What to See in Guadalest in 1 Day: Top 5

In this article, we’ll tell you what you can visit in Guadalest during a morning, a hidden treasure on the Costa Blanca, within the Marina Baixa region. The place is a Historical Artistic Complex. Its name in Valencian is El Castell de Guadalest. In Spanish, it translates to Castle.

This charming village is located in the interior of the province of Alicante and, what many don’t know, is that in 2015 it joined the “Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain” and the following year, in 2016, it joined the “Federation of the Most Beautiful Villages in the World“. Guadalest is among the most popular tourist attractions in the Valencian Community, which is a great indicator. Planning a visit to Guadalest is an excellent option, even for family enjoyment.

The river that flows towards the reservoir and the village are known as the Guadalest Valley, which is home to six small villages at the foot of the Sierra de Aitana. These villages, with populations ranging from a few hundred inhabitants, are: Benimantell (500 inhabitants), Confrides (250 inhabitants), Beniardà (230 inhabitants), El Castell de Guadalest (200 inhabitants), Benifato (124 inhabitants) and Abdet (98 inhabitants). It’s worth noting that “Beni” means “son of” and has its origin in the Muslim language, suggesting a rich history in this area.

Visit to the Village

We’ll start our tour by indicating that Guadalest is the ideal destination for those seeking a getaway. Far from the usual image of tourist spots, it’s a candidate for Rural Wonder 2019 and has been certified as one of the 59 most beautiful villages in Spain, as well as one of the 400 most beautiful in the world. All this just a short journey from Alicante.

Next, we’ll detail the most relevant aspects of the place, using a map of the village. With photographs and plans, it’s easier to explain what you can see in Guadalest.

Map of Guadalest

Ways to Access Guadalest Castle: Instructions with Images

We’ll guide you through the path to San José Castle, with each step documented and accompanied by images:

We start at the Trinquet

We climb the Costera de Gabriel Miró and arrive at the Trinquet. It’s presumed that this space was used at the time to play Valencian Pilota, which justifies its name.

If you want to see the oldest one in the Valencian Community, you can visit the Trinquet de l’Abdet, located in the Vall de Guadalest and built in 1772.

ACCESS TUNNEL

After a small ascent, we reach the Portal de Sant Josep, carved into the rock, which serves as the entrance to the tunnel that connects to the historical-artistic complex.

As you cross the tunnel, you’ll experience the feeling of having gone back to the 16th or 17th centuries. Upon exiting, you’ll find yourself at the Orduña House.

Visit to the Municipal Museum Casa Orduña

The Orduña House is a 17th-century building, erected after the great earthquake of 1644. Its most outstanding features include:

• The entrance with religious paintings.
• The arch room.
• An Ecce Homo.
• The room dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption.
• A collection of ceramics.
• The library, which houses more than 1200 volumes.
• An area for itinerant exhibitions.

The two most important dates in the history of this house are:

1. In 1543, the Marquisate of Guadalest was established for the Cardona family. During this period, the Orduña family stands out, who were perpetual alcaides of the castle since 1669. This family rose to nobility in 1756 and later to the presidency of the Alicante Provincial Council, significantly influencing the region.
2. In 1708, during the War of Succession, San José Castle was partially destroyed and the Orduña House was set on fire.

You can contact them at 965.885.393, or via email at museomunicipal@guadalest.es. The Opening Hours of Casa Orduña are: High Season 10h-20h, Mid Season 10h-20h, Winter 10h-18h.

The Alcozaiba

This is the last vestige of the 11th-century Muslim fortress, and currently only one tower remains, which has been restored. It is one of the most iconic images of the province of Alicante, surrounded by the reservoir and the Vall de Guadalest, and located near the Sierra de Aitana.

The Bell Tower

This is the emblematic image of the medieval town, where the bell tower of the Church of the Assumption rises above a cliff.

Castle of San José or Castell de Guadalest

After all these steps, we have reached the Castell de Guadalest or Castle of San José. This is the main attraction to see in Guadalest and the most visited. In the highest part of the town are the remains dating from the time of Pedro IV that survived the earthquakes.

This is an 11th-century Gothic castle and within its walls you can find the Parish Church, the Orduña House, and a prison.

Continuing with Medieval History, although briefly, the town of Guadalest is known for its castle of Muslim origin. After the reconquest, it maintained a significant Muslim population and, later, King Jaume II granted the town to Bernat d’Ensarrià in 1293, known as Bernardo. This nobleman managed the region, which included Callosa (d’Ensarrià), home of the Algar Fountains.

We leave you the link for the Virtual Tour of Guadalest.

The Stations of the Cross

This path leads to the old town cemetery.

The Tower of Homage

In all castles, the keep was the last bastion of defense, characterized by robust walls and superior height compared to the other towers. Its round design offered more resistance against projectiles, while square towers offered more functional space and for dependencies.

The Medieval Prison and Dungeons

It is interesting to note that the current Town Hall is located in the old building that housed the 12th-century prison, which includes a cistern on its ground floor.

Parish Church of Our Lady of the Assumption

A church that follows the 18th-century Baroque style, located near the Orduña House.

The Town Square and Streets

You can find photographs of the old town of Guadalest, showing travelers strolling through the streets and enjoying local businesses. Here you can have a drink in a bar, buy souvenirs or simply take a walk; there is much more than just museums and guided tours.

Guadalest: Unique and Fascinating Museums of the World

Here’s a list of the most interesting museums you can visit in the town:

1. The Salt and Pepper Shakers Museum, one of the most peculiar in the town. It has a collection of more than 20 thousand salt and pepper shakers from around the world, some dating from the 19th century to the present.
2. The impressive Microgigantic Museum. In this place, you can observe amazing miniatures, such as a bullring on the head of a pin, a Bible made from a single hair, a flea riding a bicycle, a self-portrait carved on a grain of sand, or even the Statue of Liberty inside the eye of a needle. Its creator, Manuel Ussá, works with a unique technique, without breathing, intervening only in the interval between heartbeats to control his pulse. We suggest you look on Groupon.es, where there are often promotions for the Microgigantic Museum. This is an ideal place to visit with children in Guadalest.
3. Museum of Torture Instruments.
4. Museum of Microminiatures by MANUEL USSÁ. Here you will see works such as Goya’s “The Third of May 1808” painted on a grain of rice, “The Naked Maja” on a fly’s wing, and an extensive collection by Manuel Ussá, who is considered one of the world’s most outstanding microminiaturists. Another good plan to visit with children in Guadalest.
5. Ethnological Museum, or Typical 18th Century House, which presents the life of the town’s inhabitants in past times. It includes a Nativity scene and dollhouses.
6. Antonio Marco Museum. In this space, you’ll find dollhouses, an ecological nativity scene, and antique toys. The entrance fee is 4 euros for adults and 2 euros for children. This museum is open all year round, except on Christmas and New Year’s Day. You can check the https://www.guadalestmuseos.com/es/. If your children are passionate about dolls, this is a perfect place for their entertainment.
7. Collection of Historic Vehicles. This museum houses a collection of approximately 140 motorcycles and several microcars, all in optimal condition and completely original, spanning from the 1920s to the 1970s. Admission costs 4 euros for adults, 3 euros for children, and children under 6 enter free. Open every day except Saturdays. Visit http://www.museovehiculosguadalest.com/ for more information.

Guadalest Reservoir

The Guadalest reservoir or dam is another iconic view that you can appreciate from the top of the village. Its construction took place in the 1960s and was completed in 1971. The water comes from the Guadalest River, which is a tributary of the Algar River. You have surely heard of the famous Algar fountains.

For those who enjoy hiking, we recommend the hiking route through Guadalest. Additionally, at the end of the reservoir is the dam, which supplies water for irrigation and supply to the entire region of Marina Baixa. If you want to explore the interior of the province of Alicante, you can’t miss visiting this place. We assure you that it is one of the best destinations in the Alicante interior for hiking, with spectacular panoramic views. If you like to explore, this is definitely your place.

If you want to fish, we advise you to head to the south shore, which is the only access by car.

Frequently Asked Questions about Guadalest

What events take place?

• Patron Saint Festivities of Guadalest: Celebrated in mid-August, around the 14th.
• Romantic Night: An event that takes place simultaneously in the 59 most beautiful villages in Spain and in 400 in Europe, with dinner and music in the square around June 22nd.
• Saint Gregory Festivities (Festes de Sant Gregori): Celebrated in early May.

What to eat in Guadalest?

We always suggest exploring the traditional cuisine of the region. When you decide to eat in Guadalest, you must try the rabbit with aioli, stuffed peppers, baked vegetables, and L’Olleta de Blat.

We recommend checking Tripadvisor to read the opinions of those who have eaten there. As always, it’s advisable to take opinions with a grain of salt when choosing restaurants, hotels, or even campsites.

Where to Stay: Hotels in Guadalest? Rural Houses?

Near the village, you’ll find a selection of hotels in Guadalest and rural houses, but they are usually limited. Before deciding on a hotel, think about what you plan to do in the surrounding area. Whether you want to spend a few days in the valley, away from civilization, or prefer to be near the sea with more accommodation options. In less than 20 minutes by car, you can reach the Castle.

Camping in the vicinity

If you’re interested in a nearby camping accommodation, we suggest Camping Armanello in Benidorm. From there, it will take you less than 30 minutes (although Google Maps might indicate otherwise) to reach the village. Here you can camp, have plots for caravans and motorhomes, as well as bungalows and other lodging options. If you plan to visit during Easter or summer, there will be entertainment activities for the little ones.

As expected, we recommend enjoying the experience in a camping with bungalows, allowing you to explore the valley for a day, going up and down the mountain. Both our camping and the village have excellent reviews on Tripadvisor and can be one of the best combinations of accommodation and activity in Alicante.

How to get to Guadalest from Alicante