DK Travel : Costa Blanca : Places of interest

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Calabardina

A charming little resort tucked under a dramatic headland and overlooking a delightful bay.
Calasparra

Calasparra overlooks a lush valley on the banks of the River Segura; settlers have been drawn to this area since neolithic times. During the Middle Ages, it was an important frontier settlement controlled by the Order of the Knights of Malta, who built its 13th-century castle. Now, it’s a serene agricultural town surrounded by a sea of blossom in spring, and golden rice fields in the autumn. Rice dishes feature prominently on local menus (see Rice), along with pungent cured sausages and hams.
Calblanque

The Regional Park of Calblanque has the most beautiful stretch of coastline on the Costa Blanca, with crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkelling and diving. Behind the shore lie pine-clad mountains, with excellent walking and mountain-biking trails.
Callosa d’en Sarrià and Fonts d’Algar

The most interesting thing about the modest little village of Callosa d’en Sarrià is actually just outside of it. In a pretty, orchard-filled valley (from Callosa take the road to Tárberna and follow the signs) are the Fonts d’Algar, a lovely cascade of waterfalls and natural swimming pools set among shady forest (see Fonts d’Algar), (see Val de Guadalest (Drive)). Several excellent walking trails lead from here to the Sierra de Bernia (see Sierra de Bernia (Hike)).
Calp (Calpe)

Fish auctions are common in all the fishing villages of the Costa Blanca, but Calp’s futuristic computer screens and rapid bidding make it every bit as exciting as the stock exchange.
Calp (Calpe)

Calp has a stunning natural setting on a vast bay dominated by the Penyal d’Ifac (see Penyal d’Ifac (Peñon d’Ifach)), (see Penyal d’Ifac, Calp (Calpe)). The modern resort has almost swallowed up the original medieval village, but its sandy beaches and excellent water-sports facilities have made it immensely popular.
Caravaca de la Cruz

The golden town of Caravaca de la Cruz is spectacularly set among the rugged sierras of northeastern Murcia. After the Reconquest, the town passed to the Knights Templar, who built the handsome castle, which still dominates the town. This contains Caravaca’s greatest treasure, the Sanctuario de la Vera Cruz, which houses a relic of the True Cross, brought here, according to legend, by two angels in 1231. The miracle is commemorated annually on 3 May, when the relic is processed through the streets. A handsome ensemble of medieval and Renaissance mansions and churches are clustered in the old town.
Caravaca de la Cruz

Beautifully set in rolling hills, this medieval town resonates with history. It belonged to the Knights Templar after the Reconquest, and is dominated by the 15th-century castle. Within the castle complex is the unmissable Sanctuario de la Vera Cruz, which houses what is believed to be a fragment of the Cross.
Cartagena

Founded by the Carthaginians in the 3rd century BC, resettled by the Romans, and beloved by the Arabs, Cartagena has had a long, dramatic history. The old town is peppered with Roman ruins and overlooked by a hilltop castle, which offers panoramic views over the sprawling city and out to sea. The Calle Mayor is still lined with flamboyant Modernista mansions, the legacy of a 19th-century boom. The city’s long naval history is recounted in the fascinating Museo Nacional de Arqueología Maritíma (see Museo Nacional de Arqueología Maritíma, Cartagena).
Castalla

Only a few ruins and a lonely tower remain of Castalla’s castle.