The secrets of the Mediterranean Costa Blanca to enjoy 365 days a year

There is a place on Earth where magic becomes reality. A land south of the Valencian Community, winding through 244 kilometers of coves and beaches with crystal clear waters, half-hidden mountain ranges, imposing pine forests, lagoons and salt marshes with such incredible hues that they don't seem from this world, meadows of posidonia and endless dunes. A paradise with 320 days of sunshine a year and pleasant temperatures all year round. That place is called Costa Blanca.

Beyond the classic summer postcards, with their Moors and Christians festivals and sunny beach days, the Costa Blanca hides authentic gems to enjoy at any time of the year. A paradise for lovers of breathtaking views and for those who enjoy discovering small towns away from the hustle and bustle of mass tourism. A good starting point is El Forat, a natural tunnel around 20 meters long in the Sierra de Bèrnia, a magnificent karst that rewards hikers with an unexpected porthole overlooking Altea, the Serra Gelada, and the Guadalest valley. Another must-see is the stark reddish landscape carved by the Monnegre River in the Barranco de las Salinas. An enclave of dramatic beauty on clayey and gypsum terrains from the Triassic period between the towns of Tibi, Jijona, and Mutxamel.

The hallmark of the Marina Alta region are precisely those rocky spaces, steep cliffs that hide sea caves only accessible by boat, kayak, or paddle surf, and semi-wild coves only suitable for the traveler who ventures along their rugged paths. Here, three of the geographical landmarks that define the sharp-nosed silhouette of the province of Alicante converge (outlined by the Cape of San Antonio, Cape of San Martín, and Cape of Nao). Not to mention the Peñón de Ifach in Calpe, or the rocky coves of Benidorm, such as Tío Ximo, with its crystal clear and calm waters that invite you to escape from the hustle and bustle of the Mediterranean skyscraper city (no wonder Benidorm is known as Beniyork) to discover the most unusual side of the Mare Nostrum. Natural enclaves, without beach bars or souvenir shops, rugged, with a touch of hippie vibe, and always surprising.

In Jávea, some neighbors joke about the possibility that Ulysses never arrived on the Greek coast of Ithaca. They suggest that, in reality, the hero's ship from Homer ended up in the cove of Portixol. As evidence, their beachfront houses with whitewashed walls and blue doors, surrounded by wild Mediterranean shrubbery. Nothing to envy from the postcards of Mykonos or Santorini. In Villajoyosa, tales from the past lead us to its wall, erected to protect the neighbors from Berber pirates in the 16th century. Although its most Instagrammable sight is its multicolored facade houses, a trick used by fishermen of yesteryear to spot their homes easily from afar when returning to land.

In Altea, its streets display an explosion of colors that ranges from the whitewashed houses and vibrant bougainvilleas to its two iconic glazed ceramic domes in blue and white of the Church of the Virgen del Consuelo. The chromatic poetry extends to the Natural Park of Las Lagunas de La Mata and Torrevieja, where the Dunaliella salina, a peculiar microalgae, tints the water a pink hue. Depending on the sun's angle, this saltwater lagoon appears magenta, purple, or deep burgundy. A few kilometers inland, the greenery of the palm grove in Elche majestically dominates the landscape, while in the charming Guardamar del Segura, the ochre sand dunes transport us to a natural scenery of wild and almost desert-like beauty. Beyond the coast, the small island of Tabarca hides beaches with seagrass meadows, sea urchins, and a vibrant underwater life.

The Costa Blanca boasts the privilege of a gastronomy rich in nuances and flavors that is nourished by products from the orchard and the sea. It proudly showcases 13 Michelin-starred restaurants, a culinary journey of exultant creativity and delicate flavors that emerges from the kitchens of acclaimed chefs such as Quique Dacosta in Denia, Kiko Moya in L’Escaleta, or BonAmb, by Alberto Ferruz, on the Benitachell Road (Xàbia). But also places like Beat in Calpe, Peix & Brases in Denia, or Baeza & Rufete in Alicante, to name just a few.

Without the fanfare of certifications, one can also enjoy a splendid seafood stew in Tabarca, with its hake (a common fish in these waters) and its dried red peppers. Or one of the more than 300 rice recipes, the olleta de la montaña or the pericana (known as pipes i carasses in Elche), a unique sauce made with dried peppers, olive oil, and salted fish. And what about the artisan ice creams in the port of Santa Pola, the chocolates, the turrons, and the famous mistela from Lliber, the starting point of the riuraus route. In these typical Alicante constructions, grapes are pacified using techniques inherited from the Romans. A must-visit for wine tourism enthusiasts, whether by car or bike.