Spanning 200 kilometers of coastline along the southeast of Spain, Costa Blanca is a popular place to retire. With unforgettable beaches, great accessibility via Alicante airport and a glorious climate it is not hard to see why.

But with so many charming towns and cities along the coast, where will you choose to settle? We’ve picked 5 of our favorites to kickstart your Spanish property search…

Jávea

Starting in the north of the region, Jávea is a multicultural gem with a pretty marina and quaint old town. Although half of the town’s 20,000 population comes from outside of Spain, Jávea still feels very Spanish with meandering streets and classic whitewashed houses. It is a lovely place to enjoy a peaceful stroll with numerous cafes and restaurants to stop off at along the way.

There are also four golf courses and two tennis clubs within easy reach of the town.

Benidorm

Although primarily known as a tourist destination – and let’s be honest, it’s not the most ‘Spanish’ of places – Benidorm would make a lovely retirement destination. It would particularly suit those looking for a lively area with plenty of entertainment and other expats.

Benidorm caters extremely well to older people with a long and flat promenade, easily accessible sandy beaches and a car-free town center. And, if you’re looking to make an extra buck here and there, you would have no problem renting out your property to holidaymakers.

El Campello

If you’re looking for a quieter spot that is still close to the action, El Campello might be just the ticket. This pretty town is located just 13 kilometers north of Alicante and just over 30 kilometers from Benidorm.

It has far fewer high-rise developments than the likes of Benidorm and boasts some beautiful and historic facades. There is also an attractive marina and fishing port with local fish auctions held during the week.

Guardamar del Segura

As you head south of Alicante you will reach the seaside resort of Guardamar del Segura. With pine forests, sand dunes and a plethora of beaches, it is a popular choice for many retirees due to its interesting geography.

Guardamar del Segura is lively all year round thanks to a strong agricultural sector so you won’t have to worry about the town ‘shutting down’ in the winter months.

There are three golf courses nearby and with 300 days of sunshine a year, there is plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities.

Pilar de Horadada

Lastly, we arrive at the southernmost town in our top five: Pilar de Horadada. The town is right on the border with the Costa Cálida but is still just an hour from Alicante Airport, making it a fantastic base to enjoy both the Costas.

The town is renowned as a relaxing and tranquil place to retire to with quiet beaches that are often almost deserted.

The weather alone is probably enough to win you over as the town boasts the lowest amount of rainfall on the entire coast (about 12 inches, compared to 800mm in Bournemouth, for example). And if you’re a keen cyclist, there are special tracks which extend 40 kilometers out of town and into the countryside, making it one of the region’s most bike-friendly places.

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