Independent guides to living and studying in Europe
City Cards · Costa Blanca, Alicante province · Elche
City Card No. 04 · COSTA BLANCA
Elche
A real Spanish city with a UNESCO palm grove, minutes from the airport.
GUIDE FOR THE COSTA BLANCA
Airport
Alicante-Elche (ALC) is in the municipality
World Heritage
The Palmeral palm grove
University
Miguel Hernández University
Rent, 60 m² flat
€600 a month
The short version
The third city of the Valencian region, and mostly Spanish in daily life.
Elche is known for its Palmeral, a UNESCO-listed palm grove that runs through the city, and for the Misteri d’Elx, a medieval play staged every August.
The city centre is inland, with beaches such as Arenales del Sol and El Altet a short drive away. It suits families who want Spanish schools and Spanish neighbours, with Alicante 20 minutes up the road.
Elche suits you if
- You want everyday Spanish life rather than a resort
- The airport on your doorstep matters
- You want university and city services at Costa Blanca prices
Look elsewhere if
- You want to walk to the beach every day
- You want a large English-speaking community around you
Money
What living here costs
| Item | Typical cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Flat of 60 m² | €600 a month |
| Family flat of 90 m² | €900 a month |
| Utilities and internet | €110–170 a month |
Flat sizes use asking rents on idealista for September 2026 (Elche €10.0 per m²; Spain average €15.1). Signed rents are often a little lower, and furnished, sea-view or new-build homes cost more. Other figures are indicative ranges for planning, not quotes.
The trade-off
The city is inland, not on the beach.
The coast is a short drive, not a stroll, and summers inland are hot. English is less common than in the coastal towns.
Guides for this area
First 90 Days on the Costa Blanca €12.99
Coast or Inland? €12.99
Private and International Schooling on the Costa Blanca €12.99
Weighing Elche?
Elche or Alicante?
Start with a free discovery call. We tell you honestly whether it is worth going further.
Coaching and guidance only, not legal advice. Not an immigration lawyer or agent.