The City of Alicante, which is both a port and a seaside resort, is built around a natural harbour and has been a favourite destination for visitors for over a century.

 

Alicante, with its beautiful palm-lined boulevard and pleasant shopping streets, is one of the most well-known cities on the Costa Blanca. With its beautiful terraces along the Esplanada de Espaņa, it boasts a number of beautiful beaches, all with fine golden sands and high standards of cleanliness and service which have been  justly awarded by the European Union with their highest award, the Blue Flag. Behind the Esplanada de Espaņa, with its teeming  restaurants, cafes, bars and taverns is a wealth of night life catering for all ages.

Altea, derived from the Arabs who named it 'Althaya' and meaning 'Health to All'

 

Altea sits just north of Benidorm old town and is positioned on a steep hillside 500 meters from the sea and above the modern beachfront developments. It is similar to other towns, having both new and old parts. The old town perched high on a natural balcony over the sea is popular amongst artists and bohemians alike. Here amongst the steep stepped narrow streets, white houses, orange trees and geraniums you'll find painters, potters and many more traditional craftsmen's studios, shops and small boutiques.

 

The prominent building in Altea is undoubtedly the church of La Virgen de la Consuelo, a church with a blue dome room, which stands at the highest point of this picturesque town and is surrounded by some excellent restaurants and cafes. Altea has recently seen the addition of a new fine arts university, a stunning new concert hall and is fast becoming the cultural capital of the Costa Blanca.     

Calpe is a small friendly fishing town which sits close to the Rock of Ifach on a hill rising up from the last spurs of the Sierra Bernia in the middle of Spain's Costa Blanca. A geographical marvel that provides access to the northernmost towns of Alicante's Marina district. It is an authentic tourist site, with a coastline boasting sandy beaches, steep cliff faces and an ancient salt mine, which all give the town a particular flavour of its own.

 

Overlooked by the towering Penon de Ifach, which juts out into the sea and rises to over 1000ft, Calpe is a contrast to the larger resorts with its narrow winding streets, its traditional Spanish architecture and street markets. The fishing port comes alive with hustle and bustle as the afternoon fish auction draws near and restaurant terraces fill up with lively crowds anxious to try some of the fresh local shellfish. 

 

The town centre preserves the remains of a small fort from the 16th century, called the Torreon de la Peca. There is also a Gothic-style parochial church worth visiting, with Mudejar additions and attractive views from the chapels of Cometa and Salvador.

The headlands of Javea are one of the first places to catch the breathtaking sight of the early morning sunrise - hence it is known as The Dawn of Spain.

 

Javea is divided into three sections- all quite different. The port is a working fishing port, with fishing vessels, luxury yachts and seafront bars, whilst the town of Javea is set slightly back from the coast. Charming narrow streets and an array of local shops give a rustic Spanish feel to the place especially on Thursday which is market day.

 

But it is the Arenal Beach which attracts the majority of tourists - a beautiful beach with a promenade lined with bars, cafes and restaurants. At its height during the months of July and August it has virtually non-stop entertainment.

 

For the most part however, Javea is a relatively quiet town, which even when the tourist season is in full swing, allows families to live at a safe distance where they can relax in peace and tranquility.

 

 

 

 

Murcia, capital of the province of Murcia, is located inland, and boasts the Costa Blanca's third airport - accessible from the UK via Gatwick, and Nottingham East Midlands Airport.

 

With its history of commerce and agriculture dating back before Roman times, Murcia, being inland, offers different surroundings to those of the resort areas.

 

Close to the Costa Calida (the warm coast), with its sandy beaches, the salt water lagoons of Mar Menor and La Manga del Mar Menor, it offers excellent water sport facilities.

 

Murcia is a great wine producing region, producing high quality wines which complement the regional cuisine of roasted meats, spicy rice dishes and of course the wonderful seafood found toward the coast.

 

Nearby Cartagena has a number of museums which are of great interest and is also the region's busiest port.