DK Travel : Costa Blanca

Sun, sea and sand are excellent reasons to visit the Costa Blanca, but its attractions don’t stop there. Inland, you can explore magnificent Natural Parks, wild sierras and remote hill villages, or visit historic towns with fascinating museums and a wealth of fabulous architecture. The engaging capital cities of Alicante (Alacant) and Murcia are crammed with great shops and tapas bars, and a string of lively resorts along the coast offers splendid beaches, fantastic nightlife and plenty of opportunities for fun. Best of all, there’s always a secret cove or rugged cape to be discovered if the crowds get too much.

Casino, Cartagena

This 18th-century Baroque palace was completely overhauled at the end of the 19th century, when the property was taken over by the Casino Círculo Cartagenero, a social and cultural club. Victor Beltrí was responsible for adding the ornate Modernista woodwork, floral tiling and exuberant plasterwork, which are now sadly neglected.
Casino, Murcia

Murcia’s breathtaking casino (see Casino de Murcia) is a monument to eclecticism. Each room has a different theme, from the Arabic-style entrance hall with its gorgeous ceiling which drips like icing, to the flamboyant Rococo frills and flounces in the ballroom. And there’s a special bonus for female visitors: the mural of primping nymphs in the ladies’ restroom.
Casino, Torrevieja

Torrevieja’s celebrated seafront casino is one of the purest examples of Modernista architecture in the region. The highlight is the Mozarabic salon, with a fabulous carved wooden ceiling, horseshoe arches and shimmering mosaic tiling.
Castalla

Only a few ruins and a lonely tower remain of Castalla’s castle.
Castillo de la Mola, Novelda

This lofty castle, squeezed up against an extraordinary Modernista sanctuary (see La Mola), offers far-reaching views across endless plains and a strange lunar landscape of abruptly jutting peaks.
Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Alicante

Visible for miles around, Alicante’s dramatic castle looms high on a dusty pinnacle. Its sturdy ramparts and watchtowers offer spectacular views over the endless blue of the Mediterranean.
Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Alicante (Alacant)

This imposing 18th-century fortress replaced the original Arabic castle.
Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Alicante (Alacant)

Alicante’s spectacular hilltop castle (see Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Alicante) dominates the whole city, and its ramparts and terraces offer endless views over the deep blue Mediterranean.
Catedral de Santa María, Murcia

Several centuries in the making, Murcia Cathedral is one of the finest Baroque buildings in Spain, with a frilly bell tower, a sumptuous façade and lavishly decorated chapels.
Catedral de Santa María, Murcia

Murcia’s impressive cathedral is best known for its flamboyant, sculpture-encrusted façade and florid bell tower.