The Mediterranean coastline of the Costa Blanca, or ‘White Coast,’ stretches 120 glorious miles from Denia in the North to Pilar de la Horadada in the south.

Located in the region of Alicante, the temperate climate boasts 300 days of sunshine annually. The most popular of the numerous North’s resorts is the party town of Benidorm which continues to attract millions of holidaymakers all year round.

Further south lies another world of blue-flag beaches, nature reserves, salt lakes and quaint towns. A frequent visitor to the South Costa Blanca with her husband Steve, our series photographer, our Lifestyle and Leisure Editor, Sharon Cain, shares its allure.

Crystal Clear Water And Golden Sands

Among my guilty pleasures - of which there are many - is the uplifting feeling of waving goodbye to blighty’s inclement weather from a plane window.

I always relish the warmth as we touch down at Alicante airport in under three hours. Sixty minutes later we are ensconced on a golden South Costa Blanca Blue Flag beach, of which there are over seventy.

After challenging Northumberland winters of indoor eating with central heating blasting out, nothing tastes more delicious than croquetas and glass of chilled white wine, vino blanco, in a chirinquito beach bar. Half an hour later as the sea washes away life’s strains and stresses, I am enveloped in a sense of well being I want to last forever.

A wealth of hotels, rental accommodation and rental cars to suit all budgets enables tourists to easily navigate the region’s pearls. Our favourite resorts include Playa de Mil de Palmeras, whose approach is lined with a row of lively, crowd-pleasing bars and restaurants offering a tasty three-course "menu del dia" for just ten pounds and chirinquitos with live music.

Just a 20 minute walk along the beach lies the fabulous Delpuerto bar and restaurant frequented by Spanish and ex pats where a reservation is recommended for a table to savour the cuisine and sea views.

Less busy is Playa Flamenca on the Orihuela Costa, also 45 minutes from Alicante and Murcia airports. Fondly referred to as the ‘dog beach’ - and the only one in the immediate area which welcomes fur friends - our golden retriever Bracken has the time of his life when we travel there in our motorhome. Humans and canines of all nationalities can be seen swimming and frolicking in the waves.

Marinas Supremas

There is no shortage of panoramic coastal walks and marinas in South Costa Blanca. Among the most enjoyable is a four kilometre stretch from the Pilar de la Horidada marina to Puerto Marina de las Salinas. Popular for its natural coves and rocky cliffs, Pilar de la Horidada is also former hot spot for pirate raids, where the remains of Roman quarries from the 1st and 2nd centuries BC can be seen.

This particular beach walk offers different seascapes depending upon the time of year. Even in January the sea temperatures are warm enough to paddle along the water’s edge while watching the theatrics of sea birds hovering and diving for their feast of fish.

A stunning setting to admire beautiful yachts, the Puerto Marina de las Salinas which overlooks the Mar Menor sea and salt flats, achieved an architectural award for its high calibre design. The port is a perfect pit stop for boat and people watching, especially with a glass of chilled cava.

Spain is a world-leading exporter of salt. Dating back to the 18th century, Torrevieja’s salt industry has been instrumental to the city’s economic development. One of Europe’s largest salt production sites, up to 700,000 tons are exported annually to England and Scandinavia for de-icing roads.

Wondrous Wildlife

The region is a bird lovers paradise brimming with rich ecosystems. Next to the marina is the San Pedro del Pinatar Salinas Park, a protected wetland spanning over 800 hectares and a sanctuary for migrating flamingos.

A boardwalk and cycling path enables visitors to access the wetlands whose hives reward the most patient. I always brim with excitement when spotting flamingos, wading birds and shorebirds and Steve captures the moment though his lens.

Torrevieja - Where City Meets Sea

When the hustle and bustle of city life calls, my ‘go to’ is Torrevieja, the South Costa Blanca’s biggest coastal resort sandwiched between the Mediterranean and pink salt lagoons of La Mata.

Attractions include a thriving Friday market, the Aquopolis water park and a plentiful retail and restaurant offering. The port is also perfect for a boat for a trip to the charming island of La Tabarca, Spain’s first marine reserve and a snorkeler’s dream.

The 90 minute adventure on a glorious day affords beautiful views of the Med and some lucky visitors enjoy dolphin spotting which has so far eluded us. Dining al fresco at one of the island's rustic sea front restaurants dishing up the freshest fish is exquisite.

A stroll along Torrevieja’s modern promenade and pristine beaches is a great way to soak up the vibes with an abundance of bars and restaurants. Sundays is the best day to mingle with the locals when the level of socialialising and chatter reaches fever point.

King Prawns and Peacocks

A stone’s throw from Torrevieja is gorgeous Guardamar framed by sandy beaches and protected dunes. A haven for nature lovers, among our high points is spotting peacocks and geese roaming around the Reina Sofía Park while walking among centuries old pine trees.

We never fail to be mesmerised by dramatic waves crashing onto the beach. Among the resort’s many attractions is a small marina where a fish market sells Guardamar’s famous King Prawns, called llagostí, straight out of fishermen’s nets.

To squeeze every delectable moment from the South Costa Blanca’s gems, I highly recommend avoiding peak summer months and their searing humidity, inflated prices and tourists crammed together like sardines.

Spring and autumn are perfect climates. Even in January and February, the coldest months, temperatures can hover around 15°C, positively baking compared to England - and the sunsets can be sensational.

A trip to the region during a festival, (fiesta), is an occasion not to be missed. With Easter round the corner, a stream of processions will celebrate this pivotal religious festival, the biggest being Torrevieja’s Semana Santa Holy Week across Sunday, March 29 to Sunday, April 5.

The noise will be deafening, the floats ornate, and the atmosphere electric. I hope you enjoy the Costa Blanca experience as much as we have done over the years and return home with your own treasure trove of memories.

TRAVEL FACTS
Sharon Cain and Steve Hare travelled independently
For competitive fares for regional flights from Leeds Bradford, Newcastle or Manchester visit here
For information on the San Pedro de Pinatar Selinas Park visit here
For information on Costa Blanca visit here
For information on Guardemar visit here
For information on Torrevieja’s Holy Week processions, visit here
For information on the region’s events calendar visit here