Natural landscapes, wild life on the Costa Blanca

Natural landscapes, wild life on the Costa Blanca

The Costa Blanca is one of the most incredible places for enjoying the countryside. Circled by the Mediterranean sea and its rocky mountains, the area is full of places for you to disconnect and discover the local landscape.

Thanks to its wealth of flora and fauna, the Costa Blanca is an ideal tourist destination for couples, friends or families.

La Sierra de Mariola

The Sierra de Mariola Natural Park lies between the districts of la Hoya de Alcoy, El Condado de Cocentaina and Valle de Albaida. This area extends over 17 thousand hectares and is rich in plant life and vegetation. Aleppo pines cover most of this mountain range. The incredibly profuse plant life boasts around 1200 species in this area alone.

This beautiful spot is immensely valuable in environmental terms and it is perfect for hiking or family tourism. The “Green Route: in the shade of the ice houses” is one of the best known trails. There are others too, such as the “Blue Route. The water trail” the “Red route,: a date with history” and the “Yellow route : Solana lookout point”.

The Sierra de Mariola has an amazing wealth of birdlife, mammals and reptiles. The natural park is home to many species. These include Iberian lizards, rabbits and partridges.

The river Polop separates this natural area from the Natural Park of la Font Roja. Two amazing places inland on the Costa Blanca for you to wander and explore.

La Font Roja

The Font Roja Natural Park is also known as ‘El Carrascal’. This area, extending over 2,200 hectares was designated a nature reserve in 1987 and is set in the districts of Hoya de Alcoy and Ibi. It has some extremely diverse ecosystems thanks to different microclimates in the zone. It’s a true wonder of nature!

With its fantastic landscapes and ecology it is one of the most important parks in the Comunidad Valenciana. It is particularly striking for its deciduous woodland. The extensive forest has led to a wealth of rich and diverse wildlife. Robin, wild boar and sparrow hawk are just some of the species that inhabit this nature reserve.

The la Font Roja Natural Park has several hiking trails such as the ‘Yellow Route: El Menejador’, the “Red Route: Barranc de l’Infern’ and the ‘Blue Route: El Xicotet’.

The countryside around the towns of Dénia, Jávea and Calpe on the Costa Blanca are worth exploring at any time of year.

Serra Gelada

The Serra Gelada Natural Park is a protected area of the Costa Blanca. A nature reserve that encompasses both land and sea, with plenty of trails for hikers and walkers. The abundant vegetation of this mountain range harbours caves, fossilised dunes and paleontological remains, all interesting for tourists. The mountains roll down to the sea in the form of cliffs over 300 metres high. A walk here with amazing sea views is a real treat!

At Serra Gelada you will come across two micro reserves with some very interesting plant species. Sea birds provide the most interesting fauna on land. Breathe the pure oxygen in a place where humans have left no trace of activity. Switch off, do some sport and enjoy nature. Yes, it can be done!

Flora y fauna Costa Blanca

El Peñón de Ifach

This is one of the city’s most iconic places. El Peñón de Ifach Natural Park is in Calpe. This impressive rock adjoining the land rises 322 metres above the sea. The surrounding natural park has a rich historic heritage and some unique plant life. One of the most frequently visited tourists spots on the Costa Blanca!

La Granadella Natural Park

La Granadella Natural Park lies south of Jávea, and extends over 750 hectares. It is one of the few totally unspoiled places on the Mediterranean coast.  It is the perfect place for hikers and walkers. Discovering the native plants will be an easy task here. Aside from the spectacular view you can explore the wealth of plant life which is unique to this place and found nowhere else!

There are times when it is not easy to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, enjoy nature and breathe pure fresh air. However, it’s possible at Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol! Visit the Costa Blanca and explore its natural treasures. Unique and exclusive places, where you can simply appreciate the wonders of nature.

The importance of culture in Costa Blanca Norte

The importance of culture in Costa Blanca Norte

The Costa Blanca is a favourite tourist destination. It is just like an open air museum filled with history, culture and festivities. Aside from its fabulous beaches, there are many places of interest that are worth a visit, and the splendour and cultural heritage of its villages invite you to explore and discover them further.

Romanesque churches, historic neighbourhoods with their Arab architecture, or castles from a bygone age. Fiestas, monuments and tradition which will take you back to remote times as you explore the cultural heritage of the villages in this area. Discover some magical places just a step away from the Mediterranean seashore!

 

Festivals and fun on the Costa Blanca

There’s a festive spirit in the streets of the Costa Blanca’s towns and villages all year round. Participation in these celebrations is always a popular activity. You have probably heard of the night of San Juan or the Moros y Cristianos fiesta. However, first things first, what do you actually know about their origins?

 

Moros y Cristianos

Altea, Denia, Calpe, Villajoyosa or Alcoy are well known for their popular celebrations of the Moros y Cristianos festivities held in honour of the patron saints of these Costa Blanca towns.

As the oldest residents will tell you, faithful to their religious beliefs, thanks to these patron saints, the Christians were able to overcome the Muslims in battle. This historic celebration spans a period of 3 to 5 days and is held in a number of cities and at different times of the year. The highlight of this fiesta is the Desembarco – the disembarkment – which commemorates the arrival of the Moorish troops on the coast and their battle on the beach with the Christian forces determined to reconquer the land. It’s an impressive spectacle!

 

  • Altea Fiestas

Altea is synonymous with festivity. Almost every month there is a fiesta in this municipal district, but it is in summer that the fiestas really come into their own.

Easter Week and Corpus Christi are the main religious events of the year. In February the streets are vibrant with colour as the residents celebrate their famous Carnaval. Meanwhile, Castell de l’Olla celebrates on the Saturday that falls closest to feast of San Lorenzo in Altea. It holds Spain’s biggest fireworks display from the sea. It also celebrates its own Moros y Cristianos fiestas.

 

San Juan Bonfires

When summer comes, this area of the coast attracts worldwide interest. The San Juan Bonfires begin on 19 June, and the ‘Mascletás’, the Proclamation, processions, street parades, firecrackers and bell ringing are all part of the festivities, culminating in the famous bonfire night the ‘Cremà’ (24 June).

 

Fireworks

The culmination of all these festivities and Bonfires is a particularly special event. The celebration takes place every year after the bonfires, held from the 25 to 29 June. Postiguet beach is host to a fireworks contest. The most stunning pyrotechnic displays can be found here on the Costa Blanca.

 

altea costa blanca cultura

 

History and much more on the Costa Blanca

The historic quarters of many of the area’s towns are another major attraction of the Costa Blanca. Neighbourhoods that harbour amazing legends and impressive monuments.

 

Altea church

In the heart of Altea’s historic centre, this church dates from 1607, when it was first built. A stroll around its square and the surrounding area will take you right back to the 16th century. The church has been a mute witness to the passage of time in the town becoming an historic and cultural icon of Altea.

 

Bust of Cervantes

In Dénia, the most famous part of town is known as Explanada de Cervantes, where you can find a bust of the celebrated writer Don Quixote. The story goes that in 1580 when Cervantes was freed from prison he went to the port of Dénia, kissing the actual spot where this monument now stands.

 

The Castle Route

There are over 100 castles on the Costa Blanca. Fortresses that were the strongholds of the ancient Visigoth kings and the most important monarchs in the area. The Castle Route will draw you into a magical cultural experience. There are many such citadels along the route that runs from the mountains down to the sea.

 

Legends, culture and festivities that bear witness to the Costa Blanca’s wealth of mystery, entertainment and fun. Living history alongside the Mediterranean sea. How about choosing it as a place to live?