A Guide to Costa Blanca North

Denia

Once a quiet little town, Denia is now a thriving port, dominated by a 16th Century hill top castle in the middle of the town dating back to Roman times and which is open to the public.  This charming and picturesque area has a real Spanish feel and comes alive at night with many bars and restaurants along the sea front offering live entertainment.

The 20 kilometer stretch of coastline features award winning fine sandy beaches to the north and rock and cliff face to the south.  The spectacular coves and transparent waters of Les Rotes are ideal for diving and snorkeling.  

From the impressive marina you can take a boat or ferry to the Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Formentera or take part in the variety of water sports on offer including diving, sailing or windsurfing.  Denia still has a working fishing fleet are each day fish are unloaded and sorted and sold at the regular fish market held along the seafront.

This large and cosmopolitan town with its palm lined promenades and sea front terraces make the area a popular choice for visitors and for golfers there are two high quality golf courses in La Sella and Oliva Nova.
         
Calpe

Calpe is a bustling town far removed from its origins as a tiny fishing village. One of the most impressive natural formations on the Mediterranean, the Penon de Ifach (Rock of Ifach ) dominates the town of Calpe.  This giant limestone rock protruding from the sea, towers to an impressive 332m and is now a nature reserve. The summit of the rock is reached by means of a tunnel through the rock and from here magnificent panoramic views can be had.
Alongside the Penon de Ifach is the famous Calpe fish market where the fishing boats bring in their catch each day and hold auctions on the quay.  Many restaurants display their fresh fish to be chosen by the customer and sent into the kitchen to be cooked.
The Old Town of Calpe  has wide avenues with a mixture of modern buildings and old architecture.  Calpe is almost three thousand years old and still retains a sense of history and tradition.  There are many restaurants and bars offering a wide variety of food, drink and entertainment.
The beaches of Playa Arenal to the south and Playa Levante to the north are two of the most beautiful on the coast and hold a Blue Flag award for their cleanliness.  A modern marina sits alongside the old fishing port and from here it is possible to take boat rides around the rock or enjoy the many  facilities for yachting, windsurfing and water skiing.

Javea

The rugged coastline of Javea is indented with secluded coves and sandy beaches.  The combination of hidden caves and bays, once used by pirates and smugglers in the Middle Ages, are now popular with snorkelers and scuba divers due to the unusual rock formations and beautiful marine life.
The town of Javea has three distinct areas.  In the Old Town, which lies slightly inland, visitors can wander down ancient narrow streets and visit the weekly local market, boutiques or art galleries.  The Gothic fortified church of San Bartolome dating back to the 15th Century dominates the centre a town rich with historical interest.
The port of Javea, surrounded by whitewashed houses, has a real Spanish feel.  The church of Our Lady of Loreto with a roof which imitates the hull of a ship is the landmark of this part of the town.  From one of the many bars and seafood restaurants you can watch the fishermen bring in their fresh catches or the sailing boats set off from the marina.   
The wide, sandy Blue Flag beach of El Arenal is surrounded with shops, bars and restaurants.  A popular choice for families, it is especially safe for children as it has the gentlest slope into the sea and the water in this sheltered bay is shallow and calm.  In the evenings take a relaxing stroll along the promenade where there are various stalls selling a variety of handmade crafts.

Moraira

The small and pretty small town of Moraira is an area of secluded coves, unspoilt bays and verdant countryside of pine woods, vine terraces and citrus groves.  Originally a fishing village, Moriara was has managed to maintain much of its former charm and character and has become an attractive holiday and retirement town.   The Moriara valley is stunning with its whitewashed villas and abundance of pine trees.
There are many shops, bars and seafood restaurants along its narrow streets and a weekly market popular with both locals and tourists. 
Wander down to the quayside and marina before taking a stroll along one of the Blue Flag beaches.

Alicante

The city of Alicante is the capital of the Costa Blanca and is the southernmost province of the Valencia Region, its entire length of shoreline caressed by the soothing sea breeze of the Mediterranean.  Warm sandy beaches and curving dunes combined with sheer stretches of cliff and rugged coast make this an area of outstanding scenery.  Built around a natural harbour and enjoying 320 days of sunshine a year Alicante is a thriving and cosmopolitan city.

At the summit of the Benacantil mountains, the Castillo de Santa Barbara is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe and from here panoramic views of the city and sea can be seen, the castle is accessible by road or elevator.  Take a stroll along the Paseo de la Explanada, one of the most beautiful seafront promenades in Spain lined by four rows of palm trees set in marble tiles in red, cream and black or relax at the seafront music pavillion which hosts regular concerts.

The maze of narrow streets, known as El Barrio, makes up the old part of the city and visitors can watch the world go by in one of the many bars, cafes or taverns or take advantage of the excellent variety of shops for authentic local handicrafts, ceramics or leather goods.

From the busy harbour take a boat trip to the guitar shaped Isle of Tabarca, once a refuge for pirates or sample the local dishes in one of the many seafood restaurants.  Alicante also has many churches, museums and galleries well worth a visit.

Benidorm

The main tourist resort of Costa Blanca, Benidorm has an imposing skyscraper skyline and boasts two main crescent shaped beaches, Playa de Levante ( Sunrise Beach ) and Playa de Poniente ( Sunset Beach ) stretching for 6Km.  

The tiny Old Quarter sits astride the promontory that divides these two fine sandy beaches. Enjoy a stroll along the maze of cobbled streets near the castle and find local handicrafts and souvenirs in the many shops or relax in the cafes and bars. 

With over 1000 restaurants and 30 discos the pulsating nightlife of Benidorm is legendary and families will enjoy visiting the three theme parks Terra Mitica (Mythical Land ), Mundomar ( Sea World )and Aqualandia ( Waterland ).  Another popular venue is the Benidorm Palace when visitors can enjoy a spectacular three hour Las Vegas style show. 

Perfectly protected by the surrounding high mountains the winter temperatures in Benidorm stay very mild even in the winter months.  In recent years the area has been much improved and now plays host to 4 million visitors each year, many of these retired people who enjoy the warm winter temperatures.