Welcome to ExploreCostablanca.com, your guide to planning an unforgettable trip to the Costa Blanca in Spain.
My name is Caitlin, and the Costa Blanca isn’t just somewhere I write about – it’s where I grew up.
My family moved to Javea when I was six years old, and I spent the next twelve years of my life there. I went to school there, made my closest friends there, and learned to speak Spanish there. When I moved to London at eighteen, I left a part of myself behind. I still go back every three months to see my parents, who still live between Javea and Jesús Pobre, and honestly – it still feels like home.
When I visit, I’m catching up with my family and childhood friends who show me the spots they’ve discovered since my last visit. I’m hiking trails I haven’t done before. I’m sitting in the same restaurants we’ve been going to for years, and occasionally finding brilliant new ones. I see the place through the eyes of someone who genuinely belongs there, not someone passing through.
I started this site because I kept noticing a gap. Most people visiting the Costa Blanca stick to the obvious – the main beaches, the well-known resorts – and completely miss what makes this part of Spain so special. The smaller inland towns that come alive during festivals in a way that is genuinely wild and unlike anything you’ll find on the coast. The weekly markets where you can pick up handmade clothing and try pastries like cocas or bizcocho de naranja that you won’t find in any supermarket. The restaurants where the locals actually eat, where the food is incredible and the prices are a fraction of what you’d pay somewhere tourists are pointed towards.
Speaking Spanish helps. It means I can ask questions most visitors can’t, go places that aren’t written up anywhere, and understand what’s actually going on in a town rather than just what’s presented to tourists.
Every guide on this site comes from that perspective – someone who knows this region properly, keeps coming back, and genuinely wants your trip to be better for it.
My approach to recommendations
I test everything I recommend. If I’m writing about a restaurant, I’ve eaten there. If I’m suggesting a hiking route, I’ve walked it. If I’m recommending transport options, I’ve used them myself or spoken directly to locals who have.
I update my guides regularly based on my visits and feedback from readers. Restaurants close, attractions change their opening hours, and new places open up – I make sure my guides reflect what’s actually available right now.
When I include affiliate links (marked at the top of relevant guides), I only recommend services I’ve used or would genuinely suggest. These small commissions help keep the site running, but they never influence what I recommend. If something isn’t good value or reliable, it won’t appear on this site regardless of any potential commission.
What you’ll find here
I’ve published guides covering the major towns and cities across the Costa Blanca, from Benidorm and Alicante to smaller towns like Altea and Villajoyosa. Each guide includes practical information about getting there, where to stay, what to do, and where to eat.
My guides cover everything from family-friendly activities and hidden beaches to local markets and the best tapas bars. I try to cater to different types of visitors — whether you’re here for a relaxing beach holiday, want to experience the nightlife, or prefer hiking and exploring nature.
Get in touch
If you have questions about planning your trip, want to suggest somewhere I should cover in a future guide, or just want to share your own experiences, I’d love to hear from you. You can contact me through my email caitlin @ explorecostablanca.com, or through the Explore Costa Blanca Facebook page. I read every message and do my best to respond to questions, though during busy periods it might take me a few days to get back to you!
A final word
Thank you for using my guides to plan your trip. The Costa Blanca is an incredible place, and I’m genuinely excited that you’ve chosen to visit. I hope my recommendations help you have the kind of holiday that makes you want to come back again and again.
Enjoy your trip!
Caitlin