Holiday in Moraira Spain

The Costa Blanca, the haunt of many tourists and the home of many foreign residents, combines magnificent beaches and cliffs with enchanting coves. The sun rises over the Mediterranean and shines on this stretch of land for almost 3,000 hours a year, dropping into the peninsula to create continental sunsets which are sometimes dramatic, after which the sea looks up in search of sparkling moonlight.

From Denia to Benidorm, the coastline acquires monumental proportions. Left behind in the north are the flat, fertile orchards and the leisurely lowlands. Here the mountains dip their feet in the sea, breaking off abruptly on this coastal area of the Land of Valencia, where crystal-clear waters, attractive seabeds and bright, sandy beaches are always part of the landscape. The capes of San Antonio and La Nao, Moraira, and a little further south, the Rock of Ifach, are breathtakingly beautiful, creating cliff-faces, hidden coves and sharp, sloping beaches, some with sand, others with shingle. Javea, Teulada, Benissa, Calpe, Altea and La Vila Joiosa... these are true seafarer villages, sitting on the coast, looking out to sea, and inviting visitors to partake of their delights and discover their secrets. In Benidorm, however, the bravado of the coast seems to tone down once again, opening out to create an incredibly broad stretch of southerly-facing sand enjoying year-round sun. This was Spain's first tourist enclave, and it is still going strong.

BEACHES ALONG THE COSTA BLANCA

BEACHES OF DENIA

The busy port of considerable size (including a fishing area, yacht club and marina) divides the Denia coastline into two, completely different sections known locally as Marines and Rotes. The most crowded and popular beaches stretch more than ten kilometres towards the north. They have full facilities including summer beach services to rent or learn to windsurf.

BEACHES OF JAVEA

From the San Antonio cape to Granadella cove, Jávea is a perfect example of the varied coastline along the Costa Blanca. Sailing, diving or simply swimming can be unique experiences here. To the north, the coast offers the chance to delve into the depths of the San Antonio cape marine nature reserve. Boats are available for hire at the port, and the schools it houses provide sailing classes.

BEACHES OF MORAIRA

Moraira point: an imposing rock pointing due south which splits the coastline in two. To the north lies Portet beach, a beautiful inlet with clear waters perfect for learning to windsurf and a popular spot to moor boats and take a quick dip in the shade of the spinnakers.

BEACHES OF CALPE

With small, rocky coves and wide, urban, fine sandy beaches, Calpe has a wide variety of attractive coastline where transparent waters are the order of the day. Its beautiful, peaceful coves include Les Bassetes, to the north - a natural shelter that provides perfect conditions for learning to sail and an interesting sea bed carpeted with underwater plants perfect for diving.

BEACHES OF ALTEA

Altea stretches out from Mascarat point in a wide bay, a succession of tiny coves and beaches as far as the port's breakwater that marks the edge of Alfàs del Pi, whose beach completes the bay at the foot of Bombarda point. The first beach - pebbles and clear waters - lies next to Greenwich marina with an appealing range of sports activities at the diving centre, sailing school and boat charter. Similar facilities are also available in the port and the yacht club.