August on the Costa Blanca – There's More to Discover Than Just the Beach

August on the Costa Blanca – There's More to Discover Than Just the Beach

When most people picture the Mediterranean in August, they imagine golden beaches, bustling promenades, waterfront restaurants and the endless sound of the waves. It's an image we've all come to know and love.

But there is another side to the Costa Blanca – one that begins the moment you leave the coastline behind.

One of the greatest advantages of owning a home or holiday property here is that within just 30 to 60 minutes you can swap the sea breeze for mountain air, busy beaches for peaceful villages, and crowded resorts for spectacular landscapes rich in history, culture and nature. The Costa Blanca isn't just a beach destination – it's the gateway to some of Spain's most beautiful inland scenery.

Escape to the Mountains from Benidorm

Few places are more closely associated with beach holidays than Benidorm, yet just a short drive inland reveals a completely different world. The road winds through almond groves, terraced hillsides and dramatic limestone mountains into the beautiful Marina Baixa region.

One of the highlights is the picturesque village of Guadalest, perched high on a rocky outcrop overlooking its stunning turquoise reservoir. With its medieval castle, narrow cobbled streets and breathtaking views, it's easy to understand why this was once a strategically important fortress controlling the route between the coast and the interior.

Guadalest

Continue beyond Guadalest and you'll discover charming villages such as Benimantell, Confrides and Castell de Castells, where life moves at a slower pace and traditional Spain remains very much alive. This area is also home to some of Alicante Province's best hiking routes, including trails through the Serrella mountains and the Sierra de Aitana, the highest peak in the province.

From many of the mountain viewpoints it's hard to believe that the Mediterranean lies just a few kilometres away.

Before returning to the coast, cool off at the beautiful Algar Waterfalls (Fonts de l'Algar), where crystal-clear pools and cascading waterfalls provide the perfect way to end a summer day.

Discover Alicante's Castles and Historic Heartland

Another fascinating inland excursion takes you along the famous Vinalopó Castle Route, a collection of impressive medieval fortresses that tell the story of centuries of conflict between the Christian and Moorish kingdoms.

Castle of Villena

The journey begins in Villena, home to the magnificent Atalaya Castle, one of the finest preserved medieval fortresses in the Valencian Community. From there, continue to Sax, where its dramatic hilltop castle dominates the town below, and nearby Petrer, another beautifully preserved fortress town full of character.

Castle of Sax

Further along the route you'll reach Elda, renowned for its centuries-old shoemaking tradition, before arriving in Novelda, famous for its striking Modernist Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena and its unique vineyards, where every bunch of grapes is individually protected in paper bags as they ripen—a traditional cultivation method found nowhere else.

Sanctuary of Santa Maria Magdalena, Novelda

Together, these historic towns reveal another side of Alicante Province: one shaped by knights, merchants, Islamic fortresses, military orders and ancient trading routes that have influenced this region for centuries.

The Costa Blanca – A Lifestyle Beyond the Coast

One of the reasons so many people choose to buy a home on the Costa Blanca is the incredible diversity the region offers. You can spend the morning swimming in the Mediterranean, enjoy lunch in a traditional mountain village, explore castles steeped in history during the afternoon, and be back on your terrace watching the sunset over the sea in the evening.

So this August, while our beaches continue to shine, remember that some of the Costa Blanca's greatest treasures lie just beyond the coastline. Sometimes the best days are the ones spent discovering what lies inland.