Our guide to Costa Blanca, Costa Calida and Costa Almeria

Your guide to the area

If you’re thinking of buying a property in Spain, you’re probably thinking of the south-eastern corner of Spain. This area includes the prime locations of the Costa Blanca, the Costa Calida and the Costa Almeria and is one of the most beautifully developed areas in the world, with probably the finest climate and beaches in Europe.

We may not all be sun worshippers, but the benefits of living in a sunny climate are obvious, particularly for those who suffer from rheumatism, arthritis or asthma.
The Costas Blanca, Calida and Almeria are well-served by first-class international airports, hospitals, universities, colleges and schools and are full of opportunities for enjoying those longer, lighter days. 

Education in Spain is of a very high standard and, since the country’s entry into the EU, it is very easy to transfer between systems, with full recognition of all qualifications. State education is free in Spain and you will be delighted at how quickly your child integrates and becomes fluent in Spanish.

The excellent Spanish health service is available to all EU residents. For retired residents, all UK services are reciprocated by the Spanish government. There is always an option to take out private medical insurance for added peace of mind.

The cost of living in Spain is generally two thirds of that in the UK. There is an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the year and at much cheaper prices. Dining out is inexpensive and many restaurants still offer three- or four-course meals with wine for just £5 to £6 per person.

A corner of Paradise – the Costas Blanca, Calida and Almeria

Costa Blanca, Costa Calida and Costa Almeria – the names instantly conjure up sun, sea, sand and easy living. If you’re thinking of buying a property in Spain, you’re probably thinking of the south-eastern corner of Spain. This area, which includes the popular locations of the Costa Blanca, the Costa Calida and the Costa Almeria, has been beautifully developed, boasting probably the finest climate and beaches in Europe.

The Costa Blanca – where you can really get into the swing of things

The Costa Blanca is one of the most sought-after regions in Spain. Sunny and civilised, there’s a great standard of living here. The airport at Alicante is one of the busiest in Spain, and the San Javier airport at Murcia is also conveniently close. In addition the new airport due to be opened in 2008 at Corvera, on the Costa Calida, will mean there really is no excuse for your friends or family to miss out on visits, or for you to make return visits to the UK – if you can drag yourself away.

If you thought Alicante was just an airport or a centre for high-rise tourist hotels, think again. The city is quite a cultural centre. Here can be found the MARQ, an impressive archaeological museum covering 100,000 years of history, and the Museo-Casa de la Asegurada, a private home converted into a gallery of modern Spanish modern art, including original works by the likes of Dali and Miro. The sombre exterior of its procathedral belies a wealth of exquisite Baroque ornamentation inside. The 9th century castle of Castillo de Santa Barbara is in a good state of preservation and is well worth a visit. It gets its name from the fact that the Spanish evicted the Moors from it on Saint Barbara’s feast day.

Arguably the most historical town on the Costa Blanca is Orihuela – it has more museums than anywhere else, including an archaeological museum, a museum devoted to the Easter saints parades and another exploring the reconquest of the Spaniards over the Arabs during the Middle Ages. Orihuela is also famous for its festivals, including processions held during Holy Week and for the feast days of St Anthony and the Virgin of Montserrat. ‘Moors and Christians’ pageants are held here every week from July onwards.

Another charming town in Alicante province is Guardamar, with excellent beaches, water sports and restaurants and also several historic sites, such as a Phoenecian city. Guardamar is popular with nature lovers, too, because nearby are the lagoons of La Mata, where trails have been created to offer pleasant walks and the best chance of seeing interesting wildlife.

The Costa Blanca is a great place for lovers of good food. Local dishes include fritter-type pastries called almojabenas, a special ‘farmers’ paella’, and also pasteles de Gloria, confectionary traditionally enjoyed at Easter.

Of course, there is an almost countless number of superb beaches along the Costa Blanca. Among the most notable are Guardamar, busy but beautiful, fringed with palm trees and offering great sea fishing; enormous San Juan with every modern facility for families and sports fans you could hope for; the lovely El Albir, quiet and golden; and nearby La Mina with its rocky coves and exciting snorkelling.

The Costa Blanca’s golf courses are justly famous. The two Villamartins at Orihuela each boast 18-hole, 72-par championship courses. Villamartin is a challenging links while Villamartin 2, better known as Las Ramblas, is a mountain course boasting great views as well as fantastic golf. If these weren’t enough, Orihuela also offers the lovely, 18-hole course of Royal Campoamor.  Other Costa Blanca championship courses with green fees available include Alicante Golf, La Marquesa at Rojales, La Finca at Algorfas, La Sella at Denia, El Plantio, near Alicante International Airport, and Alenda, just a few kilometres from Alicante. In the Costa Blanca you really are treading in the steps of the Masters!

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The Costa Calida – sun, sea and history

The Costa Calida packs a lot in. Inland from its 100km of coastline it presents an astonishing variety of landscapes –like a Spain in miniature. Here are sun-kissed beaches and old fishing towns on the coast, with wild mountains, fertile fields and vegetable garden cities inland. There’s a great deal of history, too.

Connections to the Costa Calida couldn’t be better. San Javier international airport is situated just 5km from the ‘capital’ of the Costa Calida, the city of Murcia. Not only that but a new international airport is being built at Corvera, south of Murcia, and is due to be opened in 2008.

Murcia is an ancient city. A 12th century Moorish castle looks down upon a Catholic cathedral with a spectacular Baroque frontage dominated by a beautiful and imposing tower which took more than 200 years to build. An interesting little museum celebrates the work of Francisco Salzillo, an 18th century artisan who carved exquisite images of saints to be used in holy processions through the town. The archaeological museum at Cartegena on the coast is built around a Christian necropolis – a city of the dead. Cartegena is also the home of the Naval Museum, which provides an insight into the maritime exploits of the Spanish, including a fine collection of ancient maps and a room dedicated to Isaac Peral, inventor of the submarine.

But there’s more to the Costa Calida than heritage. There are the beaches, of course. The Costa Calida offers a seemingly unending stretch of sand. There are beaches for everyone – quiet, blue flag coves ideal for families with small children, such as Calarbadina, or boisterous, bar-lined sun-spots such as La Puntica (also known as Lo Pagan), where the whole gamut of water sports, such as sailing, windsurfing and canoeing, are available. Bolneuvo is a vast stretch of sand facing weirdly shaped, wind-eroded rocks out to sea. Some beaches, notably Percheles, also provide great opportunities for sea fishing.

Other sports can be enjoyed at the famous La Manga Club at Los Belones. Horse-riding and tennis are available here as well as three superb 18-hole golf courses prettily situated between the mountains and the sea. Altorreal is another fine 18-hole course at Molina de Segura and there is a 9-hole, urban course at Torre Pacheco.

One of the highlights of the Murcia area is the Mar Menor, a large coastal lake with warm, salt waters. Its temperate climate, sparkling waters and the health-giving properties of a special clay found here has made the Mar Menor a favoured retreat for centuries. The clays are said to have anti-inflammatory properties, beneficial for those suffering from rheumatism or arthritis. Enjoy a rejuvenating stay at a spa resort or just lounge by the blue waters of this exquisite, natural lagoon.

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The Costa Almeria – region of contrasts

The Costa Almeria is the gem of Andalucia in southern Spain. It has it all – tasteful developments with modern amenities are just miles away from one of the most unspoilt stretches of coastline in Spain. With its own airport, the region is also highly accessible for visits, providing plenty of opportunities to stay in touch with relatives and friends.

The Costa Almeria is named after the historic and attractive city of Almeria. Almeria nestles below the Alcazabar, an impressive Arab fort built in the 16th century to protect the region from attacks by the infamous Barbarossa and his pirates. In Almeria even the splendid cathedral is fortified – its corner towers once held cannons! And no wonder, for it contains a wealth of treasure, including a magnificent altar and priceless works of art. Almeria is at the heart of Andalucia’s fruit and vegetable growing industry, so quality fresh food is readily available all year round. If you fancy eating out, Almeria’s many little restaurants offer tempting local dishes, such as Escabeche e sardines (fresh sardines in hot sauce) or Trigo (a wholesome stew of pork, beans, grains of wheat and herbs)

East of Almeria can be found the wild beauty of the Cabo de Gata-Nijar national park, where 100-metre high, ochre-hued cliffs plunge dramatically into the sea. Isolated, pretty coves, accessible only by foot, make this a wonderful place to explore. Offshore there are numerous rocky islets and just below the surface of the Mediterranean, extensive reefs teem with marine life. Inland can be found a spectacular desert of volcanic peaks and crags but separating this arid land from the sea there is the wetland of Salinas de Cabo de Gata, a saltwater lagoon world-renowned as a Mecca for bird-watchers. Nearby is San José, a charming seaside town increasingly popular with tourists but refreshingly free of high-rise developments. San José is situated on one of the best beaches in Costa Almeria but also offers very pleasant walks to scenic sites and hamlets in the national park. Bicycle and Land Rover rental, horse riding and windsurfing are all available here.

Further up the coast is Mojacar, a laid-back resort which successfully combines two of the main attractions for the visitor to Spain: pristine beaches and picturesque villages. Towering above the village is a Moorish fortress and you can spend hours wandering the winding backstreets that weave between Mojacar’s whitewashed houses. The town has retained much of its magic. And perhaps it was this magic that ran in the veins of its most famous son – Walt Disney, who was born here shortly before his parents emigrated to America.

The bustling resort of Roquetas de Mar is to the west of Almeria. Here can be found popular beaches, hotels and great nightlife. However, in keeping with Costa Almeria as a land of contrasts, a haven for wildlife is located just a few kilometres south of Roquetas de Mar. The saltwater lagoons of Las Marinas attract thousands of birds, including spectacular colonies of flamingos.

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