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, there is a sense of space and an unhurried atmosphere making a visit to Albir a real pleasure.
The Beach - With almost 600 metres of clean safe beach, there’s always plenty of room to stretch out.
Albir’s Raco beach is a NO SMOKING zone
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 freshwater foot showers.
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, amphibious crutches and special chairs which allows people to enter the water assisted by specialized personnel, allowing people to enjoy the sea in a safe setting, there are also places with shade in the area which was formerly the biblioplaya.
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
These 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.
From the 26th of September 2022, there will be the free use of "virtual reality headsets", which will enable visitors to see what life would really be like in the villa in Roman times. Great place to take youngsters too.
Opening hours in the winter are Tuesday to Friday from 10.00 to 13.00, and Saturdays, Sundays and fiesta days from 10.00 until 14.00. Commentaries are available in English if required.
The museum is close to the beach in the centre of Albir. Look for the dry riverbed which runs from Albir Playa Hotel down to the beach
WALK TO ALBIR LIGHTHOUSE
The walk follows the coastline 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 wildflowers and herbs along the way with the most stunning views. All along the way are various notices giving details of plants and flowers. About halfway, 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 minutes' walk apart and are denoted by the letter 'P'
A taxi will cost around 12€ - 15€ - The taxis of l'Alfàs and l'Albir have changed their phones, and to request their services you will have to dial 96 585 61 01. From now on each municipality of the Marina Baixa has its own taxi headquarters.
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 - Festes de Albir - around 19th
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
