Guadalest, Altea and Algar Waterfalls Day Trip from Alicante

The Algar waterfalls

The Algar waterfalls, known locally as Fonts de l'Algar, lie in a green valley near Callosa d'en Sarrià, about an hour north of Alicante. Here the Algar River tumbles over a series of limestone steps into deep turquoise pools, surrounded by reeds, fig trees and orchards of loquats, the fruit for which the area is famous. The site is a protected wetland, with a riverside path, wooden bridges and a small botanical garden of native plants.

With about an hour and a half of free time, you can follow the path upstream past the biggest cascades and choose a pool for a swim. The water is cool even in summer, which makes it refreshing on hot days. Bring swimwear, a towel and water shoes for the rocky edges. If you ask whether the Algar waterfalls are worth visiting, families say this is the highlight of the day.

Guadalest and its castle

Guadalest is one of the most photographed villages in Spain, set on a narrow rock ridge in the Guadalest valley below the Sierra de Aitana. The only way into the old upper village is through a tunnel carved in the rock, which opens onto a tiny square with sweeping views. Above it stand the ruins of a medieval castle built in the Muslim era and later held by Christian lords, damaged by an earthquake in 1644 and a war in the early 18th century.

A white bell tower perched on a separate crag is the symbol of the village. On the guided visit you hear the story of the fortress and the valley, then enjoy two hours of free time to climb to the castle viewpoints, visit the small museums or eat lunch. A Guadalest day trip from Alicante usually means busy streets at midday, so the viewpoints are best enjoyed slowly.

The Guadalest reservoir and valley

From the walls of Guadalest you look down on a reservoir of startling turquoise water, framed by pine-covered mountains and terraced almond and olive groves. The dam was completed in the second half of the 20th century to supply water to the coast, and today the lake is one of the most striking landscapes of the Alicante interior. On clear days you can see as far as the sea.

The village keeps several unusual museums, including a museum of microminiatures with tiny works of art seen through magnifying glasses, an ethnological museum about rural life in the valley and a collection of salt and pepper shakers. Your tour includes discounts at these museums. Local shops sell honey, almond sweets, olive oil and handmade crafts, which make good souvenirs from the Costa Blanca mountains.

Altea old town

Altea is often called the most beautiful town on the Costa Blanca. Its old quarter climbs a hill above the sea, with whitewashed houses, cobbled lanes, flowering balconies and narrow stairways leading up to the church square. The church, with its domes covered in shining blue and white glazed tiles, is the town's landmark and can be seen from far along the coast.

From the square in front of the church, a terrace opens onto views of the Mediterranean and the Sierra de Bernia. After a short guided stroll you have about an hour of free time to wander the lanes, browse the artists' studios and craft shops, or walk down to the seafront promenade and the pebble beach. Late afternoon light makes Altea especially lovely for photos before the drive back.

Benidorm on the way

On the way north and again on the return, the coach makes a short stop in Benidorm, the resort city famous for its skyline of tall towers rising between two long sandy beaches. The stop is brief, about 10 to 15 minutes, but it gives a glimpse of the Levante and Poniente beaches and the rocky headland that divides them.

The drive itself is part of the experience. The road from the coast climbs inland through terraced hills, small villages and orchards, and your guide shares stories about the history of the region, its Moorish heritage and the farming traditions of the valleys. By the time you reach Alicante again in the evening, you will have seen the sea, the mountains and the old villages of the Costa Blanca in a single day.