L'Alfàs del Pi, next to Altea, stretches from the coast at Albir beach inland into its agricultural centre, combining the best of both worlds: seaside and rural village. Buildings are all low-lying, as sustainable development and conservation is a local preoccupation. All around are vines, fruit trees, including almonds, figs, oranges and olives.

Of its 19,000 inhabitants, 10,500 are foreign and of 90 nationalities, it's claimed. As a result, the cultural life is very cosmopolitan, with a thriving artistic scene, English and Norwegian schools and an annual film festival. In honour of the visiting Spanish screen celebrities who stroll these streets each July, the seaside paseo is known as Promenade of the Stars. August and November are also months for colourful local festivities around the beach and town centre.

The weather here is famously perfect, said to be one of the mildest climates in Europe, with no excessive hot or cold spells. It lures many athletes here to train in winter so local sports facilities are first class, including one of Spain's few cricket grounds, a professional running track and various golf ranges.

The beach is 2km from town and offers a range of watersports or head to the lighthouse at Punta Bombarda and you'll stumble across the nudist beach. A short drive inland are the waterfalls at Callosa d'En Sarria and the picturesque ancient village of Guadalest. Benidorm is 5km down the coast.

There are lots of quiet niches around Alfas and Albir, with a mixture of spacious existing villas with private gardens from about £130,000-£150,000 and new-build from about £200,000. Apartments in the centre of the village cost about £90,000.