Guadalest Tourist Information
GUADALEST TOURIST INFORMATION
Guadalest is a small village on the Costa Blanca and it has become a very well known and much visited tourist destination. In part this is because of it's close proximity to Benidorm which allows for tours to be offered to Guadalest as it is only 30 minutes drive from the coast.
GETTING TO GUADALEST
From Benidorm you drive towards La Nucia heading towards the mountains. The twisting road has some spectacular views as you pass through the village of Polop toward Guadalest at 600 metres above sea level. Guadalest in situated and located in the Sierra de Aitana mountain range and is approximately 25 kilometres inland from Benidorm.
STAYING IN GUADALEST
Althought there are no hotels in Guadalest it is possible to stay in accommodation in the Guadalest area. A rural house called El Molinet is a rural house divided into 5 apartments.
WHAT IS GUADALEST?
Guadalest is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Costa Blanca. Guadalest is a village sitting on top of a mountain. The village appears perched on a tiny pinnacle rising into the sky which makes it look absolutely amazing. This gives beautiful views of the green valley with many other mountains in the background. Guadalest is famous for two buildings.
First is Guadalest castle (Castell de Guadalest) which can only be accessed by walking through a 15 foot long tunnel carved out of the rock. This is known as the Portal de San Jose. No wonder the castle was so secure!
When you get through the tunnel you see the old village houses and it feels like you have entered an ancient time. You can visit the restored house of the Orduna family to get an idea of what it used to be like living in ancient times in Guadalest. The streets of Guadalest are cobbled, there are little squares, a school and an old jailhouse.
Make sure you look to the right of Guadlest and you will see beautiful views of the valley which contains a dam and reservoir - the Embalse de Guadalest, built between 1953 and 1963.
The other famous building that you will often see photographed or on postcards is the white bell tower of Penon de la Alcala which rises up seemingly precariously perched on the mountainside.
The village of Guadalest only has about 200 inhabitants and needless to say most of these work in tourist related jobs. You will find many shops selling souvenirs, crafts and local produce such as honey, wine, handbags etc.
Guadalest also has a number of small museums many of them converted from little caves in the mountainside.
A trip to Guadalest need only take half a day and you can then be back on the Costa Blanca's beaches or by your pool but do make the effort because it is a worthwhile sightseeing trip and adds another dimension to your Costa Blanca holiday.
THE HISTORY OF GUADALEST
The castle at Guadalest was built by the Moors over 1,300 years ago. In 1609 King Felipe the third ordered all the Moors to be expelled leading to an uprising after which the Moors were defeated and left Spain.
Also of note was in 1848 when powder kegs blew up (the reason is not known) the castle was abandoned.
Other useful Guadalest pages:
Guadalest Webcams | Official Guadalest Tourist Board Page | Guadalest Weather Forecast
Costa Blanca Webcams | Costa Blanca Tourist Information
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