About Costa Blanca
Introduction
The Costa Blanca, literally meaning “White Coast” is situated on the South East coast of Spain and is a favourite holiday destination for the Spanish and well as being the most popular destination for the British. At the heart of the Costa Blanca is the resort of Benidorm, and it is here where many holidaymakers head. However the whole of the Costa Blanca has a thriving property market.
The Area and its Climate
The area from Alicante in the North southwards to the Mar Menor is a region of contrasting gentle landscapes and rugged coastline covering every aspect of Spanish life, from bustling cosmopolitan towns to traditional Spanish villages. It has a superb climate with over 300 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature of 20°C, which enables the farmers to produce four harvests of fruit and vegetables per year. It is also a very healthy, dry climate as there is no heavy industry in the area and the salt lagoons situated 2 kms from Torrevieja draw the moisture from the air, making the climate ideal for people with arthritis, psoriasis and asthma. The benefits are almost immediate and is the reason why the World Health Organisation recommend it as one of the healthiest places to live.
80 beaches in the Valencia region of the Costa Blanca fly the "Blue Flag". This is only awarded to beaches which meet the stringent requirement for cleanliness and facilities. Most have a beach bar open in the summer season and they vary from secluded sand dunes to long flat sandy beaches.
Nature lovers will be enthralled by the region’s wildlife in the many protected reserves and parks. Just a few minutes drive inland from the coast will take you into the glorious unspoilt countryside. The nature reserve of the lagoons of La Mata and Torrevieja, one of the most important marshlands in Valencia, serves as a habitat for numerous protected species of bird such as the greater Flamingo, and Montagu´s Harrier. These two beautiful lagoons, know as Las Salinas, the salt flats, date back to the 12th century and are currently one of the most important in the whole of Europe.
Major Towns and Resorts
Benidorm is sometimes known as the “Manhattan of Spain” or even “Beniyork” due to the soaring skyline formed by numerous hotels and apartment buildings. However the city is still incredibly green due to its strict obeyance of planning laws that ensure that an area of land is allocated for leisure around every building. It is also incredibly close to the mountains, which also provide the city’s unique micro-climate with 3,400 hours of sunshine per year, an average temperature of 26°C in summer and 15°C in winter
It has a permanent population of just 65,000 inhabitants which rises to over half a million in the summer. Popular with British, Flemish and Dutch holidaymakers, their influences can be seen in the cuisine and goods on offer in the shops.
Although known for its bars and clubs, Benidorm is also a superb family base, with three major beaches which all carry a blue flag and several theme parks.
Alicante is a historic Mediterranean port, dating back to the fourth century, which is now one of the fastest-growing towns in Spain with a thriving property market.
At the centre of the city lies the wide harbour, fortifications and castle with wide alleys and a central shopping area perfect for strolling. Stretching along the coast for several kilometres are the beaches which make the city a haven for sun-worshippers.
The airport is easily reached from the city via the airport bus or taxi, and its proximity makes the city an ideal destination for UK holiday makers.
Activities
For the boating enthusiasts there are numerous beautiful marinas from Alicante through to La Manga varying in size and facilities offered. There are also endless opportunities for water sports activities including windsurfing, yachting, snorkeling, diving, jetski-ing, kite surfing, waterskiing and wakeboarding to name but a few.
For those who enjoy a more relaxing experience in luxurious surroundings, there are two excellent spa and health resorts within a short drive in the Murcia region offering a wide range of beauty and health treatments. The medicinal mineral waters of these spas are acknowledged by doctors.
Just over 3 hours away, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada gradually turn into high mountains. Several ski resorts can be found here and in some places there is enough snow on the higher slopes to ski in spring and autumn.
Golf
For Golfers, the southern Costa Blanca is a veritable paradise. There are numerous 18 hole championship golf courses located throughout the area with many more planned. For those wanting to take up the sport or to improve, there are also several driving ranges, and 9 hole courses to choose from. From La Marquesa and La Finca close to Guardamar, through to Las Ramblas, Villamartin and Campoamor at Orihuela Costa, and southwards to the courses in the Mar Menor and Murcia regions such as the Sucina Golf & Country Club, The Mar Menor Golf Resort and La Manga Club there is a course to suit every golfer whether professional standard or novice. The facilities available on most courses are second to none with excellent pro-shops, bars and commercial centres.
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