The Costa Blanca, also known as the White Coast, is one of the most popular tourist areas in Spain, mainly due to its magnificent fine sandy beaches.
It is in the province of Alicante and consists of around 200 km of Mediterranean coastline, though its borders are not strictly defined.
By far the most popular resort is Benidorm, which is very commercialised with high rise hotels, animal parks, and other entertainments.
Benidorm has attractions to suit all age groups, from children to OAPs. In the summer most of the visitors are young Brits, whilst the low season is appealing to older couples wanting to escape the north European winter.
The resort has three blue flag beaches, loads of entertainment, countless bars, restaurants, discos and the Terra Mitica theme park which is one of Spain's most visited tourist attractions.
This is a paradise for golfers and gourmets, sun worshippers and serious party people, families and fun-loving 18-30s. There are big brash resorts with skyscrapers and night clubs, and yet in contrast there are mountain villages where life seems hardly to have changed for centuries.