The
Southern Costa Blanca or White Coast as the name means, has
an average of 320 days a year of sunshine and maintains an
average year round temperature of 24°C. According to the
World Health Organisation the area has the "healthiest
climate in the world". This is caused by the combination
of constant year round warm temperatures and the two huge
salt lakes rich in minerals of "Laguna de la Mata"
(now a conservation area) and the "Salina de San Miguel"
that surround Torrevieja. The natural salt lakes dry the air,
therefore reducing humidity and producing a healthy atmosphere
beneficial for people who suffer with chest problems, arthritis,
rheumatism etc. These lakes are also home to a host of wildlife
including large flocks of Flamingos.
The
Costa Blanca beaches are famous throughout Europe with long
stretches of soft white sand and sparkling clear Mediterranean
sea. Each boasts the European Blue Flag awarded for clean
beaches and totally unpolluted water.
Most
of the towns hold large traditional daily street markets and
spectacular festivals and processions taking place all year
around but also have the modern amenities such as newly constructed
hospitals, shopping outlets and sports centres, etc.
Algar
Waterfalls
This
is a beauty spot that is run with the visitor's participation
in conservation and development of "Fonts de l'Agar and
its surrounding area. Visit the riverside, a walk along the
paths and bathing in its various pools and waterfalls. Don't
forget your swimsuits! First aid post, camping for one day
with WC and showers, reception centre and parking.
Place:
It is situated on the road to Callosa, 35 Km from Calpe and
Benidorm. Combine a visit with a visit to Guadalest. Tel/Fax:
96 588 21 06
Altea
This
is a pleasant town just north of Benidorm and well worth a
visit.
Altea
Hills Yachts
Visit
Altea Hills and enjoy a stroll around the Marina, probably
one of the most exclusive on the Costa Blanca, and is home
of some of the biggest luxury yachts in Spain. Enjoy a meal
or a drink at one of the bars in the marina. You can charter
boats from here and there is also a diving excursion which
leaves from the marina
Aqualandia
This
is a huge water amusement park for adults and children. It
is situated on the west side of Benidorm against a hill near
Mundomar and Benidorm palace. Don't forget the sun cream!
Tel: 96 586 40 06 or 07
Website: www.aqualandia.net
Aquascop
Discover
the fantastic underwater world in the waters of Benidorm's
Island and the Calpe area on this boat trip. Departures from
the port and the street Rincon de Loix, first departure at
10.00 and goes every hour...
Tel: 96/585 00 52
Aquapolis,
Torrevieja
A
fun day out for all the family. Aquapark in Torrevieja.
Time:
Open from 10am until 7pm. Tel: 96/571 5611.
Balloon
Flights, Elche
Definitely for the more adventurous, take a 40 minute balloon
flight in the areas of Bajo Vinalopo and Bajo Seguar. The
trip offers incredible views of the south of the province
of Alicante and at the same time provides a secure and suitable
flight for the general public.
The
whole excursion lasts 3 hours, including 40 min flying time.
At the end of the flight a picnic is provided and you can
celebrate the experience with Cava. Excitement Touristic Balloon
Flights
Tel:
966 637 401 (Reservations)
Benidorm
Palace
Special and spectacular varied dinner show. Three-hour floor
show and dancing with music provided by a live orchestra.
Alternatively you can book tickets in the travel agent next
to the Cam Bank in Commercial Centre 1 in La Marina.
Time:
Doors open at 21.00.
Tel: 96 585 16 60 or 61 (Reservations)
Calpe
A
visit to Calpe itself is recommended. Have lunch in one of
the many restaurants which specialise in local fish dishes.
Calpe Ifach
The Phoenicians called the Rock of Ifach the Northern Rock,
to distinguish it from Gibraltar, the Southern Rock, as these
were the only spectacular promontories they encountered in
their travels to the western shores of the Mediterranean.
Ifach is indeed a large rock, measuring 332m in height. Today,
it is being transformed into a nature park to protect its
unique vegetation and over 300 species of animals, including
colonies of sea birds that use it as a nesting area. Located
here is a nature school where local carnations and even original
Robertonian orchids can be admired. The park itself can be
reached up a zigzagging track leading to a panoramic view
over the entire Marina Alta coastline.
Castillo
Conde de Alfaz
Go back eight hundred years to the Castle of the Count of
Alfaz and enjoy a dinner typical of this age. See how the
knights fight on foot and horseback to defend their honour
and save themselves from the Pit of Terror; a place which
you too can visit….if you dare! End you night in the
great disco "The Torture Chamber".
Place: In Alfaz between Altea and Benidorm. 3 km from Benidorm.
Tel: 96/686.55.92 or 93.
Castle of Santa Barbara, Alicante
This is well worth a visit for the magnificent views of Alicante
and the surrounding area. Don't make our mistake and try to
walk up the hill to the castle. If you are travelling by car,
follow the signs on the N-332 to the Puerto. When you reach
the Puerto, you will see signs for Parking. Once parked, walk
along the promenade until you reach the beach. Continue until
past the Tourist Information office, just after this there
is a bridge crossing the dual carriageway. Cross the road
and follow the signs to the Castle. You will enter a tunnel
which takes you to the lift up to the Castle.
Cactuslandia
A personal garden transformed into cactusland. 1000 different
species of cactus and other succulents, tropical fruit tees,
several species of parrots, parakeets, exotic birds and other
exhibits. A wonderworld of shapes and colours. Also a collection
of fossils, mineral stones, shells, butterflies. Refreshments
are available. On the road between Altea and Calpe.
Place:
La Galera del Mar, 26 - Altea - Tel: 96/584 22 18
El
Huerto Del Cura (The Curate's Orchard), National Artistic
Garden, Elche (Elx)
This is a garden of 13,000 m2 where you can see a large cactus
and palm-tree collection with species from all over the world.
About a thousand palm-trees surround ponds, rockeries and
promenades.
Place: Porta de la Morera, 49, 03203 Elche (Elx)
Tel/Fax: 96/5 45 19 36
Go-Karts
There are different categories of Karts and tracks including
the baby kart tracks for ages 5 to 10 years old, junior tracks
from 10-15 years old and adult tracks. The entrance is just
off the N-332 near Playa Flamenca.
Tel/Fax: 96/5 32 80 69
Guadalest
This is a beautiful town in the hills with spectacular views.
There are several museums, including a Museum of torture and
the unique Antonio Marco Museum where you can see miniatures
of many things too small to see with the human eye. Visit
the old fortified monastery.
Tel:
96 588 50 04 (Torture Museum)
Tel: 96 5898 53 23 (Museum Antonio Marco)
Jalon Valley - Valley of Wine
The Jalon valley is named after the Jalon river, it flows
through the village Jalon (some road signs say Xalo), which
lies some 7 km from Benissa. The famous Jalon wines, strong
red and the sweet mistela or moscatel wine are sold in two
bodegas, where you are encouraged to try the produce. You
can buy the wine by the litre.
Every Tuesday a market - vegetables, clothes, shoes etc. -
is held in the square and the adjacent streets.
On Saturday mornings an enormous car boot sale and antique
market is held on the area opposite the bodega under the huge
eucalyptus trees and is well worth visiting.
Jeep
Safari 4 x 4 Cabrio
Discover the real Spain. A complete full day of adventure,
action and sensation through the magnificent countryside of
the Costa Blanca mountains, valleys, picturesque villages,
rivers, jungles and swamps. Drive yourself or let yourself
be driven.
Place:
Av. Penetracion s/n - Complejo Admiral 1, local 5 - Benidorm.
Tel: 96 680 71 24
Limon
Express
Travelling on the Limon Express is a pleasant excursion, along
the Costa Blanca. You can admire Altea, Teulada and other
natural places you can't otherwise reach. The old tourist
trains stops in Gata de Gorgos where passengers visit a guitar
factory and are shown typical handicraft. On the way back,
going South, passengers can enjoy the wonderful west Mediterranean
landscape from the heights of this coast whilst sparkling
wine is served.
Tel: 96/680 31 03 (Reservations - info)
Fax: 96 680.85 21
Mundomar
Marine and exotic animal park near Aqualandia. Mundomar is
a unique adventure; its main attraction is that it is a beautiful
setting with exotic marine animals. Enjoy a fascinating encounter
with the dolphins and seals. They are real stars of the park.
Place: West side of Benidorm
Tel: 96 586 91 01 or 02 or 03
Pola
Park
A fun attraction park for children, on the N-332 just north
of La Marina. You will see the park as you travel from Alicante
Airport on the left hand side of the road.
Time: Open 19.00 - 2.00 July and August and at weekends for
the remainder of the year.
Tel: 96/541 70 60
Prehistoric
natural cave
The Caves of Canelobre at Busot, situated 24km from the city
of Alicante, at a height of 700m on the northern side of Cabeco
d'Or. The interior of the cave has got one of the highest
vaults in all Spain, and is very similar to a cathedral.
Place: Busat at Alicante, motorway A7, excit 67 to El Campello,
exit the road N-332 near El Campello to road N-340 Alcoi-Xixona
to the cave in Busot.
Tel: 96/569 92 50
Prehistoric natural cave (2)
Visit this magnificent natural cave of more than 300m long
and its stalagmites and stalactites and admire the great numbers
of domes which at times rise to a height of more than 20m.
The cave is situated on the road between Pedreguer and Benidoleig.
Place: Situated inland between Gata and Ondara, surrounding
area Javea - Denia.
Tel: 96/640 42 35 - 03759.
Safari Park Rio
Rio Safari Park Elche is the ideal spot to enjoy nature and
to watch tigers, lions, camels, monkeys, hippopotamus …..
From its trains. You can also visit the first farm exhibition
with more than 200 crocodiles of all sizes. Rio Safari's 6000
fully grown palm trees create an unique tropical setting.
A professional team records with a video camera your journey
by train and will turn your visit into a great audio-visual
souvenir.
Place: On the road from Santa Pola to Elche.
Tel: 96/663 72 88
Salvador Artesana - shoe factory
outlet
This is an essential place to visit - your can buy shoes,
handbags, leather goods such as belts at factory prices. They
also have a range of large sizes for tall men and women -
do ask the assistants.
Take the road to Elche from the N332, and follow the road
for approximately 14 kilometres. Turn left onto the N340.
Follow the signs to Carrefour supermarket. You will see the
yellow sign for the Salvador Artesana factory approximately
250 - 500 metres past Carrefour on the right. Turn right and
the factory is at the end of the road on the righthand side.
Place:
030205 Elche (Alicante) Apda. de Correos, 5404
Time: Opening times 10 - 13.30, 3.30 - 8.00.
Tel: 966 67 54 41.
Sand Dunes of Guardamar
You
can ride camels over the dunes at Guardamar for an enjoyable
trip.
Terra Mitica - Theme Park
The Mediterranean's major Theme Park, on the outskirts of
Benidorm is well worth a visit and has attractions for all
ages. You can buy a 1 day, 2 consecutive days ticket, 3 days
non-consecutive ticket or an Evening Ticket. The Park is open
all week from Mid-March - October, at weekends during November
and December (all week Christmas week) and reopens in March.
Follow the N-332 to Alicante and then join the Autopista A-7
(signpost to Valencia). As you approach Benidorm you will
see the signs to Terra Mitica clearly marked, salida (exit)
65-A. (NB the A-7 is a toll road).
Tel: 902 020 220
Website: www.terramiticapark.com
Wax Museum, Benidorm
113 sculptures - royal families, politicians, art, music,
horror, cinema, etc.
Place: Museo de Cera - Avda Mediterranea, 8 - 03500, Benidorm.
Tel: 96/680 84 21
