Free walking tours in Guadalest and what to see

Must-sees

Guadalest, officially El Castell de Guadalest, is a small village in the Alicante mountains built on a crag. You enter the upper part through a tunnel cut into the rock, the Portal de Sant Josep. Up top are Casa Orduña, a manor house turned museum, and from there you climb to the remains of San José castle and the cemetery, with views over the whole valley. The white bell tower on an isolated rock is the best-known image.

From the viewpoints you see the Guadalest reservoir, with turquoise water among mountains, which you can circle by car or on foot along a path. The village has several small, quirky museums, such as one of microminiatures, and the old prison beneath the town hall. The Arrabal district, below the crag, gathers shops and restaurants. Arrive early, as by mid-morning it fills with visitors.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours as such in Guadalest. Most people come on a day trip from Benidorm, Altea or Alicante, often combined with the Fonts de l'Algar in Callosa d'en Sarrià. Some include a guide for the old town and the castle. If you go independently, the Casa Orduña ticket gives access to the castle grounds, and the area has guided hiking routes through the valley and around the reservoir.

How long to spend

Guadalest can be explored in about three hours: one for the upper town, Casa Orduña and the castle, another for the viewpoints and a museum, and the rest for lunch or a drink in the Arrabal. If you want to walk by the reservoir or do a route in the Sierra de Aitana, give it the whole day. In the afternoon, when the excursions leave, the village is quieter.

Where to stay

The village has few beds, in rural cottages and the odd small hotel, and sleeping here lets you see Guadalest without the crowds. In the valley, in villages such as Benimantell or Beniardà, there are more rural cottages and a mountain atmosphere. If you prefer the coast, Altea and Benidorm are 30 to 40 minutes away by car and have much more choice. Altea is the best option if you want a relaxed atmosphere.