Alicante

Alicante’s modern and efficient airport is the gateway to this region, where it’s easy to hire a car, catch a coach or transfer to onward destinations. Benidorm is the biggest draw with its low-cost accommodation, beautiful beaches and lively nightlife. But if you prefer quieter, more authentic mountain villages, then there are plenty to choose from. Charming Altea, just 11km north of Benidorm, is a world apart, where the Old Town, crowned by the blue dome of its church, offers spectacular views from its hillside location.

Last but not least, don’t forget captivating Alicante itself, either for a day trip or city break in its own right. The million-dollar panorama from Santa Bárbara Castle is worth so much more than the few euros it costs to take the lift from Postiguet Beach below. Bars and restaurants line the palm-shaded promenade, while shopping is a pleasure in the boutiques, department stores and Modernist Central Market. With its wide choice of guesthouses, apartments, hotels and transport hub of tourist buses, high-speed trains and trams, this bustling centre is an ideal base to explore the rest of Costa Blanca.