El Castell de Guadalest
VillageEl Castell de Guadalest is one of Spain’s most photographed villages: a cluster of white houses and a castle perched on a crag above a turquoise reservoir, reached through a tunnel cut into the living rock.
Why visit Guadalest
The old village sits on a rocky outcrop in the mountains behind Benidorm, its castle and white bell-tower commanding the valley. Below, the bright green-blue waters of the Guadalest reservoir fill the gorge, and the village’s many small museums add to the appeal.
Castell de Sant Josep
The ruined hilltop castle, reached on foot, with giddy views over the reservoir and the Aitana range.
The bell-tower
The white Penya bell-tower perched on its own rock spur — the village’s signature silhouette.
The reservoir
The vivid turquoise Guadalest reservoir filling the valley below, best seen from the village miradors.
The rock tunnel
The only entrance to the old village is a passage hewn through the rock beside the Casa Orduna.
The museums
A surprising cluster of small museums — micro-miniatures, salt and pepper, antique vehicles and more.
The valley miradors
Lookouts over orchards and mountains in every direction, with the sea visible on clear days.
Practical information
- Getting there: about 1h 10m by car from Alicante airport (ALC); a large car park sits below the village.
- Best time to visit: spring and autumn, and weekday mornings to beat the tour coaches.
- Getting around: the old village is car-free and steep — comfortable shoes are useful.
- Don’t miss: the classic photo of the bell-tower from the cemetery terrace.
Explore more of the Costa Blanca
Guadalest is one of 39 destinations on the CostaMap interactive map — browse beaches, villages, castles and viewpoints across the whole coast.
