Costa Blanca – the White Coast
Elia, the owner of Hotel La Serena looks forward to welcome you to Costa Blanca – the White Coast
Description
Costa Blanca is mainland Spain’s most popular year-round holiday area. Due to its situation on a prime stretch of the Mediterranean coastline, its attractive, moderate climate (the annual average temperature is slightly higher than 17ºC) and the well developed tourist industry the ‘white coast’ is one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations.
Running along the province of Alicante in the region of Valencia, it can be divided into two clearly distinct areas of scenery: to the North, a curtain of mountains running closely parallel to the sea, dropping away to form sheer cliffs and secluded pebble coves; to the South, a vast plain of sands, dunes, palm groves and saltpans make up a backdrop for the beaches. The combination of almond tree fields, vineyards, orchards and magnificent palm trees creates a type of vegetation that is unique in Europe.
The most liveliest and well-known towns are Benidorm, Alicante and Dénia however what sets the Costa Blanca apart from other similar coastlines around Spain is that it also retains a number of quiet locations that maintain a rural feel for those travellers interested in a more relaxing getaway. The terrain itself is quite varied too – from rocky formations and golden sands to vineyards, vegetation and valleys – and has plenty to offer for those who aren’t all about the sunbathing: There is something to suit everyone’s taste whether you prefer the unlimited services and attractions available at the main tourist beaches, hidden coves or the tranquility of a nature park.
Travel guide
How to Get There
Both Alicante and Valencia have airports with national and international flight connections and railway stations with trains in several directions. Additionally Valencia is linked to Madrid by Spanish high-speed-train AVE.
By car:
Motorway (toll) E-15 connects Costa Blanca with northern Spain (Barcelona, Catalonia) and France. AP-7 links Alicante with Valencia and southern Spain (Andalusia) and A-30 with central Spain (Madrid).
Costa Blanca – the White Coast: Plan your journey by public transport
Train station in the town of Alicante, Costa Blanca/Spain, with connections to Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia etc.
Valencia Aiport offers departures for domestic and international flights.
The airport is located at a distance of 9 kilometres southeast from the town of Alicante.
Costa Blanca – the White Coast weather forecast
Alicante, España | 54°F few clouds | |
Wind
2 mph
Humidity
87%
Pressure
765.07 mmHg
|
Places to go
Alicante
Alicante is located in the middle of the Costa Blanca. It’s historic quarter has an interesting religious and civil architectural legacy.
TO SEE:
Old part of the town.
San Nicolás Cathedral
TO DO: Shopping
RECOMMEND: Have a tapa at Nou Manolín’s or at Piripi’s.
Altea
Altea’s historic quarter, dominated by typical whitewashed houses, appears against the monumental backdrop of Sierra Bernia, offering a gorgeous panoramic view.
TO SEE:
Altea still conserves the atmosphere of an old fishing village.
Due to its unique light it has been and still is the adopted home for many artists from all over Europe.
It has two marinas and uncrowded stone beaches.
In May and June orange blossom fills the air since Altea is surrounded by orange groves through which you can take a stroll.
TO DO:
Take a walk through the village’s streets and beach.
Relax.
Do the tour to the chapels.
Dive, snorkel, cycle.
Enjoy the local Mediterranean cuisine.
Play golf.
Hike in the Sierra de Bernia or the Sierra Helada.
Do climbing in Bolulla.
RECOMMEND:
Use our Turkish bath to start relaxing. Take your time, have a massage or a walk.
Have dinner on our terrace, enjoying a meal prepared in our restaurant that adheres to the slow-food philosophy.
Play golf.
Learn to cook a delicious Paella at our hotel.
Learn to bake bread with wild yeast at our hotel.
Denia
Denia has well worth seeing monuments as well as a twenty-kilometre-long coastline with fine sands in the northern part and steep and rocky sections to the south.
TO SEE: The fish market and the castle.
TO DO: Diving at Las Rotas
RECOMMEND: It’s nice to take the local train (“tren de cercanía”) that runs along the coast.
Routes
El Berro hiking route
Guided tour through the steep, cobbled streets of Altea in Costa Blanca, Spain.
Guided tour through the streets of Altea learning the town’s history and visiting the remains of the wall.
Points:
Altea, Alicante, Spain
Sierra Helada – Serra Gelada
Sierra Helada (the ‘frozen sierra’), or Serra Gelada in Valencian language, is located between the Bays of Benidorm and Alfás-Altea and one of the most unique mountain ranges on the coast of Valencia.
Between the Bays of Benidorm and Alfás-Altea, you’ll find the first sea-land natural park, Serra Gelada, one of the most unique examples of the mountains of the coast of Valencia, 88% of which corresponds to the seabed.
There are different routes depending on the degree of difficulty. The sea route includes four islands. One of them, L’Illa, is accessed through a vessel known as “La Golondrina” (the swallow). On the island itself you can do a short tour marked by a footpath.
The regional government of Valencia (the Generalitat) has a website from which to download tips and plans of the different routes.
We recommend to do this tour in spring or autumn.
Distance/Time: Approx. 10 km starting at Boutique Hotel La Serena.
Points:
Altea, Alfaz del Pi, Benidorm
La Olla Beach
Enjoy diving and snorkeling at the La Olla beach in Altea, Costa Blanca.
The Playa La Olla, one of the calmest beaches of Altea, is located about 3km from the town center and perfect for cycling and walking. Although part of it must be doneby the national highway, the ride is still worthwhile.
The seabed of this stoney beach is covered by Posidonia algae – formerly used as fertilizer so that farmers themselves were those who left the beaches clean.
Distance/Time:
Points:
Altea