Things to Do on the Southern Costa Blanca: Discover the Most Beautiful Sights, Day Trips, and Hidden Gems

Anyone who thinks the Southern Costa Blanca is just about sun, sea, and sand is missing out on a large part of what makes this region so special. Of course, you’ll find beautiful beaches here and more than 300 days of sunshine a year, but the area has much more to offer. From authentic Spanish villages and impressive nature reserves to lively markets, historic towns, and fun activities for the whole family.

Whether you’re on vacation, already living in Spain, or considering buying a home on the Southern Costa Blanca, there’s always something new to discover. Below, we’ll share some of our favorite activities and sights.

Discover the beautiful beaches

The Southern Costa Blanca boasts dozens of beaches, each with its own unique character. You’ll find wide sandy beaches where families can have a wonderful time, as well as quiet coves where you can truly unwind.

Popular beaches include Playa de La Mata, Guardamar del Segura, Playa del Cura, Cala Ferris, Mil Palmeras and the beaches of Campoamor and Cabo Roig. Many beaches have been awarded a Blue Flag, which means they meet high standards for water quality, safety, and amenities.

Thanks to the pleasant temperatures, the beach isn't just a wonderful place in the summer—you can also enjoy beautiful walks along the coast here in the spring and fall.

Admire the famous pink salt lakes

One of the most famous attractions on the Southern Costa Blanca is the salt lakes of Torrevieja and La Mata.

The pink water attracts thousands of visitors every year and, together with the surrounding nature, creates a unique landscape. Various bird species live here, including the famous flamingos that can regularly be seen in the lagoons.

Would you like to learn more about the history of salt production? If so, you can take a tourist train from downtown Torrevieja that takes you past the salt flats. Along the way, you’ll learn about the area and discover why these natural areas are so important to the region.

Visit authentic Spanish villages

It is precisely away from the well-known beach resorts that you’ll discover the real Spain.

Places such as Rojales, Los Montesinos, San Miguel de Salinas, Algorfa, Almoradí and Dolores have managed to preserve their traditional character. Residents meet daily in the village squares, local markets create a lively atmosphere, and the many restaurants serve authentic Spanish cuisine.

Even larger towns such as Orihuela surprise visitors with a beautiful historic center full of churches, monasteries, and historic buildings.

Fun Activities for Kids

Families won't be bored for a moment on the Southern Costa Blanca either.

The Aquopolis Torrevieja water park is one of the region’s most popular attractions every year. Other attractions include Rio Safari Elche, Terra Natura, Mundomar and various go-kart tracks are popular destinations for a day trip.

For younger children, there are also plenty of playgrounds, adventure parks, and safe sandy beaches where they can play for hours on end.

Enjoy nature

In addition to its coastline, the Southern Costa Blanca boasts a surprising amount of natural beauty.

The Parque Natural de las Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja is one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the province of Alicante. Here, you can hike among the salt lakes and enjoy the many species of birds that live here.

Nature reserves such as El Hondo, the dunes of Guardamar del Segura, and the area around Santa Pola are definitely worth a visit.

For hikers and photographers, these may well be the most beautiful spots in the region.

Shopping on the Southern Costa Blanca

Shopping enthusiasts have plenty of options on the Costa Blanca.

La Zenia Boulevard is the largest open-air shopping center in the province of Alicante and offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.

In addition, there are charming shopping streets in places such as Torrevieja, Guardamar del Segura, and Orihuela.

Of course, a visit to a traditional Spanish weekly market is a must. Virtually every town holds one or more market days where you can buy fresh vegetables, fruit, clothing, flowers, and local products. The markets in Torrevieja, Almoradí, Guardamar del Segura and Ciudad Quesada are particularly popular.

Golfing Under the Spanish Sun

The Southern Costa Blanca is one of Europe's most popular golf destinations.

Thanks to the pleasant climate, you can play here almost all year round. Well-known golf courses such as Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, La Finca Golf, Vistabella Golf, Villamartín Golf and La Marquesa Golf attract thousands of golfers from Spain and abroad every year.

Even if you don't play golf yourself, these resorts are often a great place to have lunch or enjoy the view.

Taste the flavors of Spain

A visit to the Southern Costa Blanca isn't complete without sampling the local cuisine.

Along the coast, you’ll find charming chiringuitos where fresh fish and seafood are on the menu every day. In the villages, you can enjoy traditional tapas, paella, and other regional specialties.

Many restaurants also offer a menú del día, an affordable multi-course meal that is especially popular among locals.

Take a day trip to another city

Several beautiful cities are easily accessible from the Southern Costa Blanca.

Alicante combines beaches, culture, and an impressive castle. Elche is known for having the largest palm grove in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Murcia, Cartagena, and the colorful Villajoyosa are also excellent destinations for a day trip.

It is precisely this variety that makes the region so diverse.

Water Sports for Every Enthusiast

Thanks to the long coastline, there are plenty of opportunities for water sports.

Whether you want to go paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, or rent a jet ski, you'll find rental companies and water sports schools all along the coast.

The calm waters around La Mata, Guardamar, Campoamor, and Torrevieja are particularly well-suited for this.

Hiking and Biking

The Southern Costa Blanca is surprisingly popular among hikers and cyclists.

Thanks to the combination of flat coastal areas, nature parks, and rural roads, there are routes for both recreational cyclists and competitive cyclists.

A stroll along the Torrevieja promenade, a bike ride through the citrus groves of the Vega Baja, or a tour around the salt lakes are among the most beautiful experiences the region has to offer.

A region where there's always something to do

What makes the Southern Costa Blanca so appealing is its tremendous variety.

One day you’ll be strolling among flamingos by the salt lakes; the next, you’ll be enjoying tapas in a Spanish village square or relaxing on one of the many sandy beaches. Add to that the lively markets, golf courses, nature reserves, and historic cities, and it’s clear why so many people fall in love with this region.

Whether you’re on vacation for a few days, own a second home, or are considering moving to Spain, you’ll never get bored on the Southern Costa Blanca.

Have you discovered a special activity or hidden gem yourself? Let us know. We’d love to share the best tips with other visitors who want to explore this beautiful region.