9 of the best resorts in the Costa Blanca

1. Benidorm

Best all-rounder

Benidorm is easily the most famous resort on the Costa Blanca, as well as one of the most famous in Spain – and it’s not hard to see why. With a microclimate that almost guarantees year-round warmth and sunshine, Blue Flag beaches and nightlife aplenty, Benidorm has everything you could want from a holiday in the sun.

It’s also supremely family-friendly, with not only soft sand beaches but a water park and two theme parks on your doorstep. If that wasn’t enough, you’re likewise spoiled for choice when it comes to food, from British-style pubs with burgers and chips to top tapas and world-class Spanish paella.

2. Alicante

Best for nightlife

Another contender for ‘best all-rounder’, Alicante boasts the fabulous beaches that the Costa Blanca is known for, and the all-night revelry you’ve come for.

Whether you want to let your hair down at a beachfront bar or boogie the night away in the clubs and live music venues tucked away in the narrow streets of El Barrio Antiguo near the cathedral, a holiday to Alicante can be as laidback or raucous as you like.

You’ll also find top tapas bars and great restaurants to kick off the evening, all watched over by the town’s medieval Santa Barbara castle, which stands high on a hilltop just north of the old town.

And if all you want to do is enjoy the beach and the old town with the family, Alicante does that brilliantly too.

3. Calpe

Best for families

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of Benidorm and Alicante but still want Blue Flag, family-friendly beaches and plenty of things to do, Calpe is the perfect choice.

With no fewer than 14 beaches and coves, you’ll find wonderfully clear, warm water wherever you go. Many also slope gradually down to the seabed, making them ideal for little ones wanting a paddle.

Elsewhere, there are walking trails along the Penyal d’Ifac rock, a sea pool where you can admire original Roman floor mosaics and Roman ruins, and a saltwater lagoon with pink flamingos. Glass-bottom boat trips leave from the port in summer, perfect for those who fancy wildlife-spotting without getting under the waves.

4. Altea

Best for couples

Altea’s whitewashed old town, high up on a hilltop, must be one of the loveliest on the Costa Blanca. Its narrow, cobbled, bougainvillea-clad streets are perfect for a gentle stroll, before stopping at one of the pavement cafes to admire the breathtaking views down to the coast.

Altea’s main beach, Playa de la Roda, is also fabulous for sunbathing, swimming and watersports, but because it’s pebbled rather than sandy, it doesn’t tend to attract families in the same way as some of the other beach resorts.

5. Torrevieja

Best for travellers on a budget

Halfway between Alicante and Murcia, Torrevieja, like Benidorm, is not only another great all-rounder, it’s also well-geared to travellers on a budget with plenty of good value accommodation on offer.

You’ll find everything you could want in Torrevieja, from soft, sandy beaches (including the gorgeous Playa de la Mata) and secluded coves to not one but two saltwater lakes. There’s also tons to keep children happy, from parks and water parks to a naval museum.

If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also find excellent golf courses, a pretty marina, a shopping mall and an outdoor market.

6. Jávea

Best for food lovers and culture vultures

With its beautiful, cliff-edged bay, whitewashed medieval old town and peaceful port and marina, Jávea, also known as Xabia in the local Valencian language, is one of the loveliest towns on the Costa Blanca.

Just an hour and half’s drive north of Alicante, the marina and port, which dates back to the 15th century, are both home to superb fish restaurants and in the summer, you’ll find several serving the catch of the day straight off the fisherman’s boat.

Jávea is also home to idyllic beaches and coves, and a charming old town with cobbled streets perfect for wandering, lovely squares, cafes and bars, and an archaeological museum packed with ancient treasures.

7. La Manga

Best for watersports

A little south of Torrevieja, La Manga (which translates as ‘the sleeve’ in Spanish) is where the Costa Blanca meets Spain’s Costa Calida. A favourite with watersports fans, there’s everything here from kayaking, paddleboarding and scuba diving to snorkelling, jet-skiing and water-skiing.

But La Manga isn’t just about getting out on the waves. Sitting on the edge of Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon, the Mar Menor, the resort is also home to pristine beaches, nightlife and wildlife including dolphins, turtles and an array of birdlife.

8. Dénia

Best for those looking for a quieter place to stay

Time seems to tick to a slower beat in the gorgeous harbour town of Dénia, just north of Jávea, making this a great choice if you want blissful beaches and plenty of local attractions but without the brouhaha of the larger resorts.

With more than 15km (9 miles) of coast, Dénia is great for families seeking a chilled-out beach holiday. It’s also a foodie’s dream, famous for its prawns and a choice of over 300 restaurants.

Local attractions include golf courses, a historic castle with an archaeological museum and orange groves full of cycle and walking trails.

The nearby Montgó Natural Park is a walker’s paradise with fabulous views over the town, and there are also regular ferries to the Balearic Islands.

9. Moraira

Best for a taste of traditional Spain

Compared to the Costa Blanca’s other resorts, Moraira has managed to remain largely undeveloped, retaining much of its original Spanish character. The small fishing town, about half an hour north of Calpe, gently hums with local markets, shops and harbourside restaurants serving up the latest catch of the day.

Despite the laidback vibe, there’s still plenty to do here. There are two Blue Flag beaches – both sandy and shallow with an array of watersports on offer – an 18th-century castle to explore, and several golf courses just a few minutes drive out of town.

It’s a great choice for hiking enthusiasts too, surrounded by lush vineyards, pine woods and pretty, rural villages. Beautiful walking trails from Moraira lead to Font Santa and Benimarco.