Quick Answer
Top day trips: Guadalest (hilltop village, 25 min from Benidorm), Alicante city (castle, old town, promenade), Tabarca island (ferry from Santa Pola), Jalón valley wine country, and Elche palm groves (UNESCO). All reachable within 90 minutes by car.
| Essential | Details |
|---|---|
| Guadalest | 25 min from Benidorm |
| Alicante | 45 min from Torrevieja (TRAM/bus) |
| Tabarca island | 20 min ferry from Santa Pola |
| Elche | 30 min south of Alicante |
| Jalón valley | 30 min inland from Calpe |
Key Takeaways
- ✓Guadalest is a must-see — arrive early to beat the tour buses.
- ✓Alicante city is easy to reach by TRAM, bus or car.
- ✓Tabarca island has a marine reserve with outstanding snorkelling.
- ✓The Jalón valley combines wine tasting with scenic driving.
- ✓Elche has Europe’s largest palm grove (UNESCO World Heritage).
In this guide
1. Guadalest
Perched on a rocky pinnacle above a turquoise reservoir, Guadalest is one of Spain’s most visited villages — and for good reason. The castle ruins, tiny museums and spectacular valley views make it a must-see. Go early (before 10:00) to beat the tour-bus crowds.
It is roughly 25 minutes from Benidorm or 40 minutes from Altea. Combine it with a stop at the Fuentes del Algar waterfalls (15 minutes away) for a natural swimming spot surrounded by lush vegetation. Entry to the waterfalls costs around €5.
2. Alicante City
The provincial capital has a beautiful old quarter, the hilltop Castillo de Santa Bárbara (free entry, spectacular views), a palm-lined Explanada promenade and the excellent MARQ archaeological museum. The Mercado Central is worth a visit for food lovers.
Alicante is easily reached from anywhere on the Costa Blanca via the TRAM (from Benidorm: 75 min), bus or motorway. Allow a full day to explore the castle, old town, harbour and marina. Evening dining in the Barrio de Santa Cruz is a highlight.
3. Jalón Valley Wine Country
The Jalón (Xaló) valley inland from Calpe and Benidorm is the heart of Alicante’s wine country. Several bodegas offer tastings — try the local Moscatel, Monastrell reds and sweet mistela. The valley is also known for its Sunday rastro (flea market), one of the largest in the region.
The drive through the valley, with almond and orange groves framed by mountains, is beautiful in itself. Stop in the village of Jalón for tapas at a local bar. Allow half a day for a leisurely visit including two or three tastings.
4. Elche & Its Palm Groves
The Palmeral of Elche is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the largest palm grove in Europe, with over 200,000 date palms. The Huerto del Cura garden within the grove is a beautifully maintained botanical garden with rare palms and exotic plants.
The city also has an impressive basilica, the La Alcudia archaeological site, and a lively city centre with shops and restaurants. Elche is about 30 minutes south of Alicante city by car or bus.
5. Tabarca Island
This tiny island off the coast of Santa Pola is the only inhabited island in the Valencian Community. Boats run from Santa Pola (20 minutes, €15 return), Alicante (one hour) and Torrevieja (seasonal).
The waters around Tabarca are a marine reserve with outstanding snorkelling — bring a mask and fins. The island’s single restaurant row serves some of the best caldero (fisherman’s rice) on the coast. Allow 3–4 hours on the island for swimming, exploring the old walls and a leisurely lunch.
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Co-Founder & Business Consultant· Based in Torrevieja since 2018
Maya co-founded OceanHome and oversees operations across 40+ properties on the Costa Blanca.
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