Spain’s Costa Blanca or Costa Brava: Which should you visit?
Both boast sprawling beaches, fascinating traditions, and revered vineyards. Here’s how to plan your trip to either end of the Spanish Mediterranean.
By name alone, Valencia’s Costa Blanca and Catalonia’s Costa Brava sound like siblings, but their parallels don’t stop there. With dramatic shorelines and historic villages, these Mediterranean regions reflect the wide-ranging appeal of Spain’s eastern coast, which stretches for around 1,000 miles.
Nuances, however, materialize in each coast’s cuisine, culture, and claims to fame. Below, you’ll uncover the distinct reasons to visit Spain’s southeast and northeast coasts—both of which promise sprawling beaches and late-night dinners.
Costa Blanca: Spain’s hub for gastronomy
Alicante, Costa Blanca’s capital city, earned the title of Spain’s 2025 Capital of Gastronomy. It's rich culinary heritage is defined by rice, turrón (nougat), and coco: a flatbread akin to pizza crust. Just north of Alicante, the resort haven of Benidorm is recognized for its commitment to the elderly.
Day 1: A taste of Alicante
Kick off your Costa Blanca trip by peeling back Alicante’s layers of history and gastronomy. Upon arriving in this port city, marvel at the sea views from atop the medieval Santa Bárbara Castle, visit the Dalí sculpture inside the Baroque town hall, and learn about the Spanish Civil War on a tour of the city’s air raid shelters. Come lunchtime, bridge the gap between Alicante’s past and present by assembling a picnic of regional bites that have withstood the test of time. Start at the Mercado Central and continue to La Ibense for horchata and, later, the tapas bars around Plaza Gabriel Miró. Here, you can try pericana—dried cod cloaked in dried peppers—and visit the square’s ancient ficus tree. Just make sure to save room for dinner; finish the evening with a cooking class at Hestia Lucentum.
Day 2: Village views and vineyards
Now that you’ve experienced city culture, head inland to Guadalest: a cliffside village etched into limestone. To reach the town’s Muslim fortress, you’ll pass through a rock tunnel, where views of the sea, reservoir, and mountains await. Just a few minutes away, Masos de Guadalest takes advantage of these lush surroundings, producing an array of wines and olive oil. Settle in for a wine tasting this afternoon, which comes with a platter of local cheeses and chorizo, or reserve the tasting menu for a full sampling of the Guadalest Valley.
Day 3: Beaches of Benidorm and artisans of Altea
Start today in the joyful, coastal town of Villajoyosa, where you’ll encounter seaside panoramas, light-filled streets, and colorful facades. You’re not here for the views, however; rather, satiate your sweet tooth at Valor—a chocolate cafe and museum known for churros and thick hot chocolate. Once the sugar rush hits, head north to the beaches of Benidorm, which provide travelers with not only gentle waves but also mobility-focused equipment, such as floating wheelchairs. After taking a dip, resume your regional food tour with a lunch of arroz a banda at Marisquería Posada del Mar. Then, venture to the hilltop haven of Altea, known for its blue-domed monuments and local galleries. As you peruse the artisan shops, you’ll notice a sequence of white-washed buildings, hinting at the origins of Costa Blanca’s “white coast” alias.
(The inside guide to Alicante, Spain's underrated coastal city)
Costa Brava: Ancient architecture and Dalí’s artistry
Farther up the coast, in Spain’s northeast corner, Catalonia’s Costa Brava starts in Girona and reaches toward the precipice of France. Across this terrain, influences of Salvador Dalí create a surrealist throughline, blending with the region's wild landscapes, resort towns, and well-preserved architecture.
Day 1: Medieval Girona
You’ll likely begin your Costa Brava getaway in Barcelona, which, while not part of the coastal region, provides easy access to Girona, just north of the city. Dating back to Roman times, Girona lies inland, but maintains a connection to water through the four rivers that ease between the Old Town’s medieval landmarks. Tour Girona’s cathedral and Jardins dels Alemanys before climbing to the top of the Torre Gironella—the peak of the city’s ancient Roman wall. If the stretch of sea visible from this spectacular viewpoint whets your appetite for a swim, visit the neighboring villages of Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar, ideal for both beaches and nightlife.
(Fishing for red prawns off the coast of the Costa Brava)
Day 2: The ruins of Empúries and Empordà’s vineyards
Start today with Girona’s beloved xuixo—a flaky pastry oozing with crema catalana—before visiting Púbol, home to Salvador Dalí’s Gala-Dalí Castle. If you prefer archaeology to art, you can also tack on a visit to L'Escala and the excavation site of Empúries, where Greek and Roman ruins converge with a Mediterranean backdrop. After walking through these demonstrations of history, sip your way through Empordà’s storied wine country.
Day 3: Completing the Salvador Dalí Triangle
You’ve seen glimmers of Dalí’s artistry throughout your trip, but today will fully immerse you in his legacy. Begin in Dalí’s hometown of Figueres at the Dalí Theatre-Museum. From here, trace the artist’s later-in-life trajectory by touring the Salvador Dalí House in Cadaqués; Dalí lived here for 40 years, contributing to the town’s present-day bohemian aura. Spend the afternoon in this artistic and environmental gem, where you’ll have your pick of adventures, set on both storybook beaches and the hiking trails of Cap de Creus Natural Park.
(Take this Salvador Dalí-inspired road trip through Spain)
What to know
What travel documents do I need?
Right now, U.S. citizens need only a passport to travel to Spain—though, in late 2026, Americans will also be required to complete an online form through ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) prior to traveling.
What currency should I take?
Most places in Spain accept credit and debit cards, though it’s a good idea to withdraw euros for visiting smaller villages, ordering coffee, and shopping at local markets.
How do I combine these trips for one all-encompassing coastal getaway?
Barcelona, Valencia, and Alicante all have international airports, so you can start your trip on either coast. Public transit conveniently connects larger cities, although you’ll want a car to visit harder-to-reach towns.
When to go
Align your trip with regional fiestas for a one-of-a-kind cultural immersion; every June, Alicante hosts the Bonfires of San Juan, which draw comparisons to Valencia’s March Fallas celebrations. Farther up the coast, Girona keeps the flame burning with fall’s Fires de Sant Narcís, while Peralada, to Girona’s north, hosts a castle music festival every summer.
