Visiting the Costa Blanca in Winter might seem a bit mad without the hot sun of the summer months, but the area still has plenty to offer out of season, whether you’re looking for a sunny weekend break or to get away from it all for a longer period of time. One of the factors most in the Costa Blanca’s favour is the weather, as temperatures rarely dip that low even in the depths of winter. You can expect warm and sunny days here, with temperatures between 6 and 20 degrees Celsius and little rainfall. It might be too cold for swimming but there’s still plenty of sunshine – the Costa Blanca has around 325 days of sunshine a year so you’d have to be pretty unlucky not to get some, even if you arrive in December.
There are also fantastic places to visit on the Costa Blanca with Alicante, Torrevieja, Elche and Benidorm still providing plenty of entertainment to tourists during the quieter months. The views from the Castle of Santa Barbara, Alicante, are quite breathtaking, looking right out over Alicante Bay. The castle sits 166 metres up on top of Mount Benacantil and is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain. If you don’t feel like walking up there’s a lift carved into the rock opposite El Postiguet beach. The Sanctuary Maria Magdalena near Novelda is another fascinating stop on the sightseeing trail – made completely of marble, its two elegant bell towers give it the feel of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
The warm winter weather of the Costa Blanca makes it a great place for nature lovers and anyone who likes to get out and about on a winter break. There are some fantastic coastal walks to enjoy, in particular the Parque Natural de Penyal D’Ifach, Calpe, where you can climb the Penyal, a large limestone outcrop that stretches into the Mediterranean Sea. Views out over Calpe, Sierra de Bernia and the coast are fantastic and there is a range of plant and wildlife to discover too. If you are not a fan of walking why not try exploring the area on horseback. Hipica Ondara riding stables (http://www.hipicaondara.com) offers a two hour hack through the Alicante countryside from just €40.
Eating out is something you can do on the Costa Blanca all year round and once the summer crowds have cleared you’re likely to have a better choice of less busy restaurants in which to enjoy an evening meal. Fresh fish and seafood are plentiful here and dishes such as caldero made from fish, rice and broth, are a local speciality. Tapas – such as anchovy salad, chorizo or stuffed tomatoes – is something else that must be sampled whilst in Spain, as is arroz a banda, a rich, paella-like dish that is local to Alicante. For something sweet, head to the Museo del Chocolate in Valor-Villajoyosa, take a tour of the history of chocolate and then finish with a tasting session.
Winter evenings on the Costa Blanca might not have the same choice when it comes to bars, pubs and nightlife as during the summer months, but you will never be short of entertainment whatever the weather. If you want to make sure you have the best selection of winter nightlife, then it’s a good idea to stay in the bigger towns on the coast – Alicante, Benidorm and Torrevieja – as more bars and clubs stay open here out of season. If you happen to be visiting the Costa Blanca during November then check out the Benidorm Fiesta – a huge party that starts at the end of the second week of November and continues for six days of parades, concerts and performances.
Visiting the Costa Blanca in winter is a great idea and doesn’t have to mean sitting inside with a blanket over your knees and a hot cup of cocoa (unless you want to of course). With the warm weather and range of activities available, you can get out and about and enjoy an active trip in the winter sun. You might even get a slight tan!
Amy is a guest blogger from Easyjet who provide cheap flights to Alicante on the Costa Blanca from 11 UK airports. Image by th-dolby
