Costa Blanca

The Mediterranean coast of Alicante province, with 78 beaches and coves, from the resort of Benidorm to quieter stretches near Dénia.

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The Costa Blanca is the Mediterranean coast of Alicante province in the Valencian Community, in southeastern Spain. The name, meaning "White Coast", was coined in the 1950s to promote tourism. The coast stretches about 244 km of beaches, coves and cliffs from Dénia in the north to Pilar de la Horadada in the south. Most foreign visitors fly into Alicante airport (El Altet).

Benidorm is the region's main tourist resort, and Alicante city, which has a port, is another base. Altea, Calpe and Xàbia lie along the coast, and the coast has 78 beaches and coves, 54 of them with the Blue Flag. The coast gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year, with an average temperature of about 20 °C. Natural parks such as El Montgó and Peñón de Ifach add cliff scenery, and the Misteri d'Elx in Elche is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Costa Blanca in five

Fly into Alicante-ElcheOne airport serves the whole coast. Benidorm is about an hour away, Dénia about an hour and a quarter, so price the transfer before you choose a base.Alicante
Pick a coast personalityBenidorm is high-rise, lively and good value for families. Calpe, Altea and Jávea are quieter. Alicante city is the pick if you want old-town evenings plus a beach.Benidorm
Use the coast tramA tram line follows the shore from Alicante past Benidorm toward Dénia, which makes a car optional if you stay beside it. Check the current timetable and the stops before you book.
Bring ID for the Balearic ferriesBoats to Ibiza and Formentera leave from Dénia. Book ahead in July and August and carry your passport.Dénia
Leave August for the citiesBeach towns fill up in August, with the highest prices and the longest queues. June and September give the same sea with more room.

Neighborhoods

a narrow street lined with potted plants next to a building

Alicante

Best for: First-timers, nights out, no car
To airport: About 20 min by bus or taxi
Price band: $$

Santa Bárbara castle above the old town
Tram and buses run along the coast
Evening bars and a long promenade

Skip if you want a pure beach week with no city noise.

Read about Alicante Hotels in Alicante

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Things to do in Costa Blanca

See all attractions in Costa Blanca

Sight · Costa BlancaMuseo del Mar y de la Sal

Market · Costa BlancaMercat Central d'AlacantCheck fruit before buying so you can choose the produce you want.

Forest · Costa BlancaParc Natural de la Serra GeladaWear sturdy shoes and bring water, especially for routes with steep descents or scrambling.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Costa BlancaPut the places you like in Costa Blanca on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Alicante-Elche (ALC), the gateway for the whole coast
Getting there: Fly to Alicante; AVE trains link Madrid and Valencia
Getting around: Coast tram, buses and car; roads run the length of the coast
Best base: Alicante for a city, Benidorm for resort ease, Dénia for quiet
Time needed: 4 to 7 days, or 2 weeks for a beach holiday

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Mild
FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Mild
MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Spring warmth
AprilClear8 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Spring, Easter
MayClear5 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Warm, quiet
JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Beach season
JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Beach season
AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Hot, busy
SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Warm sea
OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Mild
NovemberClear5 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Cool
DecemberClear4 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Mild

Average daily high and low in Alicante, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Costa Blanca

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 17°
Humidity: 65%
Wind: 19 km/h
Chance of rain: 13%

Costa Blanca

09:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today21°13°13%Monday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 13%.
Tue19°13°38%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 38%.
Wed19°13°23%Wednesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 23%.
Thu20°12°16%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 16%.
Fri21°13°3%Friday: Rain. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 3%.
Sat22°14°8%Saturday: Rain. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 8%.
Sun22°15°15%Sunday: Rain. High 22°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 15%.

Updated 06:01 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Costa Blanca

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

JunBonfires of Saint John in AlicanteAlicante, a day trip

Day trips by train

Before you go to Costa Blanca

Stays on the Costa BlancaResorts, apartments, old-town staysCheck availability

Rental car for the coastCoves, Calpe and day trips inlandCompare cars

eSIM for the Alicante coastData on the tram and at the beachRead the guide

Cover for a beach holidayMedical cover and flight delay termsRead the guide

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Rules for Costa Blanca, checked

Spain is in the Schengen Area. Check your passport and visa needs on the Spanish Foreign Ministry site (exteriores.gob.es) before you fly to Alicante.Source
Non-EU travelers are registered at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the official EU travel site for current rules.Source
Non-EU travelers face limits on bringing in meat, dairy and plant products. Check Spain's customs rules with the Agencia Tributaria before you pack.Source
Some coastal towns restrict drinking alcohol and carrying glass on beaches and in public spaces. Ask the local town hall (ayuntamiento) for its current bylaws.

Plan around Costa Blanca

All of Spain

Entry rules, trains and regions across the country

Read the guide Alicante

City base with a castle and old town

Read the guide Benidorm

The big resort, beaches and value stays

Read the guide Dénia

Ferries to the islands and quiet bays

Read the guide Tourist taxes in Europe

Check nightly taxes before you compare prices

Read the guide

Costa Blanca FAQ

Where should I stay on the Costa Blanca?

Alicante for a city plus beach, Benidorm for family resort ease, Dénia or Jávea for calm and ferries, and Calpe or Altea for scenery. Pick the stretch first, then compare hotels.

Is the Costa Blanca good for a holiday in spring or autumn?

Yes. April, May, late September and October are warm, with smaller crowds and lower prices than August. Sea swimming is best from June to September.

Do you need a car on the Costa Blanca?

No for Alicante and Benidorm, which have buses and the coast tram nearby. A car helps for coves, inland villages and the northern coast.

Is Benidorm or Alicante better?

Benidorm for beaches, apartments and value, with lots of English-speaking services. Alicante for a real Spanish city, an old town and evenings out. Many trips split the stay.

Can you do the Costa Blanca by public transport?

Largely yes. The coast tram links Alicante, Benidorm and the north, and regional buses cover Calpe and Dénia. Check the current timetable and allow extra time in the evening.