family travel guide
Spain's coastline is breathtaking, but only a part of it earns the poetic name of the Costa Blanca — 'White Coast'. Here the sea splashes against the white cliffs and gently caresses the fine, light-coloured sands of the beaches. This warm, sunny land is situated in the east of Spain, in the autonomous community of Valencia. It can safely be included in the best places for a family holiday.
Resorts on the Costa Blanca are rightly considered a summer resort for children: much sun, warm sea, relatively low humidity — that's almost everything you need to improve the child's health. And if you also need walks, active games, fresh fruits and pleasant impressions — everything is OK with this on the White Coast too. In our review, you'll find all the information you need about holidays with children on the Costa Blanca. Find out when it's best to come here with your child, which resort to choose and what to do during your holiday.
The Costa Blanca is the coastline of the province of Alicante, bathed by the Mediterranean Sea. The white coast stretches 200 km from Denia in the north of the region to the municipality of Pilar de la Horadada in the south. The province's administrative centre, the city of Alicante, is 45 km from Benidorm, 50 km from Torrevieja, 35 km from Villajoyosa and 180 km from Valencia.
So what is the province of Alicante, where the Costa Blanca is located? It turns out to be part of the autonomous community of Valencia, famous for its excellent football club, the Fallas festival and paella — one of the most delightful dishes of Spanish cuisine. So, before you've even started preparing for your trip, you already know what to include in your programme: going to a football match, visiting the Fallas Museum and tasting at least a few types of paella.
A holiday in the Costa Blanca is nothing short of a classic summer holiday: with long stretches on the beach, swimming in the sea, having fun in the water parks and the occasional excursion to diversify. And at the same time, it is a holiday that is not quite ordinary. Firstly, because summer on the White Sea coast drags on till mid-autumn. And secondly, because here on excursions you can get at least every day — the Costa Blanca surprisingly many things to do.
The main attraction of the Costa Blanca for children is the sheer number of attractions. There are five water parks, two amusement parks, five animal parks and a dozen museums.
As for the beaches, they cannot be praised enough. They are well-maintained, long, and sandy, with a gentle entrance to the water and children's playgrounds, all of which boast Blue Flag award. Best of all, all of these beaches are free. Coming to Costa Blanca with children to enjoy a holiday at sea is a good decision. It's so lovely here that you can forget about the excursions too.
The essential nuances of planning a trip are the choice of time and location. As sunny and warm weather sometimes becomes unbearable heat, it's better not to come to Costa Blanca in the second half of summer. It is especially true if you're travelling with an infant so you can acclimatise your baby more quickly if you arrive in May, early June or September. The Costa Blanca has family-friendly hotels where you can have a comfortable holiday with your baby. The Where to Stay section will help you find the right resort.
The beach season in the Costa Blanca is quite long, with sunbathing possible from mid-May to mid-October. But this extended summer is divided into three periods, each with nuances. The end of spring and the beginning of summer are pleasantly warm, and the number of holidaymakers is relatively low. It is already possible to relax on the beaches, but swimming is still cold. The mild, sunny weather favours excursions.
The official opening of the season in the Costa Blanca is mid-June. By this time, the sea has warmed up sufficiently, so the number of holidaymakers is increasing daily.
The excitement at the resorts on the White Coast subsides only in September. It adds to the beauty of the already lovely season: the weather is sunny in September, and early October, and the sea retains the warmth of the summer.
When is the best time to go to the Costa Blanca? For the little ones, early summer or autumn when the heat is not too much. With schoolchildren who need to go to school in September, we advise you to come in June. The weather is good for beach holidays, sightseeing, and entertainment. June also sees two exciting events: the Feast of the Moors and Christians and the Bonfire Festival of St. John the Baptist.
The distance between the northern and southern Costa Blanca is quite large (about 200 km), but the climate of the coastal towns is almost the same.
Locals, tourists and doctors all agree that the Costa Blanca climate is suitable for children's health. The town of Denia even has a monument to the climate, which is warm and stable.
Winters are mild, with an average temperature of +15-19°C and hot summers, with the thermometer remaining at +27-30°C for a long time. However, if you're travelling to Costa Blanca with your child, pack some warm clothes: sometimes it can get as cold as +20°C in this part of the coast. But the Costa Blanca isn't just famous for warmth. See how often it gets sunny:
The best holiday in Costa Blanca with children is in summer and early autumn. By June, the air warms up to +28°C and by the end of September, the daytime temperature will not drop below this mark. However, the temperature sinks to a low of +20-22°C at night as soon as the sun sets below the horizon.
July and August are the hottest months, of course. The average temperature is 30°C, but the thermometer readings frequently indicate a temperature of 35-36°C. This is not a good time for a holiday. It is not ideal for a holiday with a baby, but if you can only go to the sea in the summer, get to the beach early in the morning or evening. The best time to visit the Costa Blanca with an infant is in September when the heat sinks in. Yes, the temperature is still around +28°C during the first weeks of autumn, but by October, it's down to +25°C.
Holidays in the Costa Blanca should be planned in early October because, in mid-autumn, the rains begin to fall in the resorts. It lasts until mid-April. Although during these months, in temperate latitudes called winter, the temperature does not drop below +15-17°C, there are hardly any tourists at the seaside resorts.
During the summer, the sea beckons for a swim: the hotter the beach, the more pleasant it is to dip in the cooler water. Just remember that in May and June, the water off the Costa Blanca is cool, only +19-22°C. Only by the beginning of July does the water temperature in this popular Spanish resort reach +24°C. If the summer is sweltering, the water can warm up to +25-27°C. The sea temperature in September remains as warm as in summer, around +25°C. Bathing is possible even in October, as the water retains a temperature of about +23°С. In winter, the sea cools down to +15-17°C.
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Catering is handled differently in Costa Blanca hotels. Often only breakfast or half-board is offered, but some hotels are all-inclusive. If you are going to eat at a hotel restaurant, check whether there is a children's menu and packed lunches (you can take them with you on an excursion). More often than not, tourists prefer to eat out and experience the colourful Spanish cuisine.
Restaurants on the Costa Blanca make focus on Valencian cuisine. The best-known dish is the hot, aromatic paella. Other famous dishes from this Spanish region include the sweet turrón and the refreshing 'horchata de chufa' made from ground almonds.
When choosing a holiday destination in Costa Blanca, you don't necessarily have to focus on what's available nearby. The resorts of the province of Alicante are not far from each other, and there are good transport links between them. Public transport in Costa Blanca is buses, but there are also trams in Alicante. Tickets cost about €1.50 and are the same for children. If you buy multi-day ticket, each trip will cost less than €1.
In Benidorm, bus tickets are valid not only for shuttle buses but also for sightseeing buses. Buses run from 6:00-6:30 to 22:30-23:00. There are also several night routes.
Intercity transport in the Costa Blanca is also by bus. They run from 6:00 to 21:00 about once an hour (check at the bus station for the exact timetable). Buses from Alicante to Torrevieja cost about €5 and to Benidorm about €10.
Using a taxi to get around the Costa Blanca is impractical: there's bound to be a bus route to the places tourists want to visit. The average tariff is about 1 euro for every kilometre of the way; there is a 3-4 euro charge for boarding. Taxis are waiting for passengers at special car parks. To non-tourist places on the Costa Blanca, it is more convenient to get to by renting a car. In the significant resorts and at the airport are offices of international companies that rent cars. There are also Spanish companies. Note that there is very little free parking in the provincial towns.
Soaking in the sun and splashing around in the Mediterranean Sea is one way to enjoy a holiday with your child in the Costa Blanca. Once you get bored of passivity, go for walks, get out on excursions and discover the best things to do on the White Coast.
A summer holiday is no longer imaginable without a visit to a water park. There are five water centres on the Costa Blanca, two each in Benidorm and Torrevieja and one in Rojales. They are all good in their way:
Note that most water parks open in June and run until mid-September. Only Aquopolis starts operating as early as May.
The main amusement park on the Costa Blanca is Terra Mítica. Five amusement areas, 17 attractions for children and adults, and 35 theatrical shows — just for that, you want to come to Benidorm. The park opens mid-spring and runs until late autumn, so you don't have to be in the high season to enjoy it with the kids. The Pola Park is a small amusement park in Elche, close to the main coastal resorts. Most of its attractions are designed for pre-schoolers.
The Costa Blanca resorts have very few parks to take your child for a walk in the heat, as the landscape is more steppe-like. However, the nature parks here are surprisingly good; there are no cages or aviaries, so you can see how animals behave in their natural environment.
Terra Natura Parks in Benidorm and Murcia invite you to walk with elephants, go monkey-walking, fly with birds (bungee jumping), see the most poisonous reptiles and insects on the Earth, in short, feel part of the animal world. You should go to Aitana Safari Park by car, as the animals live in the wild here. But there is also a trail for hiking that leads to safe animals — imagine how interesting it would be for a child to feed a squirrel or shake the raccoon's paw. A similar atmosphere prevails in the Rio Safari Elche Park. Take advantage of the elephant show and the bird show.
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Marine animals are the main residents of Mundomar Park. Dolphins and seals perform here, with a new show every year. There is also a parrot show.
Do entertainment centres for children have to look like halls full of rides? The Costa Blanca offers other attractions for children: an excursion to the pirate island Tabarca near Alicante, the submarine S 61 Dolphin in Torrevieja and the sailing ship Pascual Flores, which transported Torrevieja salt to different countries.
Children also enjoy the Knights Tournament at Alfaz Castle. Although they don't have to participate in the battle, they can become a support group for one of the knights. After the tournament, you'll be invited to taste some medieval food; children will definitely enjoy eating with their hands. An adventure for teenagers is the descent into the Canelobre Cave. The name means "candlesticks": the stalagmites built up in the cave over millions of years look like candle holders.
A leisurely journey through the streets of the old towns of the Costa Blanca will appeal to children and adults alike. As you stroll through Alicante, climb the cliff to the Santa Barbara Castle. The Canalejas Park is an excellent place to spend the afternoons. In the evening, be sure to stroll along the palm tree-lined promenade. It's laid out in a mosaic pattern that recalls the shadows of the waves on the smooth sand of the seabed.
As the southern Costa Blanca is not abundant in vegetation, head to Elche, home to Europe's largest palm forest. A beautiful natural park lies at the foot of Mount Ifach near Calpe (there is a hiking trail to the top for mountain climbers).
Note that the care of what to do in Costa Blanca with a child cannot be shifted to the hotel. It's not the best idea.
There are minimal facilities for children, as every resort is considered to have enough family entertainment outside the hotel (and it's true). Only a dozen hotels in Benidorm and Alicante have taken care of an entertainment programme for younger guests.
Beach holidays in the Costa Blanca are successful by definition. Although all beaches are free, the coast is perfectly clean and well-equipped. The authorities ensure that the coast is meticulously maintained, and first-line hotels usually take control of the adjacent stretch of the beach.
The Costa Blanca's beaches have been awarded a Blue Flag for their cleanliness and well-developed infrastructure year after year.
All the resorts have landscaped sandy beaches. In Benidorm, they are the long beaches of "Levante" and "Poniente"; in Alicante, the wide strip of "San Juan". In Torrevieja, the small coves with strange names (do you want to sunbathe on the Beach of the Crazy?). The smaller resorts of Denia, Villajoyos and Javea all offer lovely places to relax by the sea.
And here's something to note: you don't need to look for a special beach for children in the Costa Blanca. The beaches outside the larger towns and the smaller resorts are considered the cosiest. Almost everywhere, the entrance to the sea is gentle; the bottom is flat and clean, and the sea is calm.
Do you want to go to museums in the heat? Yes, as museums are air-conditioned, and Costa Blanca has fascinating places for children. Wouldn't kids want to visit the chocolate museum in Villajoyosa or the Turrón museum in Gijón (the sweet nut bar Turrón is a traditional local dessert)? Wouldn't the girls be interested in the dolls and toys collection at O'Neill? And how can the boys resist the temptation of seeing vintage cars at the Guadaleste Museum?
Here's what else we recommend for visiting with a child.
There is another option for the Costa Blanca: bullfighting is not yet banned, and a bullfighting matador can be seen from May until October. The largest arena in the province is located in Alicante, but bullfighting also takes place in Benidorm.
A holiday in the Costa Blanca with children can be complemented by a trip to Valencia, whose famous attraction is the City of Arts and Sciences. The Oceanographic Park, the Science Museum and the Planetarium are its most exciting attractions. A visit to the Museo de Fallas with its papier-mâché carnival sculptures is also recommended.
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Every family approaches the question of where to stay in Costa Blanca differently. Some are looking for a quiet resort and an inexpensive hotel, while others like excitement and comfort. But whichever city you choose to stay in, you'll always be treated to a high standard of hotel service. You don't have to look for many stars, and Spain is known for understating its star rating while surprising you with excellent service. It is advisable to book your hotel well before your trip, as rooms are never available during the high season.
What facilities for children can you expect at the hotel? If a hotel is family-friendly (there are many in Benidorm), it will have a children's pool, a playground, a mini-club and other activities for younger guests. Sometimes even children's animation is offered. But for the most part, hotels only care about the comfort of the rooms but not about what to occupy the child.
One of the most unusual hotels on the Costa Blanca is the Hotel del Juguete in Ibí. The walls in the hotel are painted with children's cartoon characters, and toys are waiting for children in the rooms. It's a pity that this lovely place is far from the coast.
Apartment and villa rentals are also typical in the province. It is quite handy for an independent holiday in the Costa Blanca with children, as you can prepare the usual meals and plan your day without being tied to the meals at the hotel restaurant. The only disadvantage of this option for holiday accommodation with a child is that it is usually remote from the coast.
We recommend deciding on your preferences to choose where it's best with children. If you're used to living in bustling cities, choose Benidorm or Alicante. There are plenty of opportunities for pampering strolls along the seafront, late-night discos, and lively parties. If you're looking for quiet, look no further than Torrevieja or the smaller resort towns.
Also, the Costa Blanca regions differ slightly in terms of landscape. If Alicante and Benidorm are relatively green cities, Torrevieja is almost devoid of greenery, making the heat more intense.
Respectable Benidorm is located in the northern part of the Costa Blanca. This resort is great for kids and teenagers alike.
Sunbathing is available on the beaches with young children, or if you're holidaying with teenagers, check out the water-skiing ramps at Levante Beach. Young divers should also visit La Isla de Benidorm - the underwater worlds there are fantastic. The provincial capital, Alicante, is located further south than Benidorm, and summer temperatures are 1-2°C higher. La Albufereta is considered the best beach for a holiday with toddlers in the provincial capital.
It is located in a bay protected from waves in the northwestern part of the city. If you want to catch a wave, the surfers' paradise is on the central beaches of San Juan and El Postiguet.
Take note of how close the hotel is to the beach. Alicante is also a central transport hub, making it the most accessible place to travel around the Costa Blanca.
The rhythm of life in Torrevieja is much calmer. Here you can experience the happiness of seclusion without having to move away from all the amenities of civilisation. Although the natural landscape on the outskirts of Torrevieja is more like a steppe, the town itself has green areas for recreation and family walks. Numerous children's playgrounds have been built in the shade of the trees.
La Mata has a special place amongst the beaches in this southern resort. Located next to the namesake nature park, you can stay at the sea all day. A salt lake called Salada de Torrevieja, with healing mud, is located in the western part of the city. Many of the residents of Torrevieja are foreigners. The resort's main hotel category is three stars.
If you are looking for a place to stay in the Costa Blanca with children to avoid the crowds, choose hotels in small towns: Villajoyosa, Calpe, Altea, Javea, and Denia.
Another resort area close to the Costa Blanca is Murcia. Mostly Spaniards stay here and it offers half-empty beaches and pleasantly low hotel prices.
The main way to get to the Costa Blanca is to fly into Alicante International Airport and then take a bus to your destination. The airport is situated 10 km from Alicante. The flight timetable is available on the airport website.
There is a C6 bus from the airport to central Alicante. There are regular buses to Benidorm, Torrevieja and other resorts. Tickets can be purchased on the carrier's website, at the ticket office or on the bus. The L1 monorail tram line also connects Alicante with Benidorm.
There are trains from Berlin, Paris and Barcelona to Alicante. The timetable can be found on the website of the Spanish railway company RENFE: https://www.renfe.com/. The bus station is located 800 metres from the train station.
There is no bus service at night, but taxis are available by car 24 hours a day at the airport.
You can rent a car when you arrive in Spain. There are several car rental companies at Alicante Airport.
How to get to the Costa Blanca:
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