ALL ABOUT ALBIR
Albir - The Little Gem of the Costa Blanca - Albir is part of the Alfaz del Pi Municipality and is the coastal area.
Unlike many other Costa Blanca towns Albir has been carefully planned virtually from scratch. Only one or two of the buildings are over five storeys high, its avenues are broad and tree lined, and joy of joy, there is plenty of parking. There is a sense of space and an unhurried atmosphere make getting around a pleasure.
The Beach With almost 600 metres of clean safe beach, there’s always plenty of room to stretch out. The Playa de Racó de l’Albir has been awarded the prestigious EU Blue Flag classification, denoting its excellent facilities and cleanliness, every year since 2001.
Update 1st Sept 2020 -Albir beach going smoke-free. Albir’s Raco beach will be added to the network of no smoking beaches
The beach is comprised of very fine smooth pebbles and bathers can take in the views of the Sierra Helada nature reserve to one side, and to the other, the famous Peñon de Ifach, the massive outcrop of rock at Calpe
Beach facilities are excellent, in summer there are three lifeguards on duty, a first aid post and an ambulance on standby for minor injuries.
There are public toilets in the centre of the promenade and even fresh water foot showers.
July 2021 - During the high summer months Albir beach has amazing access facilities for people with reduced mobility, with reserved parking, ramps and special walkways for wheelchairs, and places with shade in the area which was formerly the biblioplaya.
This new service has chairs, amphibious crutches and a specific walkway, the chair allows people to enter the water assisted by specialized personnel, allowing people to enjoy the sea in a safe setting.
The beach side promenade, the Paseo de Las Estrellas - with Hollywood style plaques honouring the stars who have won awards at Albir's film festival.
Eating Out and Shopping
Albir is blessed with plenty of all types of restaurants; with cuisine from all over Europe and further afield to choose from you will find it easy to find the food for the mood. Also there are lots of nice little shops which make a pleasure to buy your souvenirs.
It is also the home of The Church and Brew Rock (just on the Altea border) both great bars for food and entertainment.
Market days
A large market is held every SUNDAY in the car park on the high street.
28th June - Albir Artisan market", in the Raco area of the main beach (By the anchor) 15 stalls can be found here the market, open from 18.00 until 24.00, selling all types of interesting goodies. Open nightly until 5th September.
Leisure & Culture
As well as the summer fun Albir/Alfaz del Pi also has a host of activities in the cooler season. TheCasa de Cultura cultural centre is busy all year round and has a concert hall, TV studios and exhibition space. It hosts the Film Festival, a Jazz Festival in October and has concerts by international dance companies and orchestras throughout the year.
Visit the ruins of a roman family
This open air Roman ruins museum, contains the ruins of a villa from the Roman times, believed to have been occupied between the 4th and 6th Century A.D.
The museum was inaugurated in 2011.One of the best-preserved examples of a traditional roman baths in the Valencian community, the system of hot water heating can still be seen, as well as a Mausoleum where the family were buried.
The museum is close to the beach in the centre of Albir. Look for the dry river bed which runs from Albir Playa Hotel down to the beach
WALK TO ALBIR LIGHTHOUSE
The walk follows the coast line with splendid views of Calpe rock and the bay of Albir and Altea. It is a very easy walk with very little gradient, and is 5.4 kilometres.
To start the walk drive through Altea towards Benidorm on the N332 and turn left at the signpost to Albir. Follow the signs to El Tiburon restaurant and continue until the Sierra Helada begins and you will arrive at a car park (free parking) on the right hand side.
Follow the lane which will lead you to the lighthouse.
There are plenty of wild flowers and herbs along the way with the most stunning views. All along the way are various notices giving details of plants and flowers. About half way, on the left hand side you will see the remains of the old ochre mines. These were worked through Roman times into the Middle Ages and up to the beginning of the 20th century. There is a footpath leading down to the remains. Some of the mine entrances are open and you can explore them. Inside are the red and orange veins of the ochre.
A little further along on the right hand side there is a very large cave entrance. It is called “La Boca de la Ballena” which means the whale´s mouth and is, in fact, a shelter.
A little further there is a footpath on the right hand side which takes you to a viewing point. It is worth taking this short diversion as at the top is a plaque giving details of the conservation scheme, saving various micro reserve fossil dunes, prickly juniper, crowberry broom, thyme, and various other plants.
You will arrive at a pair of large iron gates which are locked. If you wish to continue to the lighthouse there is a path to the left of the gates which will take you to the other side and from there the lighthouse is only about 200 metres.
Bus and Taxi Information
The number 10 bus leaves Albir for Benidorm every 15 minutes from 10.00 to 21.00 and takes about 20 minutes. Bus stops in Albir are no more than 10 minute's walk apart and are denoted by the letter 'P'
A taxi will cost around 10€
OFFICIAL FIESTA DATES IN ALBIR/ALFAZ DEL PI - some dates may change but most are static
January
Three Kings, January 5th Place: Carpa Municipal
March
March 1st, Carnival, Calle Federico Garcia Lorca.
San José, 18th and 19th, Location: Plaza Mayor
May
Celebrations of the Creueta, 2nd, 3rd and 4th May , Place: Plaza de la Creueta
June
San Juan, June 23rd , Location: Playa del Albir
August - Feast of Albir 19th - 21st - Eucalyptus Park
Program Festivities de l'Abir 2022
FRIDAY 19
19.00h Opening of the party area in the Eucalyptus Park.
20.00h Opening Passes from Consum to the Eucalyptus Park, accompanied by the xirimita and the tablet, along with the Bernia band.
21.00h Preaching by the Queens and Ladies on the stage located on Avenue. Oscar Espla
22.00h The Bernia band will soften the dinner for the whole compound.
23.30h Big costume parade. This years theme will be... Pirate!! Leaving from the Eucalyptus Park.
00.30h Prize giving to the best costumes on stage located on Avenue Oscar Esplá
00.45h Mobile Disco, with DJ Mike and DJ's "Warrior Bears" Oscar Esplá Avenue
03.15h Foam Party.
SATURDAY 20
10.30h Petanca Championship, at the headquarters of l'Albir retirees.
11.00h Passacalles with the Queens and Ladies through the streets of l'Albir with a visit to the headquarters of the retirees in l'Albir.
11.30h Opening of the water and dry children's world that will be located on Avenue Oscar Esplá.
12.00h Concentration of classic cars and motorcycles "classic car club" and "motoclub l'alfasmotor", in the eucalyptus with a walk through the streets of l'Albir.
12.30h Performance of "Sauwy Perez" in Eucalyptus Park.
13.00h Giant popular snack, for all attendees of the Eucalyptus Park.
16.00h Mistela for all by the Mayorales in Eucalyptus Park.
16.00h Opening of the water and dry children's world, there will be mini-disc and games by Magicjohn.
16.00h Performance of the group "Rafa Raposo" in Eucalyptus Park.
Franbo & R3der Dj's performance at the anchor
18.00h Performance of the band "Cannon meat" pop-rock music, in Parque de los Eucalyptus
21.15h Performance of the orchestra "Illinois" on Avenue Oscar Esplá, during the break....
23.30h Spectacular Fire Castle in the esplanade of the market, at the end we will continue with the great orchestra
02.00h Performance of DJ "Dann Valero Alicante" on Avenue Oscar Esplá.
SUNDAY 21
10.30h Semi-finals and finals of the petanque competition, at the headquarters of the retirees of l'Albir
11.00h Pastas of the Queens and Ladies, through the streets of l'Albir.
11.30h Opening of the water and dry children's world, we will have foam party located on Avenue Oscar Esplá.
12.30h Performance of the group "Flamencos of the 7 moons" on the stage located in Eucalyptus Park.
13.00h Popular picket for all attendees in Eucalyptus Park.
13.30h Our traditional Beer Contest, organized by the Mayorales (Registration must be done at the Mayorales bar from 11h to 13h of the same day in teams of 5 people)
14.00h Great paella contest between combos
16.00h Games for all groups, organized by the association in the Eucalyptus Park.
19.30h Gala parade with our Queens and Ladies, accompanied by the bandeta, xirimita and tabalet leaving the Eucalyptus Park.
20.00h Mass in our Iglesia de l'Albir del Espíritu Santo, officiated by our Bishop Miguel Angel Schiller, with the participation of our Court of Honor, Mayors and Authorities.
To ensure the tranquility and safety of all attendees, there will be an ambulance in the vicinity day and night.
September
Copletes, Sept. 12th , Location: Plaza Mayor
October
Valencia Day, October 9th
November
Fiestas patronales of the Holy Christ of the Good Success. Place: L'Alfás Del Pí. Days: 06,07,08,09 and 10 November.
December
Celebrations of the Immaculate Conception, 6. 7 and 8 December.
FIND OTHER PLACES TO VISIT ON THE COSTA BLANCA NORTH HERE
Albir in 1988
Beautiful photos of Albir 2021 taken by Benidorm Seriously Member Sharon Nolan Gordon
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