Costa Blanca, Spain – Our Top 5 Places
2020 has been a devastating year for the travel industry and as the world slowly begins to heal after an unpredictable 4 months we can’t wait to get back out and start exploring again. We were supposed to be out in Spain in June, visiting Barcelona for the first then on to meet Pip’s family in the Costa Blanca. We hope to return next year but for now, we wish the region a speedy recovery as we share with you our 5 must-visit spots in the Costa Blanca region of Spain.
Every other year or so we join Pip’s family over in the Costa Blanca region of Spain. The Costa Blanca begins in the harbour town of Denia heading 200km south through the province of Alicante past the city itself and ends down past Torrevieja. We actually relax on these trips to Spain and get a chance to wind down whilst enjoying the stunning scenery, glorious weather and the affordable and delicious cuisine. Here is a list of our top 5 destinations we almost always revisit each trip.
El Castell de Gaudalest
Europe is particularly known for having a huge array of castles and Spain is certainly no exception. Guadalest is easily one of my favourites. Even though many tourists are often found here throughout the day you can’t help but feel it’s still a bit of a secret. Nestled up in the mountains this tiny little town has a population of just over 200 and probably sees hundreds more tourists a day. Originally a very sought after fortress many centuries ago due to its location and defensive capabilities, it is now a beautiful but decayed castle that rewards visitors with impressive views of the mountains and the astonishing aquamarine lake below.
There are a few restaurants serving up traditional Spanish fare and many craft shops selling everything from jewellery to furniture and everything in between. We love the craft shops and always come away with something for the house. Half a day is all you’ll need here really and you’ll then have time for a siesta before your (undoubtedly) delicious dinner.
Calpe/Calp
Back to the coast now and to Calpe. Famous for its huge rock that appears to erupt out of the ocean out of nowhere. The rock is actually a national park as it’s a haven for a huge variety of seabirds. You can climb the rock at certain times of the year for some stunning views of the city below. Back on land, you’ll find some huge beaches, with nearby cocktail bars and restaurants. Check out “Tango Calpe” for some great cocktails and a variety of food options. A great place for a day trip or even to base yourself for a few days. Be sure to hit the Saturday Market if you’re around at the weekend, it’s a few blocks in from the coastline and next to a huge lake where you’ll catch a view of the flamingos if you’re lucky.
Denia
Mentioned above is the northern gateway to the Costa Blanca. This sleepy port town appears to just let life go by at its own pace even though often busy with tourists flocking in from the ferries. A huge castle overlooks the harbour and is totally worth the walk up just for the amazing 360° views and museum. After that head back down to the nearby highs street, full of shops, ice cream parlours, street art and tapas bars. There are some great food options in Denia, last time we visited we ate dinner at Bar BBQ Feugo and had fresh tuna and sea bass cooked over coal and it was phenomenal.
Javea/Xabia
This beachside town has one of our favourite little beaches and again a bit touristy, but still feels like a bit of a secret. Javea has a beautiful little beach cove area with crystal clear waters and some great bars and restaurants around the seafront. A perfect little spot to relax and catch some rays or sip a big extravagant cocktail. There are a few decent shops to wander around in if you need to escape the sun but the best way to cool down would be to jump straight into that oh so inviting sparkling water.
Valencia
Okay I know not technically in the Costa Blanca but rules are there to be broken right? Being a short train ride away it would be rude not to take a day trip to valencia. It’s just an hour and €6-7 away so it’s a very accessible day trip. Whilst there be sure to check out the central market, Valencia Cathedral and Jardines del Turia – the riverbed Park. Whilst visiting this amazing park make sure you head towards the ocean and check out the impressive architecture and futuristic museums.
Set aside some time to check out the shopping streets as there are some great shops here from big international brands to boutique novelties. For a more in-depth look at Valencia check out our other blog over here
https://everysinglejourney.com/day-trips-tovalencia/
There’s so much to see and do in Spain in general and although we feel pretty clued up on the Costa Blanca it’s a drop in the ocean as to what this amazing country has to offer and we can’t wait to explore it. Catch up with us soon for more on Spain.