Beaches

Home to one of the world's top 10 beaches, Playa Levante in Benidorm, the Costa Blanca is undeniably a beach-lover's paradise.

Benidorm itself has two beaches, Playa Levante and Playa de Poniente, which combine to provide almost three miles of clean, welcoming sand. Playa de Poniente, the quieter of the two, has been awarded Blue Flag status.

Other great places to soak up the sunshine include Calblanque, referred to by some as the Costa Blanca's best kept secret, as well as Postiguet beach and Playa de San Juan in Alicante, a popular town with a good range of facilities.

If a secluded patch of sand in natural surroundings is more your thing then the Dunas del Guardamar in Guardamar del Segura are perfect. Located in a natural reserve, they maintain a wild feel and have a pine forest that leads onto the dunes, where you can walk or take a picnic. The beach is lovely, but you are advised to take care in the currents that sometimes sweep through this stretch of water.

Nightlife

Thanks in large part to Benidorm, the Costa Blanca has an excellent reputation for its nightlife. Benidorm is home to hundreds of clubs, bars, discos and restaurants, and attracts top DJs and thousands of partygoers every year. KM Benidorm is perhaps the resort's most famous "mega club" and plays a good range of music - Judge Jules regularly does a set here. Other top-name venues include Penelope, which has a great beachfront location and a reputation as one of the coolest clubs in Benidorm. Zanibar meanwhile is a popular gay bar, one of many gay-friendly venues along the Calle Santa Faz.

Moving further south, Torrevieja can also be relied upon for a good night out. Pacha is a good haunt for the young and energetic, where you can dance to top Spanish and international DJs.

Alicante also offers a lively evening out, with the Bario de Santa Cruz containing an array of bars, nightclubs and places to eat. This is an area that likes to party, but to finish the night like a true Spaniard, you have to make it through to sunrise!

Food Drink And Shopping

Food And Drink

For a true taste of the Costa Blanca there are a few specialities that you definitely should try, starting with paella, a dish that originated in the region of Valencia. It can be made with a variety of ingredients, and the best-tasting are those with fresh seafood and chicken. Other tasty treats include caldero, a seafood stew, and empanadas, a pastry filled pocket of ham and cheese (the nearest Spanish equivalent to a Cornish pasty).

Horchata is a creamy drink made from tiger nuts and is very refreshing on a hot summer's day when served over crushed ice. As for deserts, turrón, a nutty nougat, is another must-try, and chocoholics will be pleased to note that chocolate is a particular speciality of the region. Visit La Vila Joiosa ("The Joyful Village") which has been making the sinful treat for over 300 years. Here you can enjoy tastings at its shops, and visit the town's museum.

While eating out is a good opportunity to try the local specialities, if you prefer to stick with what you know then there is always a good selection of international restaurants, including traditional English, available in the resort areas.

Shopping

Shopping on the Costa Blanca is a shopoholic's dream, with department stores and high street chains found in the larger towns like Benidorm and Alicante. If it's local produce you're after then all towns however big or small have at least one weekly market where you can pick up fresh fruit and vegetables (another speciality along this stretch of coast) as well as local crafts and souvenirs.