Come along to the Costa Blanca and you’ll soon see there’s all sorts bubbling beneath the surface. Sure, the so-called ‘White Coast’ is home to buzzing Benidorm and heaps of ivory-hued sand, but you’ll quickly be charmed by many of the region’s other draws too.

If you’ve got your eye on this cool costa but don’t know where to start with crafting an itinerary, that’s what we’re here for. The glorious former fishing village of Calpe is just one of the area’s terrific towns with bragging rights to a marvellous marina alright. But there’s way more! Beaches, golf courses, chic shops… the list goes on. Grab a pen and paper and let’s get into it.

1. Levante Beach

2. Parque Natural de Penyal D'Ifach

3. Check out Benidorm Old Town

4. Calpe Marina

5. Golf courses

6. Guadalest

7. Hit the shops

1. Levante Beach

Follow the colour of gold and you’ll discover one of Benidorm’s best bits – Levante Beach. On top of the sunloungers and parasols for hire, you’ll have lots of room to spread out and do your own thing. Pack your holiday read, a picnic or even just your towel and sun cream – it’s whatever goes. You’re on your jollies, after all! You’ll also find that the locals get stuck into some water sports around here, so you’ll have those to check out too. Busy day at the beach? We reckon so!

2. Parque Natural de Penyal D'Ifach

The gigantic rock you see jutting out from the side of Calpe is Penyal D'Ifach. Its natural park is a haven of flora and fauna that dates back to the Bronze Age, so it’s well worth a visit if you’re into your history, nature or even photography. At more than 330m high, it offers quite the hike too. Various species of birds and insects call this must-see home, so keep your eyes peeled while you walk. And as you ascend the mix of steep trails and flatter paths, more than 400 types of plants will surround you as well!

3. Check out Benidorm Old Town

We know that Benidorm’s famed for its bright lights and bass-filled bars, but that’s not the only thing it’s got to offer. Head to the Old Town and you’ll be dazzled by the more authentic and traditional Spanish touches on display. While teeny trinkets and put-somewhere-safe souvenirs can be bought in the local shops here, Tapas Alley is an even bigger attraction. Garlicky prawns, honey-soaked chorizo and spicy-meets-salty patatas bravas are the usual suspects, but how about picking a few pintxos to try? Each flavour-packed topping option sits on delicious fresh bread.

4. Calpe Marina

Calpe Marina dabbles in a bit of everything. Potter around the promenades on your Costa Blanca holiday and you’ll clap eyes on Penyal D'Ifach in no time. But scan around closer to ground level and rows of swanky yachts will be glinting in the sunlight. There’s certainly a rich-and-famous feel to this part of town, so don’t be shy in sauntering around. Peruse hip boutiques if you come in the daytime, but if you’re more about the food scene, make a reservation for a seafood restaurant in the evening and you’ll be sold. There’s a generous sprinkling of atmospheric bars here too. Sangria, anyone?

5. Golf courses

So, the Costa del Sol might be better renowned for its golf, but that doesn’t mean it overshadows the Costa Blanca. Around the Alicante region, there are various sculpted courses to tee off on. Whether you fancy a round solo or you’re away with fellow golfing buddies that are eager to play, you’ll be pretty spoilt for backdrop choice. An excellent 18-hole experience awaits at Villaitana, with Alenda and Alicante’s clubs also among the most hotly tipped. Just in it for the driving range? Albir Golf is another worthy contender for practising your swing, especially in the summer.

6. Guadalest

While you’re on your Costa Blanca holiday, Guadalest is another one to box off. If your starting point is Benidorm or a resort just nearby, it’ll only take you around a 30-minute drive to reach this awesome landmark. Even though the region has often got a reputation for being mostly about its big-name bases, it’s actually an oasis of nature too. Perched atop a jaw-dropping cliff, the dinky village of Guadalest is nothing short of breathtaking. Want to discover what’s there? Let the tunnel lead on and you’ll soon come across the bell tower and castle. Beyond that, things get more tourist-oriented, so you’ll be able to grab a light bite, mosey around the museum or browse the handful of shops.

7. Hit the shops

Between the major resorts of the Costa Blanca, markets aren’t uncommon. These colourful hubs of local wares are where you’ll source everything from jewellery and garments to postcards and hang-it-proud artwork. But if you tend to be swayed by the designer labels or high-street brands, Benidorm’s got the answer. Glamorously decorated shops selling everything you could wish for will be at your disposal here, so retail therapy will definitely be on the cards.

Think you’ve got a few days mentally planned already? Then it sounds like it’s the prime time to book your Costa Blanca getaway! You’ll have bags of choice when it comes to our flights and holidays, so we’ll leave you to explore more now…