From the path leading to the crag-top medieval village of Guadalest on the Costa Blanca the Mediterranean Sea can be seen some fifteen miles away.

Guadalest, the 'Eagle's Nest', is surrounded by mountains and is located about 25 km inland from Benidorm, just over 1 hour from Alicante. It enjoys one of the most spectacular locations of any village in Spain, set high up on a pinnacle and carved out of a mountain top in the midst of truly stunning scenery. It has a population of only 200 but is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain.

Of Islamic origin, Guadalest was a military stronghold of great strategic importance and is the site of several ancient castles, the remains of which can still be seen today - although earthquakes and battles during the War of Spanish Succession in the early 18th century have reduced these fortifications to little more than shells.

Tags:   Spain Costa Blanca Guadalest medieval village medieval castle landscapes Spanish countryside trees palm trees Mediterranean Sea

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Albir is a delightful small seaside town on the Costa Blanca in south-east Spain , a couple of miles north-east along the coast from Benidorm, and separated from it by a range of hills called the Serra Helada. We stayed here at the Hotel Kaktus for a fortnight in May 2014, which can be seen in the centre of the picture with the green balconies. In the distance is another range of hills called the Serra de Bernia. This is straight from the camera.

Tags:   Spain Costa Blanca Albir coast seaside beaches Mediterranean Sea

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Denia is a large town and port in the northern part of Spain's Costa Blanca. There are numerous marinas along the Costa Blanca which are home to luxury yachts and motor boats, as well as more modest smaller craft. I quite fancied taking this one out for a spin! This 43m luxury yacht sleeps ten and has a crew of eight. It is available for charter at 140,000 euros per week. It has a top speed of 17 knots.

Tags:   Spain Denia ports luxury yachts Samurai One boats Costa Blanca

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First thing in the morning and the seafront is virtually deserted at Xabia (Javea) to the north of Cap de la Nau. This is in the northern part of the Costa Blanca on Spain's south-east coast. Confusingly, two languages are in use (a bit like Wales) and so many places have alternative spellings.

Tags:   Spain Costa Blanca Xabia Javea coast seafront promenade restaurants

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This narrow alley is the entrance to the small ancient crag-top town of Guadalest on the Costa Blanca.

Tags:   Spain Costa Blanca Guadalest medieval town

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