Guadalest is a charming, picturesque town located in the northern part of the Marina Baixa in the Alicante province. Perched high on top of a rocky outcrop at an altitude of 587 metres (1925 feet), the village overlooks the breathtaking surroundings of the rugged mountain ranges, the beautiful valleys and the turquoise water of the reservoir below. It is surrounded by the mountain ranges of Xortà and Serrella in the north and the Aitana in the south.
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Mainly known as Guadalest, the official name is El Castell De Guadalest, its major attractions being the ruins of a medieval castle, the bell tower, the quaint village and the unique museums it has to offer. This small mountain village is rich in history, its unique architecture a major draw for both locals and tourists visiting the Costa Blanca region.
Brief history
The history of Guadalest dates back to Medieval times when in the 11th century, the Moors constructed 2 fortresses on top and around a pinnacle of rock. Both the Castle of San José and the Alcozaiba Castle were constructed in the 11th century.
The Castell Sant Josep played an important role as a defensive fortress over the centuries, due to its location on the hilltop. During the earthquakes in the years 1644 and 1748, both the castles got severely damaged and were nearly completely destroyed. Still today, only ruins are left to visit, but even so it still remains a prominent landmark attracting lots of visitors.
In the mid 20th century, El Castell de Guadalest underwent important changes, including the construction of a reservoir at the foot of the village. Completed in 1971, the reservoir helped put Guadalest on the map for tourism. In 1974, El Castell de Guadalest was officially declared a historical-artistic complex, while recognising its cultural and historical significance. By 2015, Guadalest earned the title of the most beautiful town in Spain, making it a top destination for visitors.
Is Guadalest worth visiting?
Absolutely. When visiting the Costa Blanca region, a visit to Guadalest by Alicante is well worth a detour, not only for the charming village, the rich history in town and the stunning views you have over the region, but it’s also worth visiting for the surrounding area. After discovering the village, make your way down to the reservoir to relax or to hike.
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Best time to visit Guadalest
A visit to Guadalest is beautiful all year round, with the colours of the surrounding nature changing with the different seasons.
Keep in mind that this is one of the most visited areas in the Costa Blanca region and during holiday season and in the weekend it can be very busy. Also parking can be a problem when visiting during peak times.
How to get there
Guadalest is located about 20 km (12 miles) inland from the coastal resort town of Benidorm, 65 km (40 miles) from Alicante and 70 km (44 miles) from Denia (when driving via the AP-7 highway).
- By car: The best and most convenient way to visit Guadalest is by car, at least, when visiting by yourself. From Benidorm, or the Benidorm turnoff from the AP-7 when coming from other directions, take the CV-70 route all the way to Guadalest. For getting a rental car, check here for the best deals.
- By bus: There is only one bus company that runs from Benidorm to Guadalest, which is Llorente Bus, with bus 16. Check on their website for the most recent timetable. However, there is at the time of writing only 1 bus in the morning to Guadalest and 1 bus back in the early afternoon.
There are 2 main parking lots at the entrance of the village. During peak season you’ll have to pay a fee, but in low season parking is mainly free of charge.
Visit Guadalest with a tour
If you don’t have your own transport, the best way to visit Guadalest is with an organised tour. As half a day is generally enough time for a visit to Guadalest, these tours often combine this trip with a visit to the beautiful Algar Waterfalls, often allowing a few hours to relax and swim.
This full-day tour leaves from a few coastal resorts like Benidorm, Altea and Calpe and will visit both Guadalest and Algar. From either Alicante or Benidorm as a starting point, you’ll be able to join this wonderful tour, also including both Castell de Guadalest and the Algar Waterfalls.
The more adventurous ones will definitely enjoy this guided jeep safari trip to Guadalest and the Algar waterfalls. It’s a fun way to see one of the main attractions of the Costa Blanca as well as a beautiful drive through the surrounding nature by jeep.
Interested in adding the picturesque village of Altea as well as Guadalest and the Algar falls to your itinerary? Then this tour is for you, leaving from Alicante or Benidorm.
Things to do in Guadalest
Guadalest is a small town, but there are plenty of things to see and do to keep you entertained for a few hours or a whole day, especially when also discovering the Guadalest valley.
Stroll through the streets of Guadalest
Guadalest is divided into two parts; the upper and lower section. The only access to the upper part is through the Portal de San José or the Saint Joseph tunnel.
The upper part is within the fortress and castle walls where you can explore some of the main attractions, including Casa Orduña, San Gregorio Square, the church, viewpoints and the castle ruins.
The lower part used to be the Muslim settlement located just outside the fortress walls but was still under its protection. Today, it is home to quite a few museums and shops as well as various restaurants and bars where you can enjoy local cuisine.
As you stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets you’ll come across the whitewashed houses adorned with colourful flower pots and palm trees but also some stunning viewpoints overlooking the surrounding area.
Portal de San José
One of the most iconic features of Guadalest is the Portal de Sant Josep or the Saint Joseph Tunnel. This stone cut tunnel, carved directly into the rock, served and still serves as the only entrance between the upper and lower part of town or to enter the protection of the fortress walls.
It was built during Medieval times so while walking through this tunnel straight into the historic centre of Guadalest it feels like stepping back in time.
Castle of San José
The Castle of San José was built during the 11th century and served as a fortress and settlement for the Muslims. It was severely damaged during various earthquakes in the 17th and 18th century while suffering even more damage due to an explosion during the Spanish Succession war in 1708.
The castle is located on the highest part of town from where you have wonderful views over the surrounding area, the rooftops, the reservoir below and the iconic bell tower.
Entrance to the castle is via the Orduña house where the fee is 4 Euro, including the entrance to the Orduña museum.
Orduña house
Casa Orduña was once the residence of the noble Orduña family, a Basque family who were entrusted with the administration and governance of Guadalest under the Cardona’s, Admirals of Aragon. The Orduña family had the house built after the earthquake in 1644 that destroyed the castle.
It has been restored and turned into a museum. A visit to this museum takes you right back in time, with paintings, furniture, ceramics and other objects from a bygone era. There are various rooms to visit in the Orduña house, like the kitchen, library, dining room and more spread over 4 floors.
Parish church of our Lady of the Assumption
Located next to the Orduña House, the Parish Church of Our Lady of the Assumption is a small Baroque style church constructed mid 18th century. During the Spanish Civil War the church was plundered and burned but was renovated at the end of the 20th century.
Bell tower
The Bell Tower is without a doubt the most iconic sight of Guadalest. Perched high on top of the rocks, almost suspended on the cliffside, you’ll see the white Bell Tower which used to be the watchtower.
Enjoy the Viewpoints
There are various viewpoints to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountain ranges, the village and the reservoir below. However, the one viewpoint you should not miss is the Mirador de la Muralla. This viewpoint is located past the Plaza San Gregorio. Just follow the alley and you’ll get to the mirador.
Plaza san Gregorio
The Plaza San Gregorio is a small but lively square in the heart of the upper part of Guadalest. It features a statue of San Gregorio, the patron saint of the town, who is celebrated on the first weekend in May.
Further on the square you’ll find the townhall and the dungeons dating back to the 12th century. There are also souvenir shops and cafés with terraces where you can relax and enjoy the quaint atmosphere of the village.
Visit the museums
For such a small village, Guadalest is home to many museums. Apart from the Orduña House Municipal Museum, some of the other museums you can visit are the Nativity Scene and Dollhouse Museum, Historic Vehicles Museum, Microminiatures Museum, Salt and Pepper Shakers Museum, Medieval Historical Museum, Microgiant Museum and the Ethnological Museum.
Most of these museums, apart from the Casa Orduña museum are located in the lower part of town, close to the parking area. For more information about opening times and entrance fees, check this website.
Reservoir or Embalse de Guadalest
The construction of the dam started in 1953 and was completed in 1963. It receives its water mainly from the Guadalest river. The dam is wonderfully surrounded by the various mountain ranges, making it a breathtaking environment for hikes. You can visit the dam wall, which is a short drive from El Castell de Guadalest down to the valley.
A beautiful hike is the 10 km (6.2 miles) circular route around the reservoir. The hike is reasonably flat and mainly on paved road. It provides awesome views over the blue green and turquoise waters of the dam but also of the town of Guadalest when looking up.
Continue planning your trip with these guides
- What to do in Benidorm – Discover what to see and do in this vibrant coastal city.
- Best things to do in Alicante – Alicante also has lots to offer.
- Beautiful day trips from Alicante – When staying in Alicante, explore the rest of the Costa Blanca region.
- Visit Altea – Beautiful gem on the Costa Blanca.
- Best souvenirs to buy in Spain – Find out which are the top souvenirs to bring back home from Spain.
