Book Holiday Apartment
Book Sailboat Cabo Roig
Book A Las Raíces Live

Guadalest — A Day Trip Into the Mountains

Just over an hour and a half by car from Orihuela Costa, high in the mountains of Alicante, you will find Guadalest — a small historic village built around a dramatic rock overlooking the turquoise waters of the Guadalest reservoir

Guadalest — A Day Trip Into the Mountains

Not every Costa Blanca experience is about the beach.

Just over an hour and a half by car from Orihuela Costa, high in the mountains of Alicante, you will find Guadalest — a small historic village built around a dramatic rock overlooking the turquoise waters of the Guadalest reservoir.

Known officially as El Castell de Guadalest, the village sits at more than 500 metres above sea level, surrounded by the mountains of the Marina Baixa. It is one of the best-known historic villages in the region and makes a very different day trip from the coast.

A Village Built Around a Castle

Guadalest has its origins in the Muslim period, when its strategic position was used to control the valley below.

The Castle of San José dates back to the 11th century and stands at the highest point of the village. Much of the original fortress was damaged by earthquakes over the centuries, but the remaining walls and ruins still make it one of the most interesting places to visit.

The historic centre is reached through a natural tunnel in the rock. Inside, you will find narrow streets, small shops, cafés, museums and historic buildings, including the Casa Orduña and the old prison beneath the town hall.

The Views Are Part of the Experience

One of the main reasons to visit Guadalest is simply the setting.

From the castle and viewpoints around the village, you can look across the Guadalest Valley towards the mountains and down to the reservoir below.

The landscape is completely different from the coastline around Orihuela Costa. Instead of beaches and the Mediterranean, you are surrounded by mountains, valleys and a small historic village built into the rock.

It is worth taking your time and enjoying the views rather than simply walking through the village.

How Long Do You Need?

For a first visit, allow around 2–3 hours to explore the village, walk up to the castle and enjoy the main viewpoints.

If you want to visit some of the museums, stop for lunch or explore the area at a slower pace, you can easily spend half a day or longer.

It is also worth arriving reasonably early, particularly during busy periods, as Guadalest is a popular destination and parking around the village can become limited.

Combine Guadalest With the Algar Waterfalls

Guadalest works particularly well as part of a full-day trip.

The Algar Waterfalls are around 20–25 km away and offer a completely different experience, with waterfalls, natural pools and a beautiful natural setting.

You can visit Guadalest in the morning, have lunch in the area and then continue to the waterfalls for the afternoon.

Another option is to combine Guadalest with Altea, giving you three very different experiences in one day — mountains, a historic village and the Mediterranean coast.

A Different Costa Blanca

Guadalest is a reminder that there is much more to the Costa Blanca than the coastline.

If you have a free day during your stay in Orihuela Costa, a trip into the mountains can give you a completely different view of the region — one filled with history, nature, traditional villages and spectacular scenery.

Guadalest is definitely one to put on your list.

Explore More Places to Visit Around the Costa Blanca→

View Our Apartments→