Alicante and Benidorm (Costa Blanca)

Tour itinerary:

• Departure from Bratislava, arrival in Alicante, accommodation

• Routes specified for interested guests at the time of booking

• End of the stay, handing over the rooms, free programme, departure according to instructions. The Alicante – Costa Blanca area is one of the very attractive parts of Spain for cycle touring. The surroundings of Benidorm combine the Mediterranean coast, beaches and small coves with prominent mountains inland. Just a few kilometres from the busy coast you find yourself among citrus and almond orchards, in valleys and traditional villages.

The region's official tourist website lists road and mountain cycle routes of various difficulty around Benidorm; for example, the loop Benidorm – Altea – Callosa d'en Sarrià – La Nucía – Benidorm is approximately 40 km long with a little over 500 m of ascent.

In Benidorm itself the Old Town with its narrow streets and historic atmosphere is worth a visit.

On a rocky headland between the beaches

Levante and Poniente stands the well-known Mirador del Castell – Balcó de la Mediterrània, from where there are beautiful views of the coast and the sea. The historic centre thus forms an interesting contrast to the modern part of Benidorm with its high-rise buildings.

North of the town begins the Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada. It is one of the most beautiful natural areas near Benidorm, with high cliffs, views of the Mediterranean and coastal scenery. An interesting destination is La Cruz de Benidorm, a viewpoint over the whole bay, and the historic Torre de les Caletes, a 16th-century coastal watchtower that protected the coast from pirate attacks. A very nice destination for a bike trip is Altea. The old town lies on a hill above the sea and is characterised by white houses, narrow streets, small squares and the church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo with its typical blue domes. It is one of the most photogenic places on the whole Costa Blanca. Heading inland the landscape changes quickly. Via La Nucía and Callosa d'en Sarrià you can continue into a mountain valley as far as Castell de Guadalest. The historic town of Guadalest stands on a rock at more than 500 metres between the Aitana and Xortà mountains. It has kept its Moorish character and is dominated by San José castle – an 11th-century Muslim fortress entered through a tunnel hewn into the rock. Below the town lies a wonderful turquoise reservoir.

South of Benidorm it is worth heading to Villajoyosa (La Vila Joiosa). The town is known for its colourful houses by the sea, its old fishing quarter, beaches and a chocolate-making tradition of more than a hundred years. Among the historic monuments the Roman Torre de Sant Josep is interesting, and on the coast nearby there is also the 16th-century watchtower Torre del Aguiló.

For cycling with a daily start and return to the hotel in Benidorm the area is therefore very suitable. The individual days can be combined in the directions Villajoyosa – Finestrat, Altea – Albir, La Nucía – Callosa d'en Sarrià, the mountain direction to Guadalest, and along the coast and viewpoints of Benidorm. The routes offer sea, mountains, historic towns, castles and watchtowers, beaches, romantic views and opportunities for swimming stops.

It is a region where a single bike trip can combine the Mediterranean Sea, mountain nature, ancient monuments and the typical atmosphere of Spain's Costa Blanca.

Experience the Alicante region from the saddle of a bike – it is a mosaic of scents, views and terrains.

It offers unlimited possibilities: an easy trip with a view of the sea or a hard slog in the hills like a professional rider. Either way, this land will leave you with an impression in the form of “cycling postcards” that you will remember for a long time.