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Up the coast

Costa Blanca North: Benidorm, Altea, Calpe and Dénia

From Benidorm’s tapas alley to Altea’s white old town and the ferries out of Dénia, this is our honest guide to the northern Costa Blanca: what’s worth your time, how to get there, and what to skip.

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Our most-read Costa Blanca North guides

Town by town

Benidorm

Love it or hate it, there’s more to Benidorm than the high-rises: an old town, proper tapas bars and a great indoor market.

Altea & Albir

Altea’s white old town and blue-domed church sit just up the coast from Benidorm, with laid-back Albir next door.

Calpe & Moraira

Calpe is famous for the huge Peñón de Ifach rock, and Moraira is a quieter, more upmarket spot further along.

Dénia

A historic port town with a castle above the harbour, ferries to the Balearics and its famous summer bull-running into the sea.

Finestrat & Polop

Hill towns just behind Benidorm, with old streets and big views down to the coast.

Staying & camping

Campsites and caravan sites around Benidorm, for the motorhome crowd.

Getting there from Alicante airport

Buses, taxis and Uber

Costa Blanca beaches and markets

Explore nearby

Costa Blanca North FAQs

Does Benidorm have its own airport?

No. The nearest airport is Alicante–Elche, about an hour away by road. Valencia airport is the other option, but it’s further. Read our full answer.

Which is nicer, Altea or Calpe?

Altea is smaller and prettier, with its whitewashed old town. Calpe is bigger and busier, with the Peñón de Ifach and more beaches. Both make an easy day trip from Benidorm.

Can you get a ferry to Ibiza from the Costa Blanca?

Yes, from Dénia. There are regular ferries to Ibiza and Formentera. See our guides to the Ibiza ferry and the Formentera ferry.

What’s the difference between the north and south Costa Blanca?

The north, from Benidorm up to Dénia, is greener and more mountainous, with dramatic coastline. The south, around Torrevieja and the Vega Baja, is flatter, with long sandy beaches and big expat communities.