Last updated: September 2026
Costa Blanca holidays offer one of Europe’s most reliable sunshine records along a 200-kilometre stretch of Alicante coastline. With over 300 days of sun per year, warm sea temperatures from May to October and some of the best-value beach resorts in Spain, Costa Blanca holidays suit families, couples, golfers and winter sun seekers alike. From the iconic beaches of Benidorm to the unspoiled coves of the south, this is one coast that never disappoints.
Costa Blanca holidays divide naturally into two very different coastlines. The busy, well-developed northern coast is centred on Benidorm. The quieter, more unspoiled southern coast stretches from Alicante to Torrevieja. Each suits different types of traveller.
Benidorm holidays remain one of the most popular short-haul choices for British visitors. Two vast Blue Flag beaches — Levante and Poniente — flank a compact resort with hundreds of hotels, restaurants and entertainment options at every budget.
Terra Mítica theme park, Aqualandia water park and Mundomar marine park make Benidorm one of the best family resorts in Spain. The old town above the promontory has a charming café culture well away from the resort bustle.
Calpe holidays offer a relaxed alternative to Benidorm, dominated by the dramatic Peñón de Ifach — a 332-metre volcanic rock rising from the sea. Calpe has excellent beaches, good seafront restaurants and a lively fish market. The old town retains real Spanish character.
Calpe suits couples and families looking for an attractive, quieter base on Costa Blanca holidays with easy access to the wider northern coast.
Altea holidays attract those seeking a more cultured, authentically Spanish Costa Blanca experience. The hilltop old town — with its blue-domed church, whitewashed streets and art galleries — is one of the most photogenic on the coast.
Altea’s beach is shingle rather than sand, but excellent restaurants, a marina and a relaxed atmosphere make it a favourite for couples. It sits 12 kilometres north of Benidorm.
Albir holidays offer a quieter, family-friendly alternative between Altea and Benidorm. The resort has a good pebble beach, a pleasant promenade lined with restaurants and bars, and easy access to the Serra Gelada Natural Park for walking and cycling.
Albir is popular with walkers and those wanting a peaceful Costa Blanca base within easy reach of Benidorm’s attractions. Transfer time from Alicante Airport is around 50 minutes.
Villajoyosa holidays suit those wanting an authentic Spanish town. The colourful painted fishermen’s houses along the seafront are unique on the coast. The town has a good sandy beach, a famous chocolate factory and a lively local market culture — perfect for Costa Blanca holidays with a local twist.
Alicante is a destination in its own right on Costa Blanca holidays. The Castillo de Santa Bárbara fortress dominates the rocky headland, reached by a lift cut through the rock. The Explanada de España palm-lined promenade, the Old Quarter and the Mercado Central are all worth exploring.
Alicante Airport sits just 10 minutes from the city centre — ideal for those wanting city life alongside the beach.
The southern Costa Blanca — from Alicante down to Torrevieja and beyond — is less developed and attracts a different visitor. Torrevieja has two salt lagoons, excellent beaches and a large expat community.
The beaches at La Zenia, Punta Prima and Guardamar del Segura are among the finest on any Costa Blanca holiday. They suit those wanting wide, uncrowded sand far from the busier northern resorts.
Costa Blanca holidays benefit from more than 300 days of sunshine per year — one of the highest totals in mainland Europe. The region benefits from the thermal inversion effect of the Puig Campana mountain range, which blocks cold northerly air and creates an exceptionally mild year-round microclimate.
Sea temperatures reach 25–26°C in August and remain comfortable well into October at 22°C. Winter sea temperatures rarely drop below 15°C — ideal for those considering Costa Blanca holidays in the off season.
Benidorm’s Playa de Levante and Playa de Poniente are among the longest urban beaches in Spain — both over 2 kilometres of fine sand. Calpe’s Playa Arenal-Bol is wide, sheltered and excellent for families.
The southern coast has some of the best unspoiled beaches in Alicante province. Playa de la Mata near Torrevieja and Playa Flamenca at Orihuela Costa are wide, clean and backed by low dunes. Nearly all major beaches carry Blue Flag status.
Costa Blanca holidays appeal strongly to golfers — the coast has over 40 courses, making it Europe’s second largest golf destination after the Costa del Sol. The Orihuela Costa and Torrevieja area has the greatest concentration of southern courses.
La Marquesa, Las Colinas and Villamartín Golf Club are among the most popular. Many UK tour operators offer dedicated Costa Blanca holidays with inclusive green fees, transfers and accommodation.
Water sports are widely available from Benidorm, Calpe and Torrevieja marinas. Jet skiing, parasailing, paddleboarding and windsurfing are all accessible. Scuba diving is popular around the rocky reefs near Calpe and the Peñón de Ifach.
Cycling is increasingly popular — the N-332 coastal route and trails into the Guadalest valley are well-established. Walking in the Serra Gelada Natural Park near Albir and the Peñón de Ifach reserve at Calpe offers outstanding coastal scenery.
Terra Mítica theme park near Benidorm is the biggest family attraction — five themed areas with major rides. Aqualandia water park and Mundomar marine park complete the Benidorm family entertainment cluster.
Alicante province has a proud culinary identity. Rice dishes — particularly arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish stock) and caldero (fish and rice stew) — are the regional specialities found throughout Costa Blanca holidays.
Benidorm’s English pub culture is well known and suits those after a lively, familiar holiday atmosphere. The old town area has a quieter, more Spanish bar scene with excellent tapas.
Calpe has some of the best seafood restaurants on the northern coast — particularly around the fishing port. Altea’s old town has excellent tapas bars and international restaurants in a beautiful hilltop setting.
Nightlife on Costa Blanca holidays is concentrated in Benidorm — the Benidorm Palace dinner show and the clubs along Calle Gerona are the most popular. The southern coast is considerably quieter, suiting couples and families preferring relaxed evenings.
Costa Blanca holidays are exceptionally well placed for day trips into the Alicante hinterland and beyond.
Guadalest — 25 kilometres inland from Benidorm — is one of the most visited inland towns in Spain. Perched dramatically on a rock above a turquoise reservoir, the fortified village has museums, craft shops and panoramic views.
Alicante city is worth a full day from any northern coast resort. The Castillo de Santa Bárbara, the Mercado Central and the MARQ archaeology museum are highlights. Bus from Benidorm takes around 45 minutes.
Elche — 20 kilometres south of Alicante — is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its extraordinary palm grove, the largest in Europe. Also worth visiting for its fashion outlet shopping.
Murcia and Cartagena are accessible from the southern coast. Cartagena’s Roman theatre is one of the best preserved in Spain. Tabarca Island — a 15-minute boat trip from Alicante — has a marine reserve with excellent snorkelling.
Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) is the main gateway for Costa Blanca holidays, with direct flights from over 30 UK airports year-round. Flight time from London is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes; from Manchester around 2 hours 45 minutes.
Transfer times from Alicante Airport vary by resort. Benidorm is 50–60 minutes north; Calpe and Altea are 60–75 minutes; Albir is around 50 minutes. Alicante city itself is just 10–15 minutes from the airport.
For southern Costa Blanca holidays — Torrevieja, La Zenia, Cabo Roig — Murcia International Airport (MJV) at Corvera is often closer, around 50 minutes from Torrevieja. Check Ryanair from your local airport.
Car hire at Alicante Airport is straightforward and highly recommended for exploring inland villages and southern coast resorts. The AP7 motorway runs the length of the coast — fast but carries a toll charge.
TRAM light rail connects Alicante city to Benidorm, stopping at Villajoyosa, Altea and Calpe — a cheap and scenic option for resort hopping without a car.
| Airport | Alicante-Elche (ALC) · Murcia (MJV) for south |
|---|---|
| Flight time from London | Approx. 2 hrs 30 mins |
| Sunshine | 300+ days per year average |
| Coastline | 200 kilometres, Dénia to Pilar de la Horadada |
| Golf courses | 40+ courses from Benidorm to Torrevieja |
| Best for | Families, golf, couples, winter sun, water sports |
| Peak season | June–September |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Language | Spanish & Valencian (English widely spoken in resorts) |
| Top resorts | Benidorm, Calpe, Altea, Albir, Alicante, Torrevieja |
Search4Sun works with leading UK tour operators to find the best value Costa Blanca holidays. Browse departures from local airports across the UK. For peace of mind when booking, always check your holiday is ABTA protected.
For last-minute Costa Blanca deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates.
June to September is peak beach season, with July and August the hottest at 27–30°C. May and October are excellent shoulder months — warm, far less crowded and noticeably cheaper for flights and hotels.
Costa Blanca holidays in winter (November to March) offer mild 17–20°C days — ideal for golf, walking and exploring Alicante city. The southern coast around Torrevieja is particularly dry and warm in winter.
Benidorm is the top family choice — two huge safe beaches, a wide range of family hotels with kids’ clubs, and major theme parks (Terra Mítica, Aqualandia, Mundomar) within easy reach.
Calpe suits families wanting a calmer base with a great beach and excellent seafood restaurants. Albir offers a quieter alternative — good beach, safe promenade and easy day trips to Benidorm. All three are within 50–75 minutes of Alicante Airport.
The northern Costa Blanca (Benidorm, Calpe, Altea, Albir) is busier and more developed — more entertainment, bigger hotels and more nightlife. Most British package Costa Blanca holidays are based here.
The southern Costa Blanca (Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, La Zenia) is quieter and less commercialised — popular with long-stay visitors and golfers. Beaches are wider and less crowded. It suits those wanting a relaxed, residential-style Costa Blanca holiday.
From Alicante Airport (ALC): Alicante city 10–15 minutes; Benidorm 50–60 minutes north; Calpe and Altea 60–75 minutes. For southern Costa Blanca holidays, Torrevieja is 40–50 minutes south and Orihuela Costa is 50–60 minutes.
Murcia Airport (MJV) is worth considering for southern resorts — around 50 minutes from Torrevieja and often has competitive fares on low-cost carriers for Costa Blanca holidays.
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