Alicante is a good base for exploring the Costa Blanca, and Villajoyosa, Altea and Guadalest make three straightforward day trips with very different characters. A rental car gives you the most flexibility, especially for Guadalest, while Villajoyosa and Altea can also be reached by TRAM.
These are our 3 favourite day trips from Alicante.
1. Villajoyosa (the colourful chocolate town)
Around 30 km north of Alicante, Villajoyosa is known for its colourful seafront houses, long sandy beach and strong chocolate-making tradition. The Chocolates Valor Chocolate Museum offers guided visits covering the museum, a view into the factory and a tasting in the shop. Advance booking is recommended at busy times; Saturday visits must be reserved online.
2. Altea (the Costa Blanca's whitewashed hill town)
Continue north and you reach Altea. Its Old Town is known for whitewashed houses, narrow cobbled streets, art galleries and the parish church with its distinctive blue-and-white tiled dome. Altea works well for a relaxed lunch and a walk through the historic centre. You can travel there by TRAM, but a car is more flexible if you want to combine several stops in one day.
3. Guadalest (the mountain village above the reservoir)
Guadalest sits in the mountains north of Benidorm, a small fortified village built around a dramatic rock outcrop. From the castle and historic centre you get views over the valley and turquoise-green reservoir. With a car, it is easy to combine Guadalest with the Algar waterfalls on the same day.
🚗 Planning a road trip?
A rental car gives you the most flexibility if you want to combine two or three places in one day, or continue inland to Guadalest and Algar. If you are only visiting Villajoyosa or Altea, TRAM is also an option. Compare Alicante car hire prices here.
