The beach walk in Altea with Calpe in the background

The coast to the north, from Denia to Gandia, offers 20 kms of superb, wide, sandy beaches that reach the ‘Blue Flag’ standard whilst to the south you will find a landscape with more cliffs, rocky coves and picturesque resorts such as Javia , Moraira, Calpe and Altea.

The Costa Blanca is renowned for its year round sunshine and low rainfall, fresh fish, hand picked oranges, figs, dates and vegetables. In the early spring the whole area is covered with the white or pink blossom from the Almond trees and the site and smell is incredible.

Many fiestas held throughout the year can be enjoyed by all ages, these colourful spectacles can be found in most towns and include the Moors and Christians festivals with week long processions, battles and incredible firework displays. In June the celebration of Hogeras where huge statues are set on fire to celebrate the night of St Juan should not be missed and the province of Alicante is known for staging the best Hogeras festival.

The cosmopolitan City of Alicante is just 45 minutes by car or can be reached via a coastal train ride and has a fantastic port area and the spectacularly tiled Esplanada, favoured in the afternoons by the locals who sit and watch the people pass by. The Santa Barbera castle is wonderfuly lit at night and is host to the many concerts and firework displays to mark celebtations throughout the year. A fabulous marina with yachts and visiting cruise ships and typically spanish tapas bars serving excellent local food.

The town of Altea has a picturesque old town with white washed houses and a beautiful old church nestled amongst antique, craft and art shops.

Just 20 minutes south is the lively resort of Benidorm with its wonderful beaches called Poniente and Levante, in Benidorm you will find something to do for all ages, all through the year.

Nearby, is the town of Villajoyosa with its bright painted houses, painted this way it is said so that the fisherman can see there home when out at sea.

Alfaz del Pi is a lively town with lots of restaurants, shops, café bars and supermarkets. Every Friday there is a local market where you can purchase locally grown fruit and vegetables as well as local crafts.

The theme parks of Terra Mitica, Aqualandia, Mundomar and Terra Natura are easily accessible about 15-20 minutes away from Altea.

Pictures from Aqualandia which has both thrilling rides and family friendly areas:

The golf course of Don Cayo is nearby. Other golf courses are within easy reach in well under an hour.

Inland are other great towns to enjoy as well as the mountains with waterfalls and rock climbing.

La Nucia offers many shops and bars, restaurants and banks and is ideally placed to visit all of the other nearby resorts. Many coastal towns have fishing ports where the restaurants sell the fish caught that day. Mountaineering, horse riding, karting and many other activities can all be done locally.