Living in Costa Blanca North
From sea views on the coast to peace among the vineyards.
Discover two very different ways of living: the vibrant, international coast and the authentic inland Vall de Pop. They are close together, yet feel like entirely different worlds.
Two regions that captured our hearts
We came for the coast. The inland valleys made us fall in love all over again.
Like many people, we were first drawn to the light over the Mediterranean, the coves, the marinas and the ease of living close to beaches, restaurants and international amenities. From Altea to Dénia, every coastal town has its own rhythm: artistic, family-friendly, exclusive, active or urban and lively throughout the year.
Only when we travelled farther inland did we discover a second Costa Blanca. In the Vall de Pop, authentic villages, traditional fincas, vineyards and terraces of olive and almond trees sit between the mountains. Life moves at a gentler pace, local Spanish and Valencian traditions are more visible and your budget will often buy more space and privacy.
The question is not which region is objectively the most beautiful. What matters is where everyday life fits you best. Would you like to walk to the promenade, marina and restaurants? Or would a finca with mountain views, a village square and quiet evenings make you happier? Below, we explain the differences and introduce the key places.
Region 1 · The coast
Sea views, coves, gastronomy and an international lifestyle.
The coast of Costa Blanca North is especially striking because mountains meet the Mediterranean. Rocky headlands, sheltered calas, sandy beaches and marinas sit beside historic centres and modern residential areas. Alicante Airport makes the region easy to reach, while Altea, Calpe, Moraira, Jávea and Dénia each have a distinct character.
You will find an international mix of Spanish residents, families, entrepreneurs, active retirees, remote workers and second-home owners. In the larger towns, restaurants, shops, schools, sports clubs and healthcare remain active beyond the summer season.
What does the coast taste like?
Fresh fish, seafood, arroz a banda, arròs del senyoret, cocas, salted fish, local Moscatel and an excellent choice of modern Mediterranean fine dining. Dénia has been a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy since 2015, bringing together local fishers, farmers, markets and restaurants in a strong culinary identity.
Who is the coast for?
For people who want to live close to the water while remaining connected to everyday life.
Beaches, watersports and marinas close by
International amenities and social networks
Restaurants and shops open throughout the year
Easy access for family and guests
Apartments, modern villas and sea-view homes
Higher demand and generally higher prices in prime locations
Prices vary considerably by neighbourhood, property type, condition, plot, distance from the sea and views. A town-centre apartment cannot be compared directly with a villa on an exclusive hillside or beside a sheltered cove.
Coastal places
From artistic Altea and authentic Benissa to culinary Dénia.
Art, history and Mediterranean elegance
Altea
Indicative asking price June 2026 · €3,640 per m²
Altea combines a whitewashed historic old town, art galleries, sweeping bay views and a calm, refined atmosphere. Its shoreline is known mainly for pebble beaches and small coves. The area attracts people who value beauty, culture, gastronomy and an elegant residential setting.
Explore Altea →
Beaches, amenities and the Peñón de Ifach
Calpe
Indicative asking price June 2026 · €3,567 per m²
Calpe is accessible, practical and international. It offers broad sandy beaches, a working fishing harbour, a wide choice of apartments and strong everyday amenities. The Peñón de Ifach dominates the skyline and gives the town its unmistakable identity.
Explore Calpe →
Intimate, residential and exclusive
Moraira
Indicative asking price June 2026 · €4,673 per m²
Moraira grew from a fishing village and has largely preserved its intimate character. Its marina, El Portet, sheltered coves and residential villa areas appeal to buyers seeking peace and comfort without living far from restaurants and amenities.
Explore Moraira →
Historic town, rugged coast and rural space
Benissa
Indicative asking price June 2026 · Varies strongly by coastal, village or rural location
Benissa combines an authentic historic centre with a green coastline of small coves and an extensive rural hinterland. You will find traditional townhouses, fincas and villas offering greater privacy. It suits buyers who want space, character and a quieter daily rhythm while remaining close to Moraira, Calpe and the sea.
Explore Benissa →
Three distinct lifestyles in one town
Jávea / Xàbia
Indicative asking price June 2026 · €4,118 per m²
Jávea brings together a historic old town, a port district and the lively Arenal. Around them are villa neighbourhoods, secluded coves and the natural landscape of the Montgó. It is well suited to active families, watersports enthusiasts and international residents who want year-round amenities.
Explore Jávea / Xàbia →
A real town with harbour life and outstanding gastronomy
Dénia
Indicative asking price June 2026 · €3,417 per m²
Dénia offers a castle, a historic centre, long beaches, an active port and ferry connections to the Balearic Islands. The town remains lively throughout the year and has been a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy since 2015. It appeals to buyers who want more than a holiday atmosphere and value a complete everyday town life.
Explore Dénia →
Region 2 · The Vall de Pop
Fincas, vineyards and authentic village life between the mountains.
The Vall de Pop lies in the Marina Alta around the Xaló River, also known as the Gorgos. Mountain ranges surround a landscape of villages, agricultural terraces, vineyards, olive and citrus trees and traditional stone buildings. The sea remains within reach, yet daily life feels noticeably quieter and more local than on the coast.
Here you will find village houses, fincas, country homes and villas with larger plots and greater privacy. The international community is smaller and more closely woven into local life. Village fiestas, family businesses, markets, agricultural traditions, hiking and cycling shape the atmosphere more than promenades and seasonal crowds.
What does the valley taste like?
Local wine and mistela, olive oil, almonds, carob, raisins, artisan cured meats, cocas, slow-cooked dishes and traditional sweets. The food is more rustic and closely tied to the seasons, family producers and ingredients from the surrounding land.
Three villages to discover
Small-scale living with a strong identity of its own.
Wine, mistela and the practical heart of the valley
Xaló / Jalón
€2,271 per m²
Xaló sits among vineyards and has a lively village centre with shops, restaurants, wine producers and its well-known Saturday market. Archaeological remains reach back to prehistoric times, while the old street pattern reflects Islamic influences. Local gastronomy is shaped by wine, mistela, artisan cured meats and traditional sweets.
Explore Xaló / Jalón →Village life, mountain views and agricultural traditions
Alcalalí
€2,694 per m²
Alcalalí lies between the mountains of the Vall de Pop. The village contains prehistoric traces, was conquered by Jaume I in 1245 and retains a medieval defensive tower dating from the late fourteenth or early fifteenth century. Almonds, wine, olives, citrus fruit and the renewed appreciation of the carob tree all form part of its local identity.
Explore Alcalalí →
Riuraus, vineyards and a compact historic village
Llíber
Small market · highly dependent on property type
Llíber is small, peaceful and closely connected to the surrounding wine country. After the expulsion of the Moriscos, the area was repopulated in part by settlers from Mallorca. Its riuraus recall the traditional raisin industry and l’Escaldà, the process of scalding and drying grapes. The village suits buyers who value privacy and authenticity over bustle.
Explore Llíber →Understanding the price difference
On the coast, you pay for scarcity and sea views. In the valley, your budget will often buy more space.
The figures below are average advertised asking prices reported by idealista for June 2026. They are not achieved sale prices and should not be treated as a valuation of any specific property.
Alicante city
€2,575 per m²
Dénia
€3,417 per m²
Calpe
€3,567 per m²
Altea
€3,640 per m²
Jávea / Xàbia
€4,118 per m²
Moraira
€4,673 per m²
Xaló / Jalón
€2,271 per m²
Alcalalí
€2,694 per m²
Which region suits you?
The best place for you is not automatically the best-known.
Choose the coast if you…
want to live close to the sea, marina, restaurants and international amenities; enjoy a more active social setting; value easy access; or are looking for a home suited to family visits and seasonal use.
Choose the Vall de Pop if you…
seek peace, privacy, nature and a stronger village atmosphere; dream of a finca or a larger plot; value hiking, cycling and local gastronomy; and would rather invest in space than pay a premium for immediate proximity to the sea.
Nordic Move uses a personal Area Match to translate your housing preferences, budget, interests and future plans into the regions that genuinely fit the life you want to build.
Regional information is based on official tourism and municipal sources. Price figures are based on idealista data for June 2026 and should be updated regularly. Smaller villages can show greater price fluctuations because the number and type of properties available may be limited.