Blog 3
Today was one of those days that reminded me why travelling is so much more than simply visiting beautiful places. We spent the day driving through the mountains, discovering charming little villages, breathtaking viewpoints, historic places and, of course, enjoying some good food along the way. Every stop had something completely different to offer, and together they made the perfect Spanish road-trip day.
Altea la Vella
We started our day in Altea la Vella, a beautiful and peaceful little village surrounded by green mountains. Compared with the busier coastal areas, Altea la Vella felt much more authentic and quiet. The white houses, narrow streets and colourful flowers made it feel like we had stepped into a postcard.
I especially loved the atmosphere here. There was something very relaxing about simply walking around, taking in the views and enjoying the slower pace of life. It was the perfect way to start our day.
Lunch at El Riu
After exploring Altea la Vella, we stopped at El Riu for a well deserved break and something delicious to eat. The place had a lovely rustic atmosphere, surrounded by nature and traditional Spanish architecture, which made it feel very local and authentic.
What made this stop even more fun was the little market nearby. We had the chance to wander around and pick up some fun souvenirs and local treats to take home with us. It was the perfect opportunity to find something special to remember the day by.
After a morning of exploring, enjoying some good food and then taking our time at the market was exactly what we needed. I love these kinds of moments when travelling discovering little local shops, finding unexpected souvenirs and simply enjoying the atmosphere rather than rushing from one attraction to the next.
Castillo de San José
Next, we continued into the mountains towards Castillo de San José. This was probably one of the most impressive stops of the day.
The location itself is incredible. The historic castle sits dramatically among the rocky mountains, making you feel as though you have travelled back in time. Walking around the area, you can really imagine how important these places must have been centuries ago.
What I loved most was the combination of history and nature. One moment you’re looking at ancient stone and architecture, and the next you’re surrounded by enormous mountains and endless views.
Mirador del Embalse de Guadalest
Then came one of my favourite views of the entire day: Mirador del Embalse de Guadalest.
From the viewpoint, we could see the turquoise green water of the reservoir surrounded by mountains and dense forests. The contrast between the water, rocks and greenery was absolutely beautiful.
I remember just standing there for a moment and thinking, wow… how lucky are we to be here?
Our road trip continued to Castell de Castells, a small mountain village surrounded by spectacular scenery. The journey there was almost as beautiful as the destination itself. Driving through the mountains, seeing tiny villages appear between the hills and watching the landscape change around us made the whole day feel like an adventure.
Castell de Castells had that authentic Spanish village feeling that I absolutely love. It wasn’t about rushing from one tourist attraction to another. Instead, it was about experiencing the surroundings and enjoying the journey.
Parcent
After that, we made our way to Parcent. This charming village is surrounded by the mountains of the Vall de Pop. Walking through the streets, I loved seeing the traditional houses and the peaceful atmosphere. There is something so special about these smaller Spanish villages they feel lived in and real, rather than created purely for tourists.
Jalón
We ended our day in Jalón, surrounded by vineyards, mountains and the beautiful landscape of the Costa Blanca countryside.
By this point, we had already seen so much during the day, but Jalón felt like a lovely final chapter to our road trip. After spending the whole day exploring, it was nice to simply take in the scenery and realise just how much we had experienced in a single day.
Today was a really nice day exploring some of the smaller places around the Costa Blanca.
We drove through the mountains, visited a few villages, stopped at some beautiful viewpoints and had plenty of time to just enjoy the Spanish atmosphere. What I liked most was that every place had something different. From the little streets of Altea la Vella to the views over Guadalest and the villages of Castell de Castells, Parcent and Jalón, it was a fun mix of nature, history and local life.
It was also nice not to have the whole day planned around one big attraction. We could take our time, stop when we saw something interesting, have some food, look around the local market and pick up a few souvenirs along the way.
A simple day, but definitely one with lots of nice moments and beautiful views. Exactly the kind of day you hope for when exploring Spain.