7 quiet places in the Costa Blanca

1. Benissa

With its narrow, cobbled streets, fountained squares and impressive 17th-century cathedral, the gorgeous, whitewashed town of Benissa is one of the oldest and prettiest in the Costa Blanca.

Much less crowded than the coastal resorts, Benissa’s nearby coves and caves are ideal for scuba diving and you’re still less than half an hour’s drive away from the Costa Blanca’s best beaches.

Closer to Benissa, you’ll find the pine-filled walking trails of the Sierra de Bernia mountain range, as well as a local golf course.

Where to stay in Benissa

In Benissa itself, the friendly Hostal La Fonda pension has simple but clean rooms while the glamorous Boutique Hotel La Madrugada has a pool with lovely views down to Penyal d’Ifac and Calpe.

2. Moraira

If you want a taste of the ‘authentic Spain’, look no further than Moraira. Midway between Valencia and Alicante, this small coastal town sits amidst some of the Costa Blanca’s most breathtaking scenery and is one of most unspoilt resorts along the coast.

Overlooked by a medieval castle and a 16th-century watchtower, Blue Flag beaches abound in Moraira, from swathes of fine sand to pebbly coves only accessible by boat or on foot.

Once you’ve ticked off the sights, there are also golf courses nearby as well as wineries on the Moraira Teulada Wine Route.

Where to stay in Moraira

Moraira is popular with Spanish holidaymakers and there’s a wide choice of rental apartments and villas nearby. Otherwise, the Hotel Swiss Moraira and Hotel Serawa both have outdoor pools and stylish rooms.

3. Orihuela

Orihuela Costa, just south of Torrevieja, has long been a favourite with British expats. But much less visited is the town of Orihuela itself, less than half an hour’s drive inland.

With its pretty, brightly coloured buildings lining the banks of the Segura River, there’s plenty to see and do in the small medieval town, including a vast, cloistered cathedral and magnificent 17th- and 18th-century mansions and museums. With superb tapas bars and great value restaurants in town, as well as three 18-hole golf courses nearby, you might not even make it to the beach.

Where to stay in Orihuela

There’s a wide choice of holiday rentals in the area but if you prefer a hotel, the excellent Sercotel Palacio de Tudemir, housed in a restored 18th-century palace, is a great pick.

4. Elche

Famous for its extraordinary, UNESCO-listed palm forest, the historic city of Elche is best known to many as a day trip destination from the Costa Blanca’s larger resorts, but it’s also perfect for an unhurried holiday.

Elche’s lush palm grove is one of the world’s largest with over 200,000 palm trees and you can also visit botanical gardens, a fascinating medieval fortress and the gothic Basilica of Santa Maria.

The city is also known for its shoe industry and is full of discount outlets so you can pick up a souvenir you’ll actually use. And when you want to hit the beach, the Costa Blanca’s best are less than half an hour’s drive away.

Where to stay in Elche

Elche has several good hotels including Hotel Jardín Milenio and Hotel Elche Centro and there are also plenty of rental apartments nearby.

5. Villajoyosa

With its jewel-coloured fishermen’s houses lining the seafront, this wonderfully pretty resort, edged by cliffs, is not only fabulously photogenic but also boasts three superb beaches.

The narrow streets of the old town, with their gothic buildings and chocolate-making museums, are perfect for a leisurely wander and although it’s only half an hour’s drive south of Benidorm, Villajoyosa has a much more laidback feel.

Where to stay in Villajoyosa

You’ll find plenty of good value holiday rentals in the area as well as hotels. The Hotel Allon Mediterrania on the beach and the nearby Hotel Censal are both family friendly with outdoor pools. For an adults-only stay, try Rosal by Vilamassalia in the heart of the old town.

6. Santa Pola

Just south of Alicante, Santa Pola has many of the attractions of the larger Costa Blanca resorts – think wide, family-friendly Blue Flag beaches and golf courses. But unlike the larger resorts, Santa Pola still has the feel of an unspoilt fishing village, and you can still watch the local fishermen bringing their catch of the day back to the port.

With mountains, cliffs and flamingo-filled salt marshes edging the town, Santa Pola is also a favourite with walkers, cyclists and bird watchers. Take a ferry to the lovely Tabarca Island nearby or wander around town stopping in on its ancient fortress-slash-maritime museum, aquarium or fascinating salt museum.

Where to stay in Santa Pola

The family-friendly Hotel Narcea and the stylish, good-value Quatre Llunes in the town centre are both within easy reach of the beach.

7. Guadalest

Surrounded by the pine forests and the citrus, olive and almond groves of the Guadalest Valley, the whitewashed hilltop village of Guadalest is one of the prettiest in the region. It’s a day trip favourite for holidaymakers on the Costa Blanca but it also makes a great base for seeing the countryside.

There are wonderful walking routes from the village, while in the town itself you can watch the world go by at one of the pavement cafes or visit the local craft shops. There’s also a Miniatures Museum and an Ethnological Museum where you can learn about local traditions.

Where to stay in Guadalest

The family-run El Tossal ‘casa rural’ has traditional rooms overlooking the castle or, for a romantic break, Cases Noves is a stylish, adults-only boutique hotel.