What to See on Spain’s East Coast

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The regions of Valencia and Murcia have 3 sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula (1998)

Elche Palm Grove ★★ (2000)
Europe’s largest palm grove, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located in the heart of Elche.

Lonja de la Seda in Valencia ★ (1996)
This "Merchants' Exchange" is a 15th-century commercial exchange symbolising the city's power at the time. The Valencian Gothic-style building is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Valencian Community

Alcalà de Xivert ★★
A municipality near Peñíscola with a coastal area as well as some old churches and a former Templar castle.

Alicante ★★
With its castle, old quarters, and beaches, Alicante is one of the most popular destinations on the coast.

Altea ★★
A seaside resort north of Benidorm on the Costa Blanca. Its centre features narrow cobbled streets lined with white houses around a beautiful church.

Benicarlo ★
One of the many seaside resorts on the Costa del Azahar.

Benicàssim ★
One of the resorts on the Costa del Azahar nestled between sea and mountains.

Benidorm ★
This seaside town north of Alicante is the archetype of Mediterranean tourist cities. It has been renowned since the 1960s for its beaches and lively atmosphere.

Buñol ★
This small town is internationally famous for its "Tomatina", a massive tomato battle held every last Wednesday of August, lasting all day and attracting tens of thousands of participants.

Calpe ★★
Coastal resort in northern Costa Blanca, best known for its 330-metre-high rock, popular with climbers and walkers, overlooking the beaches.

Castellón de la Plana ★
A cathedral, a few historic buildings, and beaches for this city north of Valencia.

Costa del Azahar ★★
This is the name given to the tourist coast north of Valencia. Among the main seaside resorts and their 120 km of beaches, Benicàssim, Castellón, and Peñíscola are among the most popular.

Costa Blanca ★★
240 kilometres of beaches south of Valencia for this long coastal area, one of the most visited in Europe. Among the many resorts, Alicante, Benidorm, and Torrevieja are the most important.

Dénia ★★
An old castle and historic "typical" quarters for this seaside resort that marks the start of the Costa Blanca. Scuba diving is popular here.

Elche ★
This large city, the third-largest in the Valencian Community, is primarily known for its vast UNESCO-listed palm grove, which is its main tourist attraction alongside the surrounding beaches.

Gandia ★★
A major seaside resort south of Valencia. The city also has a medieval quarter with many beautiful buildings. Hiking is possible in the surrounding area.

Javea ★
Also called Xàbia, this is a seaside resort between Valencia and Alicante with an old quarter.

Moraira ★★
A fishing village on the Costa Blanca that also thrives on tourism thanks to its fairly beautiful beaches and coves.

Morella ★★
This large inland town is home to an old hilltop castle, ramparts, and several beautiful medieval churches.

Oliva ★
A small town in the south of Valencia with a historic old quarter and surrounding beaches.

Orihuela ★★
A historic city northeast of Murcia with numerous churches and monuments.

Oropesa del Mar ★
One of the seaside resorts on the Costa del Azahar.

Peñíscola ★★
A Templar fortress, ramparts, religious buildings, and above all beaches for this coastal tourist town, bordering the Irta Natural Park and built on a peninsula.

Sagunto ★★
A few kilometres north of Valencia, a town with a charming historic centre dominated by a fortress and a beautiful Roman theatre, plus nearby beaches.

Santa Pola ★
South of Alicante, a small town with its historic monuments, port, and beaches.

Torreblanca ★
One of the many seaside resorts on the Costa del Azahar.

Torrevieja ★
Large cosmopolitan seaside resort south of Alicante. It marks almost the end of the Costa Blanca.

Valencia ★★★
Spain’s third-largest city offers a charming old centre with an imposing cathedral and interesting museums. This sits alongside more modern—even avant-garde—architecture and urban design, giving the city a unique charm. Several beaches lie nearby, as does the Albufera Nature Park.

Villajoyosa ★★
Around thirty kilometres from Alicante, this seaside resort also boasts a charming old quarter with colourful houses.

Vinaròs ★
It is the northernmost seaside resort on the Costa del Azahar.

Natural Heritage

Albufera Natural Park ★★
A natural area on the outskirts of Valencia where numerous bird species nest.

Serra d'Espadà Natural Park ★
A vast natural area on mountainous foothills where countless olive trees grow. Hiking trails have been developed here.

Serra d'Irta Natural Park ★★
Mountains, cliffs, coves and beaches in this natural area bordering Peñíscola.

Elche Palm Grove ★★
Europe’s largest palm grove, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located in the heart of Elche.

Murcia Region

Caravaca ★★
This is a holy city and Christian pilgrimage site. It is dominated by its castle and basilica, surrounded by a medieval quarter.

Cartagena ★★
A port city near Murcia known for its festivities. Cartagena boasts numerous remnants from its Carthaginian, Roman, and other historical periods.

Costa Calida ★★
This is the name of the tourist coast of the Mediterranean in the region of Murcia. It features several beaches and seaside resorts (San Pedro del Pinatar, Los Alcázares, Mazarrón, Águilas).

Lorca ★★
Lorca, the region's third-largest city, boasts a charming medieval castle and a significant architectural heritage in the Baroque style.

Murcia ★★
The regional capital has a rather beautiful centre, notably with its cathedral and several museums.

Castle Route ★★
This inland route near Murcia lets you discover numerous medieval castles and fortifications (Jumilla, Lorca, Moratalla, Mula).

Natural Heritage

Mar Menor ★
A large, shallow lagoon with plenty of beaches (and quite a few buildings), northeast of Cartagena. It’s one of Europe’s most popular spots for water sports.