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.

Flyers

You can get flyers on special one-off musical events from local music shops.
Font de Algar

Waterfalls that you can swim through and a river that meanders through the mountain area, with many pools and wooded walks.
Fonts d’Algar

Tucked away in an orchard-lined valley, these enchanting waterfalls spill down the hillside and form a series of delightful natural swimming pools. A wooden staircase eases the ascent across boulders and rushing streams to the highest pool, which is shaded by willow trees and makes a perfect picnic spot (see Callosa d’en Sarrià and Fonts d’Algar).
Free Drinks

Club admission prices usually include one drink, so make sure that you hang on to your ticket.
Fritás de Moratalla

These are a delicious local variation of the popular Spanish churros (fried dough strips) – here they are sweetened with honey. You’ll find them at stalls during all the local festivals, as well as in the cafés and cake shops around the sleepy hill village of Moratalla.
Fruit and vegetables

The ghostly outlines of enormous greenhouses can be seen throughout much of the province. The main crops are tomatoes and capers (of which Murcia is the world’s largest producer), but the fertile lands of the Segura and Ricote valleys produce a dazzling array of fresh fruit and vegetables, which always feature prominently in local dishes.
Fruit and Vegetables

The Costa Blanca has long been known as the “orchard of Spain”; it produces vast quantities of fruit and vegetables, including oranges and lemons, the deliciously tart nísperos , almonds, olives and grapes. Head for any local market for a taste of the incredible variety on offer.
Fruit Trees

The orchards of the Costa Blanca produce almonds, citrus fruit and cherries.
Fuente de Cope

Near the watchtower in the Natural Park of Calnegre y Cabo Cope (see Parque Natural de Calnegre y Cabo Cope), this is a wonderfully unspoilt stretch of coastline, with rocky outcrops and pools sheltered by the impressive cape.
Gandia (Gandía)

Gandia’s history is inextricably bound up with the Borjas; the opulent Gothic palace which was their family home has been impeccably restored (see Palau Ducal, Gandia (Gandía)). The only other reminder of the town’s historic importance is the serene Gothic church of Santa María. A resort town, Gandía-Playa, has grown up around the port, with famously well-manicured beaches (see Playa de Venecia, Gandia-Playa) and a buzzing nightlife scene in summer.