Costa Blanca offers plenty of options. You can stay in the city, choose a large seaside resort, a quieter white town, or use a base from which you set out by car to a different place each day.
If you fly into Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airport and plan to rent a car, you don't have to limit yourself to staying in Alicante itself. After picking up your vehicle, you can head straight to your chosen destination and treat the airport as the beginning of your entire Costa Blanca journey.
Which town will be best? It all depends on how you want to spend your holiday.
1. Alicante – if you want to combine city, beach and sightseeing
Alicante is a good choice for those who like to have both urban attractions and the sea within reach.
You can start your day with a walk through the city centre, explore the Santa Bárbara castle area, stroll along the Explanada de España, and then relax on the beach. In the evening, you don't need to get in your car to find a restaurant or take a walk.
When is it worth staying in Alicante?
If you're coming for a short visit, want to see mainly the city itself, or are planning just a few trips to the surrounding areas.
Alicante can also be convenient for your first or last night, especially if your flight time doesn't allow for further driving along the coast.
However, if you're mainly looking for a peaceful resort or plan to spend most of your days in the northern part of Costa Blanca, it's worth considering somewhere else.
Choose Alicante if: you want to combine a city stay, beach, restaurants and a few day trips by car.
2. Benidorm – if you love resorts, beaches and plenty of options on site
Benidorm operates on completely different principles than Altea or Calpe.
It's a large seaside resort with wide beaches, a large choice of hotels, apartments, restaurants, bars and entertainment. If you like places where there's a lot going on and you have practically everything at your fingertips, Benidorm can be a very convenient base.
It's also a destination well known to British tourists. In many places you'll have no problem communicating in English, and the dining and entertainment options are largely geared towards international visitors.
Benidorm or quieter Costa Blanca?
It depends on what you're looking for.
If you want to go out in the evening, have a large choice of restaurants and spend plenty of time on the beach – Benidorm makes sense.
If, on the other hand, you dream of white streets, quieter evenings and a more intimate atmosphere, you'll probably feel more at home in Altea.
Benidorm can also be a good base for the northern part of Costa Blanca. It's easy to head from here by car towards Altea, Guadalest or Calpe.
Choose Benidorm if: you value the convenience of a large resort, beaches, entertainment and a wide range of accommodation.
3. Altea – if you prefer a quieter atmosphere
Altea is one of the most characteristic places on the northern Costa Blanca.
White buildings, an old town perched on a hillside, cobbled streets and sea views create a much quieter atmosphere than in Benidorm.
It's a good place for couples, those returning to Costa Blanca again and again, and anyone who doesn't need an intensive programme from morning to night.
Is Altea a good base for sightseeing?
Yes, especially if you're most interested in the northern part of the coast.
From here you can drive to Calpe, Guadalest, Villajoyosa or further towards the northern part of Alicante province.
When choosing your accommodation, it's worth paying attention to its exact location. The old town is situated on a hillside, so it's a good idea to check in advance where you can park and how far you'll need to walk with your luggage.
Choose Altea if: you're looking for a quieter place, enjoy walks, views and want to explore the northern Costa Blanca.
4. Calpe – if you want a beach and a good base for further trips
Calpe combines a typical holiday stay with the possibility of exploring the region by car.
You have beaches, promenades, restaurants and the characteristic Penyal d'Ifac here, but at the same time you're in a good place for further trips around the northern part of Costa Blanca.
This can be a particularly convenient base for families and those who don't want to choose between relaxing by the sea and daily excursions.
Why might Calpe be a good compromise?
Because you don't have to go somewhere every day.
One day you can stay in place, the next you can head to Altea, Guadalest or further along the coast.
If you're planning a longer stay and want more space than in a large city, Calpe might be more convenient than Alicante itself.
Choose Calpe if: you want to combine beach time, a peaceful stay and day trips by car.
5. Torrevieja – if you're interested in southern Costa Blanca
Torrevieja will be a better choice for those who want to head south of Alicante airport.
It's a large seaside town with beaches, promenades and a significant accommodation offer. In its vicinity are also the characteristic salt lagoons of La Mata and Torrevieja.
If your travel plans focus mainly on the southern part of Costa Blanca, staying in Altea or Calpe would mean unnecessary driving.
For whom will Torrevieja be best?
For those who want to spend a lot of time close to the sea, plan a stay further south and don't intend to drive towards Benidorm or Calpe every day.
It's also a good choice for longer stays, when a convenient base is more important than daily sightseeing of major attractions.
Choose Torrevieja if: you're planning to explore southern Costa Blanca and want to have the sea and everyday amenities close to your accommodation.
Alicante, Benidorm, Altea, Calpe or Torrevieja – where is best to stay?
There's no one answer for everyone.
Choose Alicante if the city, restaurants and easy access to attractions are important to you.
Benidorm works well if you like large resorts, beaches and places where there's plenty going on.
Altea is better for those looking for a quieter, more intimate atmosphere.
Calpe is a good compromise between a seaside stay and a base for sightseeing by car.
Torrevieja will be a natural choice if your plans focus on the southern part of Costa Blanca.
So the most important thing is not which town is