The Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca, or White Coast, is one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations. The region covers 200 kilometres along the Mediterranean coast through the province of Alicante and is accessible by two airports: Alicante and Valencia. While many may know it for its sandy beaches, in reality the Costa Blanca has quite a lot more to offer.
The Costa Blanca is a destination to suit every taste. From the most bustling and cosmopolitan resorts such as Alicante itself, or Benidorm, to those which still maintain their rural air, such as Xalo and Altea la Vella.
History
The Costa Blanca has a celebrated and rich history, and there are many interesting sites throughout the region which shows that it once was strategically important for many settlers, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, Carthaginians and Moors, with each civilization leaving a mark of its identity on the land. Probably the most evident is the influence of the Roman and Moorish occupations, which are present even today in the villages, monuments and cultural attractions of the Costa Blanca.
Natural surroundings
To the North, a curtain of mountains run parallel to the sea, descending at times to form cliffs harboring natural caves; to the South, where a vast plain of sand patches, palm trees and salt deposits make up the backdrop for the beaches. From the valleys, which are covered with almond trees and fruit orchards which keep alive its Moorish past, to the palm trees of unmistakable African origin, the horizons of the Costa Blanca offer the most varied attractions.
With the various beach towns offering a world of activities, art and culture and gastronomic heaven, heading inland, the curious traveler will still be able to find, among the vineyards and the fields, hidden little villages where time seems to have stood still.
Climate
The Costa Blanca has a Mediterranean climate that guarantees more than 300 sunny days per year and mostly pleasant temperatures. The mountains surrounding the Costa Blanca ensure that cold fronts cannot easily reach the coast. In particular during the winter period this keeps the coastal region warmer than inland. Also, the chance of rainy days is reduced because the Costa Blanca is so to speak sheltered from the bad weather. It is this type of climate that makes the Costa Blanca so popular as a year round holiday destination.
