There is nothing better than enjoying a vacation without crowds, at your own pace, and deciding at all times what you want to do and what not. 2020 is a year that will mark a before and after. People’s values have changed, and new needs arise. We no longer travel as we did before, we don’t want to take risks, and we seek, above all, safety—what better way than to start with a route by car along the Costa Blanca.
In addition, we offer you the possibility of getting a free rental car so that you can enjoy this road trip by car along the Costa Blanca that we have prepared for you. Keep reading to find out 😉
Live the Mediterranean
That is why we suggest you discover your next destination by road, in your car or on that is rented. A road trip along the Costa Blanca, also known as the Costa de Alicante, allows you to feel the typical Mediterranean landscape with various plans suitable for all passengers. From emblematic tourist sites to traditional fishing villages, these locations offer tranquility and beauty ready to be discovered.
We want to invite you to discover the magic of making a road trip along the Costa Blanca. Are you coming?
First stop: Alicante
We start the route in the capital. Although this seafaring city’s jewels are the many beaches it has in its metropolitan area, Alicante also has some monuments that you cannot miss.
- The Castle of Santa Bárbara: at the top of the small Mount Benacantil is the most emblematic monument to see in Alicante. This castle dominates the center of the city and the bay of Alicante from above. When you look at it from a distance, it resembles the face of an Arab warrior. That is why it is called “La Cara del Moro.”
- The neighborhood of Santa Cruz: it is the most traditional place to visit in Alicante. It begins on the slopes of Mount Benacantil and is the best way to go to the castle of Santa Bárbara.
- The Esplanade of Spain: One of the things to do in Alicante is to walk through its beautiful Esplanade of Spain. The floor of this prmenade – which runs parallel to Alicante’s port – recreates the waves of the Mediterranean with a mosaic of more than 6 million small red, blue, and white tiles.
- The Port: Alicante exists facing its primary source of life, the Mediterranean Sea. This historic sea’s salty water forms the blood of a city that continues to use it as its main tourist attraction.
- Postiguet beach and San Juan beach: an urban beach very accessible from the city to the north; it is of fine sand, large and with good infrastructure to enjoy a day at the beach.
We continue through Villajoyosa
We are now heading to the so-called “Happy City,” Villajoyosa. It is a maritime town built on an old Iberian settlement. It has 8 watchtowers in its historic center: the Torre del Aguiló, the Torre de Dalt, the Torre de Baix, that of Charco, de la Cruz, La Torreta, Simeón, and the Torre de San José.
It is a very commercial city whose economic source is the manufacture of chocolate. In Villajoyosa, you can visit the Valor Chocolates Museum.
We continue in the multicultural village of Altea
On a hill next to the sea, Altea has been a land home to Iberians, Romans, Muslims, and Christians. Today it is a place chosen by many artists, painters, and singers who decide to spend pleasant seasons here, classifying itself as a town of important activity; cultural and artistic.
The bell tower and the parish church are the most photographed spots. From here begins a descent of steep and stepped streets with small whitewashed houses and viewpoints that descend towards the sea. As we move forward, we will find the fishing port and the Altea Nautical Club, located on a promenade with shops, restaurants, terraces, and markets.
Among its beaches, generally made of rolled stone, La Roda stands out for being the busiest as it is located in the town itself.
Calpe, in the Marina Alta
Calpe is a coastal town in Alicante that is dominated by the Peñón de Ifach, a Natural Park formed by a rock in the sea of imposing beauty and great ecological value. It is a huge limestone formation with a great variety of birds. At its feet are the ruins of Pobla de Ifac, a medieval walled city. The Red Wall is an iconic castle-like building designed by the Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill.
Calpe has been inhabited by different civilizations. It preserves the Baños de la Reina, an old salting factory from Roman times, or the Castle-Fortress. In addition, it has a marina where you can practice all kinds of maritime sports (sailing, windsurfing, diving center …), several beaches and an environment of great beauty.
Next stop: Jávea
Jávea is located between Cabo de San Antonio and Cabo de la Nao at the Montgó massif’s foot. It offers 20 km of high-quality beaches and coves with many leisure and sports activities, thanks to its marina. There are the best waters for diving between the islands of Portixol and the Discoverer, and Cala Granadella.
Strolling, through its historic center, magnificently preserved and structured around the fortress church of San Bartolomé, reveals the typically Mediterranean architecture of this area of the Levant. If you are a nature lover, visit the Cabo de San Antonio Marine Natural Reserve or the Montgó Natural Park.
And we reached the end of the route by car along the Costa Blanca!
Our route by car along the Costa Blanca ends in Benidorm, the small city of skyscrapers. Many call it little Miami; this city has become a true Spanish symbol. It is an example of sustainable urbanism, a timeless leader in Mediterranean tourism, and, like it or not, a world tourist reference.
Its micro-climate makes it one of those places always open for holidays, thanks to its south orientation. It boasts more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and its mild temperatures, which range between 12.7 degrees on average in January and 26.2 degrees on average in August. Also, it rains very little!
They call it the anti boredom city due to the many plans and activities you can participate in. First and foremost, you must lose yourself in its streets and experience this other side of the city.
Although we cannot forget its main claim: the beaches, Levante, Poniente and Mal Pas, and its two coves: Ti Ximo and La Almadraba, this second it’s nudist and is located at the foot of the Serra Gelada, the first land-based maritime park in the Valencian Community. If you like hiking, don’t miss it!
In front of Benidorm, an immortalized Island of the journalists, a paradise for lovers of diving or snorkeling.
Accommodation
If you liked this visual route by car along the Costa Blanca and are thinking of ending your trip to Benidorm, we offer you two types of accommodation according to your needs.
At Sandos Benidorm Suites you can enjoy a stay with family or friends on a bed and breakfast, half board or all-inclusive basis, depending on your needs. This establishment has spacious rooms measuring 45 m2, with two separate areas and comfortable beds for up to 4 people. We also have a children’s play area and an area for teenagers, a solarium terrace, a swimming pool, a wellness center, a themed restaurant, and a party room with live performances.
If you travel as a couple or with your family, all of whom are over 16; you can stay at our beloved Sandos Monaco, an adult-only SPA resort that will allow you to relax after a few intense days on the road. You can also book beauty treatments or massages to relax your body and mind. In addition, the catering offer and the treatment received will complete the experience and position it at the desired level. Sandos Monaco also has different board basis options.
In addition, in Benidorm’s accommodation, you can get a free rental car for two days thanks to an offer that you can see here. It’s the perfect moment to discover this route by car along the Costa Blanca.
And finally, if you want to receive gifts and special discounts for the whole family on your next Sandos vacation, become a member of the Sandos4u program, and you will get Coins to be able to use during your next stay.
If you want to know more about what to do on the Costa Blanca, whether on a group trip or on a family vacation, don’t miss our tips on Travel to Benidorm with Sandos Hotels as a family and Travel to Spain as a group.