Costa Blanca North (Spain) - Focusing on La Marina Alta area: Moraira, Calpe, Benitachell, Benissa, Javea, Denia and surrounding towns and villages
On this page, please find the following:
1. An overview of the main towns and areas of La Marina Alta
2. Information on Villalux -- Property Agency speciaising in Javea and surrounding towns and villages.
3. Information on Abbey Properties -- Property Agency specialising in Denia and surrounding towns and villages.
1. An overview of the main towns and areas of La Marina Alta
Costa Blanca North is the area from Alicante going northwards through to Denia. Whilst the southern part of this area is more developed, the area around Moraira, the Benissa Costa, Javea and Denia is referred to by many as "The Perfect Unspolit Area of the Costa Blanca". We feature this area along with both Villalux and Abbey Properties, as Area Specialists of consideration for South Africans.
This northern corner of the Costa Blanca North is known as La Marina Alta, and includes some of the most beautiful, unspoilt towns and villages, as well as some of the most idyllic sandy beaches and rugged coastlines of the entire Costa Blanca. On most of the 300 sun-filled days per year, unforgettable views stretch across the Mediterranean Sea towards the Balearic Island of Ibiza.
La Marina Alta embraces the towns and villages in which (a) Inspire Real Estate and (b) Abbey Properties teams live, and that they cherish and specialise in. A short journey of approximately 80 kms from Alicante in the South and 100 kms from Valencia in the north, will bring you to the Coastal towns of Moraira, the Benissa Costa, Calpe, Javea and Denia. A short drive inland will bring you to the beautiful valley and mountains of the Jalon Valley. Travel to the region is served well by both the Alicante and Valencia International Airports.
Below you will find a short overview of the main towns:
Denia
Denia is very much a family resort and one of the most popular destinations in this area, with an especially mild and comfortable climate, year-round, with winter temperatures quoted as “spring like” and boasting more than 3000 hours of sunshine per year.
Although tourism now dominates, their original successful delicacies of raisins are still grown here.
With 20km of beaches to enjoy, including celebrated white sands ideal for bathing, and small rocky coves, just perfect for diving.
Denia is the home to an 11th century castle and museum which overlooks the city, accessed via a maze of narrow streets, offering views of the sea and surrounding area.
Mount Montgo forms the dramatic backdrop to the town of Denia. Similar to Javea on the south side of the Montrgo, a real challenge would be climbing to the top of Mount Montgo, set in a Natural Park. This imposing limestone massif called the Montgó Mountain rises up 753m from the plain between Dénia and Javea. Affectionately known locally as ‘The Elephant Mountain’ as its profile from the south is quite distinctly that of the head of an elephant!
Rich in history and culture, with many festivals celebrated including “the Bonfire Festival” each March with huge papier maché statues called ‘fallas’ set up throughout the town and set ablaze. The “Bulls at the Sea” is held each July with the traditional, if somewhat controversial, bull running through the main street, only to be chased into the Mediterranean Sea by those who are daring enough!
The newly refurbished marina of Denia is home to the daily ferries to the Balearic Islands, and provides a stunning location for walks. There is an elegant Club Nautico and several typically Spanish bars and restaurants.
Javea
One of the most popular resorts of the region, split into three distinct areas:
Javea Old Town (El Pueblo): here you can wander down ancient narrow streets and visit the local market on a Thursday. The Gothic fortified church of San Bartolome dominates the town.
The Port of Javea (Xabia Puerto): many good shops, cosmopolitan bars, cafés and seafood restaurants. The port has a real Spanish feel, an area where locals live and work in harmony with the tourist elements. Whitewashed houses surround the bay. Watch the fishermen bring in their fresh catches or watch the sailing boats set off from the marina.
The Beach of Javea (Playa El Arenal): a white, sandy ‘Blue Flag’ beach, flanked by shops, bars and restaurants; a good place to stroll along the promenade in the evening. Many of the bars have live music and there are several discotheques. The beach is long and wide with shallow, crystal blue waters, perfect for families.
In total, there is 25 km of coastline including several sandy beaches and coves at Granadella, Ambolo, Barraca, Sardinera, Blanca, Primer & Segon Muntanyar, El Arenal, La Grava.
Away from the beach, you have the renowned Club de Golf Javea, which boasts a fabulous restaurant with an enticing menu for all to enjoy.
A real challenge would be climbing to the top of Mount Montgo, set in a Natural Park. This imposing limestone massif called the Montgó Mountain rises up 753m from the plain between Dénia and Javea. Affectionately known locally as ‘The Elephant Mountain’ as its profile from the south is quite distinctly that of the head of an elephant!
Moraira
A first-class tourist resort surrounded by lush green hillsides, dotted with luxury villas. Moraira is a beautiful, unspoiled village, truly referred to as “Our Beloved Moraira”.
There are no high-rise apartment blocks here, just a handful of small, elegant “boutique” hotels, with 8 km of coastline with a backdrop of spectacular mountains and vineyards and a renowned Mediterranean climate with approximately 300 sun-drenched days.
There are two main soft, white sandy beaches, perfect for bathing:
El Portet: A truly stunning, sheltered bay with white, gently sloping sands and crystal clear waters. With just a couple of small beach bars, an exclusive restaurant, and overlooked by luxurious villas cut into the hillside, this bay has to be seen to be believed!
Playa d’Ampolla: The main, ‘Blue Flag’ beach of Moraira. Centrally located and shelving gently into the Mediterranean Sea, this beach is ideal for children. There is a restaurant and a large free car park along-side.
Moraira boasts several other rocky coves, ideal for snorkelling and diving including Platgetes, La Cala and Playa l’Andrago.
For market lovers, Moraira holds one of the biggest organic markets every Friday in the large free car park.
There is also a vibrant fish market; one of the most popular in the Costa Blanca! There are numerous local fiestas, like the Bull Running in April, Moors & Christians in June and the Bonfires in Honour of San Juan.
With an abundance of cosmopolitan bars and restaurants and a selection of unique shops to browse in, Moraira truly is a Jewel in La Marina Alta's Crown !
Benissa Costa
Enjoys 4 km of coastline, linking Moraira and Calpe, most of which is walkable along stunning coastal paths.
The dramatic coastline includes cliff tops, hidden coves, sandy beaches and small bays, including La Fustera, Els Pinets, La Llobella, l’Advocat and Baladrar. A few of these bays have delightful ‘beach cabanas’ where you can relax, gaze at the Mediterranean and enjoy a glass of something nice.
The Club Nautico at Les Basetes is popular year-round, with a typically Spanish fish restaurant serving its freshly caught produce, crystal clear waters and a complete range of facilities for diving, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking.
Benissa Costa is a fabulous area for walking and climbing in the surrounding hills and Sierra de Bernia Mountains.
The renowned Ifach Golf Club at San Jaime, surrounded by exclusive villas and enjoying superb sea views, is the ideal place for a relaxed round of golf, followed by an evening meal.
All along this coastline, there are many villas dotted into the hillsides, enjoying excellent views of the glorious Mediterranean Sea.
Benissa Town
The historic, medieval town of Benissa is one of the oldest towns on the Costa Blanca with many small, winding cobbled streets and neo-gothic Purissima Xiqueta Parish Church. There are typically Spanish townhouses with ironwork balconies and doorways directly on the street. The town is surrounded by terraced vineyards, citrus groves, palm trees and mountains containing charming fincas.
Benissa holds several local fiestas throughout the year, including La Baixada de la Purissima in April, and the Moors and Christians in June.
The very popular organic market is held every Saturday morning in the streets beside the impressive church, and you can experience the fabulous Mediterranean cuisine including fresh local produce unique to the Valencian region, rice dishes and farmhouse sausage.
Benissa has a diverse population with many Spanish as well as ‘expats’ living here.
Benitachell
A small and very Spanish town, with narrow streets, colourful houses and a gentle pace of life.
Benitachell is the gateway for tourists and visitors who are making their way from Javea to Moraira. Purchasing or renting a villa or apartment is more affordable here.
The town includes a unique urbanisation at its highest point, Cumbre del Sol, with spectacular sea views.
Cumbre del Sol is the home of one of the most popular private English primary schools, the Lady Elizabeth School.
There are marvellous beaches and coves, including Cove de los Tiestos, Cove el Llebeig and Beach El Moraig, ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving with its amazing clear blue waters.
El Poble Nou de Benitachell offers all the amenities, sport activities and a culture which keeps its rich traditions and fiestas.
Teulada
Teulada is a small, historic Spanish town just a few kilometres inland from its neighbouring Moraira, dominated by the church and fortress of Santa Caterina, which is a beautiful example of gothic architecture.
The Old Town is filled with character and charm throughout its narrow streets and plazas, surrounded by mature orchards of almonds, vines and citrus trees.
Teulada is well known for the farming of the Moscatel grape and raisin.
There is a street market every Wednesday morning and numerous fiestas are held throughout the year, including a medieval market in August every year in the streets of the Old Town.
Calpe
Almost 3000 years old, Calpe still retains a sense of history and tradition. Best known for its emblematic Peñon de Ifach, a dominating granite rock towering over 330 metres and two fabulous, long white sandy ‘Blue Flag’ beaches, ideal for families with children’s play areas.
Behind the beaches are the Salinas de Saladar, a haven of wildlife attracting flamingos & heron.
The celebrated marina serves one of the largest fishing ports in the area, with a fabulous fish market where you can watch the daily fish auctions and make your own purchase! There is an array of restaurants within the port; you can select your fish to be sent to the kitchen and cooked!
There is an excellent selection of holiday apartments and villas to rent in Calpe, along the beachfront and within the town itself.
Calpe has a bustling town centre with a gently sloping main street, offering superb shops, bars and restaurants, leading to the fabulous Old Town, with wide avenues and ancient architecture to appreciate
There are several local fiestas, one of the most popular being Calpe’s Oktoberfest!
The local market every Saturday is one of the largest in the region, selling fresh fruits, vegetables and other locally made goods.
The Jalon Valley
Also known as the ‘Vall de Pop’, situated inland from the coastal towns of Denia, Javea and Moraira, surrounded by the Sierra de Bernia and Sierra del Forner Mountains.
Known for its many local fiestas celebrated all through the year, and for its wine from local bodegas that produce a fine Moscatel and, of course, a full bodied red!
Jalon attracts a more discerning visitor and resident who appreciates more of a country feel, although the coast and its beautiful beaches are only 30 minute drive away.
The Jalon Valley has some of the best scenery in Spain with magnificent mountains surrounding the landscape of vineyards, olive trees, orange and almond groves. Unspoilt villages are peppered throughout the Jalon Valley, including Alcalali, Jalon, Lliber and Parcent.
In late January and early February the whole of the Valley is covered with pink and white almond blossom, making the whole area a delight to be seen!
Jalon enjoys a fascinating gastronomy, famous for its pastries made with local almonds and its sausages, still produced using original recipes.
The area is fabulous for hiking with some beautiful routes throughout the Valley to the Mountains
2. Overview of Villalux
See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0LePEOgV0I
www.villalux.com and Contact: Richard Vernon 0825704274
3. Overview of Abbey Properties
Abbey Properties is a Family Owned business, established in the 1970’s in Denia by Byron and Shirley Barker, who had emigrated
from the UK to Spain. Today the company is run by Shirley and Edward Barker.
Abbey truly are ‘Denia Area Specialists’ and highly regarded for their outstanding customer service (Goole Reviews average 4.9 / 5.0 !!)
Beyong offering a highly profesional service, they really go the extra mile in helping/advising their Clients with many additional
service needs that Clients oftern need help with, especially when trying to establish themselves in a new country.
Denia is the central point of their Property Listings, but nearby towns and areas such as Els Poblets, El Vergel, La Sella Golf, Pedregeur,
Pego and many others are also fully covered by Abbey Properties.
The words that Clients use to sum up Abbey are Professional, Denia Area Specialists, Kind, Friendly, Personal, Fantastic, and more !
They genuinely look forward to meeting with you !
www.abbeyproperties.eu and Contact: Richard Vernon 0825704274