Best day-trip destinations in the Costa Blanca
If you are planning a holiday in the Costa Blanca, I recommend arriving and staying overnight in Alicante, as it is the largest city with the most services and amenities and an excellent international airport. However, the Costa Blanca offers much more than the city of Alicante, so I suggest you check out these destinations for a day trip from Alicante. All destinations can be reached by the L1 and L9 tram lines, which connect Alicante with all towns on the east coast as far as Dénia. A faster alternative to the tram, but slightly more expensive, are the buses of the ALSA group.
VILLAJOYOSA:
a colourful coastal town, where to enjoy a drink in one of the many bars along the beach. The beach is little but the water is clear. It is the closest one to the city of Alicante.
BENIDORM:
also know as the Mediterranean New York due to the imponent skyscrapers, it is indeed the second city in the world after New York for density of skyscrapers per square metre. It is a worth a visit as it is very different from everything else you will see in this trip, but I would not recommend visiting it in the high season as the crowds of tourists make this place overwhelming. If you do decide to make a stop here, make sure you do not miss the Balcón del Mediterráneo, one of the best spots to watch the sunset in the region.
ALTEA:
it is a charming town with white houses and colourful flowers everywhere, where the historic centre is found by climbing a few steps upwards as it is located on a small hill. It's a bit reminiscent of the towns of Andalusia. The modern part of the city with shops, bars and restaurants can be found at the seaside.
CALPE:
another colourful town, remarkable for its Peñón de Ifach mountain and therefore ideal for adventurous travellers; the ascent to the mountain takes about an hour, but it is very steep and dangerous in some places, certainly not suitable for those who suffer from vertigo. To access the National Park from which the excursions begin it is necessary to book a place online on the "Parcs Naturals de la Comunitat Valenciana" website. In the historic centre look for the stairs painted in the colours of the Spanish flag, it's a great spot for photos!
JAVEA:
DENIA:
a town with a castle on a hill, which looks a bit like Alicante in miniature. It's a great place to enjoy local traditions and architecture away from the crowds that can be found in Alicante or Benidorm.
MIRADOR DE FAR DE SANTA POLA:
located west of Alicante and accessible by car or on foot, it is a great vantage point on the coast. Take a bus to Santa Pola, visit the town and then head north-east (Cam. Paraje Meleja) where the trek begins. After enjoying the majestic view from the lighthouse, head down the other side towards Arenals del Sol, where you will find tropical-style beaches with wooden paths.
The Costa Blanca is a year-round destination thanks to its pleasant climate in every season. I would actually recommend visiting it in spring or autumn, when the temperatures are not too high, the sea is still perfect for swimming and the number of tourists is decidedly lower than in summer.
The home for unique & authentic travel
