Category: Benidorm

Many people who fly into Alicante for the first time are surprised to see how mountainous it is. Indeed. In fact, Spain is the second highest country in Europe with an average altitude of 650 metres.Switzerland is top. The Alicante region of Spain is where the mountains meet the sea. There are many mountains to climb, drive along or simply enjoy the view from your sunbed on the beach. Spain-Holiday has picked six of its favourite mountains.

Serrella’s simply the best
La Serrella is definitely the best mountain to visit in the Alicante region. It’s famous for the impressive geological feature called Els Frares or the friars. These rock formations, between 10 and 100 metres high, are caused by erosion.They remind us of the impressive rock carvings at Montserrat near Barcelona.
From the top, you can also enjoy far-reaching views of the neighbouring mountains,Guadalest, and the Mediterranean. On a clear day you can see the island of Ibiza.
It has three peaks, the finest of which is also the highest, Pla de la Casa, which has a snow well beneath it. One of the best places to base yourself while exploring Serrella is the tiny village of Quatretondeta, a traditional Spanish village surrounded by olive groves and mountain ranges.
From here you can also go to Castell de Castells, a natural stone monument with a double arch in the rock, which is a firm favourite for photographers to use to frame their pictures.
How to get here: From the AP7 take exit 65 at Benidorm. Get on the CV70 to Benasau and then take the CV 710 to Quatretondeta.

Legend of Mariola
Further inland heading towards Alcoy is the splendid mountain range of Sierra Mariola. This area gets a lot of water so the landscape is lush – from golden yellow tones in autumn and snow white in winter to yellow and green in spring and summer.
It’s a fertile mountain chain where a wide variety of herbs grow. Traditionally used in medicine, these are now found in regional dishes and are used to make the herbal liquor herbero.
The legend of Mariola says that a nobleman Mario became rich from the Mariola gold mines, which made the emperor Nero very jealous. He decided to capture Mario’s beautiful young daughter Mariola, who was passing near to his land with a black panther for protection. One version says the beautiful girl was flung off the mountainside. Another says she hid in the mountains and was never found.
How to get here: From Alicante follow the A7 signs to Alcoy, which takes you to the east of the Sierra Mariola.

Javea’s elephant
The Montgo natural park between the beach resorts of Denia and Javea is an impressive headland, home to wild birds including owls and eagles, rabbits, badgers, toads, lizards and snakes. It’s also home to fragrant herbs, flowers and trees.
You can explore little caves and hermitages where prehistoric nomads and, in later years, religious men such as Pare Pere came to meditate.
In the 10th century the Moorish chief Abd ur Rahman III collected more than 100 medicinal herbs from the Montgo.
There are easy climbs as well as more challenging hikes, plus plenty of tales to tell about this iconic mountain. From the Javea side, the slope of the Montgo looks like an elephant’s head and trunk.
How to get here: Take the Denia turn-off on the N332 or AP7 and follow the signs for Denia along the CV725 to Carrer de Diana. Continue on to the Cami de Sant Joan and take the 3rd exit at the roundabout for the Cami Santa Llucia and Cami Assagador del Pinar where you will reach the bottom of the Montgo.

Mountain wines and cherries
Sierra Bernia is a beautiful mountain stretching 11kms from the coast between Callosa d’EnSarria and La Punta de Toix.In the 16th century Felipe II ordered a fort to be built on the mountain to protect it from marauding Moors and pirates. Today, it is prime wine country with vineyards dotted around the mountain.
It’s a popular challenge for walkers and cyclists who are rewarded with fantastic views when they reach the higher points. The cherries grown in the area are also said to be the best in the region. The locals argue that the higher the cherries are grown, the better they taste. The same argument could also be applied to the wines.
How to get here: Take the Jalon (Xalo in Valenciano) turning off the AP7 or N332. In the centre of Jalon, there is a roundabout with a signpost to Bernia, follow the Carretera Xalo-Bernia, which can be winding, up the Sierra Bernia.

Icy encounter
The Sierra Helada, separating the bays of Benidorm and Altea, attracts thousands of visitors each year. Many make the journey to enjoy the fabulous views of Benidorm’s skyscrapers and beaches. The mountain juts out to sea with an impressive cliff face and caves where you may find prehistoric fossils.
It’s particularly interesting for its rich flora including many rare and protected species. Many seabirds including shags and gulls live on the mountain, making it the second most important bird reserve in the Valencia region. In the rocks and coves at sea level, are a wide variety of fish and crustaceans, so it’s worth exploring by boat as well as on foot.
At the top is a large cross where you can enjoy 360º panoramic views. It may look familiar as it’s also featured in the ITV comedy Benidorm.
How to get here: From Benidorm, you can walk to the far end of Levante beach (going away from the Old Town) to start your walk up to the cross. Although uphill, obviously, there are good paths and there are good tracks. It will take about 90 minutes each way.
Time to climb
A favourite drive is up the Sierra de Callosa with gorgeous views over the valleys, rugged cliffs and out to sea.Historic landmarks on the Sierra include a 10th century Islamic castle,Diablo reservoir, and the Eye of St Bruno burial ground.
It’s a favourite spot for climbers with three areas to tackle including La Escuela for beginners and El Poligono for experienced climbers, which are in the Cueva Ahumada.
There’s very little water or soil on the mountain so plants have had to adapt to the harsh environments, particularly in the rocks. Wildlife includes lizards,snakes, eagles, falcons, owls, foxes, wild cats and hares.
How to get here: Leave the AP7 at junction 733 and take the CV913 to Callosa de Segura.

Although the journey only takes about 30 minutes by car, the train takes a scenic meander along the coast and into the countryside. It makes for an interesting and inexpensive day trip where you can explore other Alicante towns.For the best views, sit on the right side of the train if you are going from Benidorm towards Denia.
You will enjoy fantastic coastal views before the train makes its slow way through the mountains amid the rural countryside. You can make a game for the children to see how many sheep, goats and birds of prey they can spot. You will also see terraces of vines, olive groves and orange trees.There are also some fabulous bridges and viaducts which are worth looking out for,especially when you get close to Gata de Gorgos and Benissa.
The track is pretty high up along here with some sheer drops, which add to the overall excitement of this train trip.The best days to take the train to Denia are on Mondays and Fridays, which are market days. The Monday market sells everything from household goods and clothes to leather items. On Fridays, there are two markets – one selling fruit and veg, with the other selling second-hand goods.The 50-kilometre journey will take about 77 minutes and a return ticket is just€6.40 with a 50% discount for pensioners. It is advisable to take some water with you and maybe a snack.

First stop- Benidorm
The journey begins at the bustling resort of Benidorm. The first train is at 6.26am so you could catch this after a very good night in the entertainment capital of the Costa Blanca! Benidorm’s skyscrapers remind many people of the great US city of New York. It’s fabulous skyline, great beaches, superb nightlife including the award-winning Benidorm Palace with its cabaret acts and music, and microclimate have kept Benidorm at the top of the tourism league for many years now. Benidorm also has some top theme parks such as Terra Mitica with its great rides, the Aqua Natura water park, Terra Natura wildlife park and Mundomar for marine life and exotic birds.
All aboard for Altea

All along this part of the train ride, you will enjoy breathtaking coastal views of the magnificent yachts and harbours all the way to Altea. Cross the main N332 road and you’re on the beach within a couple of minutes. Altea is one of the prettiest towns in the Alicante region with two main areas to explore. First stop, the beautiful little beaches and coves which stretch for about eight kilometres. It’s a perfect place for snorkelling, sailing or surfing. The beachfront promenade has plenty of restaurants and bars with many shops along the busy N332 road. From here it is a steep climb up the narrow cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses to the picture-postcard old town with its iconic blue-tiled church dome. If you like curries, the next stop of Olla de Altea has an Indian restaurant, Saffron, on the platform instead of a traditional station café.
Rocking our way to Calpe
The train continues its journey alongside the crystal-clear Mediterranean so you can enjoy far-reaching views as the train gets higher and higher above sea level.The impressive Ifach Rock, standing at 332-metres high, dominates the skyline as it juts out to sea at Calpe. The Ifach attracts serious climbers as well as walkers who can enjoy an easier route to the top where they can stumble across wild flora and fauna as well as being rewarded with fabulous views. Calpe is a vibrant coastal town with sandy beaches, a salt lake where many flamingoes have settled and a pretty little marina.
Onwards and upwards to Benissa
The train now starts to weave its way inland so you can enjoy great rural views. The countryside around here is very fertile with plenty of fruit orchards – especially oranges and lemons, vineyards and olive groves. The mountain views are spectacular with jagged grey cliffs and some hairy sheer drops! This is the best place to see animals such as goats,sheep, rabbits and birds of prey. The next stop of any note is Benissa, which is a pretty, historic town between the cliffs and the sea. It is a popular spot for snorkellers who enjoy the private, little coves and clear waters. Other visitors enjoy strolling through the old town centre which has some beautiful historic buildings such as the monastery, town hall and old council rooms, while the more adventurous can head for the Bernia, La Solana, Olta or Malla Verda mountains, either on foot or by bike.

Making tracks to Teulada
The train continues its journey through the green, fertile land to Teulada, a region which is well-known for its wines, particularly the sweet mistela wines. Teulada has a pretty, historic walled town centre with some impressive Gothic buildings.During a gentle stroll through the old streets, you will come across the parish church, several chapels and the courts of justice. In the 19th century, Teulada’s agricultural products were transported by sea from Moraira.Today Moraira is a popular coastal town with pretty beaches, particularly El Portet which is a rocky cove with sparking turquoise water. Moraira also has a pretty marina and old town with some fabulous seafood restaurants.

Weaving along to Gata
Fans of bridges and viaducts will enjoy this stretch of the journey the most. On the way to Gata there are some interesting stone viaducts and bridges taking the train on its final leg towards Denia. The town is full of character with traditional crafts dominating the shop window displays. The local grasses and reeds are dried to make cane furniture, baskets and hats. The displays spill out on to the pavement, giving Gata the name of the ‘bazaar of the Costa Blanca’. There are also two talented guitar makers in the town – Joan Cashmira and the Francisco Bros -and you can visit the workshops to see the musical instruments being crafted by hand.

Dining out in Denia
Now the train makes its way around the Montgo mountain, which is a popular challenge for walkers and cyclists, to its final stop at Denia. Denia is the dining capital of the north Costa Blanca region with hundreds of restaurants including Quique Dacosta, which has three coveted Michelin stars. Denia is a delightful coastal town with an impressive castle where you can enjoy far-reaching sea views. The town has 15 kilometres of golden, sandy beaches, a large marina which is home to some expensive yachts, and a pretty old town. It puts on some magnificent fiestas throughout the year, especially fallas where large satirical statues are put up in the streets and burnt, and Moors and Christians, which involves running battles, gunpowder and fireworks.

Alicante is famous for its long, sandy beaches and beautiful seaside promenades. Some, like Benidorm, are instantly recognisable. But the region has dozens of emblems which show the diversity and amazing beauty of this popular region of Spain.It’s a dream destination for photographers and artists who have so many great buildings and natural scenery to capture. As well as the beaches, there are dramatic castles, chic marinas, mountains,natural parks, historic buildings and lakes to grab the attention.Spain-Holiday has picked 10 amazing Alicante icons, although there are many more that we could have chosen.

Alicante castle
Looming over the Alicante skyline is theSanta Barbara Castle, which is one of the largest and most impressive of Spain’s medieval fortresses. Much of its magnificent structure is thanks to the Moors who ruled Spain until the 13th century. One of the most photographed views is of the top tower looking out over Alicante marina and the Mediterranean. During your trip you can explore the many dungeons, towers and cannons lining the thick castle walls.You can also catch your breath while enjoying those far-reaching sea views.
Castillo de Santa Barbara Opening hours: Open every day from:July to September, 10am to 12pm, September, 10am to 10pm, October to March, 10am to 8pm, April to June, 10am to 10pm
Further information on Alicante castle
Benidorm skyscrapers
One of Alicante’s most famous shots is of the regimented Benidorm skyscrapers looking out to sea. These buildings first started going up in the 1960s when tourism took off in this former sleepy fishing village. The idea was to build tall hotels and apartment blocks so that everyone had a view of the sea. Many people have remarked that Benidorm is the Spanish Manhattan with about 400 high-rise buildings.

The tallest hotel is the Gran Hotel Bali at an impressive 186 metres while the tallest residential building is InTempo, which is still being built, and stands at 200-metres tall. Benidorm cross, at the end of Levante beach, and the Balcon de Benidorm, separating the Poniente and Levante beaches, are two great places to get a panoramic view of Benidorm’s buildings.
La Granadella beach
Often voted Spain’s best beach, La Granadella is a beautiful little beach with crystal-clear turquoise waters.It’s only a little horseshoe-shaped cove flanked by rocks with calm water. The beach is small pebbles rather than golden sand (so no gritty sandwiches). It is surrounded by a pine forest to add to the tranquillity of this amazing beach.However, it does get very crowded in the summer so you are advised to get there early to grab a spot. It is great for snorkelling among the seagrass beds or enjoying lunch in the beachside restaurant.

More information on Granadella beach

Ifach at Calpe
One of the best-loved symbols of the Costa Blanca is the Penon de Ifach. This huge rock rises out from the sea at Calpe.It stands 332 metres high and one kilometre long. It’s a very unusual but beautiful natural feature by the Med. The rock is said to have been formed by a landslide from the Sierra de Olta mountain. Climbers enjoy tackling the challenging rock face while divers explore what lies beneath. There are easier paths up the Ifach, although you do need to take care. It’s certainly worth the climb as you will see plenty of wildlife, birds and flowers as well as get to enjoy fabulous sea views.

Further information on the Peñon de Ifach rock, Calpe

Alicante promenade
Taking a stroll in the sunshine is one of the delights of Spanish life. Alternatively sitting outside a café sipping a coffee or cool lager while people watching is another favourite pastime. One of the favourite places to go is the Explanada de España, alongside the port and marina. The marbled street is 500 metres long with a mosaic designed to look like waves from the Mediterranean using 6,500,000 red, blue and white tiles.Shaded by four rows of palm trees, it’s a fabulous place for a morning or evening paseo (leisurely walk). The promenade is lined with pavement cafes and bars as well as stalls selling handicrafts and souvenirs. It’s the place to go in Alicante to meet up with friends, mingle with the locals and enjoy the party atmosphere.

Further information on the Explanada de Espana promenade
Denia marina

Most beach resorts in the Alicante region have stylish marinas lined with impressive yachts where you can enjoy a drink or meal in an open-air café or restaurant. One of the most scenic is Denia marina where you can enjoy a walk soaking up the views of the yachts, old town with its iconic castle and the magnificent Montgo mountain providing a beautiful backdrop. It’s the perfect place for a meal or cool drink. One of the best views is from the Zensa open-air chill-out bar with pool, especially at night. The marina also hosts the annual Denia boat show in May.

More details about Denia marina, restaurants and events

Altea old town
Standing tall above Altea beaches are the bright white hilltop buildings in the old town. The dazzling blue-and-whilte tiled dome of the church is a familiar sight to visitors. Altea old town has a lovely laidback Bohemian feel. It has been a favourite spot for artists throughout the ages who are inspired by the buildings, pretty square, cobbled narrow streets and incredible views across the bay. It’s a bit of a climb to the top but well worth it for the fine views. Although the Nuestra Senora del Consuelo church looks very old, it was only built about 100 years ago.

Further information on Altea

Gorgeous Guadalest
Definitely one of the most wonderful landscapes in the Alicante region, Guadalest is a magnificent mountain village about 30 minutes – but a world apart – from the bustling beach resort of Benidorm. The white bell tower on top of the granite mountain 600 metres above sea level features on many Costa Blanca postcards and is the emblem of the town.This is a top tourist spot so can be very busy in the summer months. There’s also a tunnel carved through the rock which splits the village, views down to the turquoise lake (where you can enjoy a boat trip), far-reaching views of the mountains, valleys and out to sea, plus pretty cobbled streets to explore.

More details on Guadalest

Torrevieja casino
A beautiful white building with intricate patterns which look like lace, the Casino is often said to be the jewel in Torrevieja’s crown. Many Spanish towns have casinos, which are not gambling dens, but social and community centres where groups and societies can meet. The 19th century casino in Torrevieja is an interesting mix of architectural styles including Arabic and Andalucian. It’s a beautiful building with wooden panelled ceilings with large chandeliers and tiled floors. It has a pavement café, library, games and billiards room.

Further information about Torrevieja casino

Benidorm old town
Linking Benidorm’s magnificent sandy beaches, Levante and Poniente, is the Balcon del Mediterraneo with views over the beaches and across to the grand skyscrapers for which the resort is so famous. Cafes and restaurants line the square where you can enjoy a coffee or ice-cream while enjoying the amazing vista.

The cobbled streets and pedestrianised areas around the square form Benidorm’s Old Town, where you will find tapas alley (Calle de Santo Domingo) which is a favourite spot for going from bar to bar trying different tapas dishes such as squid, ham, prawns or sausages with wine or a cool glass of lager. The old town is bustling day and night as it has great shops, a market and fabulous nightlife venues, including the well-known Rich Bitch show bar with internationally-renowned female impersonators.