When most people think of the Costa Blanca, they imagine sangria by the beach, Brits in Benidorm, and endless sunshine. While that’s not entirely wrong (and frankly, sounds pretty great), the Costa Blanca is much more than its Instagram clichés. This Mediterranean stretch hides secrets, stories, and surreal facts that rarely make it into travel brochures.
So, let’s lift the curtain and uncover 21 real, unique and surprising facts about the Costa Blanca you probably haven’t read before.
1. Costa Blanca’s Name Has Nothing to Do With White Beaches
Despite popular belief, “Costa Blanca” doesn’t refer to the color of the sand. Historians believe the term was coined by British Airways in the 1950s to promote flights to Alicante. The phrase stuck—probably because it sounded exotic and marketable—but its origin was 100% marketing, not geography.
2. It Has One of the Healthiest Climates on Earth – According to the WHO
The World Health Organization declared the Costa Blanca—especially the area around Torrevieja and Alicante—as having one of the best climates for human health. With over 300 days of sunshine, low humidity, and salt-rich air, it’s especially beneficial for respiratory and joint conditions.
3. The Salt Lake of Torrevieja Is Pink—and It’s Not Photoshopped
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♬ original sound – Special Skill – Special Skill
The natural lagoon, especially La Laguna Rosa, is colored pink due to halobacteria and a type of algae called Dunaliella salina. On some days, the water is so vibrantly pink, it looks fake—until you see flamingos standing in it, casually matching the vibe.
4. Benidorm Has More Skyscrapers per Capita Than New York City
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♬ Empire State Of Mind – JAY-Z
Benidorm is known as the “Mediterranean Manhattan” for a reason. It has the highest number of high-rise buildings per capita in the world, and more than NYC when measured against population size. The Intempo building is the tallest residential skyscraper in the EU.
5. The Palm Grove of Elche Is Europe’s Largest—and It’s Over 1,000 Years Old
Just a short drive from the coast lies El Palmeral, a UNESCO World Heritage site with over 200,000 date palms. Planted by the Moors, it’s the largest palm grove in Europe and a living remnant of Islamic agricultural design.
6. You Can Visit a Real-Life Ghost Town: Polop de la Marina’s Abandoned Castle
Above the charming village of Polop lies an ancient fortress and cemetery that were mysteriously abandoned. Local legends talk of curses and ghost sightings. It’s now partly restored, but remains eerily quiet even on sunny afternoons.
7. Alicante Was One of the First Cities in Spain to Have Public Electricity
In 1893, Alicante introduced electric public lighting—ahead of much larger cities. The city’s progressive attitude toward modernization made it an early tech hub before tech hubs were cool.
8. There Are Real Pirate Caves Hidden in Denia’s Cliffs
The Cova Tallada (Carved Cave) near Denia is a stunning sea-level cave that pirates once used for smuggling. It’s only accessible by kayak or a perilous coastal hike, which just adds to the adventure.
9. Tabarca Island: Spain’s Only Inhabited Island in the Valencian Community
Just off the coast from Santa Pola, Isla de Tabarca is a tiny island with only about 50 permanent residents. It was once a pirate refuge and now boasts protected marine reserves. It’s also home to some of the freshest seafood paella you’ll ever taste.
10. Benidorm Was the First Place in Spain to Allow Bikinis in Public
In 1953, Mayor Pedro Zaragoza defied Francoist conservatism by allowing women to wear bikinis on Benidorm’s beaches—leading to a moral uproar and national attention. That scandal helped kickstart mass tourism.
11. Costa Blanca Has Its Own Mini Desert
The Cabo de Santa Pola area features semi-arid dunes and landscapes that resemble a miniature Sahara. It’s home to unique flora and fauna, and the sunsets feel like something out of a surrealist painting.
12. There’s a Giant “Face” on the Mountain Overlooking Alicante
The mountain behind Alicante Castle, Monte Benacantil, looks like a man’s face in profile—locals call it “La Cara del Moro” (The Moor’s Face). It’s the result of natural erosion but looks like it was sculpted by a giant.
13. You Can Ski and Sunbathe on the Same Day (Almost)
If you’re in Costa Blanca in winter, you can drive just a few hours north to Sierra de Javalambre or Valdelinares for skiing—then be back at the beach for tapas by sunset. Few places in Europe offer that combo.
14. It Has More Castles Than You Can Visit in a Week
From the epic Santa Bárbara Castle in Alicante to lesser-known gems like Castillo de Guadalest and Castillo de Sax, the Costa Blanca is a medieval fortress-lover’s paradise. Most date back to Moorish or Reconquista times.
15. Villajoyosa Literally Smells Like Chocolate
The town is home to Valor, Spain’s most famous chocolate brand. The factory gives off the heavenly smell of melting cocoa, and you can visit their museum to experience the history—and free tastings.
16. There’s a Hidden Roman Fish Sauce Factory Under Alicante
Yes, you read that right. Garum, a pungent Roman condiment made from fermented fish guts, was once mass-produced in the Costa Blanca. Archaeologists have discovered vats and mosaics buried under modern Alicante.
17. Some Costa Blanca Towns Still Speak Valencian as Their First Language
While Spanish is universal, towns like Alcoy, Denia, and Xàbia still use Valencian, a Catalan dialect, in everyday life. Schooling, signs, and casual conversations often mix both languages.
18. Alicante Has a Festival Where They Literally Burn Giant Sculptures
The Hogueras de San Juan is a fire-lover’s dream. Enormous paper-mâché sculptures (some 10+ meters tall) are set ablaze at midnight on June 24. Think of it as a fiery carnival meets political satire.
19. The Algar Waterfalls Look Like a Hidden Jungle in the Middle of Dry Mountains
Near Callosa d’en Sarrià, the Fonts de l’Algar offer tropical vibes in a region better known for arid terrain. These natural waterfalls are fed by underground springs and are ice-cold even in August.
20. Costa Blanca Has Some of Europe’s Clearest Diving Spots
The waters off Jávea, Moraira, and Tabarca are among the best for snorkeling and diving in the Mediterranean, with underwater caves, shipwrecks, and sea life you don’t expect in Europe.
21. There’s a Local Booze That Tastes Like Liquid Black Licorice
Herbero is a herbal liqueur made in the Sierra de Mariola region. It’s based on 10+ wild plants, and yes—it tastes like Jägermeister’s rebellious cousin. Often homemade, often dangerous.
Final Thoughts
The Costa Blanca isn’t just sangria, sunbeds, and cheap flights. It’s ancient trade routes, rebellious mayors, pink lakes, hidden pirate caves, and medieval castles. It’s also a place where tradition and tourism awkwardly (and beautifully) co-exist.
So next time someone tells you they’re going to Costa Blanca, ask them which castle they’ll explore, which ghost town they’ll hike to—or whether they prefer their liqueur flaming or black-licorice flavored.
Because there’s way more to this coast than beaches. You just have to know where to look.
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