The Most Beautiful Towns on the Costa Blanca: A Guide to Buying Beachfront Property in Alicante

The Costa Blanca needs no introduction. More than 200 kilometers of coastline, over 300 days of sunshine a year, a gastronomy that rivals the best in Spain, and a quality of life that attracts buyers from all over Europe. But within this golden strip of the Mediterranean, there are towns that are extraordinary and others that are simply decent. This guide takes you to the former.

When people think of the Costa Blanca, Benidorm usually comes to mind. And Benidorm is what it is: an efficient tourist machine with its skyscrapers, nightlife, and crowded beaches. But the real Costa Blanca is something else entirely. It is Altea at sunset, with its blue dome silhouetted against the sky. It is Jávea in October, when you can swim in Cala Granadella without sharing it with anyone. It is Villajoyosa and its colorful houses reflecting in the harbor waters. It is Guadalest, suspended between clouds and mountains. It is Dénia and its red prawn.

This guide explores the most beautiful towns on the Costa Blanca from the perspective of a beachfront property buyer. Not just what to see, but where to live, how much it costs, and what kind of lifestyle you will find in each.

Altea: The Pearl of the Costa Blanca

If you had to choose just one town on the Costa Blanca to fall in love with, it would be hard not to choose Altea. Its old town, with cobblestone streets climbing up to the church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo and its unmistakable blue-and-white tiled dome—known as the "Dome of the Mediterranean"—is one of the most photogenic spots on the entire Spanish coast.

But Altea is not just a postcard. It is a town with an authentic cultural life. The Faculty of Fine Arts of the Miguel Hernández University is based here, which has generated an ecosystem of galleries, craft workshops, and a bohemian atmosphere that sets Altea apart from the rest of the coast. The Palau Altea—a congress and performing arts center—reinforces this cultural identity.

The promenade, dotted with terrace restaurants where arroz a banda (fish rice) and anchovy paella are a religion, connects the marina with pebble beaches (Cap Negret, La Roda, L'Olla) that are quieter than the sandy beaches of neighboring municipalities.

• The Real Estate Market: Altea is one of the most expensive municipalities on the Costa Blanca. The average property price is around €3,400/m², with frontline properties easily exceeding €4,000/m². Villas with sea views on the hills of Sierra Bernia or Sierra de Altea command luxury prices. The old town offers charming townhouses, but prices reflect the high demand: a renovated 80 m² apartment in the center can cost between €250,000 and €350,000.
• Who it is for: Buyers looking for culture, beauty, and tranquility who don't mind paying a premium. Couples, artists, remote professionals, and retirees with good purchasing power. If you are looking for fine sandy beaches and intense nightlife, Altea is not your place. If you are looking for the most beautiful town on the Costa Blanca with an authentic and sophisticated Mediterranean lifestyle, it probably is.
• Distance to Alicante Airport: 65 km (45 minutes).

Jávea (Xàbia): Where the Mountain Meets the Sea

Jávea is arguably the most complete municipality on the Costa Blanca. It has three distinct areas: the medieval historic center (with the fortress-church of San Bartolomé as its nerve center), the fishing port (where the fish market still holds daily auctions for fresh fish), and the Arenal area (the main sandy beach, featuring a vibrant promenade).

But what truly sets Jávea apart are its coves. Cala Granadella, repeatedly voted one of the best beaches in Spain, is a crystal-clear water cove framed by Mediterranean pine cliffs. Cala Portitxol, with its old fishermen's houses with blue doors, looks like something straight out of a Greek island. And Cova Tallada, a sea cave accessible by foot or kayak from Cape San Antonio, is a unique experience.

The Montgó Natural Park, the iconic mountain shared by Jávea and Dénia, offers hiking routes with panoramic views of the Mediterranean. On clear days, they say you can see the silhouette of Ibiza on the horizon.

• The Real Estate Market: Jávea is the most expensive market in the northern Costa Blanca, with an average price hovering around €3,950/m². Frontline villas with direct access to coves can exceed one million euros. Apartments in the Arenal or port area range between €200,000 and €400,000 depending on size and proximity to the sea. The old town offers townhouses starting from €150,000, but necessary renovations can add 30-50% to the purchase price.
• International demand is particularly strong: British, German, Scandinavian, and Dutch buyers compete with national buyers, especially from Madrid and the Basque Country, who are looking for a second home.
• Who it is for: Families looking for a complete quality of life (beaches, nature, gastronomy, services), international buyers who value an established expat community, and nature and water sports enthusiasts. Jávea offers a rare balance between natural beauty, year-round active social life, and top-tier services.
• Distance to Alicante Airport: 95 km (1 hour 10 minutes).

Dénia: The Gastronomic Capital

Dénia is the northern gateway to the Costa Blanca and the undisputed capital of its gastronomy. The famous red prawn of Dénia is a unique product that has turned this fishing port into a culinary benchmark, with Quique Dacosta (three Michelin stars) leading a gastronomic scene that includes dozens of high-level restaurants.

The Castle of Dénia, of Moorish origin, dominates the city from above and houses the Archaeological Museum. At its feet, the historic center unfolds pedestrian streets with shops, galleries, and terraces. The old fishermen's quarter (Les Marines) preserves low-rise houses and a genuine seafaring atmosphere. Furthermore, the port connects Dénia to Ibiza and Mallorca via regular ferries, a logistical and lifestyle advantage that few coastal municipalities can offer.

Dénia boasts more than 20 kilometers of coastline, alternating fine sandy beaches to the north (Les Marines, Les Bovetes, Les Deveses) with rocky coves to the south, beneath the cliffs of Montgó.

• The Real Estate Market: Dénia offers a wider price range than Jávea or Altea. The average price stands around €2,800-€3,200/m², with notable variations depending on the area. Las Marinas, the strip of villas and bungalows between the town center and the sea, is the most in-demand area, with villas ranging from €350,000 to several million. The historic center offers apartments and townhouses at more accessible prices, and the Les Deveses area to the north maintains slightly more competitive prices than the center.
• Who it is for: Lovers of gastronomy and authentic seafaring life. Families who want easy connections to the Balearic Islands. Buyers looking for a town with full services (hospital, high schools, diverse commerce) without losing its Mediterranean charm. Dénia has a large enough year-round population to live comfortably without missing anything.
• Distance to Alicante Airport: 100 km (1 hour 15 minutes). It is also connected by highway to Valencia (100 km).

Villajoyosa (La Vila Joiosa): Color, Chocolate, and Authenticity

If there is one town on the Costa Blanca that is instantly recognizable, it is Villajoyosa. Its colorful houses lined up along the Amadorio River and the promenade are one of the most iconic images of the Alicante province. This is not tourist decoration: tradition tells that fishermen painted their houses in bright colors so they could recognize them from the sea.

Villajoyosa is the capital of the Marina Baixa region and has a personality that sets it apart from the mass tourism of its neighbor Benidorm (just 8 km away). It is a town with Roman history (the ancient Allon), a living fishing tradition, Moors and Christians festivals declared of International Tourist Interest, and a century-old chocolate industry with the Valor factory as its flagship (and its chocolate museum as a must-visit).

The old town, declared a National Historic-Artistic Site and an Asset of Cultural Interest, offers a fascinating walk among steep narrow streets, the fortress-church of La Asunción, and the so-called "hanging houses," colorful buildings built over the old defensive walls above the river.

• The Real Estate Market: Villajoyosa is one of the best value-for-money options in the northern Costa Blanca. Average prices hover around €2,200-€2,600/m², significantly below Altea, Jávea, or Calpe. Its proximity to Benidorm (with its leisure, dining, and services) and Alicante airport makes it a strategic choice. It is possible to find two-bedroom frontline apartments below €200,000, something nearly impossible in neighboring towns.
• Who it is for: Families with a moderate budget looking for authenticity without sacrificing proximity to services. Buyers who value local culture and want to avoid overcrowding. Investors looking for accessible entry points in an area with strong appreciation potential. And anyone who appreciates artisanal chocolate as part of their lifestyle.
• Distance to Alicante Airport: 40 km (30 minutes).

Calpe: The Peñón and Much More

The Peñón de Ifach is the symbol of the Costa Blanca: a 332-meter limestone rock that rises above the sea like a miniature Gibraltar. This Natural Park is the cover image of any Alicante tourist guide, and the climb to its summit (demanding but doable) rewards you with one of the most spectacular panoramic views of the Mediterranean.

But Calpe is much more than its rock. The beaches of Arenal-Bol and La Fossa, both with Blue Flag status, offer fine sand and calm waters. The medieval old town, though small, preserves the remains of the wall and the Gothic-Mudéjar church. Additionally, the Las Salinas de Calpe, a wetland where flamingos nest, provides a surprising natural element right in the city center.

Calpe's fish market remains active, and the port restaurants offer fresh fish and seafood caught daily. The gastronomic offer has grown enormously in recent years.

• The Real Estate Market: Calpe sits in a medium-high range, with an average price of about €3,400/m². Properties with views of the Peñón are the most coveted and expensive. Apartments in the developments of the upper area offer panoramic views at more accessible prices than the beachfront. The market is highly internationalized, with a dominant presence of buyers from Northern Europe.
• Who it is for: Buyers looking for a balance between spectacular nature, quality beaches, and good connectivity. The international community is large and active, making it easy for foreign buyers to integrate. Calpe works well as both a primary and secondary residence and has a robust vacation rental market.
• Distance to Alicante Airport: 75 km (50 minutes).

Moraira: The Best Kept Secret

Moraira is technically a district of Teulada, but it has plenty of personality of its own. It is the town that Costa Blanca insiders choose when they want real tranquility without sacrificing beauty or quality. No skyscrapers, no mass tourism, no noise.

The town preserves an intimate atmosphere around its marina, its 18th-century castle (built to defend against Barbary pirates), and its main cove, Playa de l'Ampolla. Smaller coves (Andragó, Cap Blanc, El Portet) offer crystal-clear waters in almost untouched environments.

Moraira's gastronomy is outstanding, with restaurants that prepare fresh fish of the day with a quality that rivals Dénia. The daily fish market at the port is a local ritual worth experiencing.

• The Real Estate Market: Moraira is one of the most expensive markets on the Costa Blanca, even surpassing Jávea in some areas. The average price ranges between €3,500 and €4,500/m², with luxury villas well exceeding one million euros. The supply of apartments is more limited than in other municipalities, as detached villas and chalets with plots predominate. It is a high-end market with a strong British, German, and Scandinavian presence.
• Who it is for: High-net-worth buyers who prioritize privacy, tranquility, and exclusivity. Couples and families looking for a slow life by the sea without the crowds of tourist hubs. Moraira doesn't have Benidorm's nightlife or Altea's cultural offer, but it has something that all the money in the world can't buy: authentic peace next to the Mediterranean.
• Distance to Alicante Airport: 85 km (1 hour).

Benissa: Between the Sea and the Mountain

Benissa is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbors (Calpe to the south, Moraira to the north), but it is precisely that discretion that makes it attractive. Its historic center is one of the best-preserved in the province: cobblestone streets, manor houses, the imposing church of Puríssima Xiqueta (called the "cathedral of the Marina Alta" due to its size), and quiet squares where time stands still.

Benissa's coastline, though shorter than its neighbors', hides spectacular coves: La Llobella, Baladrar, Advocat. These are small, rocky coves with water so transparent it invites you to go diving or simply float while gazing at the cliffs.

Benissa bridges the gap between the coast and the inland. Its municipal boundary rises toward the mountains, offering rustic fincas (estates) with sea views, almond trees, olive trees, and a pace of life that in many ways resembles Tuscany more than the touristy Costa Blanca.

• The Real Estate Market: Benissa offers an interesting duality. Coastal properties (villas with access to coves) are in the high range, between €3,000 and €4,000/m². However, inland estates with sea views and townhouses in the historic center offer significantly lower prices, between €1,800 and €2,500/m². For those looking for a property with character and land at reasonable prices, Benissa is one of the best options in the Marina Alta.
• Who it is for: Buyers looking for rural authenticity with sea access. Lovers of hiking, nature, and absolute tranquility. Families who want space (a plot, a garden) without paying Moraira or Jávea prices. Benissa is the town for those who value substance over glamour.
• Distance to Alicante Airport: 80 km (55 minutes).

Guardamar del Segura: Dunes, Pine Forests, and Virgin Beaches

Guardamar is an anomaly on the Costa Blanca: a town with 12 kilometers of fine sandy beaches protected by a forest of dunes and pine trees that creates a unique microclimate. While other coastal municipalities have built on every single inch, Guardamar preserves a natural dune belt that separates the beach from urban development—something almost non-existent in the Spanish Mediterranean.

The result is a different beach experience: wide, clean beaches with pine trees that reach almost to the shore, providing natural shade. Guardamar's beaches are among the best-rated in the Valencian Community.

The town itself has a quiet urban center with a pleasant promenade, an active fishing port, the Alfonso XIII Park (a municipal botanical garden), and Phoenician archaeological sites (Cabezo Lucero) that bear witness to thousands of years of history.

• The Real Estate Market: Guardamar is significantly more affordable than the northern Costa Blanca. The average price is around €1,800-€2,200/m², allowing access to the beachfront at prices that would be unthinkable in Jávea or Calpe. Two-bedroom apartments near the sea can be found starting from €120,000-€150,000. The presence of international buyers (especially Scandinavians and British) is notable but not as dominant as in the north.
• Who it is for: Buyers who prioritize the beach and price over architectural charm. Families with children looking for safe, wide beaches. Investors who want an entry point into the Alicante coastal market without high six-figure layouts. Guardamar does not have Altea's glamour or Jávea's coves, but it has something increasingly scarce: natural, spacious, and accessible beaches at reasonable prices.
• Distance to Alicante Airport: 35 km (25 minutes).

El Castell de Guadalest: The Inland Jewel

Guadalest is not a coastal town, but no guide to the Costa Blanca would be complete without mentioning it. This village of barely 200 inhabitants, perched on a rocky crag above a turquoise reservoir, is officially recognized as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Spain" and receives hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

Access to the walled enclosure is through a tunnel carved into the rock (the Portal de Sant Josep). Once inside, you find the Alcozaiba Castle, the Keep with panoramic views of the valley and reservoir, the Orduña House (a 17th-century noble mansion), and an improbable collection of eight museums for a town of its size.

Guadalest is just 25 kilometers from the coast (30 minutes from Altea or Benidorm), making it a realistic option for those who want to live surrounded by nature with quick access to the sea.

• The Real Estate Market: The market is very small and options are limited, but prices are substantially lower than on the coast: rustic fincas with land and country houses can be found from €800-€1,200/m². The Guadalest Valley (which includes municipalities like Beniardá, Benifato, and Confrides) offers properties with spectacular views, cherry and almond orchards, and a priceless silence.
• Who it is for: Buyers looking for a mountain getaway with historic personality, half an hour from the sea. Remote workers who want an inspiring environment without sacrificing connectivity. Investors in rural tourism (country houses, B&Bs) with a prime location in one of the most visited tourist attractions in the province.
• Distance to Alicante Airport: 70 km (55 minutes).

Santa Pola: Seafaring Tradition and Accessibility

Santa Pola is the quintessential fishing town of the southern Costa Blanca. Its fish market is one of the most active in the province, and seafaring tradition permeates the entire municipality: the port, the small fishing boats, and the restaurants serving caldero (fish stew) and arroz a banda facing the sea.

Santa Pola's beaches feature fine sand and calm waters, thanks to the protection offered by Tabarca Island (accessible by boat in 25 minutes). The Las Salinas de Santa Pola Natural Park, with its flamingos and wetland landscape, adds extraordinary natural value.

Tabarca Island, the only inhabited island in the Valencian Community, is a must-visit excursion in its own right, boasting defensive walls, a church, crystal-clear waters, and a caldero rice dish that justifies the trip alone.

• The Real Estate Market: Santa Pola sits in a medium-low range within the Costa Blanca, with prices around €2,000-€2,400/m². Gran Playa and the eastern developments are the most sought-after areas. Its proximity to Alicante city (20 minutes) and the airport (15 minutes) makes it logistically excellent. It is possible to find two-bedroom apartments near the beach starting from €130,000.
• Who it is for: Buyers looking for an authentic seafaring life with restrained prices and excellent connectivity. Families with children (the beaches are very safe). People who work in Alicante or Elche and want to live facing the sea without paying northern Costa Blanca prices.
• Distance to Alicante Airport: 15 km (12 minutes).

Comparative Table

Town

Average Price €/m²

Main Character

Beach Type

Ideal For

Airport Distance

Altea

~3,400

Artistic, bohemian

Pebbles

Culture, premium tranquility

65 km

Jávea

~3,950

Complete, nature

Coves + sand

Families, nature, expats

95 km

Dénia

~3,000

Gastronomic, seafaring

Fine sand + coves

Gastronomy, Balearic connections

100 km

Villajoyosa

~2,400

Colorful, authentic

Sand + stones

Families, moderate budget

40 km

Calpe

~3,400

Iconic, balanced

Fine sand

Nature, international community

75 km

Moraira

~4,000

Exclusive, intimate

Crystal coves

Discreet luxury, privacy

85 km

Benissa

~2,500*

Rural-coastal

Rocky coves

Authenticity, space, fincas

80 km

Guardamar

~2,000

Natural, accessible

Sand + dunes

Price, natural beach, families

35 km

Guadalest

~1,000

Historic, mountain

— (30 min to coast)

Nature, remote work, rural tourism

70 km

Santa Pola

~2,200

Seafaring, practical

Fine sand

Connectivity, price, marine life

15 km

*Benissa: prices vary greatly between the coast (~3,500) and inland (~1,800).

Conclusion: The Costa Blanca That Doesn't Appear on Postcards

The Costa Blanca is much more than sun and beach. It is a succession of towns with their own personalities, where every cove, every old town, and every fish market tells a different story. From the artistic sophistication of Altea to the wild nature of Benissa, from the gastronomy of Dénia to the silence of Guadalest, this strip of the Mediterranean offers a range of possibilities that adapts to almost any buyer profile.

The common denominator is the light. That Mediterranean light that whitens the facades, turns the sea turquoise, and, as evening falls, paints the sky in colors that don't seem real. It is the reason why buyers from all over Europe continue to choose the Costa Blanca to live, invest, or simply have a corner where life is a little more beautiful.

Are you looking for your beachfront property on the Costa Blanca? At Addurno.com you will find an exclusive selection of seafront properties in the most beautiful towns of the Mediterranean, with all the information you need to make the best decision.

Notice: The prices indicated are guidelines and correspond to data from real estate portals and industry sources updated as of February 2026. The real estate market is dynamic and prices can vary significantly depending on the exact location, condition of the property, and market conditions. Always consult with local real estate professionals for updated information.

Published on Addurno.com · May 2026