From its privileged positions as a seaside resort, highly appreciated by all those who know it, Benidorm is now harvesting the fruits of a century of existence in the holiday market. It meets the high demands of the present day, when the requirements of its clientele, ever more experienced travellers, have enriched the undeniable attractions of the town, a leader of tourism in the Mediterranean, with complementary offers of the highest levels of quality and interest.
The tourist resort of Benidorm has sprung up along the sensual golden curves of its two magnificent beaches, with a back-drop of mountains which afford the sweet, mild micro-climate which is one of its principal attractions. As it has grown, Benidorm has added to its impressive infra-structure as a leisure resort with instalations which offer its visitors infinite possibilities of entertainment for all ages.
But this tourist treasure for both national and nowadays especially international visitors, is complemented to a great extent by beautiful places nearby. Visitors to these places are offered delightfull excursions, unforgettable moments, a relaxing walk in quiet picturesque spots, or merely a change from the hustle and bustle of the beach in the natural surroundings of Benidorm.
Callosa D´En Sarria
Only a dozen kilometres from Benidorm, in the evergreen valleys of the Algar and Guadalest rivers and surrounded by the peaks of the surrounding mountain ranges, (Aitana, 1.558 m., Serrella, 1.360 m., Ponotx, 1.100 m. And Bernia, 1.128 m.) can be found Callosa d’En Sarrià, a former Muslim hamlet, wich eventually became the principal township dominating most of the region of Marina Baixa.
Callosa is not only famous for the excellent fruits of its orchards, especially the golden treasure of its “nispero” (medlar) plantations, a fruit which is widely exported nowadays. It also has an intense cultural life which has enabled its past to be recovered in the form of an interesting anthropological museum. Its Moors and Cristians fiestas have acquired great popularity among visitors over the years.
However, one of the main attractions of Callosa is without doubt the rich landscape surrounding the Algar waterfalls (Fuentes del Algar) wich, because of their natural beauty, have been named “Font de Fonts” (The First among Waterfalls). The many falls and springs form a beautifull tapestry of waterfalls and still pools where the sparkling water running amidst the fertile vegetation creates a setting of exceptional beauty.
Guadalest
Little more than four kilometres away from Callosa d’en Sarrià along the winding road following the valley of the Guadalest, and just over 15 kilometres from Benidorm, or by the alternative route from Benidorm along the road from Polop de la Marina following the mountain slopes, stands the ancient fortress of Guadalest, at the head of the valley, with its back to the reservoir named after the river. It rises up in a privileged setting high on the crags which tower over the valley, creating a medieval picture, really impressive with its unique structure and the charm of its haughty silhouette
The upright outline of the crags on wich the old castle stands can be made out from far away, the white bell-tower crowning the sharp rocks.
As the visitor aprroaches and climbs the narrow streets full of little shops and stalls offering a wide range of typical products and handicrafts, he reaches the zig-zagging path up to the hundred-year-old door, carved into the very rock, which leads to the historic and impregnable fortress, from whose square there is a wonderful view of the reservoir.
A little further up, along the Via Crucis, the visitor reaches the terrace on which the castle, nowadays a cemetery, used to stand, to be rewarded with an exceptional panoramic view of orchards and pine forests streching away down to the sea, a landscape of breath-taking beauty.
Reminders of the Middle Ages are kept in a seculed fromer prison in the bassement of the Town Hall. In the assembly room, the visitor can appreciate a picture of considerable historic and artistic value.
Castell de Guadalest offers the visitor the added charm of its varied museums where delicate miniatures, artistic sculptures, everyday utensils or models of outstanding accuracy can be seen.
To complement all this, the typical mountain cuisine, handed down from generation to generation, is prepared with great pride in the various restaurants, making the visit to Castell de Guadalest an unforgettable experience which has inspired numerous travellers who have enjoyed this outstanding scenery to write glowing reports.