Finestrat is an enchanting small Spanish town that undoubtedly can be called a well-hidden Costa Blanca gem. Youโve probably heard about famous Villajoyosa, Calpe, Altea, or Benidorm but we can bet that youโve never heard of Finestrat. Actually, if it werenโt for the fact that we were renting a flat near La Cala and we passed the Finestrat old town when we were going to Puig Campana, we would probably have missed it too! And that would be a shame! Especially since ironically, itโs one of the best-prepared towns in the area for visitors. Without further ado, letโs go and discover the best things to do in Finestrat, Spain.ย
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Finestrat, Spain FAQ
Finestrat is located in the heart of Costa Blanca in the Province of Alicante in Spain. It lies in close proximity to Benidorm and Alicante, the two most popular travel destinations in the area.
Yes, Finestrat is definitely worth visiting. Itโs not a typical Spanish white town (like nearby Calpe or Altea) and itโs not even remotely as crowded as Benidorm or Alicante. Itโs beautiful, charming, peaceful, and yet undiscovered by many.ย
Finestrat old town is located at the foot of Puig Campana mountain, about 15km from Benidorm center. The townโs only beach, La Cala de Finestrat, and its surrounding area are squeezed between Villajoyosa and Benidorm โย about 4km from Benidorm center and 13km from Finestrat old town.
Things To Do In Finestrat, Spain โ Hidden Gem On Costa Blanca
Finestrat consists of three main parts:
- Puig Campana mountain
- Old town (Pueblo) โ located on a hill, at the foot of the Puig Campana
- La Cala โ Finestratโs only beach, on the border with Benidorm city
So the whole town is located at altitudes from 0 toโฆ 1406 m a.s.l. Impressive, right?
To discover Finestratโs old town at its best, follow a route signposted by the city council itself. This route allows you to visit the most beautiful and important places in the town. But donโt forget to also take a look at the other side streets, as there are plenty of things to discover.
You can also visit Finestrat Tourist Information for more useful information. Their office is located right next to the Church of Saint Bartholomew. Check out the exact location on the Finestrat map at the end of the post.
Vamos, letโs go on a walk around the Finestrat old town and see what it has to offer.
Finestrat Old Town
One of the best things to do in Finestrat is to visit its old town. Each corner of Finestrat Old Town is very charming and worth seeing. It was built on the foundations of what used to be an Arab castle.
Slowly wander across the townโs colorful, narrow streets, admire the surroundings and feel that you moved back in time. Also, make breaks at viewing points and admire extraordinary views over the coast and Puig Campana. Itโs a true delight to wander around this town.
Finestrat Castle
While wandering the streets sooner or later you will come across Finestrat Castle, or rather a beautiful garden park because there are no longer visible remains of the castle. In the park, youโll find an auditorium, hermitage, and two stunning viewpoints โ one over the Mediterranean Sea, and the second over Puig Campana mountain.
Hermitage of the Santรญsimo Cristo del Remedio
The Hermitage of the Santรญsimo Cristo del Remedio was built in 1925. During the Civil War it was damaged. However, nowadays you can admire it in its full glory thanks to the contributions made by the locals. Surroundings are also beautiful, amazing gardens, with unbeatable views of Puig Campana and the coast.
The Church of Saint Bartholomew
The Church of Saint Bartholomew is an 18th-century baroque church located in the old town. The figure of the Finestrat patron, Saint Bartholomew, is kept inside. In addition, you can admire the building of the city hall right next to it.
Puig Campana mountain
Puig Campana mountain, with an altitude of 1406 meters, is the second-highest peak in the province of Alicante. Mountain has quite a dramatic profile and it may look like a really hard hike but in reality, itโs not that bad! Itโs a fairly easy hike that offers spectacular views.ย
At the Puig Campana hike starting point, youโll also find Font del Molรญ which was an important spring that supplied the town with drinking water for decadesย
Learn more: Puig Campana, The Second-Highest Hiking Route In The Province Of Alicante
La Cala De Finestrat beach
Finestrat also has its own beach, La Cala de Finestrat. Itโs a small secluded beach that is often mistaken as a part of Benidorm. There youโll find many hotels, restaurants, bars, small shops and even market on Thursdays and Saturdays. La Cala beach can get really busy during summer months, so be prepared for that!
Near the beach, there are two places worth seeing, both located on small hills โ Tossal de la Cala viewpoint and Aguilรณ Tower with great views over the coast and beaches!
Finestrat market
Every Tuesday and Saturday you can also visit the townโs market which takes place right beside the La Cala de Finestrat beach. The interesting thing is that the street on which it takes place officially belongs to the town of Villajoyosa.
Other things to do in Finestrat, Spain
Here are other ideas of great things to do in Finestrat:
- Participate in Fiestas Patronales celebrations in honor of Saint Bartholomew that take place yearly around August 24th
- Go play golf in Real Faula or Golf Course Sierra Cortina
- Visit Go Karting Finestrat and have some fun on racing tracks
How to get to Finestrat, Spain?
Finestrat Old Town is located about 10km from Villajoyosa, 15km from Benidorm, 35m from Calpe, and 40km from Alicante. The most convenient way to get to Finestrat is by car.
Where to park in Finestrat?
If youโre traveling by car your best option is to leave your car in this free parking lot located right next to Finestrat Old Town.ย ย ย
Airports near Finestrat
The closest airports to Finestrat are located in Alicante (55km away) and Valencia (160km away). Both airports offer bus connections with Finestrat. To learn more about connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.ย
To Finestrat by bus
You can easily reach Finestrat old town by bus from many nearby places. For example, a trip from Villajoyosa will take about 35min (โฌ1-2), and 30min from Benidorm. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.ย
To Finestrat by taxi
The most expensive option, but also the fastest one if you care about time. ย For example, a trip from Benidorm will take only about 15min (โฌ15-20) or 30min from Calpe (โฌ35-45). To learn more about taxi connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Camping Finestrat
If youโre traveling by camper, campings like Camping Puig Campana, Area Camperร lia Finestrat or Sunbeach Campark might interest you. All are located in or near Finestrat.
Things to do in Finestrat, Spain โ Summing Up
Now you know all the things to do in Finestrat. As you can see, the town is definitely worth a visit. We can guarantee that you will be surprised by its beauty and youโll start wondering โwhy isnโt it as popular as other towns in the area?โ. We hope that one day Finestrat, this beautiful hidden gem on Costa Blanca, will be more popular. Be sure to add this town to your Spain bucket list โ you wonโt regret it.
Our opinion about Finestrat, Spain
For us, a visit to Finestrat Old Town was a one-day trip from the Benidorm/La Cala area where we lived for a few weeks. We visited it in November and back then town streets were very quiet. We came across only a few other tourists then. As we wrote in the beginning, we discovered Finestrat old town by chance and weโre so glad that we did! Until today you wonโt find it online in compilation posts like โbest places to visit on Costa Blancaโ or โbest places for trips from Alicante/Benidormโ (well, besides ours!) and thatโs a shame.ย
From the first steps, Finestrat old town enchanted us. There might not be many things to do but we spend a nice few hours just wandering across its streets and admiring lovely houses and views over Puig Campana. As for La Cala beach โ we found it nice too, but to be honest nearby Benidorm beaches are better in our opinion. Oh, and we loved hiking Puig Campana โ views over the surroundings are truly amazing!
Finestrat can also be a great place not just for travelers, but for nomads and expats. If you would like to enjoy traveling while working, check out this platform to find job opportunities for expats: https://jooble.org/jobs-expat.
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Finestrat?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Finestrat:
Where to sleep in Finestrat?
Aparthotel Ola Blanca
Aparthotel Ola Blanca is a modern and stylish accommodation option in Benidorm, Spain. Featuring a range of amenities including a swimming pool, gym, and rooftop terrace, it is an ideal choice for those looking for comfort and convenience during their stay.
Puig Campana Nature Suites Hotel & BTT
Puig Campana Nature Suites Hotel & BTT is an eco-friendly hotel located in Finestrat, Spain that offers a unique experience of staying in a suite with a view of the stunning Puig Campana mountain. The hotel also offers mountain bike rental and guided tours for guests to explore the natural surroundings.
Atalaya Sea View
Atalaya Sea View is a modern and stylish apartment complex located in Finestrat, Spain, offering stunning views of the sea and surrounding mountains. It features comfortable and fully equipped apartments with spacious balconies, a swimming pool, and easy access to the beach and other attractions.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
