilltop fortification with fabulous views of the Mediterranean Sea. Down from the castle the Santa Cruz quarter retains its history and is the cradle of the city’s craftsmen.
Approaching the sea we find the Explanada de España, a promenade with a ground that imitates the waves of the sea. The port and the Postiguet beach are other places not to be missed, together with the historic centre. If you have time, it is worth visiting the surrounding area, such as the extensive and beautiful San Juan beach and sailing to Tabarca Island (mentioned before), the only inhabitable archipelago in the Valencian Community.
💯 Check out this complete guide on things to do in Alicante.
11. The best beaches on the Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca is characterised by its extensive coastline and the presence of paradisiacal beaches and coves. Although there are many, for us some of the best beaches on the Costa Blanca are the following:
- Playa de Poniente and Levante in Benidorm: crowded in summer, these two long central sandy beaches are among the best on the Costa Blanca.
- Cala del Racó in Calpe: ideal for diving, on one of the sides of the rock.
- Cala Portichol in Javea: the fishermen’s houses that adorn it make it one of the most picturesque. Opposite the cove is the island of Portichol.
- Cala Granadella in Javea: one of the best coves on the Costa Blanca, located in a spectacular natural setting, with turquoise water and a horseshoe shape that makes it irresistible.
- Cala Sardinera in Javea: thanks to its difficult access it is not as crowded as other coves in Javea. The cove is made of gravel and pebbles, so it is necessary to wear booties.
- Cala Ambolo in Javea: cove with crystal clear water ideal for snorkelling or diving.
What you need for your trips to the Valencian Community
Plan your journey easily with these trusted resources:
