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Guadalest - Spanish gem near Alicante
This beautiful village, officially named El Castell de Guadalest, or Guadalest for short, is located inland in the province of Alicante, near Benidorm. Perched atop a steep rocky cliff, it is surrounded by imposing mountains and dates back to the Muslim period. It was the Muslims who fortified the village and created what is today one of the city's most beautiful attractions – the Castle of San José, or Castell de Guadalest. Another jewel was also built during the twentieth century – the Guadalest Dam, which also brings wonderful colors and beauty to a region of long agricultural tradition.
Today it is a wonderful tourist village, it has less than 300 inhabitants. If you decide to visit the village, you will not regret it. You park right in the center, although parking is charged, but it is worth using it, because it is not at all easy to park somewhere else. The village is small, so you won't get lost - you can see the first tower of the castle right from the parking lot. On the way to the castle, you will come across a variety of miniature museums, torture, but also restaurants and bars, shops with clothes and souvenirs. When you pass through the first gate to the castle, you will discover another small square with a church, shops, a museum, restaurants and bars, but most importantly – a wonderful view of the Guadalest dam.
Guadalest Dam, known as the "Emerald Jewel", is a beautiful blue-green reservoir where the Guadalest River ends. If you come by car, we recommend visiting the dam up close, there is a beautiful circular hiking trail, or you can just walk through the beautiful surroundings surrounded by mountains. The route is of low to slightly moderate difficulty, you will go around the body of water along the path, during which you will come across rich vegetation, wonderful views.
We have visited Guadalest several times, but definitely not the last time….
