A half term break on the Costa Blanca
On our first evening we wandered around Benidorm Old Town where we were treated to some amazing views out to the Levante and Poniente beaches.
Day 1 • Poniente beach • Denia • Javea
We started our first day with a morning stroll along the promenade of Poniente Beach. At more than 3km long, this is the longest beach in the resort. It is an urban beach that boasts a beautiful new promenade designed by Carlos Ferrater, with many restaurants and bars.
After our stroll we jumped in the car for a 40 minute drive to the historical coastal city of Denia and its pretty port and beach resort. It is located halfway between Alicante and Velencia so is a popular gateway to the Balearic Islands. There is an ancient Moorish castle that overlooks the beaches, archaeological museums, and plenty of eateries. Mount Montgó creates a beautiful backdrop.
We found lots of quaint side streets and plenty of places to eat, drink and shop. The city had an out of season feel, it was February after all, but we got a sense of how amazing it would be in the summer.
From Denia we took a short drive to Javea, considered one of the most beautiful towns on Alicante’s Costa Blanca. Between Denia and Javea we passed roads to the San Antonio Marine Reserve, an important area for marine conservation, and the stunning Montgó Natural Park. There’s so much to see in such a small area.
Javea is a medieval town by the sea with idyllic coves and beaches and a 15th Century fishing port. It is considerably smaller than Denia, split into three areas, the town, port and beach. Javea has a lovely cosmopolitan but relaxed feel about it. We enjoyed the views out to sea from the promenade, and there were many restaurants to choose from.
Day 2 • Benidorm • Levante Beach
A city of two halves!
We stayed local in Benidorm for our second day to spend some time walking around the Old Town and promenade before setting off for a stroll along Levante beach and its promenade which is more lively than Poniente Beach. It’s fair to say that the scenery changes the further along you go to a much younger feel and vibe.
Benidorm is such a diverse resort and it’s easy to see the appeal for all. Walking both promenades you’d think it was high season, not the middle of February!
Days 3 & 4 • Poniente Beach • Relaxation!
On the morning of day 3 we walked the length of Poniente Beach. We were joined by many others out for a Sunday stroll. There are some incredible buildings and modern architecture to take in along the way. It reminded me of Dubai in places. Because the weather was so good we decided to relax and take it easy for the final day or two. Walking along Poniente Beach and promenade and having the Old Town on our doorstep gave us the opportunity to see the more refined side of Benidorm that we’d been curious about.
Benidorm offers a lively scene around Levante Beach to those who want it, while just around the headland the idyllic views and tranquil setting is worlds apart. Like me, if you were to explore beyond Benidorm’s tourist hotspots I’m sure you’d be pleasantly surprised.
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