Treasures to Discover in the Province of Alicante
Alicante, with a population of just under 2 million inhabitants, welcomes over 5 million travelers each year. As a result, the province receives nearly 3 tourists for every resident, making tourism a strategic priority. In fact, tourism represents more than 17% of Alicante’s gross domestic product.
Alicante: The Number One Non-Capital Province for Business, Tourism, and Gastronomy!
Benidorm is considered the tourism capital of the province. Additionally, there are several well-known towns in Alicante that attract a large number of tourists annually: Calpe, Denia, Jávea, Torrevieja, Altea… However, the province of Alicante offers much more.
Traveling through the province allows visitors to discover charming Mediterranean villages where time seems to have stopped, endless beaches of fine sand and calm, crystal-clear waters, a coastline with breathtaking cliffs forming dreamlike coves, inland villages boasting unique landscapes and scenery, festivals and traditions rooted in a vibrant Mediterranean lifestyle, and lively, modern cities. In short, Alicante is a highly touristic province that still holds much to be discovered.
In this post, we will introduce you to some of these hidden treasures so you can fill your next trip to Alicante with authentic and unique experiences, far from the crowds of mass tourism. Join us!
COVES DE CANELOBRE (BUSOT)
The Canelobre caves, located 24 kilometers from Alicante, are situated in the municipality of Busot, specifically on the slopes of Cabeçó D’Or at an altitude of 700 meters.
They house one of the highest vaults in Spain, and throughout your visit, you can discover stalactites and stalagmites with unique shapes that will spark your imagination: dragons, animals, famous figures, chandeliers… and even the Sagrada Familia! The most famous formation in the caves resembles this iconic architectural masterpiece, a symbol of the city of Barcelona. In addition to its geological and touristic significance, the caves are also used as a concert hall, taking advantage of their excellent acoustic conditions.
You can complement your visit to the caves with a walk in the mountains after completing the interior tour, enjoying the serenity and tranquility that this natural setting offers.
THE CASTELL DE GUADALEST
The Castell de Guadalest, located 22 kilometers from Benidorm, is a municipality in the interior of the province of Alicante, situated in the Guadalest Valley. Its unique landscape, historical, cultural, and urban characteristics make it considered one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. The Castell de Guadalest was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1974 and later a Site of Cultural Interest.
The municipality is known for its rich and well-preserved historical and cultural heritage, which includes highlights such as the Castle of San José and the Castle of Alcozaiba, both fortresses built in the 11th century by the Moors; and the Orduña House, home to one of the most influential families in the municipality throughout history, now converted into a museum.
Furthermore, if you visit Guadalest, you cannot miss its natural surroundings. You will find a reservoir surrounded by stunning scenery, offering you unique views of the Castle of San José, perched on a rock at the highest point of the municipality.
FUENTES DE ALGAR (CALLOSA DE ENSARRIÁ)
Fuentes de Algar is a spring formed by several water sources located in the municipality of Callosa de Ensarriá, just 15 kilometers from Benidorm. The area was declared a protected wetland zone by the Valencian Government in 2002.
It is a natural site with a high level of ecological conservation, offering a wide range of tourist services and environmental education facilities (tourist office, recreational areas, Arboretum, picnic areas, and camping zones).
Its tourist route, a 1.5-kilometer circuit along the Algar River, allows visitors to explore its spectacular waterfalls, natural springs that emerge from the rock, an old dam, and the “tolls” or water pools, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in its pure, crystal-clear waters.
A unique and breathtakingly beautiful environment, considered a place of environmental and natural interest.
LA COVA TALLADA (DENIA)
The Cova Tallada in Denia is located in the Alicante municipality of Denia, above sea level, within the Montgó Massif Natural Park and the Cabo de San Antonio Marine Nature Reserve.
It is a natural cave carved by humans, as its name suggests, to extract stone and sandstone for the construction of numerous ancient buildings in Denia, such as its castle (12th – 15th centuries).
The entrance to the cave is small and not very visible, but once inside, you will be impressed by its immensity and its formations. You can reach the cave by sea, in a canoe, or on foot via a route that runs along a cliff. At the back, you will find a network of galleries to explore and discover every corner of the cave.
Since the summer of 2019, access to the cave has been regulated due to overcrowding during the summer season. To visit, you must fill out a form where you can request access for up to 5 people, with a maximum of 10 days in advance.
And… last but not least, we encourage you to visit us at Bodegas Enrique Mendoza! We are very close to all these excellent attractions.
With all humility, we believe that a visit to our winery can be the perfect addition to make your trip unique and authentic. You can taste our renowned wines from the Alicante D.O., endorsed by Grandes Pagos de España, along with a wide variety of gourmet products, while learning about our passion for viticulture and our winery.
Would you like to discover our winery, its wines, and its surroundings? You will find us in Alfaz del Pi, a municipality just 6 kilometers from Benidorm and 50 kilometers from Alicante.
