Culture & Lifestyle

If you ask someone about typical Valencian food, chances are you'll get ‘paella’ as an answer. Understandable, because this world-famous rice dish originates from the region around Valencia. But if you look beyond the classic tourist menus, you'll discover a culinary tradition that is richer, more varied and more surprising than you might think.

Anyone visiting the northern Costa Blanca in winter and early spring cannot fail to notice it: hills and valleys turn white and soft pink with almond blossom. Around villages such as Jalón, Alcalalí and Benissa, the landscape resembles a fairy tale and marks the beginning of one of the region’s most characteristic products: the almond.

If you live on the northern Costa Blanca or are on holiday there, you can't miss them: olive trees. They are everywhere – from the valleys around Jalón and Llíber to the hills near Altea and Dénia. And all these trees together produce one of the region's most typical products: extra virgin olive oil, with its many health benefits. The oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, contains monounsaturated fats and is good for the heart and blood vessels. This makes it part of the Mediterranean diet,

The Costa Blanca North is known for sun, sea and... sand wedges. In addition to beaches and tapas, this region is also a serious hotspot for golfers. You can play here practically all year round, in short sleeves, with views of mountains, palm trees or even the Mediterranean Sea. From Oliva to Alicante, golf courses are scattered like well-placed bunkers: sometimes challenging, sometimes forgiving, but always well maintained and with excellent facilities. Whether you are a seasoned single handic

Along the roads of the northern Costa Blanca, olive and almond groves alternate, while bees buzz among wild rosemary, thyme and orange blossom. Honey has been produced in this Mediterranean landscape for centuries – a craft that has remained very much alive. Bees play an indispensable role in pollinating crops and provide a regional product that captures the flavours of nature: honey full of Mediterranean character.

If you've ever been on holiday along the Northern Costa Blanca — in places like Jávea, Moraira, Altea, La Nucía, or Dénia — you’ve probably seen them: glass-walled courts where men and women enthusiastically swing what look like perforated tennis rackets. Welcome to the world of pádel! Pádel has become so big in Spain that it's now even more popular than tennis. And that’s no surprise — it’s easy to pick up, quick to learn, and above all, very social. Whether you're having a friendly match with