Villas and apartments for rent in Benitachel, Spain

Holidays on the Costa Blanca, Spain

The Costa Blanca attracts millions of tourists every year with its marvellous beaches

The Costa Blanca starts in the north with Denia and Javea two wonderful and interesting towns situated at the bottom of a mountain.

Heading south the Costa Blanca stretches down to Guardamar and Torrevieja passing lovely cities like the Elche, the palm tree capital of the world.

It is possible to travel the length of the Costa Blanca along the main road or "carretera national" which runs all the way alongside the coast. You will pass some beautiful and sometimes small villages along the way.

The Costa Blanca isn't necessarily a place to see historic monuments although there are plenty. It's attraction lies in the areas beauty - the vivid blue Mediterranean sea,  golden sandy beaches, old towns and villages with narrow streets, the Costa Blanca restaurants and bars where you can sit and relax and watch the world go by.

Some towns have limited development and managed to retain their original charm while others have become over-developed.

The Costa Blanca has over 100 kms of sandy beaches and rocky coves. Many of the beaches have the coveted European Blue Flag signifying cleanliness and safe bathing.

Temperatures on the Costa Blanca

Spain is the second most mountainous country in Europe after Switzerland and these can cause big differences in temperature and conditions. The Bernia mountain range north of Benidorm can result in temperatures as much as 5ºC cooler for the towns to the north. While it could be sunny  in Benidorm it could be pouring with rain a little further away.

The Costa Blanca is known for its healthy climate and often experiences temperatures of 25C in January while temperatures have been known to drop as low as -6C in winter although this is rare. The summer  can be unbearably hot, with temperatures getting as high as 40C. This region of Spain boasts 325 sunny days each year.

Fiestas along the Costa Blanca

Every day somewhere in Spain a fiesta is held. Each village has its own patron Saint - and therefore an excuse for a fiesta.

Here is a list of some of fiestas held on the Costa Blanca. The dates vary for each town it is best to telephone the local town hall (ayuntamiento).

JANUARY 5th
Cabalgata de Reyes - Three Kings Procession. The night before the Spanish celebrate their equivalent of Christmas Day.

LAS FALLAS - The traditional Valencian festival of Saint Joseph the carpenter. It was originally a contest among carpenters to create an effigy of the Saint but has escalated to become one of the most spectacular fiestas of the year.

   The largest fiesta of this kind is held in Valencia where up to 300 massive monuments block the busy streets of the capital and a 150ft high statue of the Virgin Mary is built out of flowers.

FIESTA PATRONALES - Festival of the Patron of the town. Each town has its Patron Saint and a fiesta is held in their honour which usually last one week.

FIRA I PORRAT DE SANT ANTONI -  Festival and Fair of Saint Anthony - Attractions include a Mediaeval Market with stalls.

BULL-RUNNING
The notorious bull running event is held in many towns at different times of the year. Bulls are let loose in certain streets to chase after those who think they are fast enough to jump out of their way, run behind the wooden barricades that are set up or into the steel cages  before they get gored.

DECEMBER 31
Spanish New Years Eve  (Fiesta Cotillon) usually takes place in front of the clock in the town square. Don't forget your 12 grapes - seedless are best! -which are eaten one by one on the strokes of midnight to give you luck in the year to come.

Markets

There are numerous markets held along the Costa Blanca. Most are well worth visiting for fresh produce and souvenirs. The days hey are held vary according to the town. Check at the local tourist information office.

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