Around
What else to see
around Benidorm
Polop de la Marina
Barony of the Crown of Aragon, founded by Jaime I of Aragon in the Marina Baixa. Perched on a edge rock and looking out from the heights.
Under Mount Ponoig or “Sleeping Lion” as Gabriel Miró called it, who lived in this small village of cream-colored houses embraced in dark green reminiscent of a postcard. Stories of struggles between Moors and Christians, uprisings and the passing of the Castilian hero: the Cid Campeador, are the legacy of a peaceful town of steep streets with flowery houses. 221 fresh water pipes can be seen by visitors in the porticoed town square of the Chorros. Printed on the jets are the shields of the Alicante municipalities in tiles typical of the area.
It’s located 12 kilometers from Benidorm and often goes unnoticed among the other giants of the area, however, it doesn’t fall behind. A charming town that surprises it’s visitors.
Calpe
From Polop, towards Callosa and passing through Altea la Vella we reach Calpe, another of the excellent sun and beach treasure troves on the Costa Blanca. Under the watchful eye of the Peñon of Ifach is this beautiful town in Alicante. In Calpe you can find the beach of Fossa or the beach of Arenal-Bol. There are also lots of charming coves, such as Cala El Racó. It’s worth mentioning that this last beach is pebbled.
If you like hiking, the viewpoint of Mount Toix is a must. From there you can enjoy the bird’s eye views to all of Calpe.
You can also climb the Peñón de Ifach itself. Always bearing in mind that the last part of the tour is not exactly a short and easy walk.
Tabarca
Another of the most popular plans around Benidorm is to take a boat trip to Tabarca Island. This island is the only one in the Valencian Community that is inhabited.
The island is right opposite the town of Santa Pola, very close to the city of Alicante. It’s tiny, barely 2 kilometers long, but has a lot of charm.
It’s a foolproof plan to spend the day there, take a walk around the village, spend some time on the beach and, of course, eat a good cauldron of rice typical of the island.
There are boats to the island from Benidorm for the price of 30 euros round trip. Always subject to weather conditions.
Benissa
Nestled in the heart of La Marina Alta, a few kilometers from the sea, Benissa surprises at every step. A landscape full of contrasts and an atmosphere full of history, invite you to enjoy every corner of this municipality. Coves with clear and calm waters await you in this town. Les Bassetes, La Fustera, Els Pinets, La Llobella, l Advocat and Baladrar appear behind the cliffs along 4 kilometers of coast that make up an amazing Ecological Walk.
There is more, and in Benissa there are also breathtaking landscapes. You will find a wide range of hiking trails in the mountains of Bèrnia, Oltá and La Solana.
Denia
If you have more time on your hands, you can also spend a day in Denia. An Arab castle overlooks the historic centre of Denia. It’s walls today guard the Archaeological Museum of the city, which are witness to the passage of the Mediterranean people through out these lands: Denia («Diana»), was founded by the Romans. Under the fortress extends the neighborhood of Les Roques, with modern buildings and lively shopping streets whose main hub is Calle del Marqués de Campo. Baroque churches, convents, old stately mansions with colorful facades and a market where you can buy fresh local produce such as loquats or oranges, when it’s the season. Baix la Mar is the traditional fishing district of Denia and, together with Les Roques, the oldest in the city.
From there boats depart every day to the paradisiacal islands of Formentera, Ibiza and Mallorca.
El cabo de la Nao
Near Denia, within the municipality of Jávea is located the Cabo de la Nao, the «nose» of the Valencian Community and the closest point to the Balearic Islands from the peninsula. It’s lighthouse is set in a wild landscape of nature, with spectacular views of the sea. Fancy a dip? Nearby is the Cala de la Granadella, listed as one of the best beaches in Spain due to the quality of it’s waters and it’s spectacular surroundings. ¡ The province of Alicante, between the sea and the mountains, has everything!