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Places to Visit, Costa Blanca North
There are so many places to visit on the Costa Blanca, both on the cost and further inland that we have divide the Costa Blanca into two sections, the North - Alicante to Denia and The South - Alicante to Pilar de la Horadada. This page will concentrate on the NORTHERN area.
The word Costa Blanca literally means "White Coast" and the Costa Blanca covers an area of over 200 kilometres (120 miles) on the Mediterranean coastline in the Alicante province, on the south eastern coast of Spain. It extends from the town of Dénia in the north, beyond which lies the Costa del Azahar (or Costa dels Tarongers), to Pilar de la Horadada in the south, beyond which lies the Costa Cálida. There are plenty of places to visit on the Costa Blanca.
Northern Costa Blanca
Alicante, Alcoy, Algar Waterfalls, Altea, Alfaz del Pi/Albir, Benissa, Biar, Benidorm, Calpe, Cocentaina, Denia, El Campello,, Elda-Petrel, Guadalest, Jalon, Javea, Jijona, Moraira, Ondara, Orba, Ontinyent, Teulada, La Villajoyosa, Xativa
Many of the places listed above in the North are easily accessible by local trains or buses, or hire a car for a few days to really explore the area
Elche, Guardamar del Segura, Novelda, Orihuela, Santa Pola, Tabarca Island, Torrevieja
Discover the Best Beaches on the Costa Blanca
North Costa Blanca Area
Click on the links for a FULL information page on each location.
Places to Visit, Costa Blanca North - ALICANTE, Coastal
Alicante is a port city and the capital of the Alicante province. Its old town, Barrio de la Santa Cruz, has narrow streets, coloured houses and a lively nightlife scene. From here, an elevator or a steep climb leads to medieval Castillo de Santa Bárbara, set on a hilltop with sweeping views of the Mediterranean coast. For lots more information and the top 10 things to do in Alicante click here
ALCOY, Inland
Alcoy is a large Spanish city located Located in the Valencian Community, inland from the coastal resorts on the Northern Costa Blanca and is also known as and referred to as Alcoi, Alcoy is the biggest industrial town in the area but still has lots of history and things to see.
This attractive city is situated at the foot of Serra Mariola and the Font Roja natural park.
Places to Visit, Costa Blanca, North - ALGAR FALLS, Inland
Algar Waterfalls at only 15 km from Benidorm and 3 km from the center of Callosa d'en Sarrià, direction Bolulla, This area was declared a Wetland protected by the Valencian Government.
The visit is a route through a circuit of 1.5 km in length along, where you can walk through the bed of the river Algar ("cave " in Arabic), see the spectacular waterfalls and the numerous sources springs that spring from the rock, the "tolls" (pools of water) where you can take refreshing swims in crystal clear very cold water.
Places to Visit, Costa Blanca, North ALTEA Coastal
Altea is without doubt one of the most charming towns to be found on Spain’s ‘White Coast’, located in the region of Alicante on the Costa Blanca. The town is just 11 kilometres north of Benidorm, yet the two resorts are worlds apart. Altea is similar to other Costa Blanca towns in that it has a new and an old neighbourhood. The old section is perched on top of a hill from where you will find really spectacular views.
All in all Altea is a pretty town, popular with both holidaymakers and those fortunate enough to be able to live in the area; For lots more information on Altea click HERE
ALFAZ DEL PI or L’Alfàs del Pi
Alfaz del Pi is a town located in the province of Alicante, on the Costa Blanca, Spain. The town nestles in the foothills of the Sierra Helada, in the district of the Marina Baixa, just 6km from Benidorm.
Places to Visit, Costa Blanca ALBIR Coastal
Albir boasts a wonderful beachfront, with spectacular views to the huge rock Peñon de Ifach at Calpe.
Albir is actually classed as part of Alfaz del Pi area. The first thing you will notice about Albir is no high-rise buildings or hotel blocks. Albir has grown from a small community in the last few years into a great holiday destination.
Surrounding Albir is the Sierra Helada (meaning Frozen Mountain), which is a protected nature reserve. Albir beach is a pebble beach with clear water and has been awarded the blue flag of the European Community for the quality of its water, available facilities and for having all kinds of events on and around the beach.
Places to Visit, Costa Blanca, North BENIDORM, Coastal - this website is all about Benidorm so not much needed to be said here.
Benidorm has been a tourist destination within Spain since 1925, when its port was extended and the first hotels were built, though it would not be until the 1950s that it became renowned as a summer destination for people coming from inland Spain, especially Madrid. Today it is known for its hotel industry, beaches and skyscrapers and receives as many tourists from abroad as from Spain.
You will find lots of information on this website all about Benidorm
Places to Visit on the Costa Blanca BENISSA Inland
Benissa is the oldest and prettiest of the inland towns of the area. In the late 1980s and 1990s the local authorities started to rescue the historical part of the town from gradual decay. They did a magnificent job restoring the town's splendid 17th and 18th century town houses, so taking a stroll around Benissa's perfectly conserved Historic Centre is a true pleasure. Ironwork balconies and heraldic shields decorate the historic buildings that line the narrow streets of the town. The parish church which is dedicated to Puríssima Xiqueta, the Town Hall, the old Council rooms, the house of Juan Vines and the Franciscan Monastery are just a few of the historic buildings which are worth a look. More information HERE
Places to Visit on the Costa Blanca CALPE, Coastal
Calpe, also spelt without the 'e' as Calp, is instantly recognised by the mighty Penon de Ifach, the huge rock which rises 332 meters out of the Mediterranean sea. This has stood guard over the town and witnessed its transformation from sleepy little fishing village into tourist magnet.
Calpe is best known for its fine sandy beaches and great value fish restaurants. There are two stunning beaches to choose from, one either side of the mighty rock. Both beaches have beautiful long promenades and a great selection of bars and cafes. The fish restaurants are to be found mainly around the marina and the town centre has some excellent local shopping facilities, including a large street market.
Places to visit on the Costa Blanca DENIA Coastal
Denia is situated 51km North of Benidorm, about a 45 minute drive it is set on the northern edge of the Alicante region and backed by the impressive mountains of the the Montgo Natural Park.
A lovely place to visit when in Benidorm! There is the ruined castle which guards the town and has stunning views out over the marina, the natural park of Montgo and the Torre del Gerro.
There is also 20 kilometers of coastline which include both rocky and sandy beaches, the fish market, the old town and the impressive tree lined main shopping street as well as the museums
Costa Blanca North EL CAMPELLO Coastal
El Campello is a modern coastal resort, which boasts 23 kilometres of quiet, pearly white, sandy beaches. Situated 14 kilometres north of Alicante and just a 30 minute drive from Benidorm, it is also easily accessible from Benidorm by Tram (train)
Located facing the Lalmadrava beach, near the residential development Poble Rspañol, El Campello boasts a beautiful natural environment, with an outlook to the beach and sea, and a mountain backdrop.
The Paseo del Mar (promenade) is almost 2 miles long and makes for a lovely evening stroll in the setting sun. During the day take advantage of the beaches and sea.
FINESTRAT Inland and La CALA FINESTRAT Coastal
Finestrat, The Village - The picturesque village, which hugs the mountain side of Puig Campana, has beautiful views from the mountains down to the sea; the architecture has a distinct Moorish influence and many of the houses are colourfully painted. Friday is market day.
La Cala Finestrat - Just a short 15 minute ride or so from Benidorm to the wonderful sandy beach area of Finestrat which is ideal for families, grab a coffee in one of the many beach side cafes (a wonderful place to just sit and watch the world go by)
GATA de GORGOS, Inland
Gata de Gorgos is an old Spanish town situated on the main N332 from Alicante to Valencia. Set inland, Gata is in-between the inland towns of Pedreguer and Teulada.
It is famous for its basket and cane ware made out of esparto and palm, sold in the local shops. Gata is also well known for its Moscatel grapes, these are grown and then using traditional methods, dating from Muslin times, made into the famous wine.
You will also find the famous Las Cuevas Rojas, (red caves) here, there are three cavities, between 10 and 20 meters high, of an intense red color (hence the name), located in the Canela ravine, next to the valley that forms the Gorgos river.
Places to visit, Costa Blanca North - GUADALEST, Inland
The 'Eagle's Nest', is located about 25 km inland from Benidorm along the CV-70 road, It enjoys one of the most spectacular locations of any village in Spain, set high up on a pinnacle and carved out of a mountain top in the midst of truly stunning scenery.
It has a population of only 200 but is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain.
Costa Blanca North, Jalon and the Jalon Valley, Inland
The Jalon Valley, comprises of nine villages and small towns, each one offering something different, Alcalali, Benigembla, Benissa, Castell de Castells, Lliber, Murla, Parcent, Senija and Jalon (Xalo). Jalon boasts some of the most magnificent scenery in Spain, with its landscape of olive and pine trees, intermingled with orange groves and vineyards
Jalon town is located around 1 hour 15 minutes drive to the north east of Alicante airport, 14 kilometres, about 20 minutes drive from the northern Costa Blanca town of Calpe and about 30 minutes drive from Benidorm itself.
Costa Blanca North - JAVEA, Coastal
Javea is a small, historic town, free of high rise buildings. The clean, warm, blue Mediterranean Sea laps the beautiful beaches and coves that Javea has to offer.
With its variety of landscape, ranging from sandy coastlines to rugged mountain areas, its mild year-round climate, its careful planning policies and extensive tourist facilities, Javea is a jewel on the Costa Blanca, combining beauty and modern facilities with the charm of an ancient fishing village.
The town is situated between the San Antonio and La Nao points and enjoys the impressive and magnificent protection of Mount Montgó.
Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Alicante towards the north-eastern tip of the Costa Blanca. More information about Javea HERE
LA NUCIA, Inland
La Nucia is a municipality of the Marina Baixa (21km2), Alicante, in the Valencian Community.
La Nucia overlooks fields of fruits and vegetables and has become a popular place for expats to live as it is so close to the coast. Popular urbanizations in La Nucia include: Barronco Hondo, Colloma, Bello Horizonte and El Tossal
In the town you find different architectural styles, in the old town area there are picturesque Gothic buildings; the old Hermitage of San Vicente Ferrer, the Purísima Concepción Parish; the magnificent Library Building. It is also worth visiting: the Avenida Portilla viewpoint, the Plaza Mayor and the Plaza de los Musicos.
Costa Blanca North, MORAIRA, Coastal
Moraira is small coastal town situated in the beautiful mountainous north-eastern tip of the Costa Blanca, about 45 mins drive from Benidorm (42km)
The town itself has pleasantly grown from a small fishing village to an attractive holiday and retirement resort, retaining its considerable charm that attracts visitors from all over Europe. It’s also particularly popular with Spanish holidaymakers from Madrid and Valencia.
Costa Blanca North, POLOP, Inland
The village of Polop is located inland in the Costa Blanca North in an area known as the Marina Baja (Baxia). The local economy is based mainly on agriculture, almond, citrus fruits and olive trees are among the major crops so much of the surrounding countryside is covered in polythene to act as giant greenhouses.
The village is a delight to explore and perfect for a morning or afternoon stroll. The hill, where the old castle used to be is encircled by a medieval wall, and is a 'must' to walk up you will also find the old Municipal Cemetery here. Follow the zig zag path and you'll be well rewarded with some fabulous views.
Costa Blanca North - La VILA JOIOSA (formally VillaJoyosa), Coastal
Villajoyosa or as from 17th September 2020 to be known only as La Vila Joisa in Valencian the name literally means the 'joyful village'. This wonderful town is located just South of Benidorm (10 km) and only a 30 minute drive North from Alicante, on the N-332 along the coast.
It is famous as a centre for the production of chocolate, which could be the reason for its name! The town has three chocolate factories, all of which can be visited. The Valor Chocolate factory is perhaps the most famous, but there is also the Perez Factory and the Clavileno Factory, so you'll be spoilt for choice!
Why travel is good for you - Relax Like a Boss
Obviously there are many more towns and villages to visit, if you would like to see a certain place listed on the page above please comment below and we would be happy to produce an information page.
Algar Falls - Fonts de Algar
Algar Falls - Font de Algar. The village of Algar is a complete contrast to Benidorm and is a real area of natural beauty. The Waterfalls are such a peaceful place, where you can just sit and relax while dipping your toes in the icy cold water in one of the 7 different pools. For the more adventurous there are areas designated for diving into the cold water, if you dare! The average water temperature summer or winter is around 18ºc.
There are also some lovely souvenir shops on the way up to the entrance of the falls, selling local produce such as Nisperos (medlar fruit) which are grown locally in Callosa.
There are no shortage of restaurants in Algar with 5 different restaurants all selling excellent typical Spanish meals and snacks, and each have their own swimming pool which you can use free of charge if you eating at their restaurant or for a small fee of around 3€pp.
Although the Algar Waterfalls have been very popular with the Spaniards and local residents for many years, it was the inclusion in one of the episodes of ITVs hit series “Benidorm” that made it famous with the British and those coming on holiday to Benidorm wanting to visit this little village.
So if you want to get away from the hustle & bustle of Benidorm for the day and relax in this secluded paradise or you just want to see where Madge fell into the icy waters from her scooter visit this wonderful place.
Top tip - take some plastic swimming shoes with you as the bottom of the pools is very rocky. These are available at the shops there but you will find them half the price in Benidorm.
Is it suitable for the disabled and pushchairs? In summer, when the secondary entrance is open you can access the main swimming area with no problem. Outside this period access with a pushchair/wheelchair is complicated because there are many steps and steep inclines. Obviously this is a mountain setting.
TICKET PRICES - Buy tickets online HERE
High Season - from 15th June to 15th October
Adults - 5€
Seniors - 4€
Students - 4€
Children 4 - 10 - 2€, Under 4 - FREE
Low Season - from 16th October to 14th June
Adults - 4€
Seniors - 3€
Students - 3€
Children 4 - 10 - 2€, Under 4 - FREE
There are also group discounts available for 20 or more people you would be best calling in advance - 965880153.
Opening hours 2022
January - 09.00 - 15.30 closed 1st & 6th
February - 09.00 - 15.30
March - 09.00 - 17.30
April - 09.00 - 18.00
May - 09.00 - 18.00
June - 09.00 - 19.00
July - 09.00 - 20.00
August - 09.00 - 20.00
September - 09.00 - 19.00
October - 1st - 7th 09.00 - 19.00, 8th - 16th 09.00 - 17.00 17th - 31st 09.00 - 17.30
November - 09.00 - 17.30
December - 09.00 - 15.30 CLOSED 24th, 25th & 31st
Other Facilities at the Falls
Restaurant
First Aid
Tourist Information Centre - 96.588.01.53
Life Guard (seasonal)
Toilets
GETTING TO ALGAR
By Car from Benidorm - Take the exit for Benidorm along the CV- 70. Follow all roundabouts straight. pass through La Nucia, Polop, in Polop take thesecond exit off the roundabout towards Carretera de Callosa d'en Sarrià/CV-715.In Callosa d'en Sarrià take the second exit off the roundabout into Carretera de Bolulla/ CV-715. Follow for about 2 km. this road and turned right. Follow for about 1 km.this road (CV-7531). Duration approximately 25 minutes.
Parking at the Fuentes del Algar
The only free parking in the area is the one enabled by the Tourist Office of Callosa d'en Sarrià, located about 700 meters from the main entrance of the fountains. The rest of the car parks are private and paid, generally around 3€ but you normally get the fee back if using their restaurant.
Coach trips to Algar Waterfalls with Round Town Travel
Algar Falls and Guadalest coach trip with Round Town Travel
BY BUS
The number 18 Llorent bus - for times etc
The bus takes just over an hour, there is only one bus per day so check the timetable for pick up times at each location but it collects from the top of the Avd Mediterraneo normally around 10:00am. The bus drops you off at the Algar waterfalls and returns around 17:10pm (please confirm these times with the driver as they are subject to last minute changes),
The ALSA bus line arrives to the centre of Callosa d’en Sarrià, from there to the Algar Waterfalls (at 3km.) you can get a taxi (around 7€).
BY TAXI
Book your day out here with a private taxi with Best Benidorm Transfers (entrance fee not included), normal cost of a day trip by coach is 22.50€
Up till 4 pax.....50 euros
Up till 8 pax.....70 euros
We drop you off at the entrance And 4 or 6 hours later pick you up, you decide on the time spent at Algar.
For anyone wanting to do a bit of extra walking there is a route to Bernia Fort - Starting at the Algar Falls camping site. From here you walk uphill and take a left turn just just before the Dino Park and follow this road for approx 15 minutes to a sign post on the left hand side. Follow this directional sign and stay on the marked tracks until you reach the Bernia Fort.
All About - Valencia
Valencia is the third largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona, with one million inhabitants. Situated in the centre of the Spanish Mediterranean coast it is the centre of the corridor uniting North Africa to South East Europe. A city rich with cultural monuments and museums which have made it a continual attraction for tourists. . The construction of the “City of the Arts and Sciences”, museums, Opera houses and the “Oceanografic” by famed architects with “Calatrava” at the head, have changed the classic image of Valencia to one of a modern and pioneering city.
Internationally famous sporting events have based their headquarters in Valencia. The America Cup, the most famous round the world yacht race has held two of its finals in the capital. Today, as in Monte Carlo, Valencia has an urban Formula One circuit that attracts millions of followers to the area.
All this and more has converted the city into the inevitable destination for any trip to the Mediterranean.
Stroll through Valencia, and absorb the vibrancy of a city where historical tradition and interesting modern architecture stand side by side.
THINGS TO DO IN VALENCIA
Valencia Oceanografic
Breath taking architecture. And over 500 species of marine life. Oceanografic is Europe’s biggest marine park and one of Valencia’s newest attractions. So it’s a treat for animal lovers or anyone who’s already seen the city. Part of the amazing City of Arts and Sciences, the first thing you’ll notice is its avant-garde buildings - they look like they’re from another planet. Inside, you’re greeted with nine themed areas, all replicating different oceans and marine ecosystems from the Mediterranean to the Antarctic. Highlights include a spectacular wetlands sphere, an enormous Atlantic aquarium and an ice-cold, igloo-shaped Arctic that’s home to Beluga whales. You’ll also get to see colonies of comical penguins, sealions, sharks and a staggering 45,000 other examples of fish and other species. And rounding everything off is a huge dolphinarium staging dolphin displays. A day to remember, your trip includes transport to and from Benidorm and extra free time to explore Valencia under your own steam, too.
City of Arts and Sciences
If you come to Valencia a visit to the City of Arts and Sciences is a must. Work of the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, several of its buildings have become icons in the city. It is a scientific and cultural leisure complex which can be enjoyed with family or friends, covering around two kilometres of the former riverbed of the River Turia
With the philosophy "Not touching is prohibited" you can imagine what kind of museum this is. The Príncipe Felipe Science Museum offers different interactive exhibitions about science and technology. You can visit without entering the ground floor, where there is usually a temporary exhibition, some shops, the bathrooms and a restaurant. You will need a ticket for the remaining exhibitions. The Museum also offers scientific workshops for all visitors for which you will have to buy a separate ticket.
The Hemisfèric
The Hemisfèric is a digital 3D cinema, with a huge 900 metre concave screen, which almost envelops spectators. Several films are screened daily, mainly educational documentaries of no more than 45 minutes which are suitable for all audiences. You will receive a pair of innovative 3D glasses with your ticket enabling you to change the screening language. If you are travelling with children, there is usually a film geared towards children once a day.
The Umbracle
The Umbracle is a huge, open-access garden covering more than 17,000 m2 where you can stroll around and take in the typical Mediterranean plants and contemporary sculptures. Terraza Mya opens its doors at night during the summer months, where you can have a drink under the moonlight. The public car park of the City of Arts and Sciences is located just below the Umbracle.
The Ágora
The most recent building at the City of Arts and Sciences, the Ágora is a versatile venue hosting a wide variety of events. It is not usually open to the public and cannot be visited but worth seeing just for its spectacular architecture.
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía. Opera house
If you are a music-lover then the Palau de les Arts is the place for you at the City of Arts and Sciences. From October to November, its programme includes operas, concerts, zarzuela and ballet. When not being used for performances.
The Assut D’or Bridge
Also work of the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, the Assut D’or Bridge crosses the former riverbed of the River Turia, between the Science Museum and the Ágora. There are several lanes for traffic in both directions and there is a pedestrian bridge in the centre connecting the two banks of the Turia Gardens
Barrio del Carmen.
The architecture in this part of the city is a historical collage. Roman, Arabic and Gothic buildings all line up next to each other. Alongside the 13th-century cathedral, the silk exchange is one of the most important buildings here. In 1996 UNESCO made it into a World Heritage Site, because it stood as a symbol of the city’s power and wealth throughout the ages.
Mercado Central or Mercat Central (English: Central Market)
This is a public market located in across from the Llotja de la Seda and the church of the Juanes in central Valencia.
In 1839, the spot had been used to inaugurate an open-air marketplace called Mercat Nou. By the end of the century the city of Valencia sponsored a contest for the construction of a new roofed market. A new contest in 1910 selected the present design by Alejandro Soler March and Francisco Guàrdia Vial, who had trained at the School of Architecture of Barcelona and collaborated with Luis Doménech Montaner. Construction began in 1914 and was not fully completed until 1928
The style blends a modern Art Nouveau style but mirrors some of the architectural influences of nearby buildings such as the Gothic Llotja de la Seda and the eclectic Gothic-baroque church of Sants Juanes. It celebrates the power of iron and glass to permit the construction of large open spaces, but still utilizes domes at crossings.
Most vendors sell food items, although souvenir shops and restaurants are located inside the market as well. It is a popular location for tourists and locals alike.
Hop on Hop Off Tourist Bus
The most convenient way to see Valencia's main sites and attractions is with the hop on hop off tourist bus. On a holiday in Valencia you will not be able to miss the open top buses travelling all over town. Valencia's hop on hop off tourist bus offers the opportunity to see Valencia's highlights all in one organized trip. This is especially useful if you are only in Valencia for a short amount of time. The tour bus will provide you with a means of getting around the city whilst also providing commentary and information on the history of the places that you are visiting.
You can use the bus tours in two different and distinct ways. You may wish to use the Valencia tours bus as a novel means of getting around the city. You can hop on and off at whatever destinations you choose and can rest assured that the bus will take you to the must-see tourist hot spots. Alternatively, you may just choose to experience the full tour in one go, gaining an overview of what the city has to offer and taking note of particular places of interest to return to later on during your trip. Valencia hop on hop off tourist bus makes both options possible and convenient.
BioPark - Valencia
The Bioparc Valencia opened its doors on 28 February 2008. This innovative zoo, in which the barriers are practically invisible and the animals feel right at home, covers some 100,000 square metres and is located in the Parque de Cabecera within the former Turia Riverbed.
Contrary to traditional zoos, this park has the unique feature of bringing the visitor totally into the habitat of the animals. This is known as zoo immersion and to be quite honest this is the nicest Zoo we have ever visited.
Bioparc’s main objective is to promote respect for animals and make the general public aware of importance of protecting the environment through a commitment to education and the preservation of the animals.
Leopards, lemurs, hyenas, lions, giraffes, gorillas, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, porcupines, ostriches, elephants, otters… all coexist in this zoological world, which offers moving experiences at every bend in the park at every minute of the day.
You will find: Reflections of Africa in Bioparc Valencia. Bioparc displays a range of African flora and fauna and the different habits in which they live together. However, Bioparc is not limited to Africa, since the plan is to expand it over the next few years by 20,000 metres in order to dedicate a portion of the zoo to Southeast Asia and South America flora and fauna.
GETTING TO VALENCIA FROM BENIDORM
Organised Coach Trip with Round Town Travel
By Car
Travel time if you take the Ap-7 (139)km) about one and a half hours.
ALSA BUS - Route Benidorm - Valencia
Journey time - 1h 45m, Guide Price €12 - €17, Frequency, hourly - Check times and prices here. Tickets can be purchased: at the station, online or over the phone +34 902 42 22 42
By Train
Alicante to Valencia The train journey time between Alicante and Valencia is around 1h 54m and covers a distance of around 179 km. The fastest train normally takes 1h 44m. Operated by Renfe Viajeros
How to get to Alicante from Benidorm by tram
Find information of other places to visit in this section of the website
Join the Benidorm Seriously Facebook group
Puig Campana, Benidorm´s Mountain
Anyone who has been to Benidorm will have noticed the spectacular Puig Campana mountain in the distance, (the one with the hole/gap in it, the gap is known as the El Portell The Gate).
Puig Campana literally translated in English as Bell Hill is a mountain that forms part of the Prebaetic System it has an altitude of 1,406 metres (4,613 ft), and is the second highest peak in the Alicante Province, it is located in the area of Finestrat only 10km from the coast. This mountain is also know as the Sleeping Giant.
From the base of the mountain it may seem that there is only one peak, but in fact there are two, the taller of which is not easily visible from the base of the mountain, the gap is an optical illusion.
This gap is said to be the source of the name of the nearby village of Finestrat, because ‘finestra’ means window and fishermen used the notch to guide them home when they were out as sea.
A large part of the vegetation on the north eastern side of the mountain was burnt by a forest fire in 2009. The fire started on 24 January when a high voltage electricity pylon was blown over by strong winds. Some 1,000 hectares were reduced to ashes and around 15,000 people were evacuated from 25 urbanizations.
There are various legends connected to the hole in this mountain and it is claimed to actually be Isla de Benidorm but tests were done in 1987 by Professor B. Granier, and it was found that the rocks at the core of the Puig Campana are Late Jurassic in age whereas Benidorm Island is made of limestones and are Early Cretaceous (Albian), making the island around 5 million years younger than the mountain.
Here are a couple of the local legends:-
This is my personal favourite. - A very long time ago, in ancient times there was a peaceful giant named Roldán who lived near Benidorm, a beautiful town on the Mediterranean coast. Although the giant was very kind and friendly the local people were terrified of his fearful appearance and lots of unfounded myths were told about him, which forced him to live isolated from the rest of the population looking after his flocks of sheep and cows.
One day the giant met a woman who showed no fear of his size and appearance. Very soon they fell in love and decided to get married. The woman’s parents accepted reluctantly the strange marriage but told them they couldn’t live in the village, so they went to live in a log cabin on the mountain. They lived together happily for a while. One afternoon, the giant was on the way to his cabin and met a wanderer who informed him that his wife was seriously ill at home and she would die when the sun set behind the mountains. Only the sunshine could keep her alive.
When Roland came home he found his wife in the state in which he was told.
Roldán took his wife in arms and headed to the top of the mountain to get the most of the sunshine. The sun had already begun to set behind the summit, and that would stop forever the life of his cherish wife. In an attempt to delay the concealment of the sun, the giant demolished part of the wall of the mountain, he pulled an enormous rock from the top of the mountain and threw it through the air down to the sea, forming a small island still visible from the summit. But the sun continued its journey and eventually failed to illuminate the ground and that was the end of the woman's life. Roldán, shattered, led the woman's body to the rock that had fallen into the sea so that it could serve as a final resting place. Desolated, the giant, lay in the sea by his loved wife and while holding her let the water cover his head and drowned by her side.
The other legend is about a giant that was living in the Puig Campana. He felt in love with a beautiful lady from Finestrat town. As he knew that she will never fall in love with him he decided to kidnap her and took her to the mountain, but all the people from the village got together and rescued her. The giant got so upset that he kicked the mountain and a piece fell out, landing again in the sea and creating the Benidorm Island.
CLIMBING THE PUIGE CAMPANA MOUNTAIN.
There are various guided tours you can take.
There are three routes you can take: “Volta de la Serra” is the most common route to the peak, the second route “Ascension Puig Campana is a bit more complex and the third route is the “Cami de la Cove del Roget”.
The most direct ascent is from Finestrat, starting at Font del Molí, heading towards the mountain's south face. From here, a long, steep, scree slope can be seen. It is possible (although unpleasant) to ascend the scree directly, or follow the trail which runs parallel to the scree slope on the right hand side. Both the trail and the scree slope are marked with fading red painted symbols. The trail is easy to lose in mist so only attempt this in good clear weather conditions. From the top of the scree slope, the trail turns east towards the summit. There are lots of criss-crossing paths here, which makes the route very difficult to follow.
The routes are classed as low to medium difficulty so they are apt for all hikers and the duration of the routes vary between 4 to 6 hours depending on the route chosen. All routes start from the Font del Moli.
If climbing take plenty of time and allow yourself enough daylight hours, mountain rescues are not uncommon
Leave your detail, name,telephone number and route etc with someone before you attempt the climb.
Never go on your own.
It can also get very cold at the summit so be prepared. Take plenty of water and food with you.
Wear the proper clothing and shoes etc.
If it becomes too difficult turn back. SAFETY FIRST, ALWAYS.
All About Elche (Elx)
Elche is also known as the City of Palms as it is located within the largest Palm forest in Europe. This city has two international UNESCO awards; one for its palm groves and the other for its religious play, the Misteri d’Elx which the people of the city have performed annually in August since Medieval times. The week’s play is rounded off with one of Spain’s loudest firework displays know as the Nit d’Alba.
Elche is Situated about 1 hours drive from Benidorm and well worth a visit.
You can explore Elche by following our Elche city walking route. Why not climb the narrow steps up to the roof of the Basilica, from where you get a wonderful view over Elche and its palms. You can visit the various museums including the award winning Archaeological and History Museum or get to know more about the palms at the Huerto del Cura. Stroll through the Municipal Park and go into the Visitors Centre for an audio visual introduction to the city or take the small Tourist Train.
Elche has some great shopping. The Salvador Artesano shoe factory outlet is the largest of all the Salvador Artesano shops and is a must for all shoe lovers as it is about the size of a football pitch! Nearby is the El Corte Ingles department store. It sells everything that you would expect, is open during siesta and has free parking! The L’Aljub is a large indoor mall with Eroski, Bershka, C&A, Zara, H&M, Primark and many more shops, plus a Comic Park to keep the Children entertained and free parking!
The Tourist Office for information about the museums and other places of interest:
- Archaeological Museum MAHE: located in the Palacio de Altamir it has permanent displays of Iberian and Roman pieces.
- Huerto del Cura Museum: is an artistic garden, covering 13,000m2 with displays of Mediterranean and tropical plants including the famous Imperial Palm.
- Fiesta Misteri d’Elx Museum: a two roomed museum all about the Mystery Play.
- Arab Bath Museum: displays the remains of an Arabic bathing house.
- Casa de Belen Nativity Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art: has a large collection of vanguard art, especially by Spanish artists.
- Pucol Agricultural Museum: an insight into rural life including agricultural artifacts, rural housing, clothing, hunting, education, commerce and industry.
- La Alcudia Museum: archaeological site where the bust of the ‘Dama de Elche’ was discovered.
- Palaeontological Museum: displays in chronological order the history of the earth including fossils and archaeological finds.
- Palm Grove Museum: reveals the origins, history, development and culture of the Elx Palm Groves.
- Visitors Centre: houses a detailed audiovisual presentation on the city: its history, traditions, culture, fiestas and economy.
- Basilica de Santa Maria: the cathedral of the city, you can walk up the stairs to the bell tower for great views over the city.
- Municipal Park: covering an area of approximately 20,000m2 these plantations were bequeathed to the city in 1661, a beautiful green space for all to enjoy.
- Palm Grove: declared a World Heritage Site in 2000 by UNESCO it is the largest in Europe, boasting more than 200,000 palm trees, best explored via the walking route.
- Espai d’Art a’Elche: a permanent open air sculpture exhibition next to the municipal park.
- Torre de la Calahorra Building: The square Moorish Tower from the late 12th century defended the city’s most important gate to the road to Alicante.
- Palacio de Altamira Building: the residence of the lords of the city between the 15th and 19th centuries, now contains the Archaeological Museum.
- Town Hall Building: The Torre del Consell tower is the oldest municipal building in the southern part of the Comunidad Valenciana region
- Torre de Calendura Building: It houses a fascinating clock with two figures. Since 1759 the figure that tells the hours has been known as Miquel Calendura while the smaller figure that tells the quarter hours has been known as Vicentet Calendureta.
- Gran Teatro Building: the elegant theatre constructed in Italian style in the 1920s.
- Walking Routes: There are two self guided walks; the Historic Palm Grove Route and the Monumental Route (leaflets in various languages from Tourist Office). Both routes are great introductions to this wonderful city.
Remember that most museums are closed on a Monday and for siesta which is generally 14.00-16.00 in the winter and 14.00-17.00 in the summer. And also Elche Rio Saffari Park.
Getting to Elche from Benidorm
Tram to Alicante 1 hour 9 mins - Alicante to Elche - 29 mins
Taxi around 50 mins cost aprox 85€ - 110€
Bus - Interbus bus departing from Benidorm and arriving at Elche. Services depart every three hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 1 h 15 min.
Drive - around 50 mins AP-7 with tolls or via A-70 and AP-7 with tolls or via N-332 and A-70 NO tolls
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Spanish Road Trip 2022
Spanish Road Trip 2022
Spanish Road Trip 2022 - Please note this page is under construction.
When you live in Benidorm a question you often get asked is where do you go on holiday? Well we enjoy discovering Spain and this will be our 4th road trip.
The idea of these road trips is to discover the real Spain, therefore, we always set the Sat Nav to avoid ALL Motorways and Toll Roads, by doing this you never quite know what you are going to come across and we have found so many wonderful...
Spanish Road Trip 2022
Spanish Road Trip 2022 - Please note this page is under construction.
When you live in Benidorm a question you often get asked is where do you go on holiday? Well we enjoy discovering Spain and this will be our 4th road trip.
The idea of these road trips is to discover the real Spain, therefore, we always set the Sat Nav to avoid ALL Motorways and Toll Roads, by doing this you never quite know what you are going to come across and we have found so many wonderful surprises on our previous journeys.
Road Trip 2019, Spain, France and Andorra.
Road Trip 2020, Spain and Portugal
Only our first nights accommodation is booked before hand, after that, decisions are made on where the next stop will be, decided by price of accommodation and driving distance, one of the joys of this type of holiday is you are never sure where you will end up, which makes ever day the start of a new holiday.
This year we travelled a total of 2299km and stayed in 10 different places.
Total Diesel cost - in the region of 200€
Let the journey begin....
*Note maps posted here are just a guide, km quoted are the distances actually travelled.
Day 1 - 25th July Benidorm to Murcia. Journey time 2hrs 30 mins 144km
Leaving Benidorm behind, where the temperature was a hot 32ºc we headed towards Murcia and the temperature began to steadily rise until reaching a whopping 46.5ºc, now it is hard to explain just how hot that feels but imagine stepping into a furnace, that just about sums it up, you can almost feel yourself sizzle.
Feeling peckish we stopped for a bite to eat at what must be one of the most expensive service stations in Spain (Cafestore), normally we enjoy the road side cafes and service stations as they are good value, but this was the exception to the rule, 2 cans of drink, one Russian salad, 1 tomato and cheese salad and 1 Flamenquín (which is an is an Andalusian dish made with slices of serrano jamon wrapped in pieces of pork loin, coated in batter, and deep-fried) which was served with a few potatoes cost 31€, in Benidorm we could have had a gourmet meal for that.
Murcia is a city situated in the South East of Spain and has been the capital and most populous city of the autonomous community in the Region of Murcia since 1833, the city itself dates back to 825AD Having lived in Benidorm for quite a few years and visited many places in this region, we have never actually visited the city itself.
The main things to see here seem to be the Cathedral de Santa Maria, the medieval bridge and the bull ring, although it was really too hot to wander around to much, we did manage to visit all of the above, but I am sure there is a lot more places to visit.
Venturing out in the evening, it was surprising how quiet everywhere was and even at 20.00, many places still seemed to be closed, we are not sure if this is normal or just that most sensible people choose not to venture out in the heat.
Cathedral de Santa Maria - Construction for this Baroque style cathedral began in 1394 over the remains of an old Arabic mosque. The construction of the tower was started in 1511 and continued until 1793, this is divided into five parts and stands 93 meters high and has twenty-five church bells all having their own names. The cathedral was declared a National Monument in in 1931.
Los Peligros Medieval Bridge - The first stone laid for this bridge was in 1718, and this is an important part of the city and is still used by many even after construction of the new iron bridge, its a great spot to enjoy views of the city and the famous "La Sardina"
La Sardina
Accommodation - Pacoche Murcia 3 star, 57.34€ including breakfast for 2, parking was available at the hotel for 12.50€
This hotel was described as a modern hotel, and it did look that from the outside, but once inside I am not quite sure what they class as modern, but the room was far from that, although it did have all we needed for our one night stay, and most importantly good working air conditioning. The accommodation was situated 100 m from the Floridablanca Gardens and Just 5 minutes’ walk from the city’s old bridge over the River Segura and the Cathedral was about 10 minutes’ walk away, so a good location to see the local sights.
Back to the heat Murcia made Spanish news headlines for "topping the list for the hottest place in Spain on Monday 25th July, with official weather stations registered 46ºc, although some official recordings registered temperatures in excess of 50ºc, the rear windscreen wiper on our car warped in the heat.
Dereks' Input: Wow, what heat. To use a Northern Ireland expression. "Me shorts were sticking to the shucks of me arse"
Spanish Road Trip 2022
Day 2 - 26th July Murcia to Riopar, 208km
Travelling across country to our next destination, Riopar, we spotted a sign for a sanctuary which looked quite interesting, not knowing just how beautiful and well known this place was, we were surprised to find the wonderful Santurario de Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza (Sanctuary of the Virgin of Hope).
The sanctuary is located in a cave carved into the rock 6 km from Calasparra, and dates from the seventeenth century.
The sanctuary houses two images of the Virgin of Hope known as La Pequeñica and La Grande. The small image is said to have been found by a shepherd who kept his cattle in the cave eroded by the water of the Segura River, neighbours of the town tried to move it to the municipality of Calasparra but due to its weight they understood that the Virgin wanted to remain in the grotto and new rooms and were added.
The Sanctuary is among the top five in Spain, with about one million visitors a year, although it was very quiet when we visited.
The surrounding area is very picturesque with the Segura River nearby, and there are plenty of walks signposted, picnic areas and a lovely restaurant with stunning views.
Riopar
Riópar is a municipality located in the province of Albacete, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. It is located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, in the region of the Sierra de Alcaraz. It is located 118 km from the provincial capital, Albacete.
The main tourist attractions here are the mountain landscapes in the natural park of the Calares del Río Mundo and the Sima.
There are quite a few bars and restaurants in the town itself and a good municipal swimming pool. We had a wonderful mixed meat platter in one of the local restaurants which included, red and black sausages, chicken, pork, lamb chops with chips, bread and two drinks for 25€ which was great value for money.
Night 2 - Accommodation Hotel Riopar Spa , 3 star, 50€ including Breakfast and FREE parking
With views of the Segura and Alcaraz Mountains from the balcony, this air-conditioned room had simple, traditional décor, adequate for our one night stay, the only strange thing was that there was no tourist information available and the two vending machines remained empty, which was annoying when you required a bottle of water once the restaurant had closed and all the reception staff had left for the night.
Day 3, July 27th - Riopar, Mundo River
We visited the source of the Mundo River which was a pleasant, uphill walk through pretty forest paths, until reaching the waterfall, which at certain times of year "bursts" (El Chorro) in a spectacular jet, unfortunately for us at this time of year, water is scarce so the jet was nowhere to be seen, just the pretty waterfall.
As much as we enjoyed our visit, this was slightly disappointing and not a patch on our own Algar Falls as there were no swimming areas, but it was quiet busy and obviously a popular tourist attraction.
Would we visit again? No doubtful.
Day 3 Journey from Riopar to Jaén - 189km
A very pleasant journey across mountains and through acres and acres of olive groves.
We stopped for lunch in a lovely town called Baeza, enjoying some of their traditional tapas, and this town certainly looked a good place to stay on another road trip.
Jaén - Pronounced Xa´en, this is the urban capital city of the province of Jaén, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. The city is also known as the World Capital of Olive Oil, because it is the biggest producer of the oil, known by locals as liquid gold.
To be honest there did not seem to be a great deal here other than the famous cathedral which is considered one of the most important Renaissance-style cathedrals in Spain. Construction began in 1570 and was completed in 1802, due to the lengthy construction, different artistic styles could be see, the most prominent being Renaissance, the cathedral is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
We were lucky enough to have a small square right outside our hotel, and we enjoyed some time soaking up the atmosphere and listing to the live music provided, no idea what they were singing, but the crowd seemed to be enjoying it.
There were plenty of steep, narrow streets, in the historical centre, which made finding our accommodation slightly stressful.
Night 3 accommodation - Hotel Xauen, 3 Star, 75.00€ including breakfast, parking could be organised by the hotel but we found a nearby car park which coast 17.25€ and was easier than trying to find the hotel car park.
The hotel was situated in Jaén's historic and commercial centre, the added bonus was the rooftop sun terrace with loungers, and panoramic views of the cathedral, old town and mountains, unfortunately during our stay this was never staffed.
The hotel was in a good location with the cathedral just 300m away and quite a few bars and restaurants nearby.
Unfortunately this was one of our more expensive overnight stays and although the hotel looked great upon arrival, the air conditioning unit did not work properly and I was up and down all night trying to get it to stay on, but on the plus with it being my birthday they did upgrade us to a room with a king size bed. The plumbing also seemed to have some problems with a nasty smell every time the toilet was flushed.
Would we stay here again? probably not.
Day 4, July 28th - Jaen to Antequera, 153km
The original plan was to head to Seville which we love, but with it being known as the "Frying Pan of Europe" and the temperature in Jaen holding steady at around 38ºc, the thought of going to somewhere ven hotter was not appealing, so plans were changed and we decided to visit Antequera.
On our journey we found the wonderful town of Iznájar (Cordoba) with its Moorish Castle and Church which sit high above the reservoir (Embalse de Iznájar) which is the largest reservoir in the whole of Andalucía. Entrance into the castle was only 1€ and it was well worth the visit for the views alone.
The village itself is situated on top of a huge rocky outcrop 539 metres above sea level. The whole village was very picturesque with many colourful courtyards to explore and we found a wonderful cafe, 1 coke, 1 water and 2 tapas was only 3€, one tip on a road trip is always eat where they locals do.
Antequera (anteˈkeɾa) is a city and municipality located in the north of the province of Málaga, part of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia, and is known as "the heart of Andalusia" (el corazón de Andalucía) because of its central location to Málaga.
There is a lot to see here, but obviously with only one day here we just enjoyed our time in the town itself.
As with most places in Spain (Benidorm being the exception to the rule) it can be difficult to find places to eat when you are hungry, most restaurants do not even open until 21.00, but we did find a nice little restaurant a short walk from the hotel to enjoy an evening meal.
As it was cooling down slightly it was the perfect time to have a walk round the town and enjoy the cobbled streets which wound their way up to the castle, (Alcazaba of Antequera) which is a restored Moorish fortress, constructed over Roman ruins in the 14th century.
Arco de los Gigantes - The Arco de los Gigantes (arch of the giants), is situated at the entrance to the Alcazaba, and near the Royal Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor in Plaza Escritores beneath the fort. The Arco was built in the late 16th century to replace a Moorish gate. The Arch has a two meter thick wall, and is seven meters in height
Church of San Sebastian - Building on the church began in the mid 16th century, and it was not completed until the 18th century, resulting in a combination of artistic styles.
Night 4 - Accommodation Coso Viejo, 3 star, 41.40€
The Coso Viejo hotel was a typical 18th-century Andalusian house, situated in the historic centre of Antequera, situated opposite one of the towns squares with bars and restaurants nearby.
The hotel did offer parking at an additional cost, but we were lucky to find a parking space right outside.
The room was quite small and the furniture old fashioned, but that did fit in with the house itself and we had a pleasant stay.
Breakfast was not included but we found a wonderful coffee shop for our morning Tostada con Tomate, orange juice and coffee.
Would we stay here again? Yes if in the area.
Day 5 29th July - Antequera to Guadex 236km
I have always wanted to stay in a cave house, and now was my chance as Guadix is a well know area for them.
On our journey from Antequera I spotted a sign for Pinar Castle and Caves, the only problem with these signs is it never states how far away they are, they could be just round the corner, or in this instance over 50km off our route, but that is just part of the enjoyment of our road trip, the never quite knowing what you will discover along the way, and this was worth the detour, even though the cueva de las Ventanas were closed.
Moorish Castle of Píñar (Granada) - Situated just outside the town of Pinar, through many twisting and narrow streets, 1121 meters above sea level on a limestone outcrop sits the remains of this once imposing castle, from the Nasrid period (XIII-XV centuries) which was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1931.
Compared to some places we have visited, access was quite easy, as the first section was a track suitable for vehicles, which lead us to a parking lot at the base of the fortress, from there the climb to the interior of the castle was done on foot along a dirt track, not easy when it was 38ºc, but as we were the only people there it was well worth the effort for the piece and quiet and amazing views.
Guadix - The name Guadix itself from the Arabic Wadi Ash, which means ‘river of life’.
Barrio de Santiago or Barrio de las Cuevas and is situated in the province of Granada and is one of the oldest know human settlements in Spain, this area is famous for its troglodyte houses (cave houses) carved in the rocks. At present there are around 2000 caves, inhabited by around 3000 people, making it the largest cave complex in Europe, so crossing another item of my bucket list, staying in a cave house was looking very promising.
The reason there are many cave houses in this area is believed to be due to the taking of Granada by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492 when the Moors fled the city to the mountains, where they dug into the clay of the hills, building the cave houses, many of which can be seen today.
The best views of the area are from the Mirador Cerro de la Bala.
The town of Guadix sits at an altitude of 913 metres, a high plain at the northern foothills of the Sierra Nevada and was once famous for its cutlery, but today is more well known for its earthenware, hemp goods, and hats.
The main sights to see in the town itself are the Guadix Cathedral (16th-18th centuries), which was built over a Moorish mosque in Gothic-Renaissance style, with its in Baroque style, and the Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress commanding the town, but after a lot of driving and the heat we just fancied a quiet night, and for a change opted for a kebab whilst it was available.
The town itself was very busy and seemed a popular location, and one we may return to on a future road trip.
Night 5 - Cueva El Jaraiz, 3 Star 54.00€
This was a 3 bedroom (2 double, 1 twin) cave house, with a fully fitted kitchen, bathroom, great Wifi signal and, its own private patio with BBQ. This was a wonderful place and I loved it, although the lounge area was still quite hot, the bedrooms were a comfortable temperature as they stay at a constant temperature of between 18-20ºc all year round, and were pitch black once the lights were out, making for a great nights sleep. For me just the experience and being able to say I have at last stayed overnight in a cave house was enough to keep me happy.
Unfortunately the only downside which did slightly ruin the experience for us was the very, VERY, VERY, persistent flies in the area, I blame these flies for Derek only wanting to stay one night.
Would we return? That would be a BIG yes from me.
Day 6 - July 30th - Guadix to El Ejido 106km
To be continued......
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Spanish Road Trip 2022 Day 2 Riopar
SPANISH ROAD TRIP 2022 - DAY 2 MURCIA TO RIOPAR
Day 2 - 26th July Murcia to Riopar, 208km
Travelling across country to our next destination, Riopar, we spotted a sign for a sanctuary which looked quite interesting, not knowing just how beautiful and well known this place was, we were surprised to find the wonderful Santurario de Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza (Sanctuary of the Virgin of Hope).
The sanctuary is located in a cave carved into the rock 6 km from Calasparra, and dates from...
SPANISH ROAD TRIP 2022 - DAY 2 MURCIA TO RIOPAR
Day 2 - 26th July Murcia to Riopar, 208km
Travelling across country to our next destination, Riopar, we spotted a sign for a sanctuary which looked quite interesting, not knowing just how beautiful and well known this place was, we were surprised to find the wonderful Santurario de Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza (Sanctuary of the Virgin of Hope).
The sanctuary is located in a cave carved into the rock 6 km from Calasparra, and dates from the seventeenth century.
The sanctuary houses two images of the Virgin of Hope known as La Pequeñica and La Grande. The small image is said to have been found by a shepherd who kept his cattle in the cave eroded by the water of the Segura River, neighbours of the town tried to move it to the municipality of Calasparra but due to its weight they understood that the Virgin wanted to remain in the grotto and new rooms and were added.
The Sanctuary is among the top five in Spain, with about one million visitors a year, although it was very quiet when we visited.
The surrounding area is very picturesque with the Segura River nearby, and there are plenty of walks signposted, picnic areas and a lovely restaurant with stunning views.
Riopar
Riópar is a municipality located in the province of Albacete, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. It is located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, in the region of the Sierra de Alcaraz. It is located 118 km from the provincial capital, Albacete.
The main tourist attractions here are the mountain landscapes in the natural park of the Calares del Río Mundo and the Sima.
There are quite a few bars and restaurants in the town itself and a good municipal swimming pool. We had a wonderful mixed meat platter in one of the local restaurants which included, red and black sausages, chicken, pork, lamb chops with chips, bread and two drinks for 25€ which was great value for money.
Night 2 - Accommodation Hotel Riopar Spa , 3 star, 50€ including Breakfast and FREE parking
With views of the Segura and Alcaraz Mountains from the balcony, this air-conditioned room had simple, traditional décor, adequate for our one night stay, the only strange thing was that there was no tourist information available and the two vending machines remained empty, which was annoying when you required a bottle of water once the restaurant had closed and all the reception staff had left for the night.
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