Spanish Property on the Costa Banca
North Costa Blanca:
Denia | Javea | Benidorm | Villajoyosa | Calpe | Altea | Teulada | Oliva | La NuciaSouth Costa Blanca:
Orihuela | Crevillent | Ibi | Alicante | Elche | Torrevieja
The Costa Blanca is a 200km stretch of coast running from Valencia in the north to Cartagena in the south and is one of the most popular choices for people from the UK buying Spanish Property. It is generally broken into the north and south areas, as they have very distinct persoinalities. To the north lush, fertile valleys flow down to the sea against a mountainous terrain. In stark contrast the South is an expanse of rolling plains while warm sea waters compliment the palm trees lining the promenades.
The area south of Alicante airport, heading towards Murcia, has seen enormous development of Spanish property from almost nowhere in the last 10 years. All these new developments have helped to make this one of the fastest growing tourist areas in Spain. The coastline consists of open sandy beaches but the landscape can be quite arid as it has the higher temperatures and is in the rain shadow of the rest of Spain. To the north is the biggest tourist resort in Spain, Benidorm, which caters for 3.8 million visitors a year. Further north still is an area named by the World Health Organisation in 1981 as having the healthiest climate in the world based on a number of factors. Further inland is the Jalon Valley, famous for its almonds and ham. It is less than one hour’s drive of either Valencia or Alicante airports, and without the pressures to cater for package tourism this is the prettiest area on the coast and offers a wide scope for investment property at a sensible price.
Costa Blanca really does have something to offer everyone; gastronomy, music, culture, excursions through the region and cinema. Resorts offer watersports, boating and there are plenty of golf courses to keep the keen golfers happy. The Benidorm Palace presents variety 'dinner and shows' with international attractions and throughout the coast there is an extensive choice of restaurants ranging from those specialising in international food to those offering typical paella dishes of the area, principally based on rice. There is fun for all the family, the Terra Mitica theme park and Terra Natura zoo offer something for everyone: shows, thrill rides and rides for the little ones. On a practical note, the medical facilities are truly world-class with several state of the art hospital facilities in the area.
Orihuela
Orihuela is around 30km from Elche and is rich in hostoric monuments including St. Dominic's Church, The Holy Cathedral Church (featuring a painting by Velazquez) and the Church of Santiago that was in fact originally a mosque. Spanish property in this area represents excellent value and you certainly get a lot for your money here!
Denia
Denia has almost 20km of coastline; to the north of the town of Denia, there are beaches of fine sand and shallow waters such as Les Marines, L'Almadrava, Les Deveses, Les Bovetes and els Palmars. To the south of Denia lies a series of small coves along the rocky coast, known as Les Rotes, which is a paradise for fishermen and divers.
Denia is dominated by the hill-top castle, part of which dates back from the Roman area. The castle is open to the public and easy to get to by car or by foot. The castle also houses the museum of archaeology which gives a history of Denia from Roman to modern times. Denia is a quiet little town that was once the centre of the area's raisin production industry. Although tourism has taken over, raisins are still grown here and remain to be a local speciality. The main street in Denia is the Plaza de la Constitucion where you can sit and watch the world continue around you in the shdow of a splendid 17th century church. The town has an impressive working fishing fleet and fresh fish can area unloaded and sorted daily. Not surprisingly the port also has a regular fresh fish and meat market.
A plethora of watersports can be found nearby, from sailing and yachting clubs to diving and windsurfing. You can also take a ferry from Denia to the Balearic Islands including Ibiza and Formentera.
Javea
Javea has a varied landscape, ranging from sandy coastlines to rugged mountain areas. The town manages to effortlessly combine beauty and modern facilities with the charm of an ancient fishing village. Javea has an established community of ex-pats, making it a perfect choice for your spanish property if you are looking to take life easy without needing to learn the local language.
Crevillent
Just 10km from Elche is Crevillent, the centre of rug manufacture and export in the area. The town offers 18th century cave dwellings, several major churches and great museums to explore.
Benidorm
Benidorm's beaches and many leisure facilities has made it the Costa Blanca's main tourist area. Benidorm boasts some of the best beaches in Europe, like Poniente beach, with 3 miles of fine sand which is cleaned daily, the quality of the services and activities, and the clear water being the main reasons why it attracts so many visitors to Benidorm.The old part of Benidorm sits on Canfali Hill, the piece of land that divides the two beaches, and a fort stood here until 1812 when the British and Spanish troops blew it up whilst expelling the French. The greatest concentration of shops and entertainment is to be found here. In Benidorm you can entertain yourself on the beaches, sample go-karting, ten-pin bowling or take in two theme parks, the water features at Aqualand or watch a dolphin show.
The town now hosts such cultural events as free jazz and classical concerts. Families from all over Europe flock to Benidorm in the summer and in the winter, the hotels and apartments fill with pensioners, enjoying the climate for the winter months. The shopping areas are typical touristy shops offering all manners of goods. Benidorm has two crescent shaped beaches with golden sand that is always well cared for and clean. This makes it an ideal family destination, ideal for a holiday spanish property.
Villajoyosa
Villajoyosa or Villa Joiosa in Valencian, means 'joyful' or 'happy' town. It is situated at the mouth of the River Sella and is the main town of the La Marina region.
Ibi
Ibi has beautiful sandy beaches and Europe's biggest salt flats bursting with bird life, historic sites and a huge variety of Spanish and international restaurants.
Alicante
Alicante city has a population of over 300,000 and combines tranditional and contemporary culture harmoniously. There has been a town here since before the 3rd Century BC. One of its most impressive churches is the Iglesia de Santa Maria, which is the oldest church in the city and was built between the 14th and 16th centuries. Its front consists of two solid looking towers and very impressive Baroque stonework and houses several important works of art. The Cathedral de San Nicolas was built between 1616 and 1662 and stands over 45 metres tall and the Communion Chapel is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of Spanish Baroque. The Monastery de la Santa Faz is 5km from the city centre and is now used as a convent. Although being built in 1752, there are remains here dating from 1582 of a defence tower. Alicante clearly has a wealth of history and has an impressive mountain-top castle. The city also has a range of 18th century manor houses, all worthy of a visit. Alicante offers an exhilarating fusion of the old and the new, an exciting local for your new Spanish property.
Elche
Elche is world famous for its huge palm grove, the largest in Europe. To date, there are more than 300,000 of the trees over a surface of 430 hectares in Elche, giving the entire city an exotic air. The Phoenicians created the palm grove in Elche during the 6th century BC, taking advantage of a warm climate. In fact Elche had it's original location at L'Alcudia where the bust of the Lady of Elche was found, but the city was moved by the Moors to it's current position, surrounded by groves of palm trees. When King James I conquered the city, the victorious Christians occupied the Vila Murada (walled city) and the Moors moved to the Ravel area, where an art gallery is now situated. In the old sector of Elche historical sites such as the Altamira Palace, the Basilica of Santa Maria, the Moorish fortress and the Moorish Baths can be found. You will find palms seemingly on every street corner and are presented in the well-tended city park and just a short walk away in the Huerto del Cura (Priest's Garden), where a palm in the form of a seven-armed candelabra can be found.
The River Vinalopo runs through Elche and has several impressive bridges. Close to the river you will find the Basilica, the Palacio, the Museo de la Festa and the old town market. All over Elche are splendid buildings with intricate stonework and a fair share of statues and monuments. The "Mystery" or fiesta of Elche, is a theatrical festival it is with mediaeval origins celebrated on the 14th and 15th August in the Santa Maria. Elche is a truly beautiful city steeped in history and culture, a truly inspired location in which to buy a Spanish property.
Calpe
Calpe is dominated by the towering rock called Peñon d'Ifach which scales 332m and is now a nature reserve. The summit of the rock can be reached by means of a tunnel through the rock. From here, magnificent panoramic views can be had and on a clear day, the island of Ibiza is visible. Calpe is a town with a strong history and culture, and it's strategic position on the coast has attracted many voyagers and settlers throughout history. Remains of Iberian tribe settlements have been found around the town. The Romans founded a prosperous colony whose main activity was dried & salted fish. Christians and Moors lived peacefuly for a time but came under attack by pirates during the 14th-17th centuries. The stability enjoyed during the 18th century helped Calpe to thrive and form the current tourist paradise.
La Nucia
La Nucia is located to the northeast of the province of Alicante, in the center of the region of La Marina Baixa, and one of the most beautiful and assorted of the coast. La Nucia is flanked on the north with Polop and Callosa d'en Sarria and Altea, to the south with L'Alfaz, and to the west with Benidorm, 50 km away.
Altea
Altea sits on the top of a hill, protected from cold winds by the mountains behind, this place has all the charm of a Mediterranean coast village. Altea is located 10 km from Benidorm and there is the pretty Club Nautico de Altea Marina.
The mountains you see on the horizon are fragrant with wild lavender and herbs and in July and August blackberries are abundant, ready for the taking.
Teulada
Teulada's Club Nautico de Moraira is situated 6 km from the town centre. There is a stop here on the Alicante-Dénia railway. Located 75 km from Alicante and 31 km from Benidorm. Teulada was oringinally a village populated by a small number of christians and dedicated to growing Muscatel grapes and raisins.
Oliva
Oliva town is situated eighty kilometres south of the city of Valencia amid orange groves. It offers visitors a taste of Spain's historical past with its narrow cobbled streets, Moorish castle remains, the blue domed churches of San Roque (constructed on the site of a mosque), and the neoclassic 16th century church of Santa Maria la Mayor.
Torrevieja
The town is located at the southern end of the Valencian community and is famous for the two huge saltwater lagoons which surround it. These "Salterns of Torrevieja" are the second biggest in the world and certainly the largest in Europe. The lagoons have been designated as national parks and attract more than 250 bird species including flamingoes.
