Living on the Costa Blanca North: the definitive guide to discovering the Marina Alta
Some people discover the Northern Costa Blanca on holiday and never leave. Others arrive looking for a second home and end up selling their house in Amsterdam, Munich or Manchester to settle here for good. The reason is always the same: few places in Europe combine — all at once — the climate, quality of life, gastronomy, nature and connectivity offered by this corner of the north of Alicante province.
This is a complete guide to understanding what the Northern Costa Blanca really is, what makes it so special, and why every year more families from all over Europe choose to make the Marina Alta their home.
What is the Northern Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca is the tourist name given to the coast of Alicante province. It is unofficially divided into two zones: Southern Costa Blanca (Torrevieja, Orihuela, Guardamar) and Northern Costa Blanca, stretching from Altea to Dénia and largely coinciding with the region of the Marina Alta.
It is the greener, more mountainous and — for many — the most beautiful part of the entire Costa Blanca. Here the sea meets the mountains in just a few kilometres, creating landscapes as recognisable as the Montgó Natural Park, the Peñón de Ifach and the Serra de Bèrnia — all complete with fine-sand beaches, rocky coves of turquoise water and towns that still preserve their traditional Valencian character.
The 7 key municipalities
The Marina Alta brings together several localities that, while sharing a great deal, have very distinct personalities. Choosing where to live is, in large part, choosing the lifestyle you want:
• Dénia — Regional capital. UNESCO City of Gastronomy, with an active port (ferries to Ibiza and Formentera), a medieval castle and kilometres of fine-sand beach to the north.
• Jávea (Xàbia) — The favourite destination of the international community. Charming old town, fishing port, turquoise coves (La Granadella, Portitxol) and a very active cultural scene.
• Moraira — The most exclusive and peaceful enclave. Marina, family atmosphere, higher property prices and an exceptional quality of life.
• Benissa — Traditional Valencian town with a virtually intact historic centre and a coastline of spectacular coves (Cala Fustera, Cala Baladrar).
• Calpe — Defined by the Peñón de Ifach. More urban feel, long beach and a more international tourist profile.
• Altea — A whitewashed village with blue-domed roofs and a unique artistic atmosphere. A postcard in itself.
• Pedreguer — In the interior of the region, quiet, traditional and very well connected. Ten minutes from the sea, with more affordable prices and an authentic character.
Each of these municipalities deserves its own in-depth guide, which we will be publishing in the coming weeks.
The climate: over 300 sunny days a year
This is probably the deciding factor for most of those who settle here. The Northern Costa Blanca enjoys an exceptional microclimate sheltered by the Sierra de Aitana to the west: over 300 sunny days a year, mild winters (with average temperatures rarely below 10ºC) and warm summers softened by the Mediterranean breeze.
The World Health Organisation once recognised the climate of this area as one of the healthiest in the world. It is not marketing spin — it is documented medical evidence of its positive effect on respiratory, joint and cardiovascular conditions. No wonder the Marina Alta has one of Europe's highest concentrations of Central European and Nordic residents: you live better here, and you live longer.
The beaches and coves: one for every day
From north to south, the coast offers an enormous variety. In Dénia, fine-sand beaches with shallow waters: Les Marines, Les Bovetes, Les Deveses — perfect for families with children. In Jávea, the most complete mix: urban beach at El Arenal, quiet cove at El Portitxol, spectacular wilderness at La Granadella (one of the most photographed coves in the Mediterranean). In Benissa and Moraira, rocky coves with crystal-clear water ideal for snorkelling: Cala Fustera, Cala Baladrar, El Portet, Ampolla. In Calpe, the long beach of La Fossa next to the Peñón, and hidden coves at the foot of the cliff.
All Blue Flag, fully serviced, and reachable within minutes from any villa in the region.
Gastronomy: a world-class benchmark
Dénia was recognised in 2015 as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, an award it shares with very few cities in the world. Here we celebrate unique products such as the Dénia red prawn, arroz a banda, fideuà, and a market-driven cuisine that has produced several Michelin-starred restaurants (Quique Dacosta, El Baret de Miquel Ruiz, among others).
But the gastronomy of the Marina Alta goes far beyond fine dining: the esmorzar valenciano (a hearty mid-morning meal at traditional bars), coca, flaó, oven-baked rice dishes, monkfish stews, chargrilled fish... Every town has its specialities and its gastronomic festivals. Living here means, among other things, eating well every single day.
An established international community
The Marina Alta is no recently discovered destination. It has been welcoming international residents for more than 50 years. Today, active communities of Dutch, German, British, Belgian, French and Nordic residents live here, integrated without giving up their own culture.
This translates into something very practical for newcomers: there are services in every language, prestigious international schools (British School of Alzira Xàbia, Lady Elizabeth School, Xabia International College), English- and German-speaking doctors, accountancy firms specialised in non-residents, restaurants of world cuisines, churches of all denominations and a rich social life for those starting from scratch. You don't need to be retired or isolated: there is community, activity and integration here.
Services and connectivity
Living on the Northern Costa Blanca no longer means cutting yourself off from the world. The area is perfectly connected:
• Airports: Alicante (60-75 min) and Valencia (90 min). Both with daily direct flights to major European cities.
• AP-7 motorway running the length of the coast.
• TRAM connecting Dénia with Alicante via Calpe, Altea and Benidorm.
• Port of Dénia: ferries to Ibiza and Formentera in 2 hours.
• Public and private healthcare of very high quality. Dénia Hospital and Marina Salud Hospital among the best rated.
• Fibre-optic internet across practically the entire territory.
The property market: what to expect
The Marina Alta is one of the most in-demand property markets in Spain. Prices have appreciated steadily over the past decade, especially in Jávea, Moraira and Altea. Even so, it remains significantly more affordable than the Andalusian Costa del Sol or the Balearic Islands.
The most common property profiles are: modern new-build villa (between €550,000 and €1,500,000 depending on location and specifications), classic resale villa with garden and pool (between €350,000 and €900,000), first-line beach apartments (from €180,000) and building plots for custom villas (from €120,000).
Buying here remains, for most foreign buyers, an emotional and economically smart decision: the market has projection, holiday-rental demand is very high (net returns of 4-7% per year on quality assets) and value appreciation clearly outperforms the Spanish average.
How to start living here
Everyone arrives via a different path. Some rent first for a few months to get to know the area before deciding. Others come with the decision already made and go straight to plot- or villa-hunting. Others already have family or friends here and know exactly where they want to be.
Whatever your case, there are two keys to getting it right: choose the right municipality (the quiet life of Moraira is not the same as the buzz of Dénia) and surround yourself with trusted local professionals for everything — lawyer, accountant, architect, builder. The region offers a lot, but it also has its own legal, fiscal and planning specifics.
About Cresmarta
For more than 30 years we have been building villas across the entire Northern Costa Blanca — Dénia, Pedreguer, Jávea, Benissa, Moraira, Calpe and Altea. Custom villas for clients who want their home built to the last detail, and new-build projects for direct sale for those who prefer a design already defined.
If you are thinking of making the leap and living here, or investing in a second home in the Marina Alta, we are one phone call or email away. No obligation, no rush, and with over three decades of experience building homes in this land.
