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For the longest time, the sun and the sea were all that was required for tourists to pour from all over Europe and beyond. But as the times shift, so do the needs of people, and with these changes, Benidorm has adapted to meet the needs of its visitors. Today, many interesting destinations within a day-trip distance from the city attract hundreds if not thousands of tourists daily. Looking for engaging activities for its visitors, Benidorm has pushed the nearby places to hit above their weight. Not to say that they are not worth the attention, but some destinations have become so popular that they have started to attract local people from other regions of Spain whereas I can bet there is plenty to see on the same level at least as well.
In short, with time, Benidorm has made a fortune not only for itself but for Marina Baixa in general. In this article, you’ll find the five places you should visit from Benidorm before you start looking somewhere else. If you are more of a nature-lover, I would suggest reading my guide to the best hikes near Benidorm.
Known as the Pearl of Costa Blanca, Altea might be sometimes somewhat over-shadowed by Benidorm in the realms of popular tourism but this beautiful town was a name on the map for a longer duration than Benidorm. There is a reason why it has even its own model of SEAT – Spanish automobile manufacturer – Altea is a historical powerhouse in the area and it is well reflected by its cosy white-washed architecture. While it might not be that special in the context of Andalucia, here in the Valencian Community, the white village, Altea shines from afar. That alone is more than enough to attract piles of tourists from Benidorm, Alicante and much further. Altea is one of those places in the region that doesn’t need an extra advertisement push to make a living. It is a well worth day trip from Benidorm and around.
The name of the town probably comes from the Greek word ‘I heal’. The Greeks had quite a few settlements around the coast of the Mediterranean and Altea was one of them. During the Moorish reign, the town was a part of the Kaifa of Denia. After the Christian Reconquista Altea was quickly fortified with the surrounding walls, which mark the boundaries of the old town to this day. In the last century, the economic and social life has moved to the seaside, where it remains today. That leaves the historical center of Altea open for exploration. Undoubtedly, you’ll fall in love with this town while exploring its endless medieval streets decorated with colourful flowers, Iberian tiles and endless white walls, which this town is famous for.
The crown jewel of the area – Guadalest is probably the most sought one day trip in Marina Baixa. It is the only town in Alicante Province listed among the 100 most beautiful villages in Spain and that is not the only decorated title of this magical village. In 2016 Guadalest has joined the Federation of the most beautiful villages in the world. Hopefully, at this time you are already wondering what is so special about Guadalest?
This charmful town is located up in the Baetic mountains range, not too far from the legendary Puig Campana, by the river Guadalest, which is now transformed into a giant beautiful water reservoir, which looks like a large mountain lake – the Italian equivalent would be Lake Como and Lake Garda. The town of Guadalest offers not only spectacular vistas over the reservoir but the surrounding mountains and the Mediterranean Sea! Of course, its natural beauty is not the main reason of Guadalest’s acknowledgement, without its unique placement it could be any other town in the area.
The old town of this beautiful town is located on a small plateau on a top of a rock. This limited area proved to be enough for a castle, a church, a palace, a town square and one street village. Today, we can see that throughout the ages Guadalest has managed to expand beyond the rock, the city is interconnected through a gate carved out in the rock itself. Everything combined, Guadalest is a true unicorn not only near Benidorm but in the Valencian Community overall. It is an obvious must-visit from Benidorm.
Alternatively, you can combine your trip to Guadalest with Algar Waterfalls. That’s two birds with one stone!
Freshwater is one thing that seems to be lacking in sunny Spain, especially the dry areas like the Province of Alicante. For that reason alone, waterfalls in general gain extra interest compared to the countries up north. Without a doubt, the Algar Waterfalls are the most popular waterfalls in the area around Benidorm. As a matter of fact, it was the Benidorm ITVs series that turned this natural wonder into a popular tourist destination after an appearance in one of the episodes. Today, together with Guadalest, the Algar Waterfalls are the most popular one day trip destinations from Benidorm.
On your trip to this in-land paradise, you’ll get a chance to explore the beautiful area around this natural phenomenon on your own. There will be plenty of time to see the most picturesque vistas, test yourself in the cold waters of many ponds surrounding the waterfalls, and you don’t even have to worry about bringing drinks and food as there are plenty of restaurants and bars on site. Everything combined, the Algar Waterfalls is a perfect one-day getaway destination to nature with all the infrastructure you might need.
There is also the possibility to combine your day trip to Algar Waterfalls with Guadalest. Everything in one day!
Personally, I think, Marina Alta is the most beautiful region in the Province of Alicante. Located on the border with the Province of Valencia, Marina Alta is like a mountain wall with its cliffs facing the Mediterranean sea. As a matter of a fact, this is where the Baetic Mountains end, stretching across the Spanish coastline up to Gibraltar itself. The terrain of Marina Alta is so mountainous that the area has a different climate, with often milder temperatures and more rainfall. This results in a much richer flora compared to the agricultural or desertifying areas of the other areas surrounding Benidorm.
Benissa and Teulada-Moraira is probably the best-kept secret of Marina Alta, it is often over-shadowed by the very popular Denia and exclusive Javea. Despite all the advantages of the regional powerhouses, Benissa and Teulada-Moraira can stand on their own with their strengths and wonders. Whether it is the white cliffs facing the Mediterranean, the ancient Iberian settlements, even more, ancient human-cradle caves or probably the most beautiful beaches Spain has to offer, Benissa and Teulada-Moraira is always full of surprises. This area of Marina Alta is a great way to run away from the ever-busy Benidorm to the island-like remote nature for a day.
Sure Benidorm has a big city feeling but it is nothing compared to a juggernaut like Valencia. The influence of this regional Capital extends far beyond the community, Valencia is the third biggest city in Spain and is classed in a different weight category than the nearby Alicante. While it is possible to reach the latter city from Benidorm by train, Valencia is not that well connected. Luckily, there are plenty of coaches offering their services to comfortably transfer you to and from Valencia.
On your day trip to Valencia, you’ll get a chance to learn more about this regional Capital from an English-speaking driver to make the most of your journey. Valencia is a very big city and there are plenty of things to do, so be sure to plan your visit we’ll. Among the top things to do in Valencia are its old town with the beautiful cathedrals, churches, and the Roman and Arabic city walls. Maestalla stadium is a must-visit for soccer fans, while foodies will love their visit to the central market. It is a sin to visit Valencia without trying out the local favourite food – paella, just don’t forget to bring friends because it is often sold only for 2 people and more. There is probably no better place to enjoy your paella than the beautiful promenade by the sea in El Cabanyal.
Finally, don’t forget to visit the City of Arts and Science – a true contemporary architectural masterpiece. This area has quickly become the symbol of Valencia and includes the biggest aquarium in Europe. I will not even go into the rich history of Valencia, which is one of the oldest cities in the country, there is simply too much to do within one day in this beautiful Spanish city but it is well worth a shot.
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