Why there's more to holidays in the Costa Blanca than Benidorm
Costa Blanca is sun-soaked and blessed with natural beauty; it's no wonder that it has so many admirers. The 124-mile (200km) coastline in south-east Spain is an enticing brew of glittering sea, wild coves and terracotta-topped towns – all just a short flight from Britain. After a tourism boom in the 1950s, hordes of holidaymakers made a beeline for Benidorm. But the locals are happy for Benidorm to take the limelight – it means that hush-hush coves and bohemian pueblos remain closely-guarded secrets.
Recently, there's been an exciting cultural shift, zooming in on local artisans and regional cuisine. In Dénia, weekly markets are filled with locally thrown ceramics while Michelin-starred restaurants serve boat-fresh seafood. In down-to-earth Xàbia, a new generation of chefs is dead-set on serving local produce in a way that's personal, humble and perfectly executed. And don't miss Altea, where cobbled streets lead to studios where artists work at paint-splattered easels.
For more Costa Blanca inspiration, see our guides to the best restaurants, nightlife, beaches and things to do.
In this guide:
How to spend the perfect day
Morning
Start the day with an indulgent breakfast in Dénia. Niki&Niki is the best; a bakery, café and wine bar with a terrace offering glimpses of boats bobbing in the port. The coffee here is excellent, but a glass of organic cava from Catalonia's Can Suriol would go equally well with springy sourdough topped with home-cured salmon.
Next, stroll through the picturesque old town, navigating the tangled streets, to find the stone archway leading to Castillo de Dénia (Dénia Castle). Here, it's a pleasant walk up the stone steps worn smooth by time to reach the lookout. Hang out with the seagulls and gaze at the sea views, before trying to find the 17th-century graffiti. It's an exquisite picture of a galley, made by a prisoner in their cell.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The homeless Ibiza workers forced to camp in shanty towns after being priced out by spiralling rents on party island… as tourists revel in luxury
An army of homeless Ibiza workers are being forced to sleep in makeshift camps after being priced out of their homes. Striking images show what looks like a shanty town with makeshift accommodation on a patch of scrubland dubbed Can Rova 2. In contrast, just a few miles away, tourists, including hundreds of thousands of Brits, party the night away and stay in luxurious villas and hotels. Residents blame overtourism for the crippling housing crisis that has gripped the party island. Famed for its vibrant nightlife, crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches and warm sunshine, Ibiza's allure comes at a cost. There simply is not enough housing to accommodate the millions of tourists who visit each year, leading to a surge in illegal holiday rentals. The situation has been made worse by the conversion of residential properties into short-term holiday lets, shrinking the supply of long-term rentals. Enrique Gómez Bastida, director of the department that combats illegal housing in Ibiza, said the rise of tourist villas and even extra rooms rented out in houses has stretched the island's resources to the limit. Soaring property prices have caused a housing crisis so severe that many municipal workers – including judges, police officers and medial workers – are now unable to afford to live there. Locals have been forced to move into shanty towns and even tents. However, it is not residents alone who have been impacted by the crisis but some tourists too. In some cases, holidaymakers arrive on the island to find they have been tricked into paying for non-existent flats or even phantom luxury villas, Gómez Bastida, a former lieutenant colonel in the Civil Guard, said. 'Housing access is a real and serious problem,' he told The i Paper. 'Increasing tourist accommodation poses a problem of overcrowding on the island and therefore, an imbalance in the tourist ecosystem.' The island's council has recently introduced a major new rule designed to combat overtourism. It is now limiting the number of tourist cars and caravans that can visit. In place from June 1, the rule is set to run until September 30 throughout peak season in Ibiza. During the four-month period, only 20,168 vehicles used by non-residents will be allowed on the island. Up to 16,000 of these can be rental cars while the other 4,108 will be for tourists who travel by ferry to the island with their own vehicle. Tourists who want to take their own car to Ibiza will need to obtain a permit at a cost of €1/84p per day. Caravan owners will need to provide evidence of a campsite booking and will not be allowed into Ibiza if they plan to wild camp at the side of the road. Although Ibiza has just 160,000 residents, it gets more than three million tourists per year. As the number of tourists has risen, more cars have hit the road, causing congestion across the island. Ibiza has recently seen protests against tourism with locals complaining that the industry has caused housing to become unaffordable. Last year, more than 1,000 protestors took to the streets in Ibiza to rage against mass tourism. And, earlier this month thousands of locals marched across Spanish Islands to tell Brits to 'go home' as part of widespread protests against so-called 'overtourism'. Holidaymakers were visibly stunned by the dramatic demonstrations in Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza on June 15. Around 1,000 protesters took part in the Ibiza march organised by major anti-tourism platform Canviem el Rumb, which has been carrying out demonstrations in the Spanish holiday hotspot over the last year. Security was stepped up to protect tourists from the demonstrators, who left Portal de Ses Taules in the town centre at around 6pm and ended at Plaza de sa Graduada, in front of the courts at 9pm.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Seven ways to save money on your family holiday this summer
Families preparing for summer holidays abroad are being urged to meticulously plan their finances, as new research reveals a significant number are blowing their budgets by hundreds of pounds. A recent survey by Post Office Travel Money indicates that while more than three-quarters (78 per cent) of families are set to travel internationally soon. However, nearly the same proportion (74 per cent) admitted to overspending on their last trip. The Post Office's Holiday Spending Report, released earlier in June, found that families typically exceeded their allocated resort costs – including meals and drinks – by an average of £323. The average family surveyed spent £1,089 against an initial budget of £766. The findings, based on two surveys of over 2,000 people conducted in April and May, highlight the need for careful financial planning to avoid unexpected expenses. 1. Look for a resort where the cost of living is low The Post Office said holidaymakers surveyed in its research rated Spain and Turkey strongly for value. It may also be worth asking friends and family members for their recommendations. 2. Cut the cost of meals and drinks Busy beachside cafes and restaurants in tourist hotspots may be pricier than the places where local residents choose to eat. Local draught beers and carafe wine may also sometimes be less expensive than international brands. 3. Pick a destination where sterling is strong Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at the Post Office, said: 'Despite fluctuations and some uncertainty about sterling when it fell against key currencies earlier in the year, it has now bounced back from its January dip and currently looks stable. This is a reassuring trend for holidaymakers planning trips abroad this year.' Some holidaymakers may have booked to travel to the United States following the strengthening of sterling against the US dollar. The Post Office suggested that holidaymakers may also consider locations where currencies are pegged to the value of the US dollar. 4. Consider self-catering or 'all inclusive' packages Self-catering breaks enable holidaymakers to set their own food and drink budgets. Past Post Office research has indicated that the Balearic Islands offer good value shop prices, while supermarkets in the Algarve and the Costa del Sol have also been seen as offering good value. The Post Office said going all inclusive can also be a good way to rein in costs but urged people to make sure they check what is included in the package price so they do not end up paying unexpectedly for extras. 5. Budget carefully The Post Office suggested setting a realistic budget to cover all costs as well as researching the best exchange rates before travelling and avoiding fees for topping up holiday money spending while abroad. Some holidaymakers may want to consider a pre-paid currency card, or look at banks which do not charge foreign transaction fees. Ms Plunkett said: 'Paying on a debit or credit card may seem like a convenient way to pay for things while abroad, but our research suggests that this can be a costly practice. Far too many holidaymakers told us that they paid significantly more than they anticipated because of transaction charges made for using credit and debit cards at an overseas ATM.' 6. Consider making a shorter trip The Post Office research found some holidaymakers are cutting their costs by making shorter trips, or booking cheaper accommodation to afford their trip abroad. 7. Sidestep 'pester power' Parents told the Post Office that on their last holiday they spent an average of more than £200 on children's beach items such as buckets and spades, swimming masks and snorkels, water rides, ice creams and visits to water parks. Families could consider allowing children to have a set amount of pocket money to spend during their holiday.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Eva Longoria sizzles in pink bikini as she steals spotlight from BFF Lauren Sánchez after ditching the wedding
Eva Longoria was hotter than the noonday sun as she stepped out on the beach in Spain on Saturday. The actress, 50, showcased her toned tummy and limbs wearing a bright pink bikini, choosing a family vacation over the wedding of her good friend Lauren Sánchez to billionaire Jeff Bezos which took place in Venice, Italy the same day. The Desperate Housewives star's long, dark hair was allowed to flow in natural waves and she appeared to be wearing sunscreen and natural-looking makeup. She was seen strolling barefoot on the beach in the tony town of Marbella. Although she and her husband, José Bastón, 57, have been married for nearly a decade, the two appeared as honeymooners, sharing passionate kisses on the shore. Bastón looked casual, but stylish in a white linen shirt and green shorts. The Desperate Housewives star chose a family vacation over the wedding of her good friend Lauren Sánchez (pictured) to billionaire Jeff Bezos which took place in Venice, Italy the same day His right arm was in a sling and his wife was seen helping him adjust in beneath an umbrella. Longoria covered up in a similar white shirt beneath the bright Spanish sun and both protected their faces from the sun with wide brimmed Panama hats. The Land of Women star and her family have a house in the Andalulucía region and split their time there for a good portion of the year. They also have homes in Mexico and the US.
