When you think of a Spanish destination, what comes to mind? High mountain villages, walking, climbing, sleepy inland idylls, the bustle of fashionable cities, galleries, cathedrals, gastronomy? The trouble with Spain is, it’s so diverse, and offers so much, that it’s nearly impossible to settle for one thing. Okay, so you’ve decided beach is best, but, hang on a minute, which hot Costa?! And why the name Costa anyway?
What’s in a name?
Well, let’s start at the beginning. Way back at the beginning of the last century, there was a Catalan Journalist called Ferran de Pol. Inspired by the recent success of France and the Cote d’Azur, so fashionable amongst the well heeled Europeans, he had the bright idea of doing the same for Spain. He was to thank for naming the first Costa, being a Catalan he of course chose home, and so the Costa Brava was born.
What came next? Let’s take a look through the different stretches of lovely Spanish coastline, and see the differences in gastronomy, language – and or dialect – and of course…the weather! Also, what about places to stay? Here’s the best of the bunch!
How many?!
Let’s count them:
- Costa Brava
- Costa Dourada
- Costa del Azahar
- Costa Blanca
- Costa Calida
- Costa Almeria
- Costa Tropical
- Costa del Sol
- Costa de la Luz
- Costa Verde
- Costa Cantabria
Whew! That’s a lotta Costa!! How many have you explored? Let’s see…
Costa Brava
Not the Brave coast, but the rugged coast. You’ll see why as you head there from Barcelona or Girona airport. Rocky cliffs, rugged coastline, sandy beaches and delicious fish dishes are all the signs that you have arrived in Catalunya. Begur, Lloret de Mar, L’Estartit, take a trip to Girona or Barcelona or dally over Dalí….
Choose a place to stay on the Costa Brava.
Costa Brava
Costa Daurada
Nestled between Brava and Blanca, the Costa Daurada is well named. The Gold Coast, for the colour of the sand on the splendid beaches of it’s coastline. Below Barcelona, stay in Sitges, travel to Tarragona and Tortosa, this stretch of coastline touches it’s toes almost to the tip of Valéncia.
Find your gold starred accommodation here!
Costa Daurada
Costa del Azahar
The Orange blossom coast, where it smells wonderfully, of Orange blossom! Peñiscola, Marina Dor, Vinaros, wherever you choose then Castellon will charm. Uncrowded, unspoilt, accessible best describes it. Benicassim holds a rock festival every August, or come to Peñiscola for the culture.
Classic holiday homes to browse here!
Costa del Azahar
Costa Blanca
This is a big one! Think of the Costa Blanca, think ofAlicante. Benidorm for fun under the Spanish sun, Valéncia to eat the national dish - paella, fly into Alicante, sojourn in Salou, look across to Las Islas Baleares. Not an uban myth, the healthiest combination of sun and cooling breeze is found here according to an official UN report, so relax and recuperate!
Choose from villas in Valéncia, apartments in Alicante and beyond!
Costa Blanca
Costa Calida
The warm coast by name and by nature. Stretching from El Mojón to Águilas, where to choose? Fly into Murcia, relax, sail or swim in the shallow saline waters of the ‘sleeve’ of La Manga, the Mar Menor or ‘little sea’, climb the Castillo de la Concepción of Cartagena. Neither here nor there, Murcia has been an autonomous region of Spain since the 1980′s.
Browse your quality Calida place to stay here!
Costa Calida
Costa Almería
Ah, the Mirror of the Sea by name, and you can admire it’s lovely reflection too. The Hottie in the bunch! In fact, the hottest and driest in Western Europe. Roquetas de Mar, Almerimar, jump in the mar to cool off! Visit the city of Almería, play cowboys and Indians at Mini Hollywood.
Not wigwams, but real houses to rent in Almería, look here!
Costa Almeria
Costa Tropical
Hidden coves, tiny deserted beaches, pretty and dramatic. Not just a pretty face either, sometimes called the Costa Granada, close enough to ski in the morning up on the Sierra Nevada, sunbathe in the afternoon, it’s possible to have a beach all to yourself! Extending to Motril, a little ambiguity about beyond, take a day trip to Melilla on the new ferry to Morocco!
No need to haggle, rent a great value holiday home here!
Costa Tropical
Costa del Sol
Ah, the celebrity in the bunch – the famous one! Busy resorts and loads of choice for going out, dining out, visit Torremolinos, Benalmádena, sip a cocktail in Sotogrande, mingle with the stars in Marbella. Discover your love for Picasso in Malaga, not just for the airport! The old town always has something new going on!
A HUGE choice of relaxing Spanish rentals await you here…
Costa del Sol
Costa de la Luz
The light. Clear blue sky, white sunlight, sandy beaches, and surfers waves, this is the Coast of Light. Windsurfing, riding the waves, a surfers paradise. Imagine the sight of hundreds of coloured kites billowing in the breeze. Welcome to Tarifa. Cadiz is not to be missed, balancing between the land and the sea, a feeling of being on some great ocean liner, and the tapas? Once tasted, not forgotten. Day trip to Gibraltar, the Barbary apes!
No monkey business! Just fabulous light filled homes to rent here.
Costa de la Luz
Costa Verde
Let’s move on up! The Costa Verde, the green coast – aptly called due to it’s pasture, forestry, surrounded by beautiful beaches. Now you’re cooking! Galiciaand Asturias feature with the Catalans as the Kings of Cooking. Fish is best, but also the wealth of pasture means magnificent meat and great cheeses. Walk the route of St James, explore the green valleys. Vigo, Pontevedre, A Coruña, Avilés to Oveido, sample it all.
A comfortable bed for a pilgrim, or a traveller, look through these places to stay.
Costa Verde
Costa Cantabria
Sailing from Santander? Don’t go without exploring Costa Cantabria – Costa Vasca - or over to San Sebastian, so much to see! Climb and walk in the Picos de Europa, sample the Vinos de la Tierra. Whether you speak Basque or not, you’ll come for the food and stay for the friendly welcome. Rick Stein is currently showing his new series on Spanish food from this area and more.
A gastronomic delight of a holiday? Why not? Find your perfect Basque home here.
Costa Cantabria
Don’t forget, Spain is full to the brim of inland delights too, from traditional villages to smart cities, this is just a taster of the coastal delights that this diverse country has to offer. Spain, always surprising!
Flickr accreditation SantiMB/Lluis Carro/th-dolby/howzey/Gabriel Villena/landahlauts/kevinpoh/ jtatam/carloswes
