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The famous La Manga Club (see Golf) has three championship courses, open to all on payment of green fees. The nearby Las Lomas Village and Spa (see Las Lomas Village and Spa, Los Belones) also has a golf course.

With its year-round sunshine and mild temperatures, it’s hardly surprising that the Costa Blanca is one of the top golfing destinations in Europe. There are scores of courses, of which the best known is probably the luxurious La Manga Club, with three championship courses.

Many species of gull breed along the Costa Blanca, including the endangered Audouin’s gull, with its trademark red bill and dark feet.

The Natural Park of Calnegre and Cabo Cope has some good hiking, but the very best walking trails can be found in the Regional Park of Calblanque. A long-distance walking path, the GR92, runs the whole length of the Costa Cálida.

The coastal cliffs and inland sierras are perfect for hiking and climbing. The Penyal d’Ifac and the Sierra de Bernia have several challenging climbing routes, and the Natural Parks, particularly the Sierra de Espuña, Font Roja (see Parc Natural de la Font Roja), Montgó (see Parc Natural del Montgó) and Calblanque, offer dozens of great hikes and walking trails.

With its dark, waxy leaves this evergreen is common across the Iberian Peninsula.

There are several stables around the Mar Menor, including a number in Los Belones offering treks around the Regional Park of Calblanque. Tourist offices will have the details.

There are horse-riding centres across the region, and most can organize anything from pony rides for kids to cross-country hacks. Tourist information offices have lists of local riding centres.

This nimble mountain goat once faced extinction, but is now flourishing in the sierras of the northern Costa Blanca and parts of Murcia.