There's probably nowhere in southern Spain more popular with holidaymakers than Costa Blanca, Spain's 'white coast'. With several fairly large cities, along with incredible natural beauty and amazing beaches, Costa Blanca has earned a reputation as one of the best holiday destinations in Europe. Here's a look at the best natural, cultural, and sporting holiday destinations in Costa Blanca.

Natural Sites to See

The outdoors of Costa Blanca include beaches of softly lapping waves, mountain ranges, and wetlands teeming with biodiversity.

<b>Beaches:</b> The beaches of Costa Blanca aren't hard to find; most tourists will make their way to one of Costa Blanca's many beaches before the end of a stay. The northern cities of Denia, Javea, Benissa, and especially Calpe are smaller, less developed areas with quieter beaches, even though they don't offer the same amenities as larger areas such as Alacant.

<b>Mountains:</b> Hikers and mountain bikers will enjoy the inland and coastal mountain ranges of the Costa Blanca area. With many well-maintained trails and plenty of places serving backpackers and campers, the best place to set off from is Castalla. A small agricultural town about 35 km from Alacant, Castalla offers access to hikes up Cumbre del Cid, Cumbre Despenador, Cumbre de Planises, and more.

<b>Wetlands and Nature Preserves:</b> The Tabarca Island Nature and Marine Preserve, created in 1986, is home to a wide variety of birds and marine wildlife. In the waters around Tabarca Island, officials recently built an artificial reef to enhance and protect the marine biodiversity.

Culture

The southern coast of Spain has traded hands between Romans, Moorish, and Spanish conquerors for many centuries. For the European history buff, Costa Blanca has no shortage of interesting archaeological sites, dating from the Stone Age to medieval Europe.

Alacant, also known as Alicante, is the capital city in this area, and is home to a historic Mediterranean port. Inhabited for over 7,000 years, Alacant was home at different points to Iberian tribes, Carthaginians, Romans, and Moors. Visitors will definitely enjoy the Castle of Santa Barbara, which looms protectively above the city. There's also the Concatedral de San Nicolas de Bari, the seat of the bishop and main church of Alacant, built in the seventeenth century.

Sports

If culture and beautiful mountain vistas aren't what you're looking for in a holiday, you can still find plenty of other things to do in Costa Blanca. With all the beaches in the area, there are plenty of resources to support any watersport of your choice, from sailing and scuba diving to fishing, windsurfing, and jetskiing. Golfers will enjoy a multitude of first-rate facilities to choose from all up and down the coast. With three hundred days of sun per year, it's no wonder that Costa Blanca is known internationally as one of the best places in the world to golf. Bungee jumping, hang-gliding, climbing, and mountaineering are also popular sports in Costa Blanca, and you'll find plenty of guides and schools to help you stay safe with each of these sports.

In sum, Costa Blanca can meet the wishes of virtually every holidaymaker. Whether you're looking for a romantic place for a honeymoon, an educational trip through European history, or a chance to just relax on the beach and catch a few waves, Costa Blanca can provide it to you.