A 5-Day Costa Blanca Itinerary Beyond Benidorm

Benidorm’s skyline may be the first thing you see, but the best Costa Blanca itinerary quickly leads beyond it. Within an hour, you can swap busy promenades for fishing villages, limestone peaks, vineyard roads and clear coves where the only soundtrack is water against the rocks. This five-day route is designed for a relaxed holiday rather than a race between landmarks.

A hire car gives you the most flexibility, especially for the inland day, although eBikes, guided tours and taxis work well for individual sections. Distances are short by British standards, but mountain roads are slower than they look on a map. Leave room for a long lunch, a swim and the occasional unplanned stop - that is how this part of Spain is best enjoyed.

Your 5-Day Costa Blanca Itinerary

Day 1: Alicante old town, Santa Bárbara and the marina

Start in Alicante, around 45 minutes south of Benidorm. Park near the harbour or arrive by TRAM, then walk through the Explanada de España, the palm-lined promenade paved with millions of wavy marble tiles. It is particularly pleasant early in the morning, before the cruise-day crowds build.

From there, head into Barrio de Santa Cruz, the old quarter beneath Santa Bárbara Castle. Its narrow lanes, painted doors and flowerpots are lovely, but they are steep in places. Visitors using a mobility scooter should skip the upper lanes and take the castle lift or taxi instead. The castle itself gives you a clear view across the city, port and coastline, and late afternoon is cooler in summer.

For lunch, look for a traditional arrocería rather than choosing the first menu beside the marina. Alicante’s rice dishes are serious local cooking. Arroz a banda is a good choice if you like seafood flavour without a plate piled high with shellfish. In the evening, stroll around the marina before returning north, or stay in Alicante for tapas around Calle Castaños.

Day 2: Villajoyosa and Benidorm’s quieter side

Villajoyosa is only 15 minutes from Benidorm, yet it has a completely different pace. The colourful seafront houses were once useful markers for fishermen returning from the water. Today, they make a beautiful backdrop for coffee, but the town still feels lived-in rather than staged for visitors.

Spend the morning at Playa Centro, then walk south towards the small coves around Cala del Bol Nou. The water here is often wonderfully clear, though the beach is pebbly in sections, so water shoes are useful. If conditions are calm, this stretch of coast is ideal for snorkelling or exploring by transparent kayak or paddle board. You see the sea floor, fish and rocky edges without needing to venture far from shore.

Return to Benidorm for sunset, but avoid assuming that every viewpoint means a long climb. The walk from Levante Beach to the old-town headland is manageable for most people and gives you views over both bays. For a quieter dinner, eat in the old town rather than on the busiest part of Levante. A simple plate of grilled fish, local tomatoes and a chilled glass of white wine is often all you need after a day in the sun.

Day 3: Altea, the lighthouse road and Calpe

Drive north to Altea, roughly 25 minutes from Benidorm. The whitewashed old town rises steadily from the seafront, ending at the blue-domed church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo. It is a beautiful walk, although the cobbled slopes are not suitable for everyone. If mobility is limited, enjoy the seafront and harbour area instead, where restaurants and cafés are easier to reach.

After coffee in Altea, follow the coast towards Albir. The route to Faro de l’Albir is one of the best gentle walks in the area: a paved, mostly gradual track of about 2.5 kilometres each way, with wide sea views towards Benidorm. Go in the morning from June to September, take water, and do not underestimate the heat simply because there is a breeze.

Continue to Calpe in the afternoon. Peñón de Ifach dominates the town and is worth seeing from below even if you do not plan to hike it. The more demanding upper trail requires advance planning and sensible footwear; it is not a casual flip-flop excursion. For an easier finish, walk by the salt lake behind the beach, where flamingos are often visible, then dine near the old port. Calpe is known for seafood, and this is a good place to order a rice dish for two.

A Costa Blanca Itinerary Day Inland

Day 4: Jalón Valley wine country and Guadalest

This is the day that changes people’s idea of the Costa Blanca. Leave the coast behind and drive towards Jalón, also known as Xaló, around 45 minutes from Calpe or an hour from Benidorm. Vineyards, almond groves and terraced hills replace blocks of flats, especially attractive in late January and February when the almond blossom appears.

The Jalón Valley is known for sweet mistela, local reds and small family-run bodegas. Tasting is best approached slowly, so choose a designated driver or join a guided tour. Pair a tasting with local cheeses, cured meats and bread with olive oil rather than trying to fit too much into one afternoon. Sundays can be busier because of the popular market, while weekdays feel calmer.

From Jalón, continue through mountain scenery to Guadalest. The village is undeniably popular, but it earns its reputation for its setting: a small historic settlement perched above a turquoise reservoir, surrounded by sharp ridges. Arrive later in the day if you can, once day-trip coaches have left. The road is scenic but winding, so allow more time than the mileage suggests.

On the way back towards the coast, stop in Polop or La Nucía for dinner. These towns offer a more local evening than the major resorts, with Spanish families often eating later than many visitors expect. In summer, 21:00 is entirely normal.

Day 5: Choose your own coastline

Keep the final day flexible. If you want a proper beach day, head to Cala Granadella near Jávea. It is strikingly beautiful, but this comes with a trade-off: parking is restricted in peak season and access arrangements can change. Go early, use the local shuttle where available, and consider a less famous cove if you prefer space over a famous photograph.

For an easier option, Moraira combines a pleasant small-town centre with sandy beaches and a relaxed harbour. Families often appreciate Playa de l’Ampolla, while couples may prefer a late lunch overlooking the water. The road from Moraira to Jávea is especially scenic, with viewpoints over the coast and the Montgó massif.

Outdoor-minded travellers can make this a cycling day instead. An eBike is a practical way to cover the coastal roads around Altea, Albir and Benidorm without turning a holiday ride into an endurance event. The hills are real, particularly away from the seafront, so electric assistance means you can enjoy the views and still arrive at lunch feeling fresh.

Practical timing for the Costa Blanca

April to June and late September to October are the easiest months for this route: warm enough for the sea, comfortable for walking and generally less intense than mid-summer. July and August are excellent for beach time, but schedule walks, cycling and inland sightseeing before 11:00 or after 18:00. In winter, sunny days are common, though the sea is cooler and some coastal businesses operate shorter hours.

Book popular activities, wine visits and restaurants ahead in school holidays. Keep beach plans weather-dependent, particularly if you want to paddle board or snorkel: calm water matters more than a perfectly sunny forecast. Bring refillable water bottles, sun protection and shoes that can handle cobbles as well as sand.

If you would rather leave the mountain roads, timings and hidden stops to someone else, Aura Rent & Tours can help you shape a day around what you actually enjoy, whether that is coastal scenery, local food or a quieter adventure away from the main resort. The best plan is not the one that ticks every box - it is the one that leaves you with time to notice where you are.