The Costa Blanca; named after the white cliffs that dominate the shoreline, lies on the eastern Mediterranean coast of Spain. The area has a rich and colourful history, of which probably the most influential period is the Moorish occupation and subsequent re-conquest by the Christians.

Battles raged for centuries after the Moors originally settled in the area 715, they were finally defeated in Granada in 1492. Despite this, the Moorish influence remains visible amongst the culture and the architecture. The battles between the Moors and the Christians are also the subject for many of the regions fiestas.

The Costa Blanca was also once the favourite province of Rome and even in more modern times it has lost none of its allure. The climate, the coastline and the mountains to the west, provide a land of rich contrasts, warmly complimented by the hospitable locals.

With such a colourful history and the modern progression of tourism, the region has developed many atractions ranging from the historic and religious to modern theme parks. There are so many different attractions in this diverse region, it's impossible to mention them all. However, if you are less inclined to while away your days by the pool or on the beach, you may well choose to visit some of the attractions mentioned here. There are also many local and regional activities mentioned in other pages within this website.

Popular towns such as Javea, Denia, Altea and Calpe are all less than 15km away, and each one offers something a little different. Then there's the vibrant, modern cities of Alicante and Valencia are both just under 90kms away.

Valencia is particularly recommended, the third largest city in Spain has a fascinating history and is also known as the home of paella - no visit is complete without sampling the Spanish national dish. The city has a magnificient historic quarter that includes the stunning Romanesque cathedral, and there are also many other fantastic monuments in the city, all within walking distance of the main square, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

Alicante is a modern thriving city with plenty of attract the day tripper. One of the highlights is certainly the beautiful, plam tree lined promenade. As one would expect there are also plenty of churches including the St.Nicholas Cathedral, there's also the Gravina Palace, the marina, the Santa Barabara castle, various museums and some fine restaurants.

The city of Jalón (Xalón) is a picturesque journey inland and is well worth a visit. The local community relies heavily upon the cultivation of olives, almonds and the regions vineyards - for which the area has a great reputation. Highly recommended is the Cooperativa Virgen Pobre. More information on 'bodegas' have a look at the 'local activities' page on this website.

The cliff top village of Guadalest at an altitude of 590m is one of the prettiest sites you're likely to visit, and offers a fascinating glimpse; assisted by its 10 museums, of a bygone rural community. From its stunning mountain top fortress (built by the Moors 1200 years ago) it also offers fantastic views of the resevoir and the Sierra de Aixorta.

The village of Callosa just past Altea is famed for its springs, fed by the river Algar (also known as the Algar waterfalls). The fresh water provides a haven in which to cool down and refresh yourself during the heat of the summer. There's also an environmental museum and nature trail.

The city of Elche (12miles west of Alicante) is famed for its lush palm trees. Numbering 300,000, it is the largest palm forest in Europe and has been included in the World Heritage List of the UNESCO. The palm trees are 200 - 300 years old and reach a height of 100ft!

The Castell de Santa Barbara was built by Carthaginians in 400BC and towers impressivley over Alicante, the fortress is massive with moats, drawbridges, tunnels, dungeons, and wonderful views of the city - well worth a visit.

Then of course there are the fun parks, perfect to keep the kids amused and offer a great day out for the whole family. There's the water park near Benidorm 'Aqualandia', the 'Vergel' safari park, the 'Mundomar' aquatic zoo, and the 'Terra Mitica' adventure park. Read through the regional activities page on this website for more details.