7 Destinations You Can’t Miss if You Visit Alicante

Alicante is a Spanish city highly valued by visitors from all over the world because of its relaxed atmosphere and good Mediterranean climate. But Alicante is much more than the sun and beaches of its capital: in the surrounding area, there are charming villages, cities full of history, good gastronomy and natural landscapes that will take your breath away. Ready to discover them?

Moraira

The official name of the municipality is Teulada Moraira, since it has two main population centers: Teulada and Moraira. This area has 8 kilometres of coastline with magnificent beaches, with the shell-shaped Portet beach being the most emblematic. The calm and shallow waters makes it perfect for a relaxing day under the sun. Then, you can take a stroll down the old town and enjoy some delicious paella, “putxero de polp” or “sopa de peix”.

If you like hiking, you will find several trails perfectly signposted in the surroundings: the Barranco de la Viuda or Cala Moraig route, the Cap d’Or route and the Barranco de Xurra trail. The first one runs between ravines, caves and beaches, an ideal route for adventure lovers. However, you will need a car to get to the starting points of these hiking trails. If you don’t have one already, you can always resort to a car hire in Moraira, or you can walk the Route of the Viewpoints instead. This 5 kilometres’ walk runs along the coast from the Portet beach to Tunis Street, and can be done in just over an hour (one way).

Altea

This beautiful white charming village full of picturesque white houses is one of the most visited in the region. The Renaissance bastion preserves the foundational layout of 1617, and it has been declared of Cultural Interest.

Altea is located at the foot of the Sierra de Bèrnia, an imposing massif with a sharp ridge where the first prehistoric settlers of the valley settled. For centuries it was a refuge for pirates and corsairs, but after the re-foundation of Altea its bay became a prosperous commercial enclave. At the end of the 19th century tourists started arriving here and now it is an unavoidable stop on any visit to Alicante’s Costa Blanca.

Benissa

Benissa is a town of millenary history with a rich cultural and gastronomic legacy. It has the best preserved historic centre in the region, where you can visit the wonderful church of the Puríssima Xiqueta or Catedral de la Marina. In the coastal area, the Ecological Promenade of Benissa stands out which, along 4 kilometres, is a scenic gift with abundant Mediterranean vegetation, cliffs and small coves linked together.

Dénia

Denia is a vibrant and picturesque town located on the north coast of the province of Alicante, in the Marina Alta region.Dénia is known for its rich marine history and its vibrant culinary life: the “gamba roja de Dénia” (Denia’s red shrimp) is considered one of the most exquisite delicacies of the sea. In addition, its long sandy beaches and charming old quarters attract numerous visitors each year. Dénia also serves as an important connection point, with ferries departing to the Balearic Islands, providing a direct link to Ibiza and Mallorca.

Alcoy

This city located 50 kilometres far from Alicante is surrounded by two Natural Parks: the Carrascal de la Font Roja and the Serra de Mariola Natural Park, which makes it perfect for those seeking beautiful landscapes and a true connection with nature. Also, the city itself is very interesting because it is full of history and great architecture. The bourgeois class of Alcoy in the 19th century and early 20th century built houses and residences of great interest, most of them of modernist architecture in imitation of Catalonia: the Casa del Pavo, the Círculo Industrial, the old building of the Fire Station or the Casa de Escaló.

Calpe

This eminently touristic municipality is crowned by the Peñón de Ifach, symbol of the Costa Blanca, which rises in the Mediterranean as a limestone rock. Attached to the land by a narrow isthmus, it is the product of a landslide of the nearby Sierra de Oltà and is one of the most unique and beautiful geographical features of the entire coastline. It is one of the most visited natural areas of the Mediterranean and a meeting point for divers, climbers and hikers.

Guadalest

Considered one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, Guadalest was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1974 and, in 2016, also entered the Federation of the Most Beautiful Villages in the World. The most photogenic corner is the Castell de Guadalest. This eleventh century fortress was built by the Muslims and is located on the rock in the highest part of the municipality. It had a very important role throughout the Middle Ages and Modern thanks to its strategic location. The picturesque museums, the pleasant terraces and the craft stores complete a unique tour of this town to which you always want to return.