Spain's Costa Blanca
The name "Costa Blanca" was supposedly invented in 1957 by the airline "British European Airways", which advertised their flights from London to Valencia with this slogan. The name is right to the point if you take a look at the aerial view of the coast: the white sand beaches, rock formations and small villages with whitewashed houses form an impressive contrast to the deep blue Mediterranean sea.
200 km long coastline starts from Denia in north and continues till Pilar de Horadada including Altea, Benidorm and Torrevieja on the way.
Altea
Altea is in fact a touch of Greece in Spain, if you ask me. I loved it!
Costa Blanca_Altea (3)
It's a jewel with streets drawing a labyrinth of immaculate white houses, filled with plants and colorful flowers, alleys, stairways and paved walks.
You can enjoy the best views of the city up to the Parque Natural Serra Gelada, in the Old Town, next to Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo Church.
Costa Blanca_Altea (4)
Located on the top of the historical quarter of Altea rise these majestic two towers full of blue tiles visible from anywhere in the city. Undoubtedly, one of the most photographed postcards of the city. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo is a beautiful architectural work of neo-baroque style with contemporary touches built on the foundations of an ancient temple, located in a charming neighborhood of typical Mediterranean narrow and steep cobbled streets full of flowers decorating the white houses.
You can enjoy the beach and even do padel!
Costa Blanca_Altea Beach
Tabarca Island
The Island of Tabarca in Alicante is also called Flat Island. The only island inhabited on the Alicante coast is 1750 meters long, with a maximum breadth of 300 meters. The island can be accessed by one of the ferries, leaving Alicante, Santa Pola, or Torrevieja daily.
Costa Blanca_Tabarca (2)
Tabarca Island was used by the Berber corsairs during the 15th and 16th centuries. Basically, they were Arab pirates who attacked Christian ships and plundered the coasts. In the 18th century and to protect it from pirate attacks, Charles III ordered its fortification and population. The first inhabitants were Genovese in fact.
You can walk around the Tabarca Island in a couple of hours since its extension is small, less than two kilometers long and about 400 meters wide.
It's worth visiting the baroque access gates of San Rafael, San Miguel and San Gabriel and the churches of San Pedro and San Pablo.
Don’t miss a walk through the old town, the main square and its adjoining streets.
Walking along small marked routes, you can arrive at San José Tower. Square in shape and with an inner courtyard, it served during the 19th century as a prison.
Further on, Tabarca Lighthouse awaits you, built on a two-storey house. A very photogenic place but unfortunately you can’t enter inside.
Costa Blanca_Tabarca Lighthouse
Tabarca is a great place for scuba diving and snorkeling. Although it is a pebble beach, once in the water you can feel the sand. It is characterized by crystal clear water and the large number of fish that can be seen, even a few meters from the shore.
Costa Blanca_Tabarca (9)
Torrevieja
Known for its healthy air due to the high level of iodine, Torrevieja isn’t a resort holiday town as there are only a few hotels. It may not be the cleanest town but it's a good base if you want to travel around the coast as it has a bus station.
Costa Blanca_Torrevieja (1)
There are no shortage of beaches to while away the days with a good book in Torrevieja.
- La Mata, which refers to a scrub like bush
- Los Locos, which translates as "the fools"
- El Cura, meaning the cure,
- El Acequión
- Los Náufragos,meaning "the shipwrecked"
If busy beaches are not for you, then there are some lovely coves to explore in the northern part of the town.
Costa Blanca_Torrevieja_Tribute to Fishermen's Wife
Promenades run along sandy, resort-backed beaches. There are many bars and restaurants around the promenades and the marina.
Costa Blanca_Torrevieja_Vista Alegre Promenade
Torrevieja or "old tower" as the name would imply is popular for its salt lakes, which originally belonged to the crown and were used as hunting grounds. Along with the Balearic island of Ibiza, Torrelamata became the most important centers for the production of salt in the kingdom of Aragon. The Lagunas de la Mata-Torrevieja Nature Park has 2 salt lakes (as well as trails), one pink and the other green.
Costa Blanca_Torrevieja_Monument to the Choir Singer
I have whole blog post dedicated on Torrevieja, see what else you're missing 😉
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