If you are considering the Costa Blanca for your holidays or you are wondering if it’s a good place to live then you have chosen well. In our recent article about the best places to live in Spain, we rated the Costa Blanca as the top region in Spain.
So what is about the Costa Blanca lifestyle that makes it the best of the Costas? In this article, we will have a look at the cost of living, climate, best places for families and couples, where most foreigners and Brits retire, and the nicest towns to live.
(Coming soon) We will dedicate another article to the best places to buy property.
The Costa Blanca is a spectacular part of the Spanish coastline with gorgeous beaches and beautiful historical villages with an abundance of culture and festivities. This fun, vibrant, healthy, and relaxing lifestyle is difficult to match anywhere else in Europe.
Costa Blanca Climate
The Costa Blanca stretches from Pilar de la Horadada on the Orihuela Costa in the South up to the city of Denia in the North, with the City of Alicante dividing South from North. In a straight line, it’s only about 120km from Pilar de la Horadada to Denia, however, there is usually a temperature difference of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius between the two extremes.
As you drive from South to North you will notice the vegetation becoming more verdant. The first difference in greenery is North of Alicante City and in particular after Vilajoyosa.
The biggest difference though is after the Sierra Bernia tunnel (Tunel de Mascarat) that separates Altea (Marina Baixa area) from Calpe (Marina Alta area).
The Northern part of the Northern Costa Blanca receives more rainfall than anywhere else on the Costa Blanca. The winter months can be a little fresher, however, it takes the edge off of the really hot summer months, and that is a good compromise.
The hottest and coldest months of the Costa Blanca?
The hottest months are July and August (average highs of 30°C and average lows of 20 °C) the coldest months are January and February (average highs of 17°C and average lows of 6°C).
There is a definite respite from the heat outside of July and August with the months of June and September being milder and with fewer crowds.
The heat can be a serious lifestyle factor though, especially for pensioners. The Northern Costa Blanca offers more comfortable summers while the Southern Costa Blanca offers more comfortable winters.
Is Costa Blanca warmer than Costa del Sol?
Comparatively speaking the climate in the Southern Costa Blanca is similar to the Costa del Sol, while the Northern Costa Blanca is 2 or 3 degrees Celsius milder.
Where is the nicest climate in Spain?
If you can handle the heat then Andalucia, being furthest south, offers the sunniest and warm days. Towns like Estepona, Tarifa, and Conil de la Frontera, all offer wonderful climates.
For us, the nicest climate in Spain is the Northern Costa Blanca. Of course, there are a lot more considerations other than climate that can really affect your lifestyle. See our article about the best places to live in Spain.
Where do most expats/foreigners live in Costa Blanca?
The greatest concentration of expats and foreigners, starting from South to North are:
1) Orihuela Costa, and in particular the areas of La Zenia, PLaya Flamenca, Vilamartin, Campoamor, and Mil Palmeras.
2) Torrevieja city and Torre La Mata.
3) The towns of Rojales and Ciudad Quesada just north of Torrevieja.
4) Santa Pola and Gran Alacant (halfway between Torrevieja and Alicante City).
5) Playa San Juan, Cabo de las Huertas, and Campoamor (just north of Alicante city).
6) Benidorm and Finestrat. Finestrat is the village and residential areas around the three golf courses that overlook Benidorm.
7) The large bay just North of Benidorm (Marina Baixa area) which is home to the towns of Albir, Alfaz del Pi, La Nucia, and Altea.
8) The Marina Alta area (the northern part of the Northern Costa Blanca) which is home to the beautiful towns of Calpe, Moraira, Javea, Jalón, and Denia.
What is the prettiest town in Costa Blanca?
There are many beautiful towns on the Costa Blanca. My favourites are:
1) Altea. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean, this is the last of the white Moorish villages that you will find along the coast.
2) Albir. Many people who work in Benidorm live in this little oasis that shares a beautiful corner of the coastline with Altea.
3) Javea old town. Built using the honey-coloured Tosca stones that were quarried from the beachfront this is one of the prettiest villages in all of Spain, and a lot of fun.
4) Moraira village with its stunning port and gorgeous seafront. Too many treasures to mention here.
5) Castel del Guadalest. This little inland gem is situated only 20 km from the coast of Albir.
6) Denia’s old town. Not visible from the coast or when you approach from inland, this is one of our favourite historic centres in all of Spain and is packed with fantastic wining and dining options. Oh, and the stunning port with a vibrant nightlife is only a short stroll away.
7) Playa San Juan with its spectacular seaside promenade that runs for 7km to Campello port. It’s just up the road from Alicante historic centre (which is highly recommended).
Before this section gets too long, others that definitely deserve a visit are Santa Pola, Villajoyosa, Calpe, and Guardamar del Segura.
Where should I live in Costa Blanca? What is the nicest part?
People have different needs and life situations. Retirees may have very strict budgets while working families will require a good economy.
That said, we feel the area stretching from Albir and Altea and through Calpe, Moraira, Benissa, Javea, and Denia is the nicest part to live in the Costa Blanca.
So basically the top part of Northern Costa Blanca.
The cost of living is a little more than the Southern Costa Blanca however you benefit from a more robust economy and better quality of services and amenities.
Of course, each person’s situation is unique, so the best is to have as many conversations with the local expats as possible to determine what would work best for you.
The cheapest towns and villages to live in the Costa Blanca?
As a rule of thumb, the further you are from the coast the cheaper your rental, dining, beverage, and entertainment costs.
We will suggest areas where you are still close enough to enjoy the fantastic coastal life but far enough for a peaceful retreat.
From south to north, these towns and villages offer excellent value considering their proximity to the coast.
1) Pilar de la Horadada (on the coast) and San Miguel de Salinas (9km inland) on the Orihuela Costa.
2) Torrevieja City.
3) The villages inland from Rojales and Ciudad Quesada, for example, Catral, Dolores, and Almoradi.
4) Santa Pola (on the coast).
5) Callosa d’En Sarriá, inland from Altea.
6) Pedreguer and Ondara, inland from Denia and Javea.
7) Gata de Gorgos, inland from Javea.
8) Benissa, inland from Moraira.
9) Calpe (on the coast).
10) Gandia. Actually just North of the Costa Blanca but offers affordable living, a fantastic beachfront, and a beautiful port.
Is Costa Blanca good for families?
For families on holiday, you won’t be short of entertainment. For information about activities, events, and festivities, we find the local Facebook Groups to have the most up-to-date information. Search in Google: “Facebook group events + ‘location'”.
If you are looking to relocate you will find plenty of good International schools up and down the coast.
The Costa Blanca provides a wholesome healthy environment for families. The biggest changes many foreigners experience after their first year here are their improved diet and health, their better mindset, increased quality of life and happiness, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Is Costa Blanca a party place?
People’s definition of ‘party’ is different.
The Costa Blanca has a more wholesome friendly attitude to celebrations. There are ‘party’ places like the Levante area of Benidorm, however, that is more the exception than the norm.
As far as nightlife goes, there is no shortage of options and variety. You should note that some areas, where the economy is mostly driven by tourism, can be a lot quieter outside of summer.
How much money do you need to live in Costa Blanca? Can you live off 1000 Euros or Pounds a month?
I believe most people who ask this question are single. A thousand Euros, or even pounds, is going to be a challenge, so here is some advice on how best to reduce your costs.
Your biggest expense is going to be your rent. To save money you will want to rent a studio or 1-bed apartment in an urban area that has sufficient entertainment nearby, and that allows you to walk everywhere, thereby saving you the expense of a car.
The urban areas should provide cost-efficient dining and entertainment options.
The best areas for this are Torrevieja, Santa Pola, Benidorm, Calpe, and Denia.
