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An attractive coastline of plunging cliffs, majestic beaches and tidy towns, the Costa Blanca is a prime slice of Spanish holiday heaven. Holidays in Costa Blanca appeal to those seeking warmth, good food, family fun and good value.

Yes, every Costa claims to have the monopoly on sublime stretches of sand - but here it feels more tangible than a hollow tourist board claim. Benidorm's Levante beach, despite the summer throngs, remains one of the most stunning on the Iberian peninsula - a big, broad grin of a beach, with no shortage of opportunities to enjoy life in, on and around the Blue Flag-awarded waters. Trek away from your resort and you can still find secluded spots. North of Altea, a succession of coves, sheltered by rocky headlands, make for an attractive day out. Take a picnic, and pack a snorkel - the waters around here are wonderfully clean.

The Penyal d'Ifach, a vertical rocky buttress rising from the pretty harbour at Calpe, is a fittingly dramatic icon for this coast of spectacle and surprise - a walk around its base makes a pleasant, easy-ish half day hike. Keep your eyes open and you'll spot hundreds of wild plants, migrating birds and, on a clear day, even the hills of Ibiza on the horizon. Alicante is the region's principle city - visit for its delightful palm-lined promenade and the excellent art at the Casa de la Asegurada. The raisin town of Denia, too, has churches, markets and a pretty, coastal railway which trundles down to Calpe.

You'll be pleasantly surprised by Barcelona. The resort that started it all has been visited by the style police - and it shows. Yes, its skyline is a jagged testament to the boom times of the 70s when hotels in Costa Blanca came in one size - tall and thin. But look a little closer and you'll find graceful public squares, open-air auditoria and grassy parks. Amazingly, its old town still feels elegantly apart from the huddle of down-town neon-lit pleasure zones. For a touch more calm, Albir is a delight - a shingly-sand beach leads to an easy-going resort popular with families. Keep driving north and you¿ll reach Altea, even more unspoiled, this resort features a wonderful, whitewashed old town perched on a hilltop. If it's thrills you're after, the Costa Blanca has possibly the best theme park in Spain, the dazzling Terra Mitica (OK, Port Aventura is a very close second).

Albir - 55 minutes from Alicante airport
	Great central location Shelved pebble beach Good selection of ... View hotels Add to shortlist

Benidorm - 1 hour from Alicante airport
	Two blue flag beaches Hugely popular resort Great British ... View hotels Add to shortlist

Cala Finestrat - 1 hour from Alicante airport
	Close to Benidorm Peaceful base with lively facilities close by Fair selection of bars and ... View hotels Add to shortlist

Calpe - 1 hour from Alicante airport
	Discover the real Spain Sandy beach and bustling harbour Choice of ... View hotels Add to shortlist

Denia - 2 hours from Alicante airport
	... View hotels Add to shortlist