When you hear “Costa Blanca, ” what comes to mind? You probably associate it with things like pleasant weather, the beach, relaxation, and great food. And you wouldn’t be far off, because this Mediterranean region offers all that and much more. In fact, it’s one of the best places to live in all of Spain, and that’s exactly what we want to show you in this article.

Will you join us on this exciting tour of the Costa Blanca?

Where is the Costa Blanca, and which towns make up the region?

Let’s start at the beginning: to visit the Costa Blanca and enjoy all it has to offer, you’ll need to travel to the province of Alicante —and, more specifically, to the entire stretch along its Mediterranean coastline. As the name suggests, it encompasses towns and small cities located along the coast, which together offer a significant number of kilometers of beach (specifically, it’s estimated to be just over 240).

In total, there are about twenty towns and nearly 180 beaches: L’Alfàs de Pi, Alicante, Altea, Benidorm, Benissa, Benitachell (El Poble Nou), Calp, El Campello, Dénia, Elche, Finestrat, Guardamar del Segura, Jávea, Orihuela, Santa Pola, Teulada, Torrevieja, Villajoyosa, Els Poblets, and Pilar de la Horadada. So it’s an incredibly diverse area and perfect for road trips!

Why is it called the Costa Blanca?

The origin of its name is clearly tied to tourism. One need only look at the characteristics of its beautiful beaches to associate this name with the white color of the sand on many of them, as it is an area of fine sand, sedimentary rock formations, and coves dotted with houses. This setting, in contrast to the Mediterranean, creates a scene brimming with energy and beauty.

However, this name actually comes from an advertising slogan that, interestingly enough, is not of Spanish origin. Specifically, it is associated with a campaign by the airline British European Airways that took place in 1957, the initial goal of which was to promote its flights between London and Valencia. The campaign was so successful that the name took root in popular culture, and today , “Costa Blanca” remains the best way to refer to the Alicante coastline.

What are the advantages of living on the Costa Blanca?

The Costa Blanca is one of the areas of the country most visited by Spanish and foreign tourists. In fact, in 2018 (before the pandemic), it was the region—both on the mainland and on the islands— with the most hotel overnight stays by domestic visitors, totaling 2.197 million people. Meanwhile, in the summer of 2022 (after the pandemic), it welcomed around 6 million tourists from other countries, 55% of whom said they were willing to return during their vacations this year.

In any case, the Costa Blanca isn’t just a place to visit in the summer. It’s also a wonderful place to live the rest of the year. And here are some compelling reasons why.

The Weather

Without a doubt, this is one of its greatest attractions. We’re talking about approximately 300 days of sunshine a year, with average temperatures of 28°C in July and 15°C in December. On top of that, there are barely 60 rainy days a year.

It has a Mediterranean climate, so summers are warm, muggy, and usually clear, while winters are long, cool, windy, and partly cloudy. This ensures beach days practically 12 months a year.

The Best Beaches in the Country

This may sound very subjective, but there is an objective reason for making such a claim. The fact is that the Costa Blanca tends to be the Spanish coastal region with the most Blue Flags on its beaches, coves, and marinas. What does this mean? It means that its coastline is dotted with spots that have been awarded an official “seal” guaranteeing ideal conditions for swimming and “eco-quality” tourism.

In fact, by the summer of 2023, up to 70 beaches along the Costa Blanca will be flying the Blue Flags awarded by the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (Aedeac).

Gastronomy

The Mediterranean diet is synonymous with quality and health. So traveling to the Costa Blanca is a treat for our taste buds, since in addition to top-quality products, it also offers a huge variety of dishes. And the best example of this is Dénia, designated a “Creative City of Gastronomy” by UNESCO.

Up to 11 restaurants in the area have been awarded Michelin stars, for a total of 15 such awards. Visiting them means savoring a wide variety of delicious rice dishes, as well as a number of products bearing the Designation of Origin seal: Cherries from the Alicante Mountains, Vinalopó Bagged Grapes, nougat from Jijona and Alicante, medlars from Callosa d’en Sarrià, and Mollar pomegranates from Elche. Not to mention the extraordinary quality of its regional wines, such as Fondillón; in fact, the Costa Blanca has its own Wine Route, which stretches from Pinoso to the Marina Alta and the Comtat.

Culture

To venture away from its coastline is to delve into its history. Its cultural richness is reflected in its three World Heritage Sites: the Misteri de’Elx, the Elche Palm Grove, and the Rock Art of the Mediterranean Arc. But there’s more—much more: from its impressive historic centers in Alicante, Jávea, Dénia, Benissa, Teulada, and Biar, to its Sites of Cultural Interest (BIC) in towns such as Orihuela, Alcoy, Tabarca, and Villajoyosa.

In addition, history buffs will especially enjoy the castle tour, featuring more than a hundred of these structures, as well as the archaeological sites of Lucentum (Alicante) and La Alcudia (Elche). And for those who enjoy visiting museums, there’s also a vast selection: the MARQ (Archaeological Museum of the Province of Alicante), the Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Azorín House Museum (Monóvar) are just a few of the many options available.

A variety of natural areas

In addition to the beach, Alicante also has a great deal of nature to offer— and it’s very diverse. Living in this province means having both the coast and the mountains right at your fingertips, because, in fact, it is the second most mountainous province in all of Spain. So, you can hike to the summits of Aitana (1,550 meters) and Puig Campana (1,436 meters); explore protected forests, such as the linden forest in Sierra Mariola; or lose yourself in the Sierra de Maigmó and its beautiful views of the coast.

And for views, there’s the Jávea Viewpoints Route , with 15 different spots to take the best photos of the province or simply to enjoy the moment. Something similar is offered by the Peñón de Ifach in Calpe , a Natural Park since 1987 , a place where you can find a huge variety of flora and fauna, including seagulls.

Quality of Life and Leisure

We’ve mentioned before that living on the coast is a wonderful way to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life. But it also offers tremendous conveniences, such as a good network of land, air, and sea transportation options for traveling to other parts of the Costa Blanca itself and the rest of the country (and abroad).

In addition, the region’s recreational offerings ensure there’s something to do 365 days a year. Active travelers can enjoy their favorite activities thanks to hiking, biking, and climbing trails; they can also play at some of the continent’s best golf courses or participate in water sports. Meanwhile, those looking for something less intense but just as exciting can attend the region’s numerous traditional festivals (such as the Hogueras de San Juan, the Moors and Christians parades, or the Habaneras of Torrevieja) or visit theme parks like Terra Mítica (Benidorm), Aquópolis (Torrevieja), or Polapark (Santa Pola).

CULMIA makes it easy for you to live right on the Costa Blanca

If all these benefits have convinced you to start a new life on the Costa Blanca, or if you need to start looking, the solution is CULMIA—because our new-construction development, El Fortí de Denia, is perfect for you.

It features 35 two- and three-bedroom homes with spacious terraces and parking spaces, located just a 2-minute walk from the new train station, 5 minutes from the Yacht Club, 7 minutes from the port, and 10 minutes from the town’s beaches. The finishes are of excellent quality, and the development even offers the option to customize your home by choosing materials at no additional cost.

Owners will be able to enjoy a communal pool and sun deck; and, in the case of the ground-floor units, even a private garden. All of this is complemented by a wide range of amenities in the surrounding area, including supermarkets, restaurants, schools, pharmacies, and health centers.

Discover all the benefits here, and feel free to request more information. With CULMIA, living on the Costa Blanca is a breeze!

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