Discover the Costa Blanca
Plenty of sun and a surprisingly diverse landscape — from quiet mountain villages to vibrant coastal towns.
The Costa Blanca is Spain’s most popular coastal destination among international buyers — and not without reason. The province of Alicante combines more than 300 days of sunshine a year with a varied coastline, a wide range of amenities, and one of Europe’s most active international communities.
The Costa Blanca has two faces. The north — around Xàbia, Moraira, and Altea — is smaller in scale, greener, and more authentic. The south — around Benidorm, Torrevieja, and beyond — is flatter, busier, and more affordable. Both have their own appeal, depending on what you’re looking for.
Where you live determines how you live — and on the Costa Blanca the differences between north and south are greater than many buyers expect. The town, the amenities, and the makeup of the community ultimately make the difference.
My partner’s coverage area spans the Costa Blanca Norte — from Altea to Xàbia and the hinterland of the Jalón valley. Below you’ll find the key features of the region as well as an introduction to the villages that make the Costa Blanca so unique.
What makes the Costa Blanca so special
The Costa Blanca is a region with two faces — where vibrant coastal towns and quiet mountain villages, wide sandy beaches and rugged rocky coves come together in a single province.
- Sunny climate: more than 300 sunny days a year — long renowned as one of the mildest and healthiest climates in Europe.
- Varied coastline: from wide sandy beaches in the south to rocky calas and exclusive bays in the north.
- Authentic mountain villages: the inland area around the Jalón valley offers vineyards, almond groves, and genuine Valencian village life.
- Cuisine: Valencian cooking built on rice — from the original paella to arròs a banda — fresh fish, and local wines.
- Nature: the Montgó Natural Park, the Sierra de Bernia, and the Cap de la Nao offer spectacular hiking and cycling routes.
- International community: one of the largest and most organised expat communities in Spain — with international schools, Dutch-language services, and an active social life.
- A wide range of properties: from affordable apartments to exclusive villas in Moraira and Xàbia — for every budget and every lifestyle.
Enjoying the Costa Blanca
Living on the Costa Blanca means enjoying a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle — with the beach around the corner, nature on your doorstep, and all amenities within easy reach.
- Beaches and bays: variety ranging from wide sandy beaches to intimate rocky coves — the north has the most beautiful and quietest calas.
- Cuisine: fresh fish, local markets, and authentic Valencian restaurants — from a simple chiringuito to fine dining.
- Walking and nature: routes through the Montgó Natural Park, along the Sierra de Bernia, and the dramatic cliffs of the Cap de la Nao.
- Cycling routes: popular with road cyclists for the varied routes through the Jalón valley and the coastal mountains — with Alpe d’Huez-style climbs.
- Golf: various golf courses in the region, including La Sella Golf and Ifach Golf — less crowded and more affordable than the Costa del Sol.
- Water sports: sailing, diving, and kayaking in the clear blue water — the north has excellent dive sites.
- Social infrastructure: an active expat community with clubs, events, and Dutch-language networks.
Climate: pleasant all year round
The Costa Blanca has one of the best climates in Europe — warmer and sunnier than the Costa Brava, with mild winters and dry summers.
- Summers: warm and dry, with average highs of around 28–32°C; summers are warmer than on the Costa Brava but less humid than inland.
- Winters: mild and sunny, averaging 17°C during the day in January — ideal for winter residents. Night frost is rare on the coast.
- Spring and autumn: excellent for walking, cycling, and culture — stable temperatures and few crowds.
- Sun and rainfall: more than 300 sunny days a year and an average of just 35 rainy days — one of the driest coasts in Europe.
- DANA: the inland areas and the south of Alicante can experience heavy rainfall in autumn (DANA, or “gota fría”) — locally a serious consideration when choosing your location and property.
- Comparison: warmer and sunnier than the Costa Brava; less extremely hot than inland Andalusia; more pleasant in summer than the Costa del Sol thanks to lower humidity.
The Costa Blanca has one of the sunniest climates in Europe — with warm summers, mild winters, and little rainfall throughout the year.
| Day | Night | |
|---|---|---|
| 🌸 Spring | 21°C | 11°C |
| ☀️ Summer | 31°C | 21°C |
| 🍂 Autumn | 24°C | 14°C |
| ❄️ Winter | 17°C | 8°C |
| ☀️ Sunny days | ~300 / year | |
| 🌧️ Rainy days | ~35 / year | |
Easily accessible from all over Europe
The Costa Blanca is exceptionally accessible from all over Europe — with two international airports and good connections by car and train.
- By air: Alicante-Elche Airport is the main gateway, with direct flights from all over Europe, including daily connections from the Netherlands and Belgium. Valencia Airport is an alternative for the Costa Blanca Norte.
- By car: the AP-7/A-7 runs along the entire coast, connecting Barcelona, Valencia, and Alicante — with good links to the French motorways.
- By train: Renfe connects Alicante with Madrid (2.5 hours by AVE) and Valencia (1.5 hours); a local TRAM line runs along the coast between Alicante and Dénia.
- Coastal public transport: bus connections between the coastal towns — less frequent than on the Costa Brava, and a car is virtually indispensable in the north.
- Parking: not a big issue outside peak season; busier in summer at popular beaches and in the centres of Xàbia and Moraira.
Discover the villages of the Costa Blanca
Not every village suits every buyer. Discover the places that match your wishes, lifestyle and budget.
