DK Travel : Costa Blanca : Places of interest

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Alicante (Alacant)

The main gateway to the Costa Blanca, the big, bustling city of Alicante is often overlooked in the charge to the beaches and resorts, yet this is one of Spain’s most engaging cities, with a picturesque old quarter, a collection of beautiful churches and fascinating museums, and a lively port with plenty of bars and restaurants. The whole city is dominated by the splendid Castillo de Santa Bárbara, high on a cliff above the sea (see Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Alicante).
Altea

The pretty village of (Altea) was “discovered” by artists during the 1960s and ’70s, and is filled with galleries and craft shops selling everything from watercolours to pottery and hand-made jewellery.
Altea

Pretty Altea, piled on a hill overlooking the sea and topped with a blue-domed church, has long attracted artists, and the old quarter is packed with arty shops and galleries. A narrow, pebbly beach is backed by an appealing seafront promenade, where the whole town comes to stroll on summer evenings.
Aquopolis, Torrevieja

This big, fun water-park has everything to keep the kids happy, from waterslides of all heights and shapes to wave pools and assorted swimming pools. There are special areas for toddlers, and plenty of snack bars and ice-cream shops.
Archena

There is little to see in the sleepy market town of Archena besides the florid Baroque Church of San Juan Batista and a few neglected aristocratic mansions, but its spa (Balneario de Archena) has been famous since Roman times. Prettily located in a cool palm grove on the banks of the River Segura, the spa has grown into a miniature village, complete with a delightful chapel and 19th-century casino. There are three hotels (see Mountain Retreats), and a whole range of health and beauty treatments are on offer.
Banyeres de Mariola

The highest castle in the region, it dominates a lofty peak.
Benidorm

Brash, brazen Benidorm (see Playa de Poniente and Playa de Levante, Benidorm) is the place to go if you’re looking for kitsch souvenirs. It’s also a great place to find cheap t-shirts and a huge variety of beachwear to suit all tastes and budgets.
Benidorm

The biggest and best-known of the Costa Blanca resorts, Benidorm is a mini-Manhattan of skyscrapers set around an impressive bay. Its immaculate beaches, two sweeping curves of golden sand, are the finest in the region, and the choice of restaurants and nightlife can’t be beaten.
Biar

This well-preserved Arabic castle withstood a lengthy siege before finally falling to Jaime I (see Moments in History) in 1245.
Bocairent

Unexpected steps and tiny passages link the steep streets of Bocairent, piled up on a hill in the Sierra Mariola. Almost every house is surrounded by pots of ferns and geraniums. In 1843, an extraordinary bullring was hacked out of the rock. It now regularly hosts summer concerts.