COSTA BLANCA GEOGRAPHY

The Costa Blanca region has been occupied for more than 50,000 years by Greeks, Romans and the Moors. The area is dominated in parts by rugged cliffs of jutting limestone that lead to secluded bays with wonderful warm seas.

The mountains behind the coast act as natural protection which results in a warm climate all the year round. The inland of the Costa Blanca is a mixture of semi-desert and picturesque valleys.

Northern Costa Blanca is where you will find magnificent rock formations that seem to rise vertically out of he sea. With little white washed houses dotted into the hillside taking advantage of whatever flat land there is it makes for a picture postcard setting. The Penyal d'ilfach is a perfect example of this at Calpe.

Between the rocky formations you will find small sandy bays and in other places long sandy beaches. Many of the sunrises and sunsets on the Costa Blanca are a photographers dream especially in the months of September when the sun and cloud formations provide a free light show.

Inland you will find little historic villages carved into the rocks with some only accessible on foot. One of the best places to visit is Guadelest where you will find terraces of crops structured by the Moors centuries ago.

Further south in Elx you will find fertile forests of 300,000 palm trees dating back to 300bc. South of Alicante is less rugged and the dramatic mountains of the north are replaced by the natural salt lakes of Torrevieja.

Inland you will find quaint villages with crops of lemons and oranges growing so close to the roadside you could pick your own as you pass. With pleasant beaches and historic Spanish villages inland the Southern Costa Blanca area certainly has something for everyone.