What are the best things to do in Costa Blanca?

Top experiences include beach-hopping along 200km of Blue Flag coast, hiking the Peñón de Ifach in Calpe, day-tripping to Guadalest, sailing from Dénia to the Cabo de San Antonio, golfing at Las Colinas or El Bosque, tasting paella in Valencia or Alicante, and exploring Altea's whitewashed Old Town at sunset.

What are the best beaches on the Costa Blanca?

Playa del Postiguet (Alicante), Playa del Arenal-Bol (Calpe), Cala Granadella (Jávea), Playa de Levante (Benidorm), Playa de Les Marines (Dénia), Cala Moraig (Moraira), Playa de la Mata (Torrevieja) and Playa Centro (Villajoyosa).

What are the best day trips from Costa Blanca?

Guadalest castle village, Tabarca Island by boat, the Algar Waterfalls, the wine villages of the Jalón Valley, Valencia city, Elche's palm groves, Murcia, and the mountain villages of the Marina Alta.

Where can I go scuba diving on the Costa Blanca?

The best dive sites are in the marine reserves of Cabo de San Antonio (Dénia/Jávea), Tabarca Island, Sierra Helada off Benidorm, and Isla de Benidorm. Dive centres operate from Calpe, Jávea, Dénia, Benidorm and Tabarca.

What are the hidden gems of Costa Blanca?

Cala del Moraig and Cala Llebeig in Benitachell, the Cova dels Arcs sea cave, the abandoned village of Marnes, the Cumbre del Sol cliffs, Tossal de la Cala in Benidorm, Fuentes del Algar waterfalls and the inland Vall de Pop wine villages.

What are the most beautiful villages?

Guadalest, Altea, Polop, Finestrat, Villajoyosa, Jávea Old Town, Moraira, Bocairent, Sella, Tárbena and Castell de Castells.

What can families do on the Costa Blanca?

Terra Mítica theme park, Aqualandia and Mundomar in Benidorm, Río Safari Elche, Pola Park in Santa Pola, MARQ archaeological museum in Alicante, dolphin-watching boat trips and the Algar Waterfalls.

What are the best sunset spots?

Mirador del Faro (Cumbre del Sol), Serra Gelada cliffs (Albir), Cap de la Nau (Jávea), Peñón de Ifach (Calpe), Castillo de Santa Bárbara (Alicante) and the Mirador de Guadalest.

What are the top attractions?

Peñón de Ifach, Guadalest Castle, Tabarca Island, Santa Bárbara Castle, Terra Mítica, Algar Waterfalls, Palmeral of Elche (UNESCO), Cabo de la Nao and Altea's Old Town.

What can I do in winter on the Costa Blanca?

Mild winters (15–18°C) make it perfect for hiking, cycling, golf, almond-blossom walks in February, long lunches on terraces, exploring Christmas markets and the Three Kings parades on 5–6 January.

Is the Costa Blanca good for hiking?

Excellent — the Sierra Bernia, Montgó, Puig Campana, Peñón de Ifach, Serra Gelada and the GR-330 coastal trail offer everything from gentle coastal walks to challenging mountain ascents.

What are the best cycling routes?

Coll de Rates from Parcent (a pro cyclist favourite), Vall d'Ebo, Tudons Pass, the Vía Verde del Maigmó, and the coastal road from Altea to Calpe via the Mascarat.

Where is the best golf?

Las Colinas Golf & Country Club (regularly voted Spain's #1), El Bosque, Alenda, Alicante Golf, La Sella, Villaitana and Real Club de Golf Campoamor.

Can I sail or rent a yacht?

Yes — marinas in Dénia, Jávea, Moraira, Calpe, Altea, Benidorm, Villajoyosa, Alicante, Santa Pola and Torrevieja offer everything from bareboat charters to crewed luxury yachts.

What boat trips are available?

Tabarca Island from Santa Pola/Alicante, sunset cruises from Calpe and Benidorm, coastal cruises from Dénia to Jávea, dolphin-watching from Altea and private speedboat charters.

Where can I learn to surf or paddleboard?

El Saler (near Valencia), Guardamar, La Mata and Cabo Roig have the best swell. Paddleboarding is excellent in the sheltered coves of Moraira, Jávea and Calpe.

What are the best beach clubs?

Bésame Mucho (Albir), Hemingway (Calpe), Chambao (Jávea), La Sal (Moraira), Mar y Sol (Cabo Roig) and Casino Mediterráneo Beach Club (Alicante).

What are the best restaurants?

Quique Dacosta (3 Michelin stars, Dénia), BonAmb (Jávea), Casa Pepa (Ondara), Audrey's (Calpe), El Xato (La Nucía) and the seafood lonjas in Villajoyosa and Santa Pola.

Where is the best paella?

Casa Elías (Xinorlet), Restaurante Mauro (Pego), La Ferrera (Banyeres de Mariola), L'Escaleta (Cocentaina) and any beachfront chiringuito in El Saler or Tabarca.

Can I visit vineyards?

Yes — the Jalón/Xaló valley has bodegas like Pepe Mendoza, Bodegas Xaló, Bodegas Mendoza and Bodegas Bocopa, with tastings, vineyard tours and harvest experiences in September.

What festivals should I see?

Las Hogueras de San Juan (Alicante, June), Moros y Cristianos (multiple towns, summer), Bous a la Mar (Dénia, July), Semana Santa (Easter), Three Kings (January) and Las Fallas (Valencia, March).

Where is the best nightlife?

Benidorm (legendary), Alicante (El Barrio old quarter), Calpe marina, Jávea Port and the beach clubs of Albir and Moraira in summer.

What free things can I do?

All beaches are free, hiking trails, village walks, viewpoints, markets, festival parades, the Palmeral of Elche, the Explanada de Alicante and most Spanish museums on Sunday afternoons.

Are there luxury experiences?

Yes — private yacht charters from Moraira, helicopter tours of the coast, Michelin tasting menus, spa days at SHA Wellness Clinic in Albir, golf at Las Colinas and private villa rentals with chef.

What adventure sports can I do?

Paragliding from Sierra de Aitana, canyoning in the Barranc del Infern, rock climbing in Sella (one of Europe's best crags), via ferratas in Callosa, skydiving in Castellón and ATV tours inland.

Where can I see flamingos?

Lagunas de La Mata-Torrevieja Natural Park (pink lake), the Salinas de Santa Pola, El Hondo and the Marjal de Pego-Oliva wetlands.

What nature parks are there?

Serra Gelada, Parque Natural del Montgó, Peñón de Ifach, Sierra de Aitana, Parque Natural del Carrascal de la Font Roja, Lagunas de La Mata and Marjal de Pego-Oliva.

Where can I see Roman or Iberian ruins?

Lucentum in Alicante, the Roman villa at L'Albir, the Iberian site at La Serreta, the Tossal de Manises and the Banys de la Reina in Calpe.

What can I do on a rainy day?

Visit MARQ in Alicante, the Volvo Ocean Race Museum, Guadalest's eight museums, the Chocolate Museum in Villajoyosa, indoor karting in Benidorm or the thermal spa at Villaitana.

Are there water parks?

Aqualandia in Benidorm (Europe's biggest), Aquopolis in Torrevieja and the waterpark area inside Terra Mítica.

Where can I go snorkelling?

Cabo de San Antonio marine reserve (Jávea/Dénia), Cala Granadella, Cala del Moraig, Tabarca Island and the rocky coves around Calpe.

Can I go horse riding?

Yes — equestrian centres in La Nucía, Pego, Calpe and Orihuela Costa offer beach rides, mountain treks and lessons.

Is there good shopping?

Yes — La Marina Finestrat outlet, El Corte Inglés in Alicante, the historic markets of Alicante and Dénia, ceramics in Agost and Olería, and Sunday markets in nearly every town.

What are the best markets?

Calpe Saturday market, Jávea Thursday market, Moraira Friday market, Benidorm Wednesday market, Albir Sunday market, Polop street market and Guardamar Wednesday market.

Where can I see dolphins or whales?

Boat trips from Altea, Calpe and Benidorm regularly spot bottlenose dolphins; pilot whales and even fin whales are occasionally seen offshore.

Is there good rock climbing?

Sella is world-famous, with hundreds of bolted routes. Other top crags include Echo Valley, Marin, Toix, Olta and the Salem caves.

Sunset sails from Calpe, dinner at Quique Dacosta, spa days at SHA, walking Altea's Old Town at dusk, the Algar Waterfalls and helicopter tours over the coast.

Are there yoga or wellness retreats?

Yes — SHA Wellness Clinic (Albir) is world-renowned; smaller retreats run year-round in Jalón Valley, Benitatxell and the Marina Alta inland villages.

Can I visit a chocolate factory?

Yes — Valor Chocolate Museum in Villajoyosa offers free guided tours, tastings and shopping.

What can teenagers do?

Terra Mítica, water parks, jet skis, parasailing, paintball, escape rooms in Alicante and Benidorm, surfing in Guardamar and the beach clubs of Albir.

What are the best photography spots?

Altea cupolas, Peñón de Ifach, Guadalest, Cala del Moraig, Faro del Albir, Cumbre del Sol cliffs, Tabarca harbour and the Salinas de Torrevieja pink lake.

Are pets welcome on activities?

Many hiking trails, dog beaches (El Campello, Albir, Pilar de la Horadada, Dénia) and an increasing number of cafés, hotels and boat trips welcome dogs.

What can I do in Benidorm besides nightlife?

Hike Sierra Helada, take the boat to Isla de Benidorm, Terra Mítica, Aqualandia, Mundomar, the Old Town, sunset at Balcón del Mediterráneo and the cable-car-like Telecabina.

What can I do in Alicante in one day?

Climb to Castillo de Santa Bárbara, walk the Explanada, explore the El Barrio quarter for tapas, visit MARQ museum, swim at Postiguet beach and watch sunset from the Castillo.

What can I do in Dénia?

Climb the castle, walk the marina, dive at Cabo de San Antonio, ferry to Ibiza, hike Montgó, eat the famous gambas rojas, and visit the Marqués de Campo for tapas.

What can I do in Jávea?

Visit Granadella beach, hike to Cap de la Nau, explore the historic Old Town, photograph the Iglesia de San Bartolomé, snorkel La Barraca and dine at the port.

What can I do in Calpe?

Climb the Peñón de Ifach, walk the salt flats with flamingos, sail from the marina, dine at Audrey's or Abiss, swim at Arenal-Bol and explore the painted Old Town.

What can I do in Torrevieja?

Walk the salt-lake boardwalk, swim at La Mata, eel-fishing tour, visit the Habaneras festival in summer and explore the Sunday market (one of Spain's biggest).

What can I do on Tabarca Island?

Snorkel in the marine reserve, walk the fortified walls, eat caldero (the island's signature rice dish) and sunbathe on the small crescent beach.

Is the Algar Waterfalls worth visiting?

Yes — a series of clear pools and small falls in Callosa d'en Sarrià, perfect for a refreshing swim from May to October. Combine with Guadalest 15 minutes away.

What are the best winter activities?

Almond blossom walks (February), mushroom foraging (November), citrus picking, hiking, golf, cycling, Three Kings parades and long lunches on sunny terraces.

Things to Do in Costa Blanca — The Ultimate Activities Guide

From sunrise hikes on the Peñón de Ifach to sunset paellas in Tabarca, the Costa Blanca packs more variety into 200 km of coast than almost anywhere in Europe. This is our ever-growing, hand-picked guide to the very best of it — by activity, by area, by season and by mood.

Top experiences

The 12 things you can't miss

Beaches

200+ km of Blue Flag coast, hidden coves and beach clubs.

Month	Weather	Crowds	Best activities
January	12–17°C, sunny	Quiet	Hiking, almond blossom, golf, Three Kings parades
February	13–18°C	Quiet	Almond trees in bloom, hiking, Carnival
March	15–20°C	Low	Cycling, Las Fallas (Valencia day trip), Semana Santa later
April	17–22°C	Medium	Semana Santa, Moros y Cristianos in Alcoy, hiking
May	20–25°C, sea 18°C	Medium	Beach season starts, festivals, perfect cycling
June	25–30°C, sea 22°C	High	Las Hogueras in Alicante, beach days, sailing
July	28–32°C, sea 25°C	Peak	Bous a la Mar in Dénia, beach clubs, boat trips
August	29–33°C, sea 26°C	Peak	Moros y Cristianos in Villajoyosa, fiestas everywhere
September	25–29°C, sea 25°C	High	Best month — warm sea, fewer crowds, wine harvest
October	21–25°C	Medium	Hiking, cycling, wine tastings in Jalón
November	16–21°C	Low	Mushroom foraging, hiking, golf, mild beach walks
December	13–18°C	Quiet	Christmas markets, Belén nativity scenes, Nochevieja

Things to Do in Costa Blanca

The 12 things you can't miss

Things to do by town

Beaches and coastal experiences

Best beaches

Hidden coves

Dog-friendly beaches

Family beaches

Snorkelling beaches

Sunset beaches

Beach bars

Blue Flag beaches

Mountains, trails and big skies

On the Mediterranean

Best dives in the western Mediterranean

20+ championship courses

Things to do with kids

Experiences for two

A region built around the table

After dark on the Costa Blanca

3,000 years of layers

Castles

Museums

Historic towns

Roman & Iberian sites

Spain's most photogenic pueblos

Wild Costa Blanca

The Costa Blanca's most Instagrammed places

Recharge by the sea

From outlet malls to artisan markets

Beyond the coast

Best things to do in every season

What to do, every month of the year

The Costa Blanca's biggest fiestas

Las Hogueras

Moros y Cristianos

Semana Santa

Bous a la Mar

Three Kings

Christmas markets

Free things to do on the Costa Blanca

High-end experiences

Adrenaline experiences

Top 100 things to do in Costa Blanca

Find things to do near you

Planning your Costa Blanca adventure?

Things to do — Frequently asked questions