A day trip to Guadalest, the most beautiful village in Alicante
One of the most beautiful and unique places we’ve visited on the Costa Blanca is definitely the small medieval village of Guadalest. For anyone looking for day trips on the Costa Blanca, this is a great destination to add to your itinerary.
The small mountain village of El Castell Guadalest, better known just as Guadalest, is actually the most visited attraction in the country after the Prado Museum and the Sagrada Familia, so you may well have heard of it before.
Only 258 people live in here but despite this it’s pretty busy all year round due to being such a popular tourist hotspot. This small villages actually has 15 restaurants, 50 shops and 7 museums.
If you’re interested in a Guadalest day trip this blog post will give you all the information you need, including where Guadalest is located, how to get there, and what to do on your visit.
Some of the links below are affiliate links which means we may make a small commission at no cost to you on any purchases made through these links.
Where is Guadalest?
Guadalest is located approximately 25km inland from Benidorm, nestled in the mountain region of the Marina Baixa.
The village is easily accessible and is a short drive away from the popular coastal towns of the Costa Blanca such as Alicante (63km) and Javea (64km).
How to get to Guadalest
By Car: The easiest and quickest way to reach Guadalest is by car. From Alicante or Benidorm, take the CV-70 road that leads directly up to the village. The winding road up the mountain offers some stunning views along the way and the village is well-signposted.
If you don’t have a car you can hire a car locally often for cheaper than a whole family going on an arranged tour. There’s a couple of large carparks right next to the village so parking won’t be a problem.
By Bus: There are regular buses to Guadalest available from several neighbouring cities, such as Benidorm and Alicante. The line 016 bus from Alicante to Guadalest takes around 2hrs 50 minutes, while the same bus from Benidorm to Guadalest takes around 32 minutes.
By coach trip: Another popular way for tourists to visit Guadalest is by booking onto a coach trip, and there are lots of day trips to Guadalest from Benidorm and Alicante. A coach trip from Albir/Benidorm to Guadalest costs from €18 per person, and day trips from Alicante to Guadalest that also include a stop at the Algar Waterfalls costs from €45 per person.
Is Guadalest worth visiting?
Absolutely! Guadalest is definitely worth visiting as the village has some amazing views, as well as several interesting attractions, including the Embalse de Guadalest and Castle of Guadalest.
Guadalest village is full of souvenir shops and pretty boutiques, lots of cafes and restaurants, and several viewpoints ideal for taking photos.
The pathway up to the village is quite steep and the paths are cobbled, so if you’re unsteady on your feet or using a wheelchair, it may not be the most ideal location for you to visit.
However, if you like traditional Spanish villages, you will enjoy a day trip to Guadalest.
When is the best time to visit Guadalest?
We’ve visited Guadalest several times, during both spring, summer and winter, and have enjoyed all of our trips so whenever you can visit you won’t be disappointed.
However, the best time to visit Guadalest is during the spring or autumn when the weather is milder, and the village isn’t too crowded with tourists compared to the busy summer season.
Make sure you check the weather before visiting though, as on a rainy day (which you might get in spring or autumn) Guadalest wouldn’t be as much fun. You ideally need a clear day to take in the views, and the village is made up of cobbled streets which would be quite slippery in wet weather.
Should we combine a visit to Guadalest with the Algar Waterfalls?
Many of the day trips to Guadalest that you can book onto also include a stop at the Algar Waterfalls. If you’re short of time during your holiday to the area then this is a great way to see both places which are located fairly near to each other. However, if you have more time we’d really recommend doing them separately so you can take your time and not feel rushed.
What is there to do in Guadalest?
Some of the best things to do in Guadalest are:
Visit the Orduña House museum
The first stop on your Guadalest day trip, and the building you will come across after entering the short tunnel into the village, is the 17th century Orduña House museum. This building is the former residence of the Orduña family and here you can see a very well preserved home that includes furniture, paintings, ceramics, and more.
Entrance to the museum is €4 for adults, €2 for children, and includes access to the castle.
Explore El Castell de Guadalest
Once you have looked around the Orduña house you can carry on up to the castle.
El Castell de Guadalest, also known as the Castle of San José, is a small 11th century Gothic castle perched on top of a rocky cliff, offering some incredible panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
This Muslim built fortress also includes one well preserved tower (much of the castle was destroyed in the earthquake of 1644), a dungeon and prison, the Via Crucis, and the cemetery of Guadalest. You can also walk the length of the walls and take in the stunning views.
Visit the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
The bell tower of the Church of the Assumption is the iconic image of Guadalest, and you can see this close up when visiting the castle.
This beautiful Baroque style church from the 18th century is a must-visit for its stunning architecture and fascinating history.
Located in the old part of the town just beside the Orduña House museum, the church is open daily from 10am – 8pm for your too look around the inside for free.
Visit a museum
There are many small museums in Guadalest, covering a range of areas and interests including:
- The Museum of Miniatures – An ideal thing to do with kids in Guadalest, this museum has some very unique and quirky exhibits including the Statue of Liberty in the eye of a needle, a flea dressed as a bullfighter, and Goya’s Fusilamientos del 2 de Mayo painted on a grain of rice!
- The Ethnological museum – Here you can learn about the local culture and history of Guadalest through the museum’s exhibits which include traditional crafts and artifacts.
- The Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers – Another unique museum, here you’ll find more than 20,000 salt and pepper shakers from all over the world, from the 19th century onwards.
- The Museum of Historic Vehicles – This collection includes around 140 motorcycles and several microcars, in perfect condition, from the 1920s – 1970s. Ideal for car and motorbike enthusiasts!
Explore the Old Town streets and shops
Guadalest’s old town is known for its charming cobbled streets that are lined with souvenir shops, local crafts, and restaurants serving delicious local food.
The only entrance to the old town is through The Portal de Sant Josep tunnel that has been drilled into the rock.
You can take a leisurely stroll through the village, admire the views, buy some souvenirs, and stop at one of the many great Guadalest restaurants for lunch. Many of the restaurants have either views over the reservoir, the surrounding valley and countryside, or the castle.
Take in the views
We’ve mentioned the amazing views a few times already, but they really do have to be seen to be believed!
From the The Plaza de San Gregorio in the centre of the village you can look out at the stunning turquoise Guadalest reservoir known as the El Embalse de Guadalest. This is without a doubt one of the best photo spots on the Costa Blanca.
From the hilly pathway up to the village, as well as up at the castle, you will also be able to get some breathtaking views of the Guadalest valley.
Walk around the El Embalse de Guadalest
From the car park next to the village you can head down to the reservoir to take a close look. Known as “The Emerald Jewel”, the reservoir was built in the 1960s and the water comes from the Guadalest river.
The bright blue colour is due to tiny particles of silt suspended in the water. As you can see, our walk around the reservoir was on a cloudy December day and while not as blue, it’s still a lovely location for a walk!
There are various hiking routes around the Guadalest reservoir, but if you prefer a short stroll you can just take a wander and go as far as you like.
Explore the nearby natural parks
If you have driven to Guadalest and want to explore a bit further, the area is surrounded by natural parks, such as the Sierra de Aitana or the Parque Natural de la Font Roja, which offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, walking, and generally enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings.
Where to stay in Guadalest
There’s only really enough to do in Guadalest for half a day, but if you do want to stay for longer some accommodation options include:
Cases Noves – This beautiful boutique hotel provides rural accommodation in Guadalest for adults only. As well as stunning rooms, the hotel features a television room, reading room, music room and dining room for guests. Find out more and book.
Alojamientos Aitana Guadalest – Apartments right in the village with wonderful views of El Castell de Guadalest Castle. There is a bar next door serving breakfast and lunch. Find out more and book.
Hotel Guadalest Galaxy – For a more unique experience you can stay in a Bubble Hotel in nearby Benimantell. Set in a beautiful location this hotel also features hot tub, spa, and some absolutely stunning views. Find out more and book.
As you can see, Guadalest is a beautiful location for a day trip on the Costa Blanca, and definitely one to add to your list!
If you visit Guadalest we hope you have a great trip.
