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Dénia, now a relaxed family resort with great beaches and a busy port, had a long and glorious history before tourism hit the Mediterranean coast – first as a Roman settlement, then as the capital of an Arabic kingdom. For respite from the summer crowds, take a hike in the nearby Montgó Natural Park.

The pretty tumble of old Xàbia sits on a hilltop a couple of miles inland from the sea. The bay forms a perfect horseshoe, with a choice of pebbly or sandy beaches and a spectacular cape at both ends.

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.

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.

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.

The Jewelled Town gets its name from the brightly painted houses of ochre, yellow and blue which are clustered around the port. It has fine sandy beaches, a smattering of historic buildings, and a centuries-old chocolate-making tradition.

Torrevieja is a low-key family resort with some great sandy beaches and an unusual but attractive seafront, with rock pools accessed by ladders. The salt lagoons on the outskirts have been designated a Natural Park; you might well spot a cloud of pink flamingoes here.

A smart, upmarket resort on the shores of the Mar Menor, Santiago de la Ribera is popular with well-heeled Murcianos. The quiet waters of the inland sea make it the perfect place to learn to sail or windsurf, and the watersports facilities are excellent.

This sprawling family resort has several sandy beaches spread on either side of a rocky headland, which has an attractive coastal path. The inland village of Mazarrón is a tranquil spot for a break from the beach.

Águilas is beautifully set on a curving bay against a backdrop of distant mountains. There are some handsome 19th-century squares, a dramatic castle high on a cliff above the fishing port, and dozens of secluded coves on the outskirts. Development has been largely low-key.