The Costa Blanca, which is known as the "Market Garden of Europe", is the gastronomic center of Europe and is recommended by the World Health Organization as one of the healthiest environments to live in Europe. It is beautiful coastal areas with white sandy beaches that stretch for miles and most of which proudly display the Triple- Blue -Flag for cleanliness and safety. The landscape of Costa Blanca offers all kinds of combinations, which are hard to find, like mountains, valleys, sandy or pebble beaches, and savage cliffs with really unique sea views. There is something for everybody in the landscape of this beautiful part of Spain.
South Costa Blanca, from Gran Alacant to La Manga, and also to Mazarron on the Costa Calida. This region of South East Spain has grown over recent years into an area popular both as a holiday resort and for permanent living. Gran Alacant is only 15 minutes from Alicante airport and here in a delightful complex a rural village has been created, with plazas and fountains. Nearby is the charming old town of Santa Pola, with a busy port, a good variety of shops and restaurants, and a long stretch of golden beach.
Further south is Torrevieja, once a small fishing village and now grown into a sophisticated and beautiful town, with many parks, tree lined paseos and fountains.
The current municipality grew next to a tower (Torre), the old one (la Vieja), which gave it its name along with some natural characteristics that have marked its history and its daily life. The area boasts some splendid beaches, with which it has developed its tourist capacity in combination with its seafaring and salt-making tradition. Today, also, the production of Salt, one of the main European producers, has a competitor in international recognition, the Cuban dances and its International contest, declared as being of International tourist interest, which celebrates in homage to the “Torrevejeneses” that traded with Cuba, colony from which they brought these melodies.
There is the original old port where the fishermen still bring in their catches, and from there, are boat trips around the coastline or to the isle of Tabarca, which has been declared a Natural Marine Reserve .The new and very busy marina has boats coming and going from various parts of Europe, many shops of all types to browse around, discos, night clubs, an aqua park, a summer fair, fiestas with parades through the town, several beautiful beaches, some within walking distance of the town centre, a huge variety of restaurants to suit all tastes and all pockets plus many more attractions to suit all the family members, whatever your taste may be.
An indispensable visit in Torrevieja is that of “Las Salinas”. Two enormous salt-water lagoons declared as a National Nature Reserve, in which is maintained a great variety of autochthonous fauna like the Flamingo and Eagle. In its surroundings a microclimate is created which, united to its waters and its mud, maintains great anti-rheumatic properties.
The area immediately to the south of Torrevieja is known as the Playas de Orihuela where you may savour the delights of the many beautiful beaches and marinas to be found here beside the blue Mediterranean. You can explore the unspoilt coves of Playa Flamenca, the superb beaches of La Zenia, Cabo Roig, La Manga, or Campoamor, with an equally beautiful beach and marina. Just a few minutes inland by car are the superb golf courses for which this area is renowned; also there is tennis, green bowling and horse riding scenic countryside, with many small and typically Spanish villages to explore.
Discover the delights of Benidorm, the Mediterranean's finest tourist resort- In Alicante, go for a promenade along the seafront Explanada, and see the worlds of artists such as Alfaro, Canogar, Mompo, Tàpies, Miró, Picasso, Gris or Chillida in the Euseblo Sempere Museum.
Enjoy the magnificent beaches and coves along the Costa Blanca. From Denia to Pilar de la Horadada, you'll find beaches for all tastes: quiet coves, bustling beaches, with either sand dunes or fine shingles.
Visit Orihuela to see an exceptional ensemble of gothic, renaissance and baroque monuments.
In Santa Pola you can try a delightful caldereta de langosta, the town’s famous Lobster stew. From the harbour, you can make a trip to the island of Tabarca and enjoy the magnificent marine scenery.
Experience the nightlife on the Costa Blanca: discos and pubs, cafes and terraces where you can have a drink or an ice-cream, casinos, dance halls... Boredom is out of the question!
Commune with the elements in the beautiful nature parks of Font Roja in Alcoy, or the Penón de Ifach in Calpe.
Travel inland to the districts of Vinalopó Mitja and Vinalopo Alto, and discover castles, excellent cuisine and fine wines (Monóvar,
Novelda, Sax, Villena, Biar, Aspe, Monforte Del Cid and Petrer).
As a souvenir of your visit, choose some locally-made ceramics from the towns of Agost, Orba or Biar, or an article in wickerwork, rush or esparto in Gata de Gorgos.
Climb the San Antonio cape or the Montgo Mountain and enjoy a good meal with a view over the blue Mediterranean and the steep coastal cliffs.
Visit the town of Elx and stroll through the only palm forest in Europe.
Go beachcombing across the sand dunes in Guardamar Del Segura and have a refreshing swim in the sea.
Do some trekking in the Bernia sierra. You can cross the entire crest of the mountains at one thousand metres above sea level, with magnificent vistas.