The Spanish Costas deliver sunshine, beaches and relaxation aplenty. But if you’re heading to Spain this summer, should you set your sights on the Costa Blanca or the Costa del Sol?
Both of these sun-kissed regions are easily accessible from the UK, with flights from a wide range of airports. Ryanair has recently confirmed that its new summer 2023 schedule will include a Teesside to Alicante route, while Jet2.com has added a new route from Bristol to Malaga.
According to Jet2.com CEO Steve Heapy, it’s going to be a busy year, as “the forecasts for this summer in Spain are for additional growth of 4% compared to 2022.”
Flying to Alicante opens up the beauty of the Costa Blanca (meaning “white coast”), including the 200 kilometres of white, sandy beaches to which the region owes its name.
From picturesque villages and pretty towns (check out Calpe for one of the most beautiful) to buzzing cities like Alicante and Torrevieja, the Costa Blanca is a versatile, family-focused holiday hotspot.
Walking tours, nature trails, wine tasting and culinary tours, off-road Jeep tours, kayaking, sailing, waterfall tours, mountain biking and a myriad of other activities await those looking for an active break in the Costa Blanca. And if you simply want to sit on a beach? Between Playa de La Mata, Playa del Arenal and Playa La Grandella, you’ll be hard pressed to decide which is the most beautiful spot to sun yourself!
The Costa del Sol is also hugely popular with sun-seekers and many visitors prioritising spending time on the sand. Cabopino Beach is popular with surfers, while the long stretch of sand at Casares Beach is perfect for family days out.
For city breaks in the Costa del Sol, Malaga, Marbella and Benalmadena all make great destinations, delivering a lively mix of restaurants, cafés, shopping and nightlife. Upscale Puerto Banús is popular with wealthy tourists, while nature lovers will adore the stunning landscape around the charming village of Istán, the Concepción reservoir and the ancient forests of the mountainous Sierra de las Nieves area.
Both the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol are also known for their stunning golf courses. If testing your skills on the Spanish fairways is a priority, it’s worth check out Font del Llop and La Marquesa in the Costa Blanca and Los Naranjos and La Cala Golf Resort in the Costa del Sol.
On the accommodation front, hotels in both areas range from affordable to swanky, with plenty of options in between. There is also an impressive selection of rental villas and Airbnbs (Malaga was Airbnb’s top trending destination for 2023).
For families looking for a longer-term accommodation solution, both areas are also home to a wide selection of holiday homes at surprisingly affordable prices – certainly compared to these kinds of properties in the UK. Taylor Wimpey España’s spacious apartments at Sunny Golf in Estepona cost from just €245,000 plus VAT. In the Costa Blanca, which is the cheaper of the two regions, apartments in Gran Alacant at Amara, with its stunning sea views, two outdoor pools and children’s playground, cost from €220,000 plus VAT.
Whichever Costa you choose to visit, you can look forward to good food, plentiful sunshine and a welcoming, family environment. It’s no coincidence that Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world. And all just a short flight from the UK.
