Day Trip: Guadalest and Fuentes de Algar from Benidorm or Alicante, Spain

Last summer, a few of Matt’s college friends came to visit us in Alicante for a week! While we’d had quite a few visitors by that point, this group definitely had the most go-go-go energy of anyone who had come to see us so far, so they kept us busy. We spent beach days at Playa San Juan, rode the ferry out to the island of Tabarca, and even tagged along on a day trip they’d booked to two places I’d never heard of before: Guadalest and las Fuentes de Algar.

On that occasion, we were part of a tour group; our day started in Alicante and our bus then drove to Benidorm to pick up more people before heading on to Guadalest and las Fuentes de Algar. It was a long day and we were on a time schedule designated by the tour group. But this past summer, when our friends Sarah and Kelan came to visit, we knew they would enjoy taking this day trip… but we decided to plan it ourselves! 

Now that I’ve done it both ways — both as part of a tour group and independently — I feel like I have good advice for anyone who wants to take a day trip to Guadalest and Fuentes de Algar. So, here’s what you need to know!

Why Visit Guadalest, Spain

Guadalest is a town in the province of Alicante, but about 67 km (42 miles) away from the city of Alicante. It’s only about 20 km (12 miles) from Benidorm. If you’re reading this, you’re most likely going to be visiting Guadalest from Alicante or Benidorm — and you can see from the distance that it really shouldn’t take too long to get there!

But Guadalest isn’t just any old Spanish town… rather, it’s a dramatic mountaintop village where the remnants of the old castle, an 11th-century Moorish fortress, are built directly into the mountain’s rocky cliff. Below, Guadalest Valley is home to acres of níspero groves covered by mesh netting, and the Guadalest Reservoir, which is so neon blue that it’s almost a bit unsettling.

Considering that you’ll have to take some winding cliffside roads to reach it, Guadalest is pretty isolated. And while it’s become a bit more well-known with tourists in recent years, it’s still nice to visit a remote mountain village that looks and feels so different from the larger cities in Alicante province.

What To Do in Guadalest

When you arrive in Guadalest, you’ll either park your rental car or be dropped off by your tour bus right in the “city center.” And you’ll notice, to the north, a giant cliff rising up above the town; beyond that, but out of view, there’s another in the distance with a little white and orange turret at the top. Start heading this direction, and soak up walking on the flat path while you can!

(Optionally, you can visit the Museo Microgigante, which you’ll pass on your right… we’ve never visited, but it’s only €4 and has 4.6 stars on Google which admittedly is better than I was expecting.)

It only takes about 5-10 minutes to walk up to the old castle’s entrance and museum, Museu Casa Orduña. It also costs €4, and while I personally wasn’t too interested in the museum itself, which is basically an old noble house from the 17th century, you have to go through it if you want access to the castle!

After leaving the house, you can wander all around the castle ramparts while overlooking the valley below. There are lots of stairs, and if you happen to be going in July (like we’ve done both times now) it’s going to be hot… but the views are worth it.

When you’re done at the museum and the castle, check out some of the cute shops in town or grab something to eat before heading on to the next stop…

Visiting Las Fuentes de Algar

About 18 km (11 miles) from Guadalest is the second place I think you need to stop if you decide to take this day trip from Alicante or Benidorm. Especially if you’re visiting in the summer!

So, in Spanish, fuente means fountain… but it’s so much more than that. Basically, las Fuentes de Algar is a waterpark full of natural freshwater pools, streams, and waterfalls! (Which is one reason why I don’t have a ton of photos of it… too busy swimming.)

When you arrive, you’ll either park or be dropped off by your tour bus about a 5-minute walk from the park entrance. You’ll then join the line to buy your ticket, which costs €8 for adults during peak season, or €6 during off-peak. Then, you’ll receive a wristband that corresponds to your “time slot” for the day: 10:00-13:00, 13:00-16:00, or 16:00-19:00. I think this is their way of making sure it doesn’t get too crowded. On our recent trip, we arrived around 14:30 so theoretically we should have only been able to stay for an hour and a half, but nobody kicked us out or anything.

If you want to maximize your time, book your tickets in advance online (so you don’t have to wait in line) and arrive at the earlier part of your chosen time slot.

Once you’re in, you’re then free to explore and cool off! You can swim under waterfalls, float down streams, find hidden pools, and relax amongst the shady trees during Spain’s hot, hot summer. 

Tips and Notes for Visiting Las Fuentes de Algar

• It will probably be busy no matter what, but going on a weekday if possible should help cut down on the crowds at least a little bit.

• Obviously, bring your swimsuit! You can either wear your swimsuit under your clothes, or just wear it from the parking lot if you have a car. You’re walking on the road for a few minutes, but no one will look at you weird. They also have changing rooms.

• Wear flip flops, rubber sandals, or water shoes. The whole area is really rocky, and it can be painful for your feet. And when you’re moving between pools, streams, and waterfalls, you’ll want shoes that are easy to slip on and off without worrying about getting them dirty.

• Food and drink is not allowed inside the park. There are a few restaurants and cafes just outside the park entrance. 

• Try not to bring too much with you. For the most part, you’ll be putting your bag and shoes off to the side of a pool or stream before getting in the water. A bag (that you don’t care about getting dirty or wet) with your towel inside should be enough. 

• If you want to swim through a narrow waterfall on your way to another pool, consider bringing a drybag! Otherwise, someone will have to stay with your stuff. That person has always been me, so far. 🙂

How To Plan Your Day Trip to Guadalest and Fuentes de Algar

If You Want To Take a Tour

This is the tour we did last year, and we enjoyed it though it was a very full day! It leaves from both Alicante and Benidorm. In Alicante, we got picked up first before heading to Benidorm to pick up the rest of the passengers.

We arrived in Guadalest around 11 a.m. and had about two hours to explore the old town, the fortress, and grab something to eat before meeting back at the bus for the second half of the trip to las Fuentes de Algar.

Our tour guide purchased all our group’s tickets and handed out our wristbands, and then we were free to explore for about two more hours before our designated meeting time back at the bus.

If You Want To Plan Your Own Trip

Planning your own day trip gives you more flexibility, but also more responsibility. Start by renting a car in Alicante or Benidorm – wherever you’re starting from. For the day, it shouldn’t be too expensive, especially if you’re splitting the cost between a few people like we did.

We rented our car from the bus station in Alicante, and once we were on the road it only took about an hour to get to Guadalest since we didn’t have to stop in Benidorm first! I recommend parking here – it also shouldn’t be too expensive.

From there, you can make the short trek from the lower part of town up to the winding old town and buy your tickets for the Casa. After an hour or so in  Guadalest, it should be about lunch time, and there are plenty of places to eat around town.

Alternatively, you could drive to the halfway point between Guadalest and las Fuentes de Algar, which is a town called Callosa d’en Sarrià, and have lunch there like we did!

Once you make it to las Fuentes, park in this area and make the 5ish minute walk to the park entrance – then enjoy exploring all the natural springs and (most importantly) cooling off, for as long as you want! (Or as long as your colored wristband will allow.)

Finally, at the end of your day, head back to Benidorm or Alicante and turn in your rental car. Don’t forget to fill up with gas on the way!

Plan Your Visit to Guadalest from Benidorm or Alicante

Have you ever heard of Guadalest or las Fuentes de Algar, and would you plan a visit there from Alicante or Benidorm? What else do you want to know? Feel free to leave me a comment!

-Cathy

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