Author page: Rick Bouwmeister

Taste the maritime tradition of Villajoyosa during the Mostra de Cuina Marinera. Check out the participating restaurants in Villajoyosa.

Read all about Las Hogueras de San Juan, the official city festival of Alicante. Read all about this festival here.

The Casa de Cultura in l'Alfàs del Pi is 35 years old! Find out all about the festive anniversary morning and the municipality's cultural success.

Visit FiraCalp from May 21 to 24, 2026 in the Plaza Mayor in Calpe. Discover 32 booths with tapas and local products. Check out the full program here.

Need an NIE number in Spain? These are the 10 most common mistakes made when applying. Avoid rejection and get your application right the first time.

794 Blue Flags for Spain in 2026. See the number of flags for the Costa Blanca and which locations retain their top status.

Alicante starts construction 21-km-long Vía Litoral. A green walking and cycling route from El Campello to Urbanova that removes barriers to the sea.

Dreaming of buying a home on the Costa Blanca? Read all about the best locations, the Spanish lifestyle and important tips for a worry-free purchase.

CostaBlanca.nl will from now on continue as Pure Costa Blanca. A new logo and a new corporate identity. Read more about these changes.

Facts & figures about tourism on the Costa Blanca in 2025. Popularity in Europe, visitor numbers and spending.

The PSOE is proposing a complete smoking ban on all Benidorm beaches. Read all about why and the plans here.

Discover 100 years of tourism in Calpe. Read all about the history from 1926, the photo exhibition and the best activities in this anniversary year.

Discover the transformation of the port in Torrevieja. All about the opening of Paseo del Mar in May 2026, new stores, restaurants and the modern city park.

The city of Alicante is getting a green park 2.1 kilometers long. Read more about this multi-million dollar project and what the plans are for the new train station.

Save on your energy bill with solar panels on the Costa Blanca. Read all about yield, Spanish rules and installation by Sunrise Energy.

The promenade of Albir has been completely renovated. The Paseo de las Estrellas has been provided with additional planting and more shaded areas.

Family life on the Costa Blanca: what is it like for parents and children? Read about schools, leisure and living in the Alicante region.

The Costa Blanca celebrates Valencian Community Day (Día de la Comunidad Valenciana) on Oct. 9 with processions and fireworks and the Mocadorà.

Discover the Elche Palm Garden: the largest palm grove in Europe. Read all about its UNESCO status, the Imperial Palm and handy visit tips.

Discover the Mercado Central in Alicante. Visit this historic market hall: browse the hundreds of stalls full of fresh produce and then walk to the Plaza de las Flores, a cozy little square full of colorful flowers and terraces.

Discover the Roman Villa in Albir. Visit the Open Air Museum: see the ancient thermal baths and mausoleum and be transported into history with 360-degree VR glasses.

A complete guide with practical information on all tourist offices on the Costa Blanca.

A complete guide with practical information about all the dog beaches on the Costa Blanca. Find out which places have a dog beach.

Discover Mazeland Benidorm: a unique maze adventure for children! Find the hidden woodpecker among 5,000 cypress trees and enjoy yourself in the Biergarten.

All about Isla de Altea: the ideal place for kayaking and snorkeling. Find out how to get there from Playa de l'Olla and read more about the great fireworks show.

All about Paseo Ecológico in Benissa. Your guide to a coastal walk between Benissa and Calpe. Info on 3 official hiking routes.

Hiking & bird watching in El Hondo? Find trails (wooden walkway), info on rare birds & practical tips for this unique park.

Discover the salt pans (Salinas) of Santa Pola. Guide to flamingo spotting, the Salt Museum & its unique nature. With practical tips.

Hiking & bird watching at Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja. Your guide with routes, info on the flamingos the famous pink lake.

All about Montgó Natural Park between Dénia and Jávea. Find hiking trails, tips for climbing to the top & info about this unique area.

Marjal de Pego-Oliva: your guide to this wetland full of birds. Info on hiking, the Font Salada spring & local bomba rice.

Serra Mariola: Your guide to this herbal wetland nature park. Info on hiking trails (Montcabrer 1390m), biking & historic villages.

Your guide to Carrascal la Fuente Roja Natural Park (La Font Roja). Discover hiking trails, the beautiful forest, the summit El Menejador & all practical tips.

Everything about Sierra Helada Natural Park (Serra Gelada). Find practical tips and information about the landscape, accessibility and hiking trails.

Climbing the Peñón de Ifach. Complete guide with directions, safety tips, how to book and the famous views.

Dive into Spanish food culture with this book review of "The Bible of Spanish Cuisine" by Raquel Palla Lorden. Features basic techniques and 1,000+ regional dishes.

Newsletter number 3. With some great videos of activities on the Costa Blanca.

Discover Jardín de l'Albarda in Pedreguer, a beautiful garden oasis on the Costa Blanca. Plan your visit with info on prices and opening hours.

Be surprised by local bakers & restaurants and taste the most delicious creations during Chocolate Month in Pilar de la Horadada.

Read all about The Champions Burger, Spain's burger festival - with four locations on the Costa Blanca this year (2025).

Read all about the gastronomic D*na Festival Denia which will be held this year (2025) on Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025.

Discover El Barrio Santa Cruz, "the cradle of Alicante. This unique neighborhood full of Moorish influences, museums and restaurants is located at the foot of Castillo de Santa Bárbara.

Newsletter number 2. With news about fun activities in the upcoming period on the Costa Blanca.

Do you love beer and are in Altea? Then visit brewery Cervezas Althaia where Mayte and Jorge brew 100% natural beer.

All about The Ocean Race: its history and special facts & figures. Learn more about its significance for Alicante and the Museum in Alicante.

Read all about Castell de l'Olla, the annual fireworks show in Altea in honor of Blas Aznar, a famous local pyrotechnician.

Newsletter number 1. With the subject of the launch of the brand new CostaBlanca.nl app.

See which 3 chiringuitos on the Costa Blanca made the top 25 in the list of Best Chiringuitos in Spain for the year 2025.

52 artists display their colorful artworks on the balconies of the main streets in the old core of Altea as well as surrounding municipalities.

Read all about the Explanada de España, Alicante's boulevard. Also known by the name Paseo de la Explanada.

Read all about the Mushroom Street in Alicante. Also called Calle de las Setas (Spanish) or el Carrer des Bolets (Valencian).

Read all about the Algar Falls. Find all the latest info on tickets, parking, opening hours and the trail along the river.

CostaBlanca.com is a member of the Dutch Travel Bloggers from 2025. Read more about this membership and community.

View a list of weekly markets on the Costa Blanca with information on what day and time markets are held.

For 5 years CostaBlanca.nl has been the number one online source of information for anyone who wants to explore the beautiful Costa Blanca.

See a list of 65 beaches on the Costa Blanca that have been awarded Blue Flag status in 2026.

Read all about La Muralla Roja, the famous red apartments in Calpe. About the design and how to stay here.

Read all about Castillo de Santa Bábara, Alicante's landmark. About how to access the castle and how to get to the top.

CostaBlanca.nl is a member of EntrepreneursPlein Spain as of 2025. Read more about this membership and platform.

Wintering in Benidorm and feel like doing something? Then visit the Cyclocross World Cup in Benidorm.

Looking for souvenirs and local products? Check out a list of more or less all the great stores in El Castell de Guadalest to visit.

CostaBlanca.com is a member of the Dutch Business Club Costa Blanca as of 2025. Read more about this membership and this business club.

Meet Wedding & Event planner Evita Westmeijer, read all about her enthusiasm, genuine commitment and personal approach in this blog.

Alicante, the city of rice with more than 1,7,000 eateries, has won the title of Spanish Gastronomic Capital of 2025.

Mortgage in Spain Direct offers all the information and helpful checks for arranging a mortgage in Spain.

Alicante Gastronómica is a culinary event in Alicante where you can enjoy delicious traditional dishes to innovative creations by top chefs.

Altea Market is a sales platform where you can shop online from retailers or purchase services from businesses in Altea. Read more about this initiative.

Good food and entertainment at the same time? This is possible in Torrevieja at the dinner show of Villa Salada with flamenco dancers and Spanish horses.

Meet personal real estate counselor Marly van Gennip, read in this blog how she helps people find their dream home on the Costa Blanca.

Meet me as the initiator of CostaBlanca.nl and read more about me as an independent entrepreneur.

All about this "summer fair" in Javea with exclusively handmade products held from June 27 to August 31.

From May 4 to 26 (2024), follow the tapas route "Tasta Xàbia" and get to know restaurants and bars in Javea.

Read all about the Albir Lighthouse, the (hiking) route to it and what you will encounter along the way.

Vuelta Ciclista de España or Tour of Spain is a multi-day cycling race held annually.

Read more and see photos of the new MyMercat supermarket in Altea near Playa de l'Olla.

View a list of (weekly) markets on the Costa Blanca with information on what day and time markets are held.

To protect buyers and sellers, since October 2023, all real estate agents on the Costa Blanca are required to register in the official register, the RAICV.

The boulevard of Altea has been completely renovated. Since then, the boulevard has also been renamed.