Costa Blanca Reviews

Great holiday night life entertainment good lots of sun good beach loads of shops.

In Alicante on the Night of 5th January they have the parade of the 3 Kings in the Main Street this is well worth a visit.

Also in Campello just north of Alicante in October around the 8th to 15th the is the parade of the moors and christains the costumes are really great.

Alicante city is a superb short stay destination.

Superb bars/restaurants/and hotels. Or a bit further up the costa blanca coast The non stop resort of Benidorm. 900 bars/restaurants. Beautiful beaches and theme parks (aqualandia/mundomar/terra mitica/terra natura/limon express the choice and value is endless.Go and enjoy all year round it happens in Benidormfor families/groups/parties/stag & hen parties.

I have been to Alicante several times this year and have booked to go again in Sept... I have recommended Monarch airlines to freinds and family and I fully recommend them to you.

I have been to Alicante several times this year and have booked to go again in Sept. I have been booking flights with Monarch on line for the last three years and cant believe how simple it is you get confirmation in minutes of booking a flight.

Checkin is painless and the flight its self is really enjoyable and it doesnt seem like you are on the plane for two hours the inflight meals are quite good and so is the inflight entertainment. I have recommended Monarch airlines to freinds and family and I fully recommend them to you.

I always fly with Monarch scheduled to Alicante as they are a great start offering some of the best service i have ever seen and great friendly staff in the airports and on the aircraft.

I have family that live in Alicante well in a town about 30 minutes south of Alicante called Torrevieja. I have been going there about 6 times a year for the last 4 years and i am still not bored of the area. There is so much to see and do and its great for all kinds of people.

If you have been to Costa Blanca you will know of some of the great stuff available such as great quality and low priced restaurants with excellent service water sports boat trips and day trips to islands of of alicante I recently visited the Island of Tarbaca which is a 40 minute boat trip from Alicante and offers a great relaxing day to just chill out on the beach with a drink. On the boat trip the boats have a downstairs deck where you can watch the fish as the isalnd has crystal clear water and its amazing to be able to watch the sealife below you.

I am due to go back to Alicante on the 11th July with Monarch and cannot wait and there is still so much i want to explore such as go karting ....... better get my helmet ready!

In Castalla with its castle and the old houses huddled to its sides for protection there are some fantastic restaurants and tapas bars. Most offer excellant service but these are amongst my favorites...

I live in the inland town of Castalla just 35 minutes from Alicante. We use Monarch regularly for return trips to family in the UK via Manchester airport and my 13 year old daughter has flown unacompanied with Monarch for holidays and loved it.

The area around Castalla is mountainous with spectacular views and many great rambling routes through protected countryside.

In Castalla with its castle and the old houses huddled to its sides for protection there are some fantastic restaurants and tapas bars. Most offer excellant service but these are amongst my favorites.

For those of you looking for an exclusive restaurant with personal service try Casa Paqui. The food is delicious and the wines are the best in the area.

For tapas you can't beat the Baseta Bar on Calle Azorin.

The menu of the day at El Jardin is well worth a try and if you are looking for somewhere to sleep for the night you should go to Hotel Caseta Nova between Castalla and Ibi. It is an old Finca which has been well restored with comfortable rooms and a good restaurant.

If you visit a village close to Castalla called Biar you will find another pueblo proud of its culinary traditions. Restaurant El Solet is at the pricier end of the market and Bar Juan is a great place for tapas and menu del dia.

If you want to see what Real Spain looks and tastes like then you can't go wrong in this area. If you want to sample the bull run on a smaller scale to Pamlona or see the Moors and Christians Fiestas on a smaller more intimate scale than the events in Alcoy come to the towns and villages of this area and enjoy the local culture which hasn't been overwhelmed by northern european culture - yet.

we went to Denia which is just outside alicante and it's brilliant. It's not too busy and it's a lovely place to go to chill out and the locals are very nice.

I would like to let everyone know if you get a flight to Alicante there is a bus outside the terminal to Benidorm that runs up til 9:30pm that costs 6 euros each.

we have used monarch twice to alicante and we had a nice apartment right on the beach this year Las Damas. It goes to the main bus station on the Europa Avenue. It is an air conditioned coach so very comfortable. This makes it even cheaper when you are booking your own holiday on line.

Don't miss El Arca close to Guadalest which is a rescue sanctuary for all sorts of animals with many sad tales to tell.

We have visited the Costa Blanca area for many many years and have never tired of it. There are still many unspoilt villages and areas to be found.

It is an amazing place and wonderful to see animals who have been badly treated being treated with such tender loving care. If you love animals this is not to be missed. It will bring a tear to your eye, but your small entrance fee will help to continue the excellent work undertaken by the staff. The centre is built into the hillside so is stepped and may not be suitable for all.

Monarch, what can I say just great, forget your cheap airlines there is no comparison.

You can upgrade your seat on board, subject to seat availability/charge, as I did and received the extra leg room. Also the baggage allowance of 20kg was very generous compared to cheap travel of 18kg and excluding the situation at present the hand baggage allowance of 10kg was more than ample compared to 5kg. Well done Monarch you have got it just right.

If your destination is Alicante a must visit is Finestrat near Benidorm.

Fantastic climbing or hiking, spectacular views, the real Spain feel to the place. Finestrat is located at the foot of the Puig Campana mountain. There is a font from which you can drink water that will guarantee to make you pregnant and live to a hundred.... I believe it! I also found a small (and cheap) climbers hostal, The Travellers Friend, with a manager that Basil Fawlty must have been based on. Well worth a visit. - Martin Herglotz

The w/end rail ticket is great value we go to alicante on sat and to denia sun so much to see and do the castle alicante is good also the new harbour great cafes/resturants/shopping.

Denia has a lovely seafront/harbour. Terra natura is great also terra mitica we eat at china garden chinese it is the best in benidorm and so cheap also we have never met such nice people as them.

Another trip is up the bali hotel and a trip to guadalest is a must. Albir market tuesday, benidorm wed/sun, altea friday all worth a visit. Benidorm palace is a great night out shows are great. We met spider and Les Battersby from Coronation Street in Benidorm they were so friendly. We love it there so if you go there you have the choice of a quiet time or you can party 24 hrs a day it`s up to you. June Phelan

I recently visited Alicante with a film crew for Channel 4 TV to film a segment of A Place In The Sun and was very pleasently surprised by the city.

Situated around a smart port and large marina is a city with lots of lovely old buildings of character and interest. There is also a very good shopping area with a huge depatment store and the town also has a beautifull beach overlooked by the old castle Santa Barbara. -John Coates

Calpe on the Costa Blanca has amazing rock called the penon which can be climed and the view from the top is amazingon a clear day you can see all the way to Ibiza.

The Hotel Roca Esmerelda has great rooms and is clean the food is particularly good particulary the breakfast which caters for many tastes.

The Corner cafe & bar is well worth a try if you are english and offers great indian food as well. or if you want a snack then Eden Bar does a lovely hot dog and chips. Both a reasonable prices. Or if you are into pizza then Mama Leonies in the town does a great pizza all freshly made. - Christine Bilby

If you visit Alicante with the kids there is plenty to do near by Terra Mitica an educational theme park Terra Natura an animal park and Munemar a sea-life center.

- Jan Daniels

We had forgotten how good Monarch Crown Service was, the on board service and entertainment, the breakfast and evening meal on our return was also top quality food and beverages with good service.

Just to say 10 years ago when we purchased a property in Alicante we had three scheduled choices. We used Monarch then more choices came along only living one mile from Heathrow it made sense to use the airport, that choice has now gone for the winter period so we went back to our original choice Monarch at London Gatwick.

And it was a real pleasure to actually know what was going on at the front of the aircraft, the pilot and co pilot kept us all informed where we were and what was going on and what to expect weather wise when we landed at London Gatwick, not the norm these days so well done Monarch.

We will be back

Regards

- Les McDonnell

So try and see how the Spanish live in the campo (Country). My Monarch Flight is just about to land Enjoy your stay.

Hola! We have had our place in the sun five years. We live only 30 min from Alicante airport and live in a small place called Aspe which is a lovely town. It has great market days and a 13th century church with a palm square. We also have lots of little villages around us so always somewhere to go and only 30 min from 5 lovely white beaches. - Kath Mac

Just 25 minutes in land from Alicante is a truly Spanish town Novelda. It is a real gem of a place...

Just 25 minutes in land from Alicante is a truly Spanish town Novelda. It is a real gem of a place which has fantastic historical sites, an art deco house which is classed as the best in Europe and an English speaking Tourist Information Office. A must see is definitely the marble Sanctuary built by a pupil of Gaudi and 12th Century Moors Tower. The flight schedule of Monarch into Alicante offer excellent times twice a day and provides an excellent start to the holiday. - Diane Jennings

I would recommend vistors to Torreveija, a coastal town with good bars and resturants and very reasonable prices.

Fantatic beaches like la-zenia. There is a hotel overlooking the beach as well as a wide sandy beach.It is 40mins drive from Alicante. Torreveijca boasts a salt lake which date´s to Roman times and Cartegena isnt too far to visit either. It boasts an impressive marina as well as a fair ground in Summer only. There is a street market every night for leather and wooden goods to t-shirts. There are even major music festivals in Summer months out door. It is a growing town and home to Europe's biggest desalination project. Plenty to do and visit as well as the major property players with nice stlye villá for sale too. Not many hotels as yet but well worth a visit. - Kevin

I recently stayed at my parent's house in Finesrat nr Benidorm. I really would like to make everyone aware how lovely Finesrat is.

I think most people who go to Benidorm don't bother to travel around but i really would give this lovely village a visit. It's a typical Spanish oldie worldly village with some great bars to sit and watch the world go by.....There are some great views of coast and the Puig Camana Mountain. There is even a natural spring to fill your water bottles up...It is well worth a visit. - Diane

THE FLAMINGO OASIS HOTEL MUST BE ONE OF THE BEST ALL INCLUSIVE HOTELS IN BENIDORM.

WE HAVE STAYED THERE 4 TIMES AND WE ARE GOING AGAIN ON THE 8/10/07. THE FOOD IS EXCELLENT, THE BEST WE HAVE TASTED. VERY CLEAN, A GOOD 4 STAR HOTEL. WE HAVE RECOMENDED IT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND EACH AND EVERY PERSON HAS GIVEN IT FULL MARKS. WELL DONE FLAMINGO OASIS, YOU HAVE DONE YOURSELF PROUD - Mrs M.Okey

My partner and I have had several trips to La Mata near Alicante.

The beaches are stunning. Not too commercial but with plenty to do. There is a short bus ride to Torreveija which has busy night life. The beaches are cleaned every day and life guards are there to watch over you. We love the area. - Susan Lambert

I would like to thank the staff of Monarch for making my trip to Alicante such a pleasure.

My wife is disabled and she needs the help of the harness seatbelt, the cabin crew could not do enough to help us. This is certainly an airline we will be booking with in the future for all our flights. - Sean Morris

I would only fly with Monarch as their service is exceptional

Ive recently bought an apartment in Guardamar Del Segura. It's a quiet coastal fishing village Nr La Marina. After many visits - Audrey

We stay regularly in beautiful Guardamar Del Segurait which is approximately 20 miles from Alicante airport.

It is very Spanish and cultural. We live close to Luton airport and flights to Alicante are plentiful. Great deals from Monarch make it possible for us to travel on a fairly regular basis...Keep up the Good Work Monarch! - Margaret Burns

I live in the lovely town of Altea, 5 minutes away from Benidorm.

Every year me and my husband Gary fly back to Luton to see our children. We always enjoy flying with Monarch and will continue doing so, way to go Monarch! - Christine Brookwell

I live in Spain in a village called Senija. I fly with Monarch regularly as my family live in the UK.

I have found the airline staff most professional and to date the flights have never been delayed. - Cherine Zehnder

I GO TO A FISHING VILLAGE CALLED DENIA. IT IS VERY SPANISH AND THE PEOPLE ARE VERY NICE.

I HAVE BEEN GOING THERE FOR 40 YEARS AND HAVE MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS THERE. I AM GOING BACK IN APRIL THEN IN SEPTEMBER - Joan Ayres

Our place in Spain is just outside the town of Aspe just 25 min from the Airport and local to Hondon Neves and Hondon Frailis.

The villages are so different from living near the seaside yet only 25 min from five beaches. All our neighbours are Spanish and bring us the fruits of the area, they are always there to help. Aspe Town on Market day is a great day out for everyone. Have a ride inland for the day and see how the Spanish live. We love our time in Aspe and enjoy problem free flights with Monarch. The staff are always helpful as we travel frequently with you and get to know the girls on the flights. - Kath McKiernan

We discovered the elegant city of Alicante some five years ago and decided to buy a property inland.

We discovered the elegant city of Alicante some five years ago and decided to buy a property inland [approx. 35 minute drive from the Airport on excellent roads]. Our estate of 14.5 acres is just outside the town of Ibi on the route to Alcoy. The scenery is superb and the whole area a delight to visit. It is a lovely place to holiday. - Jack Masters

The small fishing village of Javea is around one hour north of Alicante airport. It offers two distinctive types of holiday.

The small fishing village of Javea is around one hour north of Alicante airport. It offers two distinctive types of holiday, the Arenal beach for children and the lively bars and discos for young people. Go to the old town and port for a very typical and unspoilt side of Spain. There are nice shops and restaurants for the more discerning traveller. A real little gem. - Ronald Shea

There is a newly refurbished four star Hotel in Benidorm called Hotel Agir.

They have nouveau cuisine food and excellent traditional local rice dishes. Well worth a try. - Deborah Brake

The Hotel Moli in Alfaz del Pi just outside Benidorm is highly recommended for its location, food and the friendly staff.

There is a pool on site with BBQ and Tapas Bar coming this summer. A lovely small family hotel. - Harry Jagger

We go to a place called Villa Martin near La Zenia. We go about 4 times a year. It's great and the people are very nice.

- Janette Roddy

I have recently stayed at a villa near Quesada. A very nice smallish town situated ten minutes from the coast along side the La Marquesa golf course.

The area was quiet but had restaurants that were only two minutes walk away with a new bank, supermarket and shops nearby. I recommend the place for anyone that wants to relax for couple of weeks. - Mel Johnson

I travelled with my Mother and 3 year old Son to Alicante and stopped at the Hotel Porto Calpe in Calpe.

It is 2* and some would say basic - but hey - what do you want from a room?! The rooms are cleaned thoroughly each day, bed linen changed and towels replaced. There is always hot water. You can go self catering/room only or B&B. The breakfast is a buffet style continental breakfast and if you really want a full English there is a cafe next door associated with the Hotel. The staff are incredibly friendly. It's a small family run hotel and the owners pride themselves on giving a personal service. The beach is literally around the corner (about 50m) and the port is right next to it. There is easy access to the Penon Difach and Benidorm is a short bus or train ride away. Although in Winter there isn't much to do in the Summer Calpe comes alive both with tourists and Spanish nationals who want to just get away from it all. I'd recommend Calpe to families and older people and in particular the Hotel Porto Calpe. - Laura Moses

We try to always fly with Monarch as it is the best!

Very good on price and even if we can go cheaper we choose Monarch if the price is only a bit dearer. But we do miss the Crown Service that really did make it the best. Now we can fly to Murcia as well and we give them 5 stars! - Irene Jefries

I go to El Chapparel regularly as my parents live there. This is a nice quite place and is 30 min drive from Alicante.

Town is also only 20 mins away and the beach is easily accessible using a regular bus. -Cheryl

I have been flying with Monarch for the last 15 years.

My daughter lives in a small village called Gata de Gorgos which is 40 minutes drive from Alicante. It is in between Denia and Javea and it is like stepping back in time. There are small shops selling handmade crafts - baskets and small pieces of furniture made from Esparto grass and wicker. Don't forget to visit the next smaller village of Jesus Pobre and call into the hairdressers Diagonal for expert cut and colour at a fraction of the price than the UK.... - Carol Uting

We have an apartment in Liopetri which is 30 mins from Larnaca airport and 20 mins from Ayia Napa.

There is a little fishing port called Liopetri Potamus which has 2 fish restaurants in the most scenic picturesque setting I have experienecd. Added to which the food is fantastic.

Superb, cheap rented accomodation at residencial calanuza #64 el campello -between benidorm and alicante right on the beach.

Superb cheap rented accomodation at residencial calanuza #64 el campello -between Benidorm and Alicante right on the beach. We have been several times and always enjoy it there... communal pool and restaurants nearby. - Patricia Gleeson

If you are staying in the Alicante region a great place to visit is Guadalest - an historic mountain village.

We stayed in an apartment in Guadalest and it is only a half hour drive to the coast at Benidorm or Calpe. Although it is busy during the day with visitors it is lovely and peaceful during the evening. - Margaret Martin

When visiting the Alicante region a great place to base yourself is Denia the capital of the Marina Alta area. The town is dominated by a Moorish castle built on a hilltop above the port and is steeped in history. Today Denia is the gateway to Ibiza and the Balearic islands of Mallorca and Minorca.

The fast ferry service will take you to Ibiza in around two hours. There is always something happening in Denia which is reputed to have the largest number of fiestas anywhere in Europe. Many other attractions are only a short car journey away such as Terra Mitica Aqualandia and the Science museum and Sea World in Valencia. The best way to get around is to hire a car. Do this online before coming to Spain and you will find the prices surprisingly cheap (from 100 euros per week out of season). A great place to stay is Hostal Loreto in Denia. This is a medium sized family run hotel with all mod cons and a busy restaurant right in the centre of Denia (yet only a short walk from some beautiful beaches). Their website is at www HostalLoreto dot com. - Douglas Horne