Please click here to view a map of the Costa Blanca North.

The Costa Blanca or the White Coast of Spain has two very distinctly different parts. The scenery in this northern region is generally much greener with oranges, almonds, vines, mountains and cliffs making it a stunningly beautiful part of Spain. There are wonderful sandy beaches, many stretching for miles as well as secluded rocky coves. The World Health Organisation has designated the area as one of the healthiest climates in the world. It has an estimated 3,000 hours and 325 days of sunshine throughout the year, with an average annual temperature of 19 degrees.

This northern area coastline begins around Gandia and takes in the resorts of Oliva, Denia, Jávea, Moraira, Calpe, Altea, Benidorm, Villajoyosa, El Campello and the beaches just north of Alicante. Property prices in the north are slightly higher than the south but you do not find so many high volume urbanisations in this region, you do however find larger plots, more privacy and smaller residential complexes.

For more detailed information and pictures click on: Denia Javea Moraira Jalon Calpe Altea

The historic town and port of Denia is located in the north of the Costa Blanca region midway between Valencia and Alicante, the international airports of both these cities are approximately a one hour drive. Denia is a cosmopolitan town and rich in history and culture; Iberian, Carthaginian, Roman, Arab and Christian civilisations have all made their mark here. A focal point of the town is its impressive 16th century castle. In Denia tourism blends comfortably with the hustle and bustle of what is still very much a Spanish working town.

Denia has modern supermarkets, an extraordinary number of banks, some very high quality shops and boutiques, fiscal representatives (tax consultants), lawyers, doctors, dentists and the area's largest hospitals. The main central street, Calle Marques de Campo, named after the Marquis of Denia who used to reside in the castle is a wonderful place to sit in one of the many street cafes and people watch. Denia has a myriad of restaurants offering some of the best regional and international cuisine, many establishments are on the water front, while others lie in narrow streets just waiting to be discovered.

There are great tapas bars, seafood restaurants with a mouth watering selection of produce fresh from local waters as well as Indonesian, Mexican, Italian and Greek restaurants.

Denia is a seafaring town and it is still a working port. The old fishermen's quarter preserves its delightful cobbled streets and whitewashed buildings, yet nearby you'll find a modern yacht marina. There is a ferry terminal with daily car and passenger ferries to the Balearic Islands, plus a fast ferry reaching Ibiza in just under 2 hours.

The beaches stretch for miles and consistently win the European Blue Flag for safety, cleanliness and water quality. There are beaches to suit everyone; endless stretches of flat sandy beach, sand dunes, rocky coves and tiny bays hidden among the cliffs. Denia hosts some spectacular fiestas throughout the year, especially famous in July is the "Bous en la Mar" when men and bulls all end up in the sea.

Just a short drive from town is the 27 hole La Sella International Golf Course and Marriott Resort. To the north of Denia heading towards Gandia is the Oliva Nova Golf, an 18 hole Ballesteros Championship course, with a 4 star hotel and spa.

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Jávea, or Xabia as it is known in the Valencian dialect, lies on a tip of the northern Costa Blanca quite close to Denia. The famous Montgo Mountain serves as a natural shelter for the town.

Jávea has three main and quite distinct areas; the old historic town, the port, marina area and Playa Arenal, the beach area. To the south side is Cabo de la Nau an exclusive and beautiful residential area with it’s lighthouse at the furthest east point in Spain. There are also many coves, unusual rock formations and beauty spots around this area.

To the more northern side is Cabo de Sant Antoni where you find the remains of old windmills set atop the cliffs and stunning views over the bay of Jávea and the town. The medieval past of Jávea’s old town is quite noticeable as you wander around. The main weekly market is held in the old town, where you find most of the shops, banks and commerce areas.

Wandering around the port area you discover a modern church Nuestra Señora de Loreto. When the town’s fishermen were caught at sea during a terrible storm their loved ones were praying for their safe return and when their prayers were answered they erected the church, this is why the ceiling resembles the keel of a ship. In the port you also find the marina, sitting below the windmills of Cabo de Sant Antoni. If you take the road uphill towards the Cabo, you see a little pilgrimage church, the cloister Nuestra Señora de los Angeles along the way.

Playa Arenal, is where you find a lovely safe beach lined with a beautiful promenade. A popular place both during the day and in the evening. An amazing choice of restaurants and bars line the promenade and often there are craft and artisan market stalls to browse. The Montgo Mountain is a nature reserve and natural park which forms a kind of barrier between Jávea and her neighbour Denia, there are a number of walking trails and superb views all along the coast. Just outside the town is the Jávea golf course and close by is Denia’s La Sella International course.

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The resort of Moraira nestles in a small bay between the larger towns of Jávea and Calpe. Originally a fishing village, Moraira still retains much of the charm and has a more compact feel to it than many of the other Costa Blanca northern resorts. There is still an active port and a daily fish market, but these days it also has an impressive Marina with over 600 berths, and two very safe and sandy Blue Flag beaches. Moraira enjoys a sub-tropical climate, with cool sea breezes in summer and protection by surrounding mountains against the cold North winds in winter.

Moraira has an excellent choice of local shops, a weekly open market, harbour-side fish restaurants and bars, all still retaining their Spanish character. The surrounding hills are covered in vineyards and pine groves, many of Moraira’s residential villa developments are set in these hills yet the area remains a place of outstanding natural beauty and quite unspoilt as the local councils are very forward thinking in terms of protecting the environment. It is worthy of note that the famous dessert wine “Moscatel” originates from Moraira.

Moraira has a very pleasant international feel to it with inhabitants from all over Europe making their home here.

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One of the prettiest areas of Spain is the Jalón Valley. Central to the valley is the picturesque village of Jalón (or Xalo as it is known locally), although just a few kilometres from the Mediterranean coast, the valley is almost like another world and even though referred to as the Jalón its correct Spanish name is Valle de Pop.

Sheltered and surrounded by a range of mountains including the 1,100 metres high Sierra Bernia, this is a fertile and lush landscape with acres of orange groves, vineyards and almond trees. Higher up on the hillsides you can find pine trees and the resident Spanish Holm-Oak as well as many herbs such as Rosemary and Thyme. This is a tranquil place compared to the coastal resorts and one of spectacular natural beauty and serenity, heavily steeped in Spanish tradition, values and culture.

The valley is scattered with lovely old villages and towns such as Lliber, Alcalali, Parcent and yet all the facilities exist for a very full life indeed as many international residents will confirm, behind its quiet and sleepy façade there is a lot going on. There are many lovely yet inexpensive restaurants, shops and particularly bodegas, where you can buy the local wines.

For clients interested in purchasing property in or around the Jalón Valley we have a special brochure for the area, if you would like to receive a copy please telephone 01489 482282 or contact us by email.

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Calpe is situated about half way between Jávea and Benidorm. Its dominant landmark is the famous limestone rock; the Peñon de Ifach reaching 332m high, which is often used as a symbol of the Costa Blanca. On both sides of the Peñon are safe sand beaches with clear water.

There is a footpath up to the Ifach which, after approximately half an hour walking, you reach a tunnel 30 meters long which dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. From here it will take you another 40 minutes to the top of the mountain but the reward will be a breathtaking view over the landscape, the town and the sea. You will need to be fairly fit for the energetic hike but it is sure to be a memorable experience, although definitely not one to be contemplated by the elderly, disabled or those prone to vertigo.

The Peñon was declared a national park in 1987 in order to protect its rich abundance of flora and fauna. With a surface area of just 35 hectares, it is the smallest natural park in Spain. Just a half a kilometre away, you will also find the salt lake, home to the flocks of pink flamingos as well as a whole host of other water birds who come here to winter.

At the base of the Peñon de Ifach you find the port and marina. Here at the famous Lonja, a fish auction, fresh fish is unloaded and distributed every day, also in this area are some of the best sea-food restaurants. Take a walk along the harbour any evening, you can’t fail to be impressed by the displays of sea-food outside almost every restaurant. Although much of the newer part of the resort is fairly modern hotel and apartment complexes, there is also an older town which is steeped in history. This old town is built on a hill and offers a wealth of culture with charming, narrow medieval streets.

In both the old and new town you find excellent shopping facilities, a wealth of bars and restaurants offering all kinds of local and International cuisine. Remains of Iberian tribes, dating back to several hundreds of years BC, have been found at Calpe and there are also reminders of the times when Moors and Christians co-existed peacefully here for centuries. During the 4th and 17th centuries Barbary pirates plagued this stretch of coast.

Calpe has a very long promenade, running alongside a superb sandy beach, which connects the port and marina area to the main town.

With its ideal location, near perfect climate and many attractions, Calpe has proved a magnet for foreign tourists and homeowners alike and has successful blended the old and the new.

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Altea is one of the most charming and fascinating villages on the Costa Blanca, situated at the foot of the Sierra Bernia mountain range, it’s climate is warm in summer and mild in winter, protected by the mountains from strong, cold winds. Altea is in total contrast to the busy holiday resort of Benidorm which is just 11 km to the south so if you are looking for bright lights and night life then Altea is most definitely not for you.

Altea is still a relatively small town and has retained the charming atmosphere of a fishing village. The old town of Altea is fascinating, built on top of a hill overlooking the beach and promenade which lie below it. In the old town you find the church Nuestra Señora del Consuelo on top of the hill, its blue tiled dome can be seen from miles around, it’s the main focal point of Altea’s postcards. From here you have beautiful views of the entire town, its surroundings, along the coast and to the mountains. Along the seafront you will find a series of pebble and shingle beaches, bars, restaurants, shops, a marina and a lovely promenade. This attractive promenade is also the venue for the huge Tuesday market.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Altea became an important centre for artists and painters and there are many exhibitions and numerous art shops in the town. The inspiring landscape of Altea acted as a magnet to painters and it's easy to understand why Altea became a Bohemian centre for musicians, artists and writers such as Hemingway. The town is now geared to the demands of the modern day tourist but still retains that Bohemian air.

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