Finestrat is an enchanting small Spanish town that undoubtedly can be called a well-hidden Costa Blanca gem. You’ve probably heard about famous towns like Villajoyosa, Calpe, or Altea but we can bet you’ve never heard of Finestrat. If it weren’t 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, it’s one of the best-prepared towns in the area for visitors. Without further ado, let’s go and let us show you things to do in Finestrat, Spain.
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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 close to Benidorm and Alicante, the two most popular travel destinations in the area.
Yes, Finestrat is a town worth visiting. It’s not a typical Spanish white town (like nearby Calpe or Altea) and it’s not even remotely as crowded as Benidorm or Alicante. It’s beautiful, charming, peaceful, and yet undiscovered by many.
Finestrat Old Town is located at the foot of Puig Campana mountain, about 15km from Benidorm center. The town’s only beach, La Cala de Finestrat, and its surrounding area are squeezed between Villajoyosa and Benidorm – about 4km from Benidorm center and 13km from Finestrat old town.
Things to do in Finestrat, Spain – Hidden Gem On Costa Blanca
Finestrat consists of three main parts:
- Puig Campana mountain
- Old town (Pueblo) – located on a hill, at the foot of the Puig Campana
- La Cala – Finestrat’s only beach, on the border with Benidorm city
So the whole town is located at altitudes from 0 to… 1406 m a.s.l. Impressive, right?
To discover Finestrat’s old town at its best, follow a route signposted by the city council itself. This route allows you to visit the town’s most beautiful and important places. But don’t 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 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, let’s 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 town’s colorful, narrow streets, admire the surroundings, and feel that you moved back in time. Also, make breaks at viewing points and admire magnificent views over the coast and Puig Campana. It’s 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, you’ll find an auditorium, hermitage, and two stunning viewpoints – one over the Mediterranean Sea, and the second over Puig Campana mountain.
Hermitage of the Santísimo Cristo del Remedio
The Hermitage of the Santísimo 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.
Discover: Accommodation options in Finestrat Old Town
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, it’s not that bad! It’s a fairly easy hike that offers spectacular views.
At the Puig Campana hike starting point, you’ll also find Font del Moli which was an important spring that supplied the town with drinking water for decades
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. It’s a small secluded beach that is often mistaken as a part of Benidorm. There you’ll find many hotels, restaurants, bars, small shops, and even markets on Thursdays and Saturdays. La Cala beach can get really busy during the summer months, so be prepared for that!
Near the beach, there are two places worth seeing, both located on small hills – Tossal de la Cala viewpoint and Aguilo Tower with great views over the coast and beaches!
Finestrat market
Every Tuesday and Saturday you can also visit the town’s 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.
Discover: Accommodation options in Finestrat Old Town
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 or bus.
Where to park in Finestrat?
If you’re traveling by car your best option is to leave your car in this free parking lot located right next to Finestrat Old Town.
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.
To Finestrat by bus
You can reach Finestrat Old Town by bus from many nearby places. For example, a trip from Villajoyosa will take about 35min, and 30min from Benidorm. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Finestrat by taxi
The most expensive option, but also the fastest one if you care about time. For example, a trip from Benidorm will take only about 15 minutes (€29-35) or 30 minutes from Calpe (€65-80). To learn more about taxi connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Camping Finestrat
If you’re traveling by camper, campings like Camping Puig Campana, Area Camperàlia Finestrat or Sunbeach Campark might interest you. All are located in or near Finestrat.
Things to do in Finestrat, Spain – Summing Up
Now you know all the great things to do in Finestrat. As you can see, the town is definitely worth a visit, even a short one. We can guarantee that you will be surprised by its beauty and you’ll start wondering “why isn’t it as popular as other towns in the area?!”.
We hope that one day Finestrat, this beautiful hidden gem on Costa Blanca, will become more popular – it deserves it. Be sure to add this town to your Spain bucket list – you won’t regret it.
Our opinion about Finestrat, Spain
For us, a visit to Finestrat Old Town was a day trip from the Benidorm 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. As we wrote in the beginning, we discovered Finestrat Old Town by chance, but we’re so glad that we did! Until today you won’t find it online in compilation posts like “best places to visit on Costa Blanca” or “best places for trips from Alicante/Benidorm” (well, besides ours!) and that’s a shame.
From the first steps, Finestrat 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 – we found it nice too, but nearby Benidorm beaches are better in our opinion. Oh, and we loved hiking Puig Campana – the 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.
Book now: Finestrat Motor Museum and Family Experience
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
