Whatever your poison, be it lively and boisterous nightlife, sun sand and sea or hidden coastal retreat, it's no surprise that the shores of the Costa Blanca is the most popular Costa in Spain.

Costa Blanca, located in the south of Spain's Valencia province stretches some 85 miles in length and at the centre lies Alicante and its airport. Spain's Costa Blanca - or ‘White Coast' - is an area of sometimes subtle and often blatant contrast that dips its toes in the Mediterranean all along its coast.

The cliché of the three S's - sun, sea and sand - neatly surmises why around five million northern Europeans and Spaniards visit the Costa Blanca year upon year. In contrast it can be vibrant and lively, rivalling the atmosphere that one would expect to find only in Ibiza; it can be quiet and appealing and is set against an awe inspiring backdrop of stunning mountain and coastal scenery.

A popular holiday destination with European visitors, the Costa Blanca boasts some of Spain's most popular holiday resorts and Benidorm is by far its most famous son. The lesser well known resorts of Calpe, Denia, El Albir, Torrevieja and Alicante itself receive their fair share of visitors. Each resort offers a something-for-everyone appeal through its own individual brand of atmosphere and charm. Benidorm is and always will be Benidorm - with its vibrant and sometimes boisterous nightlife and mass package holiday appeal but scratch the surface and you'll be surprised to find that the lesser known resorts also offer equally good value with a taste of authentic Spain .

Best time to visit

Popular all year round.

In a few words

The Costa Blanca is -  The White Coast, Benidorm on mass, British style pubs and grub, drunken Brits in Benidorm , charming villages, secluded beaches, the popular city of Alicante, low-cost charter flights, and the most popular holiday destination on the Spanish Mainland.