Guadalest

Guadalest is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Costa Blanca. Guadalest is a village sitting on top of a mountain. The village appears perched on a tiny pinnacle rising into the sky which makes it look absolutely amazing. This gives beautiful views of the green valley with many other mountains in the background.

Guadalest is famous for two buildings. First is Guadalest castle (Castell de Guadalest) which can only be accessed by walking through a 15 foot long tunnel carved out of the rock. This is known as the Portal de San Jose. No wonder the castle was so secure!

Tunnel into Guadalest

When you get through the tunnel you see the old village houses and it feels like you have
entered an ancient time. You can visit the restored house of the Orduna family to get an idea
of what it used to be like living in ancient times in Guadalest.

Guadalest Cobbled Streets

Make sure you look to the right of Guadlest and you will see beautiful views of the valley which contains a dam and reservoir – the Embalse de Guadalest, built between 1953 and 1963. The other famous building that you will often see photographed or on postcards is the white bell tower of Penon de la Alcala which rises up seemingly precariously perched on the mountainside.

Guadalest Plaza (Square)

The village of Guadalest only has about 200 inhabitants and needless to say most of these work in tourist related jobs. You will find many shops selling souvenirs, crafts and local produce such as honey, wine, handbags etc. Guadalest also has a number of small museums many of them converted from little caves in the mountainside. A trip to Guadalest need only take half a day and you can then be back on the Costa Blanca’s beaches or by your pool but do make the effort because it is a worthwhile sightseeing trip and adds another dimension to your Costa Blanca holiday.

The castle at Guadalest was built by the Moors over 1,300 years ago. In 1609 King Felipe the third ordered all the Moors to be expelled leading to an uprising after which the Moors were defeated and left Spain. Also of note was in 1848 when powder kegs blew up (the reason is not known) the castle was abandoned.

Museums

The Museo de Saleros y Pimenteros (Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum) has more than
20.000 salt and pepper shakers from all over the world! Andrea Ludden has collected for more than 30 years, and has another museum in the USA, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, which has another 20.000! The museum is at Avenida de Alicante 2, El Castell de Guadalest, 03517 Alicante, directly on the main parking area, and is totally accessible, with no stairs or climbs. It is entertaining, educational, and apt for the whole family. The children love it!