Costa Blanca Car Hire from Alicante (Benidorm, Torrevieja)
Costa Blanca car hire from Alicante. Reach Benidorm, Torrevieja, Calpe and Altea with ease — compare flexible rentals for beach towns and inland villages.
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Rent a car in Alicante with flexible no deposit or low deposit choices. Explore the area with full insurance, unlimited mileage, and zero booking stress.
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Driving the Costa Blanca from Alicante
A hire car is the natural way to see the Costa Blanca. Most of the coast's best beaches, hilltop old towns and inland viewpoints sit within an hour or so of Alicante, yet the bus and tram network thins out quickly once you leave the resort strips. With your own car from Alicantehirecar Alicante you can string several spots together in a single day, set off before the crowds, and stop wherever the view is worth it.
The driving itself is straightforward. The region is built around two parallel routes: the fast AP-7 / A-7 motorway that runs the length of the coast, and the slower, prettier N-332 that hugs the shoreline through every resort town. Pick up at Alicante Airport (ALC), point the car north toward Benidorm and the headland towns, or south toward the salt-lake beaches around Torrevieja, and the whole Spain coastline opens up.
Driving distances from Alicante
Realistic door-to-door distances and typical off-peak driving times from Alicante city and airport. Add 15–30 minutes in July and August, and on summer weekends when the coast roads back up around Benidorm and Calpe.
| Destination | Approx. distance | Driving time | Best route | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benidorm | 45 km | 40–50 min | AP-7 / A-7 north | Big sandy beaches, high-rise skyline |
| Torrevieja | 50 km | 40–50 min | A-7 / AP-7 south | Pink salt lakes, marina, golf |
| Altea | 55 km | 45–55 min | AP-7 then N-332 | White old town, blue-domed church |
| Calpe | 65 km | 50–60 min | AP-7 then N-332 | Peñón de Ifach rock, beaches |
| Guadalest | 65 km | 1 h 5 min | A-7 then CV-70 inland | Castle village, reservoir views |
| Jávea (Xàbia) | 90 km | 1 h 5 min | AP-7 to exit 62 | Coves, Cap de Sant Antoni |
Distances and times are approximate and depend on your exact pickup point, traffic and roadworks. Treat them as planning guides, not exact figures.
Day trips along the Costa Blanca
Six destinations that show off the range of the coast, from family beach days to white hilltop villages and a castle perched above a turquoise reservoir.
Benidorm
The coast's headline resort: two long Blue Flag beaches, a theme-park cluster (Terra Mítica, Aqualandia) and the cliff-top Balcón del Mediterráneo. Easiest reached straight up the AP-7; use a paid car park near the centre rather than circling for street spaces.
Torrevieja
South of Alicante on the flatter Vega Baja coast, known for its two salt lagoons — one a striking pink — plus a long marina and miles of golf. An easy, fast run down the A-7 makes it a relaxed half-day.
Altea
A whitewashed old town climbing to the blue-and-white tiled dome of the parish church, with art galleries and pebble bays below. Park near the seafront and walk up — the lanes at the top are far too narrow to drive.
Calpe
Dominated by the Peñón de Ifach, a 332-metre limestone rock rising straight out of the sea between two beaches. There is a nature-reserve walk to the top; arrive early, as the small car park near the trailhead fills fast in summer.
Guadalest
An inland detour worth the climb: a tiny castle village reached through a tunnel carved in the rock, looking down over a turquoise reservoir. The CV-70 up from the coast is winding but fully paved — take it steadily and enjoy the views.
Jávea (Xàbia)
At the far north of the province, with a quieter old town, a working port and the cliffs of Cap de Sant Antoni. The longest of these drives, but the cove at Granadella and the coast road around the cape reward the extra time.
Roads, tolls and parking on the Costa Blanca
A few practical pointers that make driving the coast easier, especially in the busy summer months.
AP-7 vs N-332
The AP-7 / A-7 is the fast inland motorway and is now toll-free for most of its length on this stretch — the quickest way to cover distance. The N-332 runs closer to the sea through the resort towns: slower and busier, but the more scenic choice if you are not in a hurry.
Tolls
You can usually drive Alicante to the main Costa Blanca towns without a toll. If a sign shows "AP" with a price, an alternative free "A" or "N" road normally runs alongside. Keep a card handy in case a toll booth still applies on your route.
Parking colours
On-street bays follow colour codes: blue lines mean paid parking (buy a ticket from the nearby meter), white is free, and yellow means no parking at all. In busy resorts, a signed underground or surface car park is usually the simplest, lowest-stress option.
Timing your day
Set off early to claim a parking spot and beat the heat, then enjoy a long lunch while the midday rush passes. Heading back to Alicante in the late afternoon usually beats the evening return traffic on the coast road.
Beach day or inland day?
Two easy ways to shape a day out of Alicante, depending on whether you are chasing the sea or the hills.
The beach run (north)
Follow the coast north for sand and sea views.
- Start with the wide beaches of Benidorm or El Albir.
- Lunch in pretty Altea above the marina.
- Finish under the Peñón de Ifach in Calpe.
The inland loop
Trade the coast for mountain villages and big views.
- Climb the CV-70 to the castle village of Guadalest.
- Cool off at the Fonts de l'Algar waterfalls nearby.
- Loop back down to the coast for a swim before dark.
Costa Blanca in pictures
A glimpse of the coastline, old towns and inland roads you can reach with a hire car from Alicante.
Costa Blanca driving — FAQ
The questions travellers ask most before taking a hire car out along the coast from Alicante.
Hire a car and explore the Costa Blanca
Compare live availability in Alicante, Spain from trusted local and international suppliers, then drive the coast on your own schedule. From beach days in Benidorm and Calpe to the castle village of Guadalest, Alicantehirecar Alicante makes it easy to book in minutes — with transparent pricing, free cancellation on most rates and no hidden fees.
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