MOUNTAINS RISING UP FROM THE SEAThe Marina Baixa district is located to the south of the Sierra Bernia, at the foot of the Sierra Aitana, whose most important summit is Puig Campana. Lying close to the sea, the Sierra Helada - between Altea and Benidorm - breaks the coastline in two, presenting a monumental barrier that adds to the spectacular beauty of this area.
THE COSMOPOLITAN SPIRITFrom either Spain or abroad, people in this area live in a cosmopolitan environment, attracted by the beauties of nature and the bustling tourist trade. The privileged climate brings visitors and residents from the colder parts of Europe. This even results in some towns of the district having a very high population of residents from other countries.
MYTHS AND LEGENDSMagnificent mountains and sharp-toothed sierras in a land that has a benign climate and few dramatic changes in temperature. This gives the area a magical aura, and legends about the notched peak of Puig Campana abound. Storytellers say that the valiant Roland, Charlemagne's squire during his feats, cut off a piece of the summit with his sword, and sent it crashing down to the sea to form the island of Benidorm. Others say the peak was broken off by a kick from St George's horse while he was battling the Moors, while yet others, more romantically, say the giant Roland opened a breach in the rock to delay the sunset in the west that would cause the death of his beloved.
THE TOURIST MODELBenidorm is the leading tourist enclave on Spain's Mediterranean coast. It has a complete range of facilities and services to accommodate various millions of national and foreign tourists each year. Skyscrapers, avenues and newly opened streets in this busy urban centre facing the sea have been created to offer a modern yet tasteful city for holidays and fun.
BENIDORM ISLANDFacing the beaches is the island of Benidorm, serviced by ferries from the shore providing visitors with a pleasant excursion across the bay of Benidorm. Around the island the clear blue waters are full of fish and marine life.
THE FINEST BEACHES IN EUROPEThe Canfali hill, a promontory located in the centre of Benidorm bay, divides the coast into two splendid sandy beaches - the Levante and the Poniente beach. The walk along the shore totals five kilometres, providing a spectacular view of the sea and the Alicante coast. The Levante beach was built up first, and has countless bars, cafés and terraces for snacks, drinks and whiling away an afternoon. The Poniente beach offers the same quality - with a full range of services. It ends at a cove (cala) called simply La Cala.
BALCONY ON THE MADITERRANEANThe narrow streets running round the Canfali hill, where the original fishermen's village was located, lead to the luminous 'Balcony on the Mediterranean', painted shining white and adorned by ceramics with ornamentation which is repeated throughout the municipality's maritime promenades. On one of the outer walls of the parochial church of St James the ceramic tiles tell of the legend of the widely venerated image of Our Lady of Suffering, who came to Benidorm from the sea. Benidorm nightlife is lit up by an enormous geyser, whose monumental water jet rises up from the sea in front of the Mediterranean balcony.
MUSEUMSWax Museum, tel. 96 680 84 21
FIESTASFallas in March, St John's Bonfires in June and Patron Saint Festivities in early November
SIGHTSChurch of St James, archeological site at Tossal de la Cala
ARTISTS AND CRAFTSPEOPLEA visit to Altea starts at the highest part of the town. From the Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, boasting a church topped by unique blue and white tiled cupolas, a magnificent view over the district can be gained. Cobblestoned streets and steps descend the hill, flanked by whitewashed houses, which were once protected by town walls. At the foot of the hill is the fishermen's quarter, now enlivened by a seafront promenade and a port, which keeps the town busy. Along streets and around plazas, craftsmen and artists mingle with holidaymakers and neighbours to form a captivating crowd.
ALTEA LA VELLATo the interior, at the foot of the Bernia mountain, is the tranquil village of Altea the Old, with its typical houses clustered around the Church of Santa Ana. From the nearby Garroferet fountain there is a pathway leading up to the ruins of the Bernia fort on the mountain, which passes by the Fort and Runar fountains where hikers can rest.
SIGHTSNavarro-Ramón Painting Museum, tel. 96 584 28 53
FIESTASFireworks from Castell de l'Olla, August; Moors and Christians, late Sept
BASKING BY THE SEANext to the coast, L'Alfàs del Pi is a quiet, inviting town on the Mediterranean, with extensive estates, excellent sports facilities, and scenic beaches and cliffs. The main beach runs along the so-called Racó de l'Albir, where there is a road to the lighthouse from which one commands a view of the entire bay of Altea. A mild climate and beautiful natural surroundings has convinced many people from abroad to settle here or at least come for holidays.
FILM FESTIVALIn July the town holds a Film Festival, which always involves its seafront promenade called the Paseo de las Estrellas (Stars' Boulevard) where actors' and actresses' names are inscribed.
FIESTASPatron St festivities 6-10 Nov. with floats and parades; Patron St festivities 6-10 Nov. with floats and parades;
The town of Polop is no less spectacular and attractive than all the other towns in the district. It has a famous fountain called Els Xorrets, with 221 spouts, and the nearby hill has an ancient castle now transformed into a cemetery. Spanish writer Gabriel Miró took inspiration from this town, describing it as an orchard of crosses.On the flatter land at the feet of the Forques mountain, La Nucia has multiple attractions both in the town - a Renaissance church - and nearby - such as a scenic spot called Font de Favara.
MUSEUMSPolop Wire Museum, Tel. 96 689 53 28
FIESTASPatron saint festivities in August in both towns
WATERFALLS AND FOUNTAINSCallosa d'En Sarrià is the land of the medlar fruit, or loquat. The church of San Juan Bautista sits on the highest part of the historic town centre. The well-fed Algar river flows over rough terrain and forms a waterfall at Fuentes de Algar, which is a frequently visited beauty spot.
MUSEUMSArcheological and Ethnological Museum, Tel. 96 588 21 90Environment Museum Fuentes del Algar, Tel. 96 597 21 29
FIESTASMoors and Christians in mid-October
IN THE HEART OF THE SIERRAOn the way up the nearby mountains lies Tárbena, originally repopulated with Majorcans when the Moriscos, or converted Moors, were forced to leave the region in the late Middle Ages. Majorcan sausage spread, or sobrasada, is still made here. Further inland, the mountain pass Coll de Rates is worth visiting, along with the Ferrer sierra and the Parcent forest. The patron saint festivities in Tárbena are held in August.
A TOWN WITH CHARMOn the uppermost part of a mountain peak, with houses set into the rock, Guadalest overlooks a deep valley through which the Guadalest river runs. The landscape offers abundant pine trees, interspersed with croplands providing a note of colour in spring. The town is listed as an historic-artistic complex, and is divided into two districts. The castle quarter can be reached through a tunnel in the rock, and the castle itself hangs over the peak, protected by an ancient wall with a Medieval appeal. The Arrabal, or modern quarter, extends around the skirts of the mountain. Tourists will find lots of shops in Guadalest offering craft articles and souvenirs.
SIGHTS AND MUSEUMSSan José Castle, Orduña House, Keep, Church of the Assumption and Town Hall.Ethnological Museum, tel. 96 588 52 38Manger Scene Museum, tel. 96 588 53 23History and Torture Museum, tel. 96 588 53 48Museum of the Microminiaturas, tel. 96 588 50 62Microgigante Museum, tel. 686 62 62 55
FIESTASPatron saint festivities honouring Our Lady of the Assumption, from August 14th-17th
SEA AND MOUNTAINSThe geography in this picturesque pueblo of the Marina district ranges from 0 to 1406m in altitude. Lying just a few kilometres from the coast, Finestrat gives visitors the chance to swim in its crystal-clear sea and then climb almost 1.5km to the peak of Puig Campana. There are lots of scenic areas and a quaint town centre with houses painted in blue, ochre and sienna. Be sure to make a visit.
THE MARINE SCENELa Vila Joiosa is the historic capital of the Marina Baixa district. It is a fishing port and a tourist attraction in one. The port and seafront promenade, in the Arsenal quarter near the sea, are surrounded by multicolour houses built around a church dedicated to the Assumption. The Doctor Esquerdo boulevard runs along the broad beach on which the town is built. A visit to the port in the afternoon will provide you with the chance to see the day's catch being auctioned off at the market. The whole town's marine vocation is represented in the July fiestas, when the traditional battle between the Moors and Christians is held at sea and on the beach.
CHOCOLATE MAKING TRADITIONThe local chocolate industry has a long history behind it. The Ethnological Museum located in the Casa de la Cultura (cultural centre) shows utensils used by chocolate makers over the centuries. Local factories around town welcome visits by tourists.
MUSEOSEthnological Museum, tel. 96 589 01 50Museum of the Chocolate, tel. 96 589 09 50
FIESTASMoors and Christians, end of July
ARCHEOLOGYArcheological complex Torre de la Cruz and Torre de Sant Josep, popularly known at Hercules' Tower.
DELIGHTS FOR THE PALATEThis area offers a wide spectrum of gastronomic attractions - rice and fish dishes from the coast such as caldero de peix in La Vila Joiosa, and paella amb aladroc (with anchovies) in Altea. In the interior one can taste pilotes de dacsa (cornmeal dumplings) and coques (pizza-like pastries), medlars in Callosa d'En Sarrià and a local sausage spread called sobrasada in Tárbena. In Benidorm, there is a wide choice of international cuisine, in addition to regional fare.
From the A-7 motorway and the N-332.One hour from Alicante airport. Bus connections. Regional railways running along the coast. The C-3318 connects to the hinterland.