- N 37º44.213 W 0º53.490
Golfdelux isn’t a crazy golf course, but golf on a miniature scale, which is fantastic fun for the whole family. It is a golf themed putting game that all ages can enjoy and is the biggest artificial grass adventure golf course in continental Europe. It will test the putting skills of experienced golfers and provides a great introduction to the game for those yet to discover its delights! On the course you’ll find everything that you’ll encounter in a ‘proper game of golf’ from streams and ponds, to hills, fences, bunkers and pebbles. These miniature holes have been deliberately constructed to ensure that every skill needed out on the green, is tried and tested. For more information check out our blog post about this new and exciting activity!
A game of adventure golf can easily be combined with a visit to nearby Los Alcazares with its golden sandy beaches and claming warm waters of the Mar Menor. Take a look at our Travel Guide to Los Alcazares to find out about all the things to see and do there.
- N38°32.333 W0°07.733
The Costa Blanca’s tourist capital and the Mediterranean’s equivalent of New York! Like it or dislike it, Benidorm is a must see for everyone, even if it is just so that you can say ‘I’ve been there’!
Over recent years Benidorm has been transformed into a major tourist destination. It has two wonderful promenades to choose from along Poniente and Levante beach as well as a small marina. The bustling, historic old quarter is well worth a visit and in particular the three plazas of Santa Ana, Castelar and Castell from which there are breathtaking views of both beaches and the impressive skyline. There is a thriving shopping centre with all of the major brands and high street names as well as a wealth of bars, cafes and restaurants, not to mention all of the nightly entertainment that the hotels offer. Benidorm is a special place which is just getting bigger, better and taller!!
Parking: is in underground car park and is charged for by the length of stay.
From here: exit the car park and walk back along the same road that you drove along to enter the car park, go straight on at the roundabout with the anchor on it and under the bridge to the Plaza de Hispanidad, then head down to the Levante beach. Once at the beach looking out to sea turn right for the old town, marina and Poniente beach.
Top tip: for more detailed information take a look at our Benidorm Travel Guide. For an even more relaxing time why not give our Travel Guide Sponsor Rosa Tours a call to reserve a seat on one of their coach trips to Benidorm?
- N38°05.418 W0°39.045
The popular town of Guardamar del Segura is renowned for its many kilometres of fine sandy beaches. It has a busy high street full of all kinds of shops as well as a popular market to keep even the most dedicated shoppers happy.
You can explore the man-made dunes (created to stop the town from becoming buried in the sand) of the Alfonso Park or picnic under the pines and the Reina Sofia Park is a great place for the children with its floodlit play area. Don't forget to stop at the Marina or visit the Tourist Office to find out more about Guardamar and to book yourself on the tourist train.
Parking: is on the road and free, it gets very busy in the summer, so you might have to park further away and walk or use the pay car park.
From here: walk towards the entrance for the Reina Sofia Park with its ponds full of terrapins and ducks, paths and floodlit children's play area, you might even be lucky enough to see a peacock! On the otherside of the road is the Alfonso Park, which was created to stop the town from becoming buried in the sand. There are many paths through the park and it is great for a walk, cycle or picnic.
Parking tip: if it is really busy try the pay car park (N38°05.416 W0°39.251), look at the town hall then walk down the road to the right of the building towards the sea, the entrance to the Reina Sofia Park is on your right and the entrance to the Alfonso park is on your left.
For information about all the thinsg to see and do take a look at our Guardamar del Segura Travel Guide.
- N37°36.619 W0°45.466
The Calblanque Regional Park, which has been a Protected Natural Area since 1987 and Nature Reserve since 1992 makes for a great day out. It covers an area of 2400 hectares and has 13 kilometres of coastline. Within its boundaries is an awe inspiring collection of wonderful sand beaches, sandbanks, arid hills, cliff tops and salt flats all of great ecological value.
This Nature Reserve represents one of the last untouched areas along the Mediterranean coastline and is truly unspoilt. There are no facilities here (apart from some toilets at the visitors centre) so don’t forget to pack a picnic! Please be aware that the undercurrents are strong in this area as the bottom of the sea drops steeply away in line with the cliffs above. Also, as these are very rustic beaches some people like to get totally back to nature and there are always a few nude bathers.
Parking: is in the car park and is free.
From here: this is the visitors centre. There is information about the fauna, flora and geology of the park as well as leaflets. There are notice boards which show the routes, but sadly no walking or cycling route maps, however all trails are marked by the usual paint.
For information about all there is to see and do take a look at our Day Out Calblanque Regional Park Travel Guide.
- N38°05.289 W0°43.061
Rojales is a small municipal town that has a charming village feel to it. It sits on the banks of the River Segura and makes up a stop on the Rio Segura walking and cycling route. It is easy to wander around Rojales as you always come back to the river, with its large waterwheel and friendly ducks! Take the time to explore, maybe visit the artists cave houses or the museum in the church square. The Thursday morning market is very popular with both residents and visitors and is well renowned for being slightly cheaper!
Parking: is on the road and is free, it gets very busy when the market is on, so you might have to park further away and walk or get here early in the morning.
From here: follow the trolleys to discover the market. For the river walk head towards the town centre (in the opposite direction to the flow of the river) walk for as far as you like, the village a Formentera is about 1.5kilometers away, then turn around and come back or cross to the other side and return along the path on the opposite side!
For information about all the things to see and do take a look at our Rojales Travel Guide.
- N37°47.757 W0°48.201
Santiago de la Ribera is a lovely town that sits on the shores of the Mar Menor. It is a great place for a day out as it has a lovely sandy beach and a very beautiful promenade, which is flanked by attractive palm trees and plantly of eateries! Besides enjoying the beach you can take a boat out across the calm waters of the Mar Menor to the La Manga Strip on the opposite side or out to the Mediterranean Sea and around the Isla Grosa.
Parking: is on the roads anywhere you can find a space and is free, it gets busy here, so you might like to use the free car park 1 some streets away.
From here: this is the coordinate for the pier where the boat from. If you are in the free car park 1 (N37°47.824 W0°48.436) walk towards the large white building at one end of the car park, you'll see a roundabout ahead, walk past this and straight on down to the beach, then walk along the promenade to the Escuela Piragüismo (Kayaking school) large white building on the shores of the Mar Menor, opposite the Hotel Ribera. The wooden pier behind the kayaking school is where the B&F Ferry departs.
Top tip: (info correct for 2010) A single ticket costs 4€ and a return is 8€ per person, it is free for all under fours! You can put a bicycle on the ferry for an additional 1€ each way. The ferry departs Santiago every 2 hours starting at 11.30 and finishing at 21.30. It departs La Manga every 2 hours starting at 10.30 and finishing at 20.30. In the summer (March-November) it goes every day of the week, but during the winter it does not operate on a Sunday. In the height of summer the operating hours are extended for another 4 hours at the end of the day, making the last ferry depart Santiago at 01.00! For more information please call (0034) 649 201 610, there is usually someone who speaks a little English to answer your questions.
For information about all the things to see and do take a look at our Santiago de la Ribera Travel Guide.
This day out is all about the scenery of the mountains of Crevillente and the valley of the Hondons, as well as the bizarre and unusual sanctuary of Saint Mary Magdalene overlooking the Vinalope valley. It can be a very leisurely full day, an action packed half day or combined with a stop at the El Hondo Nature Park, a protected area for birds and a registered wetland habitat.
You'll slowly wind your way up and over the Sierra de Crevillente which stand at a height of 838m before coming across the charming villages of the Hondons; Hondon de los Frailes and its neighbour Hondon de las Nieves. Both are quintessential Spanish mountain villages with lots of little tapas bars and restaurants for you to enjoy. Then it is onwards to Novelda, and the Sanctuary of Saint Mary Magdalene and castle of La Mola. The outside of the Sanctuary is 100% more impressive than the inside and the castle next door with its 11 meter high tower (take a torch as there are no lights!) is just waiting to be explored!
Day Out Itinerary: take a look at our Day Out Hondon and Novelda Travel Guide for all the information.
Spain celebrates Easter Week much more than most European countries. During the whole of Semana Santa, literally translated as Holy Week, street processions are organised in most Spanish towns each evening, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. People carry statues of saints around on floats or wooden platforms. The statue bearers are often covered from head to toe by long robes and wear conical shapped hats. There is an atmosphere of mourning, quite different from most fiestas, which can be quite oppressive. The Easter week processions end with Easter Sunday, a day full of light and colour, as it marks one of the most important days in the Christian calendar.
As with a lot of things in Spain, the local authorites are a little relaxed about publishing information about their events, so take a look at our blog section, Costa Blanca News, our Calendar of Events, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest hot off the press information.
- N38°11.513 W0°33.313
Santa Pola is a busy town which is best known for its salt lakes. It has endless kilometres of beach front promenades and a modern marina from which you can take a boat trip to the nearby Island of Tabarca. The town boasts a castle, a palm park, an aquarium and an interesting range of cultural and historic museums. Fish lovers will enjoy the many fish restaurants, or you can buy some fresh fish to cook for yourself from the fish market when the boats return with their catch! For something really different book on the Snorkel Safari which our travel guide sponsors the Dive Academy run!!
Parking: is in pay car park 1 and is charged by the length of stay, keep your ticket and pay when you are ready to leave. Free parking is available on the roads around this area, but spaces can be very hard to find, especially during holiday times.
From here: exit the car park to the left and the Dive Academy's office is right beside you, it is best to book in advance.
For information about all the things to see and do take a look at our Santa Pola Travel Guide.
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